56 Yellow Nail Looks That’ll Brighten Your Day

and

UPDATED ON 05/23/23 09:40PM

reviewed by

Nail Educator

yellow smiley face manicure — @HOLLYFALCONENAILS / INSTAGRAM

Yellow is a great color to tap when your nails need a pick-me-up. The hue invokes sunny summer and springtime vibes and can feel modern and elegant, depending on your design. We found dozens of yellow designs that pair our favorite color with some of the hottest nail trends.

From pale pastels to golden hues, glitter, nail art, and everything in between—read on for 56 of our favorite yellow nail looks on Instagram, sure to look great on any nail shape or length.

01of 56

Yellow Drip

yellow nails with dripping design — @NAILS_OF_LA

Yellow drippy nails are ultra-cool. You can recreate this look using UN/DN Laqr’s Nail Polish ($12) in Joyride.

02of 56

Little Lemons

When life gives you lemons, wear them on your nails. The bright and bold lemon designs make this mani a perfect choice for the warmer months.

03of 56

Yellow Lines

If you’ve wanted to try yellow nails but aren’t ready to go full-out, this is the perfect starter mani. The scattered neon yellow abstract lines add just enough flare.

04of 56

Smiley Faces

Show the world how happy you are with this smiley face mani. Cute, yellow smiley faces adorn these natural, mid-length almond-shaped nails.

05of 56

Fresh and Floral

This is a fresh take on a floral mani. Four fingers feature flower bud-shaped tips, while the ring finger is decorated with daisies.

06of 56

Ombre Bubble

yellow and pink ombre nails — @NUKA.NAILS

3D nails are super buzzy right now, and we love this take on the trend. Not only does it feature 3D bubbles, but it also boats summer-ready pink and yellow ombre polish.

07of 56

Juicy Papayas

yellow nails with papaya designs — @YO_KESHH

We absolutely adore this fresh and fruity nail set. Each nail features a juicy and colorful papaya design, boasting beautiful tones of coral, yellow, and lime green.

08of 56

Florals and Mushrooms

yellow nails with mushroom and flower designs — @YO_KESHH

We never thought mushrooms and flowers could look so chic together, but this set proves us wrong. The bright yellow base helps to highlight the bright red mushrooms and white flowers.

09of 56

Lava Lamp

This mani instantly reminded us of a lava lamp. The yellow and pink swirls are super eye-catching and playful.

10of 56

Jungle Print

If you’re feeling bold, this jungle-inspired manicure is perfect. This set perfectly captures the various tones of yellow found in nature. Plus, the accent nails feature stunning designs of jungle animals, including cheetahs, leopards, and snakes.

11of 56

Rainbows and Sunsets

yellow nails with rainbow and sunset designs — @NAILSBYLINDSEYLU

These sunny nails instantly spark joy. The accent nails feature hand-drawn rainbows and sunsets in beautiful marigold, orange, and red tones.

12of 56

Yellow and Black Speckles

yellow and black speckle nails — @NAILSBYLINDSEYLU

This mani keeps things relatively simple—most nails have a solid yellow base. However, the two accent nails pack a punch, featuring a black and yellow speckled design.

13of 56

Bees and Checker Print

This look reminds us of summer picnics. From the yellow checkerboard print to the bee nail art, everything about this nail look is sweet.

14of 56

Sunflowers

Channel your inner flower child with these sunflower nails. The hand-painted sunflowers add tons of charm and glamour to the look.

15of 56

Abstract Art

abstract designs on yellow nails — @NAILDITBYALYSSA

If you’re looking for an out-of-the-box design, this is for you. Each nail is painted with primary colors, with yellow being front and center. Add a different abstract design to each nail to give the mani an extra bit of boldness.

16of 56

Yellow Logos

@IMARNINAILS

These gorgeous nails feature hand-painted designer logos. We think this mani is so chic and luxurious.

17of 56

Emojis

These gorgeous nails feature hand-painted designer logos. We think this mani is so chic and luxurious.

18of 56

Yellow Squiggles

nails with yellow squiggly line design — @IMARNINAILS

If you’re looking for a simple yet cool design, these squiggles are the way to go. Since the base is a basic, barely-there nude, the bright yellow swirly lines add a fun pop of color.

19of 56

Neon Yellow

If you prefer almond-shaped nails, this one’s for you. We love how bright and bold this neon yellow set is.

20of 56

Yellow Cake

These nails draw inspo from our favorite sweet treat—cake. The thick French tips and detailed pearls give this set an elegant touch.

21of 56

3D Mushrooms

This 3D mushroom-inspired mani is incredibly cool. Achieve the same pale yellow color using The Gel Bottle Polish in Love Letter, Daisy, and Caramel.

22of 56

Mustard-on-Yellow

This design marries two variations of the color, pairing a mustard hue with a classic pastel yellow. The base is painted yellow, with mustard being used in geometric designs over top.

23of 56

Yellow and Black Geometric Tips

A clear base is just the thing to contrast tips made of alternating swaths of yellow and black polish. You could go with any color combo, but the contrast looks great when it’s a mix of a light and dark hue, as seen here.

24of 56

Floral Details

Manicure with yellow french tips and daisy details — @SHOPSEACLIFF / INSTAGRAM

With a neutral base, pale yellow French tips and dainty daisy details look sleek and fun. We love the addition of a small white dot in the center of each flower.

25of 56

Ombré Tips

yellow ombre-tipped nails — @PRESS_RESET_NAILS / INSTAGRAM

A classic French mani is great, but this one—with yellow tips that fade subtly into a neutral base—is pure fun.

26of 56

Curved Brown Details

neutral nails with yellow and brown detail — @PAINTBOXNAILS / INSTAGRAM

Here, nails are left half bare, with the other half awash in a bright yellow polish with a brown curved detail. Use a toothpick to get a small detail like this one just right.

27of 56

Gold Swirled Tips

Here, nails are painted yellow and the tips get a fun, glam detail: swirls of gold. The look is youthful but sophisticated and would easily work for a nighttime or daytime event.

28of 56

Yellow Slashes

Yellow can be a subtle or bold, depending on the design you choose. These chic slashes are super minimalist and work on all nail shapes, sizes, and lengths. Try to DIY it with the tip of a bobby pin.

29of 56

Geometric Two-Toned

manicure with orange and yellow geometric shapes — @EVELYNLNAILS / INSTAGRAM

Half geometric two-toned, half negative space, this look proves you don’t have to fully commit to one style. Here, nails are neutral except for the tips, with yellow and orange shapes.

30of 56

Checkers, Anyone?

yellow manicure with checkered nail on each hand — @NAILSANDFACE_ / INSTAGRAM

Leave one accent nail nude with horizontal and vertical stripes to create a fun and neutral checkered style.

31of 56

Yellow French

French manicure with yellow tips — @SOLOMA.NAILS / INSTAGRAM

A fun, colorful spin on a classic French manicure is always a good idea.

32of 56

Negative Space Half Moons

Yellow manicure with half-moon detail on the tips — @OLIVEANDJUNE / INSTAGRAM

This sunshine-bright mani is almost like a French tip but with so much more oomph. Here, nails are painted almost entirely yellow, save for a half-moon kept bare near the cuticle.

33of 56

Palm Trees

manicure with yellow nails and palm tree accent nails — @YOUTZINAILS / INSTAGRAM

Nothing gives off vacation vibes like a perfectly painted palm tree. Here, nearly every nail is painted yellow—with the exception of the ring finger nails, which have white with palm tree leaf details.

34of 56

Lovely Lemon

Manicure with yellow nails and one lemon accent nail — @NAILS_COSMETIC_TURKEY / INSTAGRAM

A yellow color scheme complete with a hand-painted white lemon (one the ring fingers only) is a classic pairing.

35of 56

Mustard Yellow

A mustard hue is a good entry into the world of yellow manis if you aren’t ready to commit to a neon style. Here, nails are awash in a yellow-meets-green shade that’s perfect for fall.

36of 56

Too Cute Tulips

Tulip and yellow manicure — @EXTRAVAGANZA_NAILS_NAIROBI / INSTAGRAM

This certainly takes a steady hand and artistic eye, but these painted tulips are gorgeous. We love that the floral application is relegated to two nails per hand only, leaving the other digits awash in bright, classic yellow.

37of 56

Yellow Leopard

Here, nails are painted with a combination of neutrals and neon yellow. Two nails get a leopard design while the others get a yellow French-tipped style.

38of 56

Sunflowers

sunflower yellow manicure — @CURENAILSRESORT/ INSTAGRAM

These hand-painted sunflower nails are so sweet. We love the slightly squared-off shape, which contrasts to the rounded petals.

39of 56

Lightning Bolts

lightning manicure with yellow nails — @ULTRANOKTI / INSTAGRAM

These little lightning bolts on the ring finger add just the right amount of funky fun to an already playful manicure.

40of 56

Catch a Wave

yellow manicure with statement nail with colorful waves — @PAINTSALON.UK / INSTAGRAM

This pastel-rainbow wave-inspired art with tiny white star accents gives off fantasy vibes, and we love it.

41of 56

Sunny, Simple and Cheerful

simple yellow polished nails — @BREUKELENPOLISHED / INSTAGRAM

Go back to basics with a perfectly painted, single-color yellow mani in this beautiful sunshine-y hue.

42of 56

1960s Vibes

1960s style swirled yellow, pink and brown manicure — @PAINTBOXNAILS / INSTAGRAM

A brightly-hued manicure paired with a fun, colorful and geometric design (in this case, a 1960s-inspired swirl) is a way to incorporate even more cheerful colors into the mix.

43of 56

Wavy French

yellow swirled tip manicure — @FINGERFEAST / INSTAGRAM

Not quite a French manicure, these half neutral half yellow nails are split with a wave in the most adorable way.

44of 56

Love on Lemons

yellow sherbert man icure with lemon accent nail — @LVNAILSSTUDIO / INSTAGRAM

There’s really no wrong way to rock a lemon. Unlike the previous lemon look on our list, this mani is done in a sherbet-esque hue, with a lemon on each ring finger.

45of 56

Glitter Glam

yellow manicure with sequined ring finger nail — @JUST_MARIE_NAILS / INSTAGRAM

Pile on all the glitter for a glitzy accent nail. Here, yellow is the main draw, but a statement ring finger nail—awash in glitter—adds oomph.

46of 56

Negative Space

manicure with black geometric details and yellow shapes — @NAILART.IIDEAS / INSTAGRAM

A natural nail base, strategically placed lines and sections of yellow nail polish make for a gorgeous negative space manicure.

47of 56

Simple Gold Lines

Simple gold lines elevate this manicure to the next level. Plus, gold and yellow look gorgeous together.

48of 56

Pastel Peach and Yellow

peach and yellow manicure — @EN_VIE_NAILS / INSTAGRAM

Pairing pastel yellow with a peachy-pink is an excellent combo, and the subtle swipe of gold glitter at the cuticle is the prettiest little accent.

49of 56

Reverse French

With this reverse French manicure, only the area closest to the cuticle is painted yellow for a unique, eye-catching look.

50of 56

Yellow-Gold Foil

gold detail manicure — @PAINTBOXNAILS / INSTAGRAM

This neutral mani gets a swipe of gold foil across each nail. We love how the design differs digit to digit, which adds interest.

51of 56

Marvelous and Marbled

marbled manicure with yellow and pink detail — @OPI / INSTAGRAM

Marbled yellow and pink on top of a white base is the stuff tie-dye nail dreams are made of.

52of 56

Two Gold Stripes

Two gold stripes at the tip is a relatively simple way to add another element to a basic yellow manicure.

53of 56

Smiley Faces

smiley face nail manicure — @HOLLYFALCONENAILS / INSTAGRAM

Brighten your nails with these adorable smiley faces. See a pro manicurist to recreate this look, or try nail appliques for a DIY smiley manicure.

54of 56

Neon Yellow Tips

neon yellow French tip manicure — @BYRDIE / INSTAGRAM

Make a statement with electric yellow, neon tips that practically glow. In this case, the nails play off a similarly-hued yellow eyeliner for a bold look.

55of 56

Small Handpainted Lemons

When life gives you lemons, put them on your nails. In this case, each nail gets a different variety of the citrus, which are diminutive and handpainted against a clear background.

56of 56

Yellow Tips With White Half Moons

yellow french tipped nail manicure with half moon detail — @NAILITMEDIA / INSTAGRAM

Yellow and white reminds us of puffy clouds on a sunny day. Try this twist on the traditional French manicure by using sunny yellow tips and white half moons at the base of the nail.

Yellow Drip

Little Lemons

Yellow Lines

Smiley Faces

Fresh and Floral

Ombre Bubble

Juicy Papayas

Florals and Mushrooms

Lava Lamp

Jungle Print

Rainbows and Sunsets

Yellow and Black Speckles

Bees and Checker Print

Sunflowers

Abstract Art

Yellow Logos

Emojis

Yellow Squiggles

Neon Yellow

Yellow Cake

3D Mushrooms

Mustard-on-Yellow

Yellow and Black Geometric Tips

Floral Details

Ombré Tips

Curved Brown Details

Gold Swirled Tips

Yellow Slashes

Geometric Two-Toned

Checkers, Anyone?

Yellow French

Negative Space Half Moons

Palm Trees

Lovely Lemon

Mustard Yellow

Too Cute Tulips

Yellow Leopard

Sunflowers

Lightning Bolts

Catch a Wave

Sunny, Simple and Cheerful

1960s Vibes

Wavy French

Love on Lemons

Glitter Glam

Negative Space

Simple Gold Lines

Pastel Peach and Yellow

Reverse French

Yellow-Gold Foil

Marvelous and Marbled

Two Gold Stripes

Smiley Faces

Neon Yellow Tips

Small Handpainted Lemons

Yellow Tips With White Half Moons

Related Posts

“Esmalte de Uñas Negro” te deja sin palabras durante 5 segundos.

10 Diseños de Uñas de Gato Negro Perfectos para Amantes de los Gatos en Todas Partes

17 Diseños de Uñas para el Día de Acción de Gracias que Capturan el Espíritu de la Gratitud

20 Diseños de Uñas Fantasmales para Celebrar la Temporada Espeluznante

20 Diseños de Uñas Perfectos que Abrazan la Belleza del Otoño

20 Diseños de Uñas Espeluznantes para Halloween para un Día Lleno de Diversión

Leave a Reply Cancel reply