Style Skincare Hands and Feet Nail Care 10 Negative Space Manicure Designs for Every Occasion Bare it all with this easy-to-recreate nail trend. By Danielle Cohen Published on July 05, 2023 Close Photo: DevMarya/Getty Images Good news for DIY fans: Some today’s coolest nail art isn’t all that complicated to recreate at home. Meet negative space manicures, the seriously eye-catching trend that leaves some—sometimes even most—of the natural nail exposed and unpainted. Beyond incorporating a swath of naked nail, there are no rules when it comes to negative space manicures—opt for a hot pink cow print layered over bare nails or simply leave a thin, unpainted line on an otherwise traditional paint job. It’s seriously that easy. But don’t mistake easy for boring. Read on for 10 negative space manicures that are sleek, sophisticated, and a whole lot of fun. 01 of 10 Yellow Half-Moons We love a bright yellow manicure, and this one is surprisingly easy to replicate from home—all it takes is some nail art stencil stickers. Grab some half-moon strip stickers (these ones from Amazon come with three different stencil shapes) and place it along the lower third of your nail. Apply your polish to the area above the sticker, allow it to dry until it’s tacky (around a minute or so), and carefully remove the sticker. Voila! 02 of 10 Outside the Box For a twist on an otherwise ordinary red mani, create a square outline around the center of each nail with a small detail brush dipped in nail polish remover. Use a mattifying top coat to really play up the unique shape and juxtaposition—we like the Londontown Matte Top Coat. 03 of 10 Ride the Waves Take a page from the beach and try an ocean-inspired design that goes with the flow. With a bold blue and barely-there nude, make organic curves to mimic the tides and create an elevated negative-space design. 04 of 10 Heart Tips Utilize negative space to create uniquely shaped tips, like these ombre hearts by London-based celebrity nail artist Pria Bhamra. The neutral base works double time, making the ombre colors pop and underscoring the fun heart shape. To recreate at home, opt for single-colored hearts—trust us, it’ll be way easier than the four-colored ombre. 05 of 10 Keep it Neutral Whoever said neutral colors can’t be fun hasn’t seen this manicure. Use black and white polishes to doodle different designs on each nail. The simple colors and basic decals make the negative space really pop. Plus, you can easily switch up the nail art based on personal preference and skill level! 06 of 10 Play Peek-a-Boo Definitive proof you can still have a little glitter in a minimalist mani design—the key is to use it sparingly. Sandwiched between this stark black hue, the glitter-dusted negative space pops without looking too out there. 07 of 10 Draw in the Lines A fiery orange hue is always in for summer—Essie’s Clambake is a classic. Break up an otherwise basic paint job by outlining a few nails in the same shade. The half-moon cutout adds a little extra oomph that’s welcome but certainly not necessary. 08 of 10 Line it Like the French Another deceptively simple design, this negative-space take on a classic French is seriously chic. Stencils are key to getting these perfectly curved, smooth lines, though if you’re more advanced, a steady hand and precise brush will get the job done too. Be sure to let the polish dry down before adding your top coat—otherwise the lines might bleed! 09 of 10 Starry Nights Nail decal stickers are a great way to make an expert-level design achievable at home. Apply a star-shaped one in the upper-right corner of your middle nail—the key is to make sure one corner of the star is hanging off the nail ever-so-slightly so you can easily peel the sticker off later. Paint on polish as you normally would, let it dry (and we mean really dry!), and use a pair of tweezers to peel off the sticker. Secure a few more star stickers on bare nails with a top coat, and you’re good to go. 10 of 10 Tattoo Nails Be forewarned: This intricate design isn’t for your average at-home manicurist. But it’s also ridiculously cool. Use negative space to create the illusion of a tattooed-on design. Keep things matte to create a more seamless look. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit