25 Chic Nail Ideas That Give Major Birthday Girl Energy
You'll love these party-ready manicures.
- Pink Glitter
- Glazed French
- Aura Nails
- Midnight
- Hibiscus Nails
- Shining Stars
- Abstract
- Isolated Chrome
- Seashells
- Gemstone Flowers
- Gold Foils
- Two-Toned
- Green Smoke
- Marble
- Subtle Scales
- Old English
- Mixed Prints
- Butterfly Nails
- Red With a Twist
- Geometric Accents
- Mix & Match
- Earthy Green
- White Lace
- Polka Dots
- Royal Blue
In case you needed a reminder, your birthday is an absolutely valid reason to pamper yourself. For as long as I can remember, I've always viewed my birthday as a day when I get to indulge in as much self-care as I want. If I want to get a new haircut, hit the spa and get a massage, or apply my favorite face mask, I take full advantage of the occasion and make sure that I carve out the time to do those things. Plus, birthdays can be stressful, and we all deserve to give ourselves some TLC.
Also on that long list of self-care activities I like to indulge in is getting a manicure. In my mind, the birthday energy is not fully there until I get my nails done. Sure, a good manicure can provide a boost of confidence, but it's also just nice to get taken care of on your special day. Not to mention, it feels good to ring in the next year of your life looking ready for whatever it might bring.
If you love a good birthday manicure but aren't sure which style or design you want to try, don't sweat. Below, I've put together a list of 25 super-chic nail ideas that will have you feeling your best on your special day. Trust me—you're going to love these.
Pink Glitter
These pink glitter nails are both simple and classic. You literally can't go wrong with them.
Glazed French
Turn a simple French mani into something a bit more eye-catching with a glazed finish.
Aura Nails
Whatever your color palette of choice is, you can never go wrong with aura nails.
Midnight
These midnight-black nails with added glitter are perfect for a night out.
Hibiscus Nails
These hibiscus nails are a great choice for anyone with a spring birthday on the horizon.
Shining Stars
These copper stars are a bold choice for anyone who prefers their designs on shorter nails.
Abstract
Forget structured designs. These abstract nails are incredibly fun and easy to re-create.
Isolated Chrome
These gold-chrome nails are a savvy way of using negative space to your advantage.
Seashells
Headed on a sunny vacation for your birthday? If so, consider these stunning seashell-inspired nails.
Gemstone Flowers
If you want small hints of texture on your manicure, try mixing it up with these simplistic gemstone flowers.
Gold Foils
Adding small amounts of gold foil to your plain mani can give it a playful edge.
Two-Toned
Rather than painting each nail a different color, try swiping two shades of your choice on either side of each nail for some contrast.
Green Smoke
No matter your nail color, you can add a bit of white to the tips to create a smoky finish.
Marble
Something about this mani feels angelic. The color palette blends together seamlessly.
Subtle Scales
If you like prints but want to keep it subtle, try scattering these scale patterns at the edges of each nail rather than the whole thing.
Old English
Thinking of repping your birth year? If so, try doing it with an edgy font like this one.
Mixed Prints
These mixed-animal-print nails with small chrome additions create a clean and elevated look.
Butterfly Nails
If dark animal prints aren't your thing, consider channeling a different kind of vibe with these butterfly-inspired nails.
Red With a Twist
Bold red nails will never go out of style, especially when you're using a shade that complements your skin tone, but if you want to change things up a bit, adding some gold or silver chrome can completely transform this classy look.
Geometric Accents
Sometimes, less is more, and these minimalist geometric shapes are a prime example.
Mix & Match
Why have just one style or design when you can have multiple? In case you didn't know, maximalism is very much in this year, so don't be afraid to lean into this popular trend on your big day.
Earthy Green
Rather than a super-bold or bright green, try a muted tone with some texture.
White Lace
If elegant manicures are your thing, you'll love these white lace tips. The detail turns a classic French manicure into something truly eye-catching.
Polka Dots
Fashion trendsetters agree that polka dots are back in style, so it was only right for this staple manicure to make the list.
Royal Blue
Want a manicure that makes you feel like royalty? These royal-blue nails are bold enough to turn heads wherever you go.

Sabrina Talbert is a New York-based journalist with six years of experience covering lifestyle and wellness for print and digital publications. She is currently the Assistant Beauty Editor at Who What Wear and has bylines in Women’s Health, Byrdie, NYLON, The Daily Front Row, and more. She’s passionate about covering topics related to haircare, skincare, and the latest happenings at the intersection of beauty and sports. When she’s not writing or testing products, you can catch her running and binge-watching F1 or boxing.