47 Fabulous Birthday Nails to Celebrate Your Special Day in Style

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Birthdays are always a lot of fun! 

Your special day is that one day in the year when you get to celebrate your gorgeous self and do something you don’t always do very often. 

And everyone loves to look sparkling and beautiful to stand out on their birthday.

A woman's hands with yellow nail polish and cupcake nail art on a pink and light gray background

What better way to do that than to wear a statement piece, such as birthday nails?

As our gift to you, we’re here to inspire you with some gorgeous birthday inspired nails that you can wear to catch everyone’s eyes on your special day!

Common Birthday Nails Theme and Designs

There can be a myriad of fancy birthday nail designs you will find, so choosing a theme around the most common birthday nail designs would be best.

Here are the most common birthday nail themes and designs that fit this special occasion.

Encapsulated Nails

This nail art is meaningful for your birthday. You can encapsulate gems, greetings, your age, birthdate, birth year, birthstone, or even a photo. The sky’s the limit!

Confetti Nails

It’s not quite a party without some confetti! Confetti nails give you the illusion of confetti on your nails so it is always fun to have.

Dessert Nails

A cupcake nail design looks sweet, cute, and fun as a birthday nail art. So are ice cream, chocolate, pancakes, and tarts — all of which are common birthday buffet treats!

Birthday-themed Nails

Think birthday cakes, candles, balloons on your nails. It couldn’t be more apt for the occasion!

Glitter Nails

Glitter nails are versatile and give an effortless but glam look! Perfect for celebrations.

French Bling Nails

A French manicure is always classy. Enhance those tips with birthday-themed bling and you’re good to go!

Gorgeous Birthday Nails to Celebrate In Style

Now that you have an idea of what you want your nails to look like, it’s time to get creative, feel inspired, and start choosing from our fabulous collection!

Pink Icing on Blush Base, Sprinkles, and Gemstones

A woman's hands with pink nail polish that has rainbow sprinkles and gemstones nail designs
Image courtesy of @glambyangelica__

Think birthday cakes are too pretty to eat? Not when you wear these fancy birthday nails. Top pink-colored icing nails with rainbow sprinkles and gemstones to leave you sparkling all day.

Fuchsia Pink and White with Rainbow Sprinkles 

A cropped view of a woman's body holding a flower vase with fuchsia pink nail polish that has colorful rainbow sprinkles nail designs on select nails
Image courtesy of @beauty_by_taylorh

Nothing says birthday more than cake on your nails. To achieve the look of these fun and short birthday nails, use fuchsia pink for most nails and white manicure on an accent nail. Finally, adorn with colorful rainbow sprinkles to get you in a festive mood.

Cake and Cupcake on Fancy Glitter 

A closeup of a woman's hands with a sheer glitter base that has fancy stickers in butterflies, stars, and circles
Image courtesy of @ohmylorb

Some more birthday nails that are short-but-fun to look at! 

A sheer glitter base gets coated with fancy stickers in butterflies, stars, and circles. Accent nails feature a meticulously hand-drawn cake and cupcake to deliver a special message: Happy Birthday!

Birthday Doodles on Pink 

A closeup of a woman's hand with light pink nail polish that has cake, balloons, and party-themed nail designs
Image courtesy of @nailsbygizank

Don sweet pink nails but give them more pizzazz in fun birthday nails embellished with a slice of cake, balloons, and party-themed things. Your special day is the perfect excuse to wear this design all day or all week long, whichever you prefer!

Nude, White Icing, and Colorful Brush Strokes

A closeup of a woman's hands with a combination of nude and white nail polish that has colorful sprinkles on top of a white nail polish
Image courtesy of @spellbound.nailartistry

Wear nude nails but make them extra since it’s your special day! Top them with white birthday nails that look like icing and bright, colorful brush strokes that resemble sprinkles for a more festive vibe.

White and Colorful Confetti Sprinkles

A closeup of a woman's hand with white nail polish base that has colorful confetti sprinkles
Image courtesy of @nailspluslove

It’s not a party without some confetti! White base nails get more uplifting with colorful confetti sprinkles as a top coat. 

Birthday Candle Colors

A closeup of a woman's hand holding multicolored candles with a combination of pink, blue and white nail polish that has a cake design on one nail
Image courtesy of @fowler08

Can’t decide what your favorite color is? This nail design features a trifecta of awesome nail colors: pink, blue, and white. And since it’s for your birthday, doodling a cake on one nail will never be too much; it’s just perfect!

Cherry and Cheerful 30th Birthday Pastel Nails

A woman's hands with multicolored pastel nail polish that has hand-drawn cherries, cakes, and happy birthday greetings nail designs
Image courtesy of @glitzyfingers

Pastel pink, blue, yellow, and white nails embellished with hand-drawn cherries, cakes, and happy birthday greetings just made turning over a new leaf a lot more cheerful. Pastel nails have never looked so fun and spirited!

White Nails, Peach Squiggle Tips, and Colorful Strokes

A closeup of a woman's hands with a nude nail polish that has icing tips in white polish outlined in peach
Image courtesy of @speakeasynails_

Got a clear base coat on your nails? Accentuate it with icing tips in white polish outlined in peach and topped with colorful strokes to keep the yummy birthday ice cream for a few days!

White Border Nails, Melting Sweet Pink Tips, and Heart Gems

A closeup of a woman's hands with nude nail polish base that has light yellow border, a pink icing tip nail design and heart-shaped gems on select nails
Image courtesy of @speakeasynails_

Feel all the sweetness on your special day with these cute and short birthday nails in pink and white. Alternately paint a white border nail design and a pink icing tip nail design for the sweetest-looking birthday nails! 

Top with heart-shaped gems for extra oomph!

Pink, Peach, Gold Glitter, and Doodles for Birthday Nails

A closeup of a woman's hands with pink and peach nail polish that has gold glitter, a cute girl’s face, strawberries, and melting ice cream nail designs
Image courtesy of @speakeasynails_

Thinking cute, short birthday nails that can deliver happiness and cheer? Go with this summer-inspired birthday nails in pink and peach, topped with gold glitter, a cute girl’s face, strawberries, and melting ice cream!

Holographic Shimmer Nails, 3D White Icing, and Cherry On Top

A closeup of a woman's hands with holographic glitter nails that has white icing tips, and finished off with a cherry on top
Image courtesy of @speakeasynails_

Sky’s the limit for how you creatively showcase yourself for your birthday! Accentuate holographic glitter nails with 3D white icing tips, and finished off with a cherry on top.

Pink Shades, Black Stripes on White, and Ice Cream Doodle

A closeup of a woman's hand with a combination of white and pink nail polish that has pin stripes and an ice cream doodle nail design
Image courtesy of @fowler08

Alternate white nails with different pink shades. Seal it with pin stripes on the white nails and an ice cream doodle to nail the perfect grungy-but-sweet look for your birthday!

Fuchsia, Yellow, and a Cupcake

A closeup of a woman's hand with a combination of pink and yellow nail polish that has a cupcake nail art
Image courtesy of @fowler08

Want bright and beautiful nails? Fluorescent nail colors in pink and yellow create a warm and sunny look, made complete with the prettiest cupcake nail art for your special day.

Pink-Fuchsia Ombre, White Flames, and Chunky Glitter

A closeup of a woman's nude nail polish that has layers of colorful glitter, white flames and an assortment of rhinestones nail designs
Image courtesy of @omayra.nails

Achieve these birthday nails in coffin shape by starting-off with a pink and fuchsia ombre base and accentuate the tips with layers of colorful glitter. Top-coat with white flames and an assortment of rhinestones that scream “Ready to party!”

Pink, Yellow, and Blue Nails with 3D Accents

A closeup of a woman's hands with pink, yellow, and blue nail polish that has striped nail art, 3D flowers, gems, and colorful rhinestones nail designs
Image courtesy of @omayra.nails

An awesome trio of nail colors in pink, yellow, and blue can be made even more festive.

Start by painting the middle fingernails with striped nail art to get the three-tone color design, then alternately paint the rest with a single base color. Finish off with 3D flowers, gems, and colorful rhinestones.

Rainbow-Layered and Cow-Print Nails

A closeup of a woman's hands with a combination of black-and-white cow nails that has rainbow-layered nail design
Image courtesy of @omayra.nails

Birthdays are associated with change. And these birthday nails married two different elements as if to celebrate that! 

A rainbow-layered nail design meets black-and-white cow nails, and stiletto nails meet round nails to create a unique nail art statement.

Pink Blush, Rasta-Inspired Nails, and Colorful Glitter Accents

A closeup of a woman's hands with a pink blush coat, and Rasta-inspired nail colors that has colorful glitter accents
Image courtesy of @omayra.nails

Hippy, happy birthday vibes are what this unique nail art screams! Randomly paint some of your nails with a pink blush coat, and Rasta-inspired nail colors. 

Top those with beautiful and colorful glitter accents. And you get these gorgeous birthday nails in coffin shape, perfect for the summer!

Louis Vuitton and Icons, Melting Chocolate, and Pink Cupcake Accents

A closeup of a woman's hands with louis vitton logo and icons nail designs that has melting chocolate tips, and ombre pink heart accents that look like cupcakes
Image courtesy of @omayra.nails

The beauty of birthday nails is that it’s a very creative way to tell the world who you are! In this nail art, you will find the LVn logo and icons, melting chocolate tips, and ombre pink heart accents that look like cupcakes.

Perfect for the classic LV fashionista at heart!

Sheer Gloss, Seattle-Blue Tips, and Confetti Glitter Accents 

A closeup of a woman's hands with nude nail polish that has Seattle blue tips, confetti glitters shaped in stars, hearts, and circles nail designs
Image courtesy of @gocaranzanails

Get beautiful glitter birthday nails with just the right amount of pizzazz. Start with a sheer base coat, then add Seattle blue tips. Finish off with colorful confetti glitters shaped in stars, hearts, and circles for the main drama.

Pink Blush Nails, 3D Ice Popsicles, and Strawberry Tarts

A closeup of a woman's hands with light pink nail polish base that has 3D ice popsicles and strawberry tarts on white petals, small white crystals and pearly hearts nail designs
Image courtesy of @gocaranzanails

Love pink? Accentuate pink blush nails with 3D ice popsicles and strawberry tarts on white petals. Finish off with small white crystals and pearly hearts.

Matte, Metallic, and Glittery Pink Nails and Ice Cream

A closeup of a woman's hand with matte pink, metallic pink, and glittery pink nail polish that has 3D ice cream nail design on select nails
Image courtesy of @gocaranzanails

When all the elements of matte pink, metallic pink, and glittery pink nails come together on stiletto nails, they seamlessly blend. This nail shape is perfect for a 3D ice cream nail design too. Now you have the fanciest birthday nails! 

Clear Gloss and Metallic Confetti Glitter Accent

A closeup of a woman's hands with nude nail polish that has metallic confetti glitter accents as top coat
Image courtesy of @gocaranzanails

Wearing clear gloss nails and looking to add more for your birthday? One quick style hack is to use metallic confetti glitter accents as a top coat. Voilà! Easy but glam!

Pastel and Ombre Glitter Nails

A closeup of a woman's hands with a combination of peach, light blue, pink, and lavender nail polish that has ombre glitter nail design, pearls, painted hearts, pastel confetti, and cupcake nail art
Image courtesy of @gocaranzanails

Love pastel tones? Mix and match peach, light blue, pink, and lavender nail polish with an ombre glitter nail design. Accentuate your nails with pearls, painted hearts, pastel confetti, and cupcake nail art for the sweetest-looking nails!

Pink Drips on Sheer Gloss

A closeup of a woman's hand with nude nail polish base that has three-tone drips in neon pink, pastel pink, and white on the tips
Image courtesy of @rachelsbeauty_

Add three-tone drips in neon pink, pastel pink, and white on the tips of sheer gloss nails to give them a vibrant boost!

Blush Pink Nails and Sweet Doodles

A closeup of a woman's hand with blush pink nail polish base that has doodles of strawberries, chocolate drips, pancakes, and a Nutella jar nail designs
Image courtesy of @rachelsbeauty_

These blush pink nails get even sweeter with doodles of strawberries, chocolate drips, pancakes, and a Nutella jar. You can’t get any sweeter than this!

Chocolate-Inspired Nails

A closeup of a woman's hand with brown nail polish that has 3D dark chocolate brown drips and chocolate truffles nail designs
Image courtesy of @rachelsbeauty_

These nails scream CHOCOLATE! Brown nails have never looked so alluring. Use chocolate truffles as inspiration for each nail. Seal the look with 3D dark chocolate brown drips for a mouthwatering effect!

Soft Peach Almond Nails and Colorful Dotted Tips

A woman's hands with beautiful pale pink nail polish base that has colorful dotted French tips
Image courtesy of @nails.by.iz_

This dainty but fancy nail art is ready to celebrate you. Make soft pink almond nails sizzle with colorful dotted French tips!

Peachy Square Nails With Multicolored Tips 

A woman's hands with nude nail polish base that has multicolored French tips in an abstract nail design
Image courtesy of @nails.by.iz_

Steal attention through these peach square nails. Instead of a classic white French tip, opt for multicolored French tips in an abstract design to give your nails a more dynamic personality!

Shades of Blue, White Hearts, and a Pink Cupcake

A closeup of a woman's hand with four different shades of blue nail polish that has hand-drawn white hearts, shimmering silver glitter, and pink cupcake nail design
Image courtesy of @valenciabeautynails

Lovers of the color blue will adore these four different shades, accentuated with hand-drawn white hearts, shimmering silver glitter, and a meticulously hand-painted pink cupcake.

Violet Nails and Ice Cream Cones

A closeup of a woman's hands with purple nail polish base that has hand-drawn ice cream nail art on select nails
Image courtesy of @polishedbykiah

Purple lovers will love these simple but adorable violet birthday nails. Make it more fun with hand-drawn ice cream nail art on your ring fingernails. 

Neon Bright and 21

A closeup of a woman's hands with multicolored neon nail polish base that has hand-painted number 21 on the middle and ring fingers
Image courtesy of @studio_c_k

There’s no better time to try early 21st century looks than your 21st birthday! Try neon-colored nails in bright green, pink, blue, and orange, and leave silver accents of butterfly wings for that trendy y2k aesthetic. 

Lastly, make your milestone age known with the hand-painted number 21 on your middle and ring fingers.

Blush Pink Coffin Nails, Colorful Confetti, and Blue Butterflies

A woman's hand with a blush pink coffin nails that has colorful confetti and blue butterfly nail designs
Image courtesy of @studio_c_k

To get this birthday acrylic nails in coffin shape, tip your blush pink coffin nails with colorful confetti. Then add blue butterfly designs on your ring fingernails to celebrate your own milestone and evolution — just like a butterfly’s metamorphosis.

Yin-Yang Pink and Yellow Nails With Smileys and Sprinkles

A closeup of a woman's hand with bright pink, yellow, and white nail polish that has cheerful emoticons, neon strokes, and a yin-yang symbol nail designs
Image courtesy of @kuypernailart

Feeling a little retro? Attract more happiness and peace on your birthday with these bright pink, yellow, and white nails styled with cheerful emoticons, neon strokes, and a yin-yang symbol!

Pink and Blue Nails with Donuts, Drips, and Multicolored Strokes

A closeup of a woman's hands with a combination of pink and blue nail polish that has  donuts, drips of icing, and multicolored strokes as sprinkles nail designs
Image courtesy of @practicallymagic_nailsbeauty

Nothing says “it’s my birthday!” more than nails that look like dessert. 

Wear blue and pink nails with donuts, drips of icing, and multicolored strokes as sprinkles for the most fashionable sweet treat!

Neon Green, Pink, and Ice Cream

A closeup of a woman's hand neon green and pink nail polish that has ice cream nail art
Image courtesy of @practicallymagic_nailsbeauty

Enjoy your special day with electrifying neon green and pink nails. Complete the birthday nail ensemble with hand-painted ice cream nail art!

Sheer Nails with Glitter Ombre and Colorful Birthday Streamers

A closeup of a woman's hands with sheer nails that has cute purple glitters and colorful streamers and star confetti nail designs
Image courtesy of @practicallymagic_nailsbeauty

Sheer nails? No problem! Just tip it with cute purple glitters and colorful streamers and star confetti for more pizzazz!

Pink and Sprinkles, Blue and Clouds, Silver Glitter, and Cartoon Art

A closeup of a woman's hands with pink, blue, blush, and silver glitter base color that has sprinkles, white clouds, and character images nail designs
Image courtesy of @spellbound.nailartistry

These cartoon birthday nails are oozing with charm and personality! To get this look, paint nails on both fingers with a unique pink, blue, blush, and silver glitter base color.

Paint sprinkles on the pink base, and white clouds on the blue base, and character images on the blush-colored nails. Ain’t these cute?!

Colorful Abstract Designs on White Nails

A closeup of a woman's hands with a white nail polish base that has blue, pink, red, and yellow abstract nail designs
Image courtesy of @spellbound.nailartistry

Got plain white nails? Paint abstract designs in bright, colorful shades of blue, pink, red, and yellow on them to effortlessly turn them into white birthday nails!

Gold Grid, White Corners with Purple, Pink, and Blue Sprinkles

A closeup of a woman's hands with sheer base nails that has gold grid lines, white nail polish on  the corners of the nails, paint purple, pink, and blue strokes
Image courtesy of @tiptoenailstudio1

Turn sheer base nails into birthday nails instantly! 

Draw sharp gold grid lines all over your nails, and to soften them, style a corner of your nails with white nail polish and paint purple, pink, and blue strokes just like rainbow sprinkles on cake icing!

Abstract Designs on Pastel Shade Nails

A closeup of a woman's hands with abstract nail designs on pastel shade nails
Image courtesy of @natalie_thedollshouse

Are you a ’90s baby turning over a new leaf? Then this nail art is for you! Walk down nostalgia lane in these ’90s-inspired nails jazzed up with abstract nail art designs.

Vintage ’80s Colored Nails With Abstract Designs

A closeup of a woman's hands with bright colored nails that has abstract designs and geometric art designs
Image courtesy of @holliebedsbeauty

These birthday nails are for the ’80s kids who want to rock their birthday party with memorable ’80s vibes and color palettes! Create geometric art designs on bright-colored nails for a more flavorful twist.

Pink Nails with Cupcake and Black Heart Accents

A closeup of a woman's hand with a combination of pink and white nail polish that has cupcake nail art and black heart nail designs on select nails
Image courtesy of @katessimplynails

Paint your nails bright pink, but make your middle fingernails white. Then add a cupcake nail art on each white nail and a heart accent on your pink fingernails. Birthday nails don’t always have to be complicated!

Nude Ovals With Classic French Tips and Cupcake Nail Art

A closeup of a woman's hands with glossy nude nail polish that has cupcake nail art and white nail tips
Image courtesy of @katessimplynails

Shine bright with glossy nude nails and classic French tips by simply adding cute cupcake nail art on your ring fingernails. It’s a simple, classic head-turner!

Pastel Oval Nails with Chocolate Drip Accents

A closeup of a woman's hand with pastel oval nail polish that has chocolate sprinkles and chocolate drips nail designs
Image courtesy of @bysarahnailartist

Is your birthday happening close to the Easter season? We’ve got the perfect egg-inspired nails for you! 

Paint your nails in matte pastel base colors. Drizzle them with chocolate sprinkles, and accentuate select fingers with chocolate drips on the cuticle, turning them into a delightful, mouth-watering masterpiece.

Pink with Colorful Confetti and Silver Glitter Accents

A closeup of a woman's hand with pink nail polish base that has bright and colorful dots and silver glitter accents
Image courtesy of @lamournailsnz

Celebrate your special day with birthday nails in short, round-shape, that’s colored pink! Accentuate with bright and colorful dots and silver glitter accents on the tips to make them more festive!

Pink and White Birthday Nails with Cupcake and Dotted Accents

A closeup of a woman's hands with pink nail polish base that has cupcakes and dots nail designs
Image courtesy of @andrea_nailartist1202

Wear your heart on your sleeve with lovely pink, fuchsia, and white painted on your nails.

Alternately paint nails with white and pink base colors, then paint sweet cupcakes on select fingernails and dots on the others. Now you have the sweetest nails for your birthday!

Have You Picked Out Your Favorite Style?

Choosing one favorite style out of all these wonderful options may not be the easiest.

But hopefully, we’ve given you more than enough birthday inspired nails, stylish-looking nails, and ideas for your birthday to help you celebrate your special day in style!

Birthdays are a time to turn over a new leaf, embrace change, and get excited for new things to come. 

So stay excited and hopeful, and embrace your fabulous, wiser self! 

Do You Need To Look At More Nails Ideas For Birthday?

You might find more styles and inspirations in these blogs:

Author

  • Stephanie Martin

    Stephanie Martin blends her beauty industry background with expertise in communications to lead in the fashion and beauty world. As a fashion and beauty editor, she is known for engaging and informative articles. Her lifelong passion for fashion, makeup, and hair shines through her work, earning her widespread respect among readers and clients. Stephanie's style, a mix of classic and contemporary, makes her a dynamic and influential figure in the industry, inspiring others with her knowledgeable and approachable insights.

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