21 Trendy Pop Art Nails For Every Occasion

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Pop art nails have become the newest viral sensation. This nail trend takes its cue from the bold and colorful designs of the pop art movement.

What makes pop art nails popular is the customizable aspect of it. You’re free to deviate from the traditional design as much as you want.

You can go wild with your color combinations or stick to subtle colors for day-to-day wear.

Wherever your creativity takes you, you’ll surely find that pop art nails are suitable for every occasion.

So if you’re ready to hop on this viral nail trend, check out these trendy pop art nail designs for inspiration.

Table of Contents

1 What Are Pop Art Nails?
2 Get Inspired By These 21 Ideas for Trendy Pop Art Nails for Every Occasion
3 Frequently Asked Questions
4 Explore the Depths of Your Creativity with Trendy Pop Art Nails

What Are Pop Art Nails?

Pop art nails — also known as cartoon nails — are nail designs inspired by the pop art movement of the late 1950s to 1960s.

The most defining feature of this art style is the use of bright and vibrant colors, specifically vivid reds, yellows, and blues.

Pop art also takes inspiration from comic book illustrations. This is why pop art nails are also referred to as cartoon nails.

They make your nails look like they came straight from your favorite comic books or cartoon programs.

Nail artists and DIYers achieve this by using sharp black outlines and white highlights to create the optical illusion of 3D art on the nails.

Most importantly, pop art is all about freedom of expression. That’s why pop art nails have become so popular. It allows nail aficionados to create any base design they want while still staying true to the pop art aesthetic.

So whatever event you may have planned, pop art nails will always be trendy and on point!

Get Inspired By These 21 Ideas for Trendy Pop Art Nails for Every Occasion

1. Juicy Skittle Nails That Pop

A closeup of a woman's short almond fingernails with multicolored nail polish base that has deep-colored shadows — Image courtesy of @getfinessedbyjess

Make your classic short almond-shaped nails stand out with these juicy skittle colors. The deep-colored shadows also make this mani give off an Easter egg vibe.

2. Eye-Catching Pastels

A closeup of a woman's fingernail with pastel nail polish that has black outlines and white highlights — Image courtesy of @jal.nailartist

When they say pop art nails can make a statement, this is what we mean. These short round pastel nails with black outlines and white highlights look gorgeously detailed.

3. Soft Neon

A closeup of a woman's almond shaped fingernails with multicolored pop nails that has dark-colored accents — Image courtesy of @beautytendernails

These short pop art nails with neon colors are both striking and subtle. They go well with an almond shape and dark-colored accents.

4. Pink Valentine’s Vibe

A closeup of a woman's mid-length coffin-shaped fingernails with nude nail polish that has drip nail art and cute pop art hearts — Image courtesy of @nailsbymili

If you want standout Valentine’s Day nails, check out these mid-length coffin-shaped nails with drip nail art and cute pop art hearts.

5. Flamin’ Pop Art Nails

A closeup of a woman's fingernails with a combination of nude and multicolored nail polish that has pop art-inspired designs like glossy flames and hearts — Image courtesy of @elite_nails_and_education

Ignite your love for pop art with these medium-length nails that feature pop art-inspired designs like glossy flames and hearts.

6. Simple Nude Pop Art Nails

A closeup of a woman's fingernails with cream-colored nail polish base that has black and white design quintessentially pop art — Image courtesy of @beautyandbeyond_byjenna

Keep things classy with a cream-colored manicure. The black and white detailing makes this design quintessentially pop art.

7. Lovin’ the Periwinkle Haze

A woman's long almond fingernails with a periwinkle nail polish base that has white and pink cartoon-style hearts — Image courtesy of @banannanailz

These cartoon pop art nails have a periwinkle base on a long almond shape. What makes this design super cute are the white and pink cartoon-style hearts!

8. Two-Toned Nude

A closeup of a woman's long stiletto fingernails with a two-toned nude nail polish that has pop art aesthetic in French tips and heart accents — Image courtesy of @nailsby_avril

Pop art nails don’t always have to be colorful. You can still stay true to the pop art aesthetic with these two-toned nude long stiletto nails with French tips and heart accents.

9. Red Pop Art Nails

A closeup of a woman's short oval fingernails with red nail polish that has white and black details — Image courtesy of @nailsby_avril

If you’re in love with the color red, you can use different shades of it to create a more impactful manicure pop art nails. Try painting extra short oval nails deep red and cherry red and embellishing them with white and black details.

10. Girly Street Art-Themed Nails

A closeup of a woman's fingernails with pink nail polish that has street art lip cartoon and pop art accents — Image courtesy of @kikinails_ebeauty

There’s nothing more feminine than long pink nails. However, the street art lip cartoon and pop art accents give the design some much-needed edge.

11. Mix ‘n’ Match

A closeup of a woman's coffin-shaped fingernails with blue nail polish that has a mix and match of flames, plaid, and sweater designs — Image courtesy of @1999houseofnailsnz

Can’t decide on just one aesthetic? You can amp up the look of your coffin-shaped pop art nails with a mix and match of flames, plaid, and sweater designs. Use a blue base color to tie everything together nicely.

12. Pastel Pink Cartoon Nails

A closeup of a woman's fingernails with pastel pink nail polish that has heart cartoon nail designs — Image courtesy of @tiptoenailstudio1

Who wouldn’t love sweet yet artsy nails? The heart cartoon design brings life to short round nails.

13. Delicate Pink and White

A closeup of a woman's almond-shaped fingernails with nude nail polish that has white pop art highlights, brown shadows, and thin black outlines — Image courtesy of @valenciabeautynails

If you prefer delicate pop art nails that are easy to do, check out this nail design! It has nude, almond-shaped nails with white pop art highlights, brown shadows, and thin black outlines.

14. Matcha Inspiration

A closeup of a woman's fingernails with pastel green pop art nail polish that has white and dark moss accents — Image courtesy of @holliebedsbeauty

If you’re a matcha lover, you’ll love these pastel green pop art nails in a short square shape. The white and dark moss accents make this design a stunner.

15. Forest Green Fresh

A closeup of a woman's fingernails with forest green pop art nail polish that has dark green highlights and white blobs — Image courtesy of @katessimplynails

Your hands will look fresh with these forest green pop art nails with dark green highlights and white blobs that make each nail look like it’s shining. Just staring at this cool mani is already so relaxing!

16. Autumnal Pop Art Nails

A closeup of a woman's fingernails with a candy-colored pop art nail polish that has black outlines — Image courtesy of @katessimplynails

Make candy-colored pop art nails more season-appropriate by choosing an autumnal color palette.

17. Pop Art Nails in Brown and Earthy Tones

A closeup of a woman's fingernails with earthy brown, green, and yellow pop art nail polish — Image courtesy of @polishedbykiah

There’s something so warm and comforting about this pop art nail design. The earthy brown, green, and yellow tones complement the simplicity of extra short nails.

18. Punk Meets Pop Art

A closeup of a woman's long ballerina-shaped fingernails with black and neon green punk matte nail polish that has pop art accents — Image courtesy of @curedbybeth

Skater girls will adore these black and neon green punk matte nails with pop art accents, especially on long ballerina-shaped nails.

19. Red and Romantic

A closeup of a woman's fingernails with red pop art accent nail polish that has matte and glossy top coats — Image courtesy of @curedbybeth

The red pop art accent nails in this mani, combined with solid red nails, give us candlelit dinner vibes. They feature a combination of matte and glossy top coats for added contrast.

20. Red Magnetic Glitz

A closeup of a woman's fingernails with red nail polish that has glitter, black and white pop art — Image courtesy of @dips_drinks_diamonds

If you want to give your mani an upgrade by creating pop art on your nails, try recreating this mani with black and white pop art details and textured glitter on red nails.

21. Best of Both Worlds

A closeup of a woman's short square fingernails with light gray and blue nail polish that has black pop art nail accents

Can’t decide which nail shape you want? Why not go for light gray and blue short square nails on one hand and bright blue medium stiletto ones on the other? Then tie everything together with black pop art nail accents.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Do Pop Art Nails?

Pop art nails may seem complex at first. However, once you become familiar with the key elements of pop art, you’ll realize how easy it is to incorporate into your nail design.

Follow these steps to help you achieve pop art nails:

1. Apply your base coat as usual.
You can opt for a different vibrant hue per nail for a rainbow effect or play with different shades in a single color family for an ombre effect. There are no restrictions here, so you are free to create unique color combinations.

2. Use a thin detail brush to apply black nail polish on the perimeter of each nail.
This is to create the classic black outline featured in pop art nails.

3. Use white polish to create highlights in your pop art nails.
Simply draw a long crescent-shaped line along one side of the nail to create this effect. Add a dot at the end of the line.

You can always go back with your base coat to perfect the highlight effect. This will help round out the edges to create a sharper outline.

4. On the other side of the nail, use black polish to create another crescent-shaped line.
You can also use a darker base coat shade to create a lowlight effect and make your nails pop.

Once you’re used to creating pop art nail designs, you can play around with the placement of your highlights.

5. Once all your nails are done, apply a top coat to help preserve the pop art nail design.
You can use any top coat, but a matte finish can enhance the cartoonish look of your pop art nails.

What Materials Are Used for Pop Art Nails?

As nail aficionados, you likely already have all the materials you need for pop art nails in your personal collection.

All you’ll really need is a detailed brush. Choose a brush that has a thin but agile tip.

Choose a brush with 3/4-inch bristles. This will give you enough control to create sharp and precise lines.

You can also use different brushes to create various cartoon nail art designs.

Explore the Depths of Your Creativity with Trendy Pop Art Nails

The art of nail design has always been about promoting self-expression. That’s why pop art is such a great trend.

There are no limits to this particular style, so you can unleash your creativity when creating it.

Even if you already have an existing nail design, you can incorporate classic pop art touches to turn your nails into eye-catching cartoon nails.

No matter what nail shape or nail aesthetic you have, you’ll always be able to find trendy pop art nail designs for every occasion!

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Author

Ashley Pena
Ashley Pena brings over 13 years of seasoned writing and editing expertise, fortified by her Bachelor of Science in Management. Esteemed in the beauty domain, her content captivates readers with its depth and authenticity. While she navigates a broad spectrum of beauty trends, Ashley shines particularly as our resident K-beauty guru. Her articles are a harmonious blend of passion and profound knowledge, inspiring readers on their unique beauty journeys.
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