40 Beautiful Party Nail Designs to Help Attract All Eyes

From the dress to the heels, hair, and nails, prom planning is a process. Every year, girls from all over rush to nail salons to get the perfect prom nails. Aside from the classic French tip, girls are experimenting with bolder nail designs this year.

Prom night is all about the details, and no look is complete without a perfect manicure. You might have the most stunning dress, the perfect heels, and the sexiest updo, but your nails are the chicest accessory of all.

Today, we’re sharing some of our favorite prom nails to give you some inspo! Read about the top nail trends for prom below or skip ahead to see the inspo pics.

Making sure they’re completely dry can make it less likely that they’ll smudge. Aside from that, the extra time can give you the chance to redo them as you like. There’s no need to get your nails done the same day!

One of the best reasons why you should get your nails done a day prior is the fact that your nails won’t be overworked before the big night. To make them last until prom, make sure to not submerge your nails in and out of water too much. If necessary, using gloves can save them a bit.

If you’re doing your nails at home, the first thing you should do is ensure that your nails are well-buffed and dry. The smooth surface helps the polish pigment adhere better to your nails, making it last longer than usual.

Finding the right shade of polish can be quite tricky, especially if your dress isn’t made with basic colors. Instead of looking for the exact same shade of polish, look for a color that complements it. The general rule of thumb is to pair cool tones with warm tones and vice versa.

Remember, the focus should be centered on prom, which is obviously your dress. Your prom nails should not overpower your dress. When in doubt, go for neutral colors (white, beige, nude).

As much as possible, try to steer clear of red unless you plan on matching your nails with a red dress. Silver, gold, and glitter designs are also considered safe options as they can be matched with your attire like jewelry.

Aside from their economical and affordable advantage, press-on nails are much easier to handle. You can put them on, take them off, and reuse them as many times as you like. The only drawback is the limited range of options.

Don’t you just love these little sparkly dots placed on a clear base coat? From afar, they look like tiny twinkling stars all over your nails!

I love how glamorous and sophisticated these prom nails are! They’re absolutely gorgeous and full of sparkle to match a dress that will shimmer under the lights!

If you’re looking for a manicure that has little to no sparkle, this is for you. You can opt for a white and nude combo or a white and red combo.

Whether you want to match your golden dress or you simply want your nails to have that golden touch, you’re sure to love this manicure! I’m obsessed with this gold chrome look.

For dainty and soft prom nails, you’ll love this prom nail design! I love how unique the bird patterns are and how intricately they were painted.

I can totally picture these stunning deep blue nails perfectly complementing a midnight blue dress during prom night! The gold foils also add such a nice accent!

Give your usual bare and minimalist prom manicure a glamorous accent by adding a little bit of sparkly line over your base coat.

So edgy and avant-garde, these black ombre nails are so chic and classy! Ombre accent nails also give a sparkly or frosty look to your hands.

Update the traditional French tip by ditching the usual white tips and replacing them with a sparkly one like this. This will also create a beautiful ombre effect!

When it comes to a romantic and feminine manicure, you can never go wrong with pink prom nails. Use different finishes like the usual glossy textures, mattes, and sparkly top coats to add some interesting dimensions.

Green might not be everyone’s first choice for prom nail designs, but if your dress is green or has hints of this shade, you might want to consider matching the theme for a cohesive look.

I love the neutral colors of these prom nail designs, as well as the different finishes of each top coat. It looks so effortlessly chic and sophisticated.

I love these florals with gold accents! They’re so delicate, intricate, and sophisticated! The neutral color scheme will make it suit all kinds of dresses too!

If you want a prom manicure that you won’t see on other nails, then this is for you. It’s a unique yet classy take on the usual French tips.

If you want to play with floral patterns but don’t want your nails to steal the entire attention, then you can ask your nail technician to place them around the tips of your nails.

This is probably my favorite floral prom night nail design on this list. I love the youthful jelly look, as well as how the floral patterns look like dried and antique flowers.

Make a statement with your white floral nails by adding some floral embellishments to your accent nails!

But if the previous manicure is too much, this one has a more toned down and understated floral aesthetic.

Add some color to your 3D floral nail art during prom! These pink nails are absolutely gorgeous and they give off a romantic vibe.

Here’s another white floral design that you can consider for prom night! This one in particular adds sparkly embellishments like rhinestones and 3D flowers for a more avant-garde look.

Tired of the usual white and neutral color schemes? Go for deep and moody plum tones for your nails!

I’m obsessed with the intricacy of this particular nail design. From afar, they look like sophisticated lace patterns, but they’re actually floral tips.

Speaking of lace patterns, this is one of my instant favorites on this list! It’s so sexy and sophisticated at the same time. The sharp and stiletto nail cut also provides a more feminine touch.

I don’t know about you, but there’s something so chic and moody with monochromatic black roses on nails. Add some rose gold embellishments to create a stunning contrast of bright colors.

If you’re looking for a prom nail that’s quirky and has a touch of bold color, you’ll love these bright neon pink glitter nails! The lace pattern accent nails also add a sophisticated touch.

Blending glamour and edginess, these nails are absolutely gorgeous! I love the mix of different patterns and shapes on each nail.

Everything about this prom manicure is absolutely beautiful! The pure white patterns look so majestic and delicate at the same time.

These floral and geometric pattern combinations are so unique! I also love the monochromatic look in pure white!

If you’re not much into all-white manicures, you can add some sparkle to it by topping it with glittery top coats and patterns.

Not a fan of glitters either? You can spice up your white monochromatic prom nails by adding some delicate leaf patterns to your accent nails.

You know I love everything purple, and this soft matte lilac manicure with a rhinestone embellishment is so elegant! It’s simple and I think you can also DIY it without too much fuss.

If your prom has a wintery theme, you’re sure to love this frosty gray manicure for your prom night! It’s giving real ice princess vibes.

This set of nails reminds me of a cotton candy vibe and if you’re going to wear something pink on prom night, then this is a prom manicure that you might want to consider!

If you’re not very confident about straying away from your usual French manicure, then you’ll love this ombre variation of the classic French tip. It’s also more subtle and toned down, and you can easily create an accent nail like the one in the picture.

Spice up your usual soft pink manicure by adding a clear accent nail with a glittery finish. It will give your prom manicure a touch of glam.

Perfect for a spring-themed prom night, these butterfly-themed nails are simply stunning!

Put a creative twist to your nude manicure and add some shimmer to your nails! Your hands will be catching the light in the most ethereal way.

If you don’t like having too much color on your nails, why not opt for a clear base? Add some glitters and butterflies for a sparkly effect.

Here’s another one of my favorite prom nails on this list. I love the daintiness and sparkle of each golden star.

If you don’t like adding much color to your nails but you like the look of a starry manicure, then this one is more suitable for you than the previous manicure.

Add pops of bold and deep blue hues to recreate the look of a starry night sky on your nails during prom night.

I honestly love these spring-themed manicures! They would be a good match if you’re wearing a bright or pastel dress to complement your overall look!

Starry themes on prom night are quite common and I can see why they’re becoming so trendy and popular. The same can be said about starry manicures. They look absolutely ethereal and celestial!

If you really don’t want to get too fussy with your prom night nails, then you can never go wrong with a classic like the French tip.

If you want to give the classic French manicure a subtle and creative twist, try using a different color other than the usual white tips.

I love gold chrome manicures. They look so shiny and give off such a luxurious feel to the nails.

If your prom night has an under-the-sea theme, then these mermaid-inspired nails are a must-have!

If you don’t plan on wearing jewelry during prom night, then you should accessorize your nails instead. Complete your manicure with exaggerated rhinestones and chrome finishes for that gemstone effect.