27+ Chic Swirl Nails

Want to take your look to the next level with trendy swirl nail designs? You’ll love this comprehensive list 27+ Chic Swirl Nails to inspire your next manicure.

Swirl nail designs were all the rage in the ’70s and ’80s. A fresh manicure with vibrant shades and swirling patterns was a popular sports look during these eras. And this nail art trend made a huge comeback And still going strong!

According to Byrdie: “there’s no denying that swirl nails add a certain je ne sais quoi to any ensemble.” And I couldn’t have said it better myself! The best thing about the swirling details on a manicure is that you can add these accents wherever and however you want. This nail art is perfect for every season, every style and every occasion, making this nail trend a must to give every look the perfect finishing touch.

Beautiful spine nail designs

I’ve rounded up tons of beautiful manicures with swirling accents to inspire your next visit to the salon. Whether you like short or long nails, neutral designs or bold manicures, there’s a look you’ll love in the list below.

White, Gray and Black Swirl Nails

I love the neutral swirls on these gel nails! This color palette is simple yet chic, and you can easily rock this mani anywhere from the office to the beach to a weekend brunch.

White Swirl Nails

Naked nails with white polish accents always look beautiful and classic. I love the pink shade of the nude base color; it adds a subtle feminine touch to these nails.

In my opinion, this nail design perfectly combines a timeless color combination and a trendy design!

White + pink swirl nails

Almond nails with pink and white curls are, in my opinion, a look you can’t go wrong with. I love the dazzling glittery details; they definitely add a youthful vibe to the manicure.

This nail design would be one of my top picks to add a little flair to my everyday looks.

Matte Blue Swirl Nails

I think the different shades of blue in this nail design look so beautiful together, and the white adds a nice touch of brightness. The swirly accents are playful while the matte finish adds a chic touch, making this the perfect mix of sophisticated and fun!

White Swirl Nails with Silver Glitter Accents

Soft pink nails with white and silver polish have an elegant and feminine aesthetic that I am obsessed with. I love the combination of swirling accents with speckled nails, and this nail design has a bright and bold look that will suit any occasion.

Brown + Gold Swirl Nails

Neutral tones and gold accents are perfect for a chic swirl nail design! These acrylic nails have an autumnal feel to them, so I would recommend going for a design like this when the leaves start to change. But don’t be afraid to wear this all year round for a polished and stylish look.

Metallic Blue Swirl Nails

Earlier this year, Ipsy stated: “Metallic nails aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.And they were right! This trend is only getting more popular, so we’re all sure to see plenty of these shimmering finishes.

I’m always up for a manicure with metallic paint. This striking metallic blue is so vibrant and attractive, and this color really makes the swirling details pop against the nude matter base. I would definitely go for a look like this for my next night on the town.

Colorful matte nails with black swirls

I think the abstract splashes of color look beautiful with the bold black swirls here. Even though the shades are bright and playful, the matte finish and striking black details provide a refined look.

If you ask me, this is perfect to give your outfits a daring look or to wear during your holidays.

Almond nails with neutral curls

Pearly white nails with neutral accents look beautiful together. These beautiful almond nails have subtle colors and a bold design, a combo I’m into Love of. And I think this makes them perfect for effortlessly taking any look from the office to happy hour!

How do you make swirls on your nails?

You can add a swirl nail design to any manicure by using a thin tool to draw swirling lines across your nails. My experience is that it is best to apply this nail art to already painted nails.

• Start with a clear base coat
• Then add colored nail polish or leave it as is if you are going for a natural nude look
• Once the layers of clear coat or varnish are dry, you can use tools to create the swirls

You can opt for an all-over swirl design or add a few to accent your nails for a more minimalist manicure. Don’t forget to add a gloss or matte finish to make those beautiful swirls last longer!

Retro nails with French Tips + Swirls

These psychedelic rainbow swirls definitely have a retro vibe, and I love the mix of full swirl nails and swirled French tips! The bright shades make this a great manicure to wear in the spring or summer, and the playful feel of this design is perfect for a girls’ night out.

If you want to rock something similar in the fall or winter, I recommend going for deep, earthy tones for fall and rich jewel tones for winter.

Rainbow nails with glitter swirls

Next on my list of swirl nail designs is this beautiful mani with vibrant shades of turquoise, pink and lilac. In my opinion, the shimmering swirls on matte nude nails are such a perfect way to accentuate glossy polished nails. This is another top choice for a night out.

Green Swirl Nails

These short stiletto nails are perfectly painted with pastel green swirls, and I love the messy, jagged look of them. If you are looking for a bold nail design, then I think this manicure is perfect for you.

For a more daring look, I recommend choosing brighter shades here.

Matte nails with rainbow swirl accents

This manicure is a must if you’re looking for summer swirl nails! These bright and beautiful colors are made to be worn on the beach, and the fun swirl design fits the summer vibes too.

I would love to have this design before I hit the pool on a tropical getaway.

Brown + beige spine nails

I love seeing this deep brown and soft beige together. These beautiful warm colors are great for the colder months, but I think this look is perfect for any time of year. A simple and sophisticated nail design like this would also be my favorite mani to wear to the office.

Peach Nude Swirl Nails

If you want a nude summer swirl manicure, I think this nude and pastel peach nail design is definitely for you! In my experience, a simple design like the one above can add an elegant touch to any outfit.

This look is also perfect for anyone who prefers neutral colors or can’t wear brightly colored nails to work, but still wants a playful design.

Brown nails with gold swirls

The rich brown color here is sophisticated and classic, while the gold swirl details add a glamorous feel. I would use this manicure to effortlessly brighten up my look on my next date night.

Round nails with white + pink swirls

This nail design has a playful, youthful and “Barbiecoreaesthetic that I am so in love with! The pink shades are cute and girly, and the beautiful swirl patterns make this so eye-catching. I suggest rocking these vibrant shades to add some color to your outfits this spring.

What is used to create nail polish swirls?

If you want to try some fun swirls at home, don’t worry! In my experience, creating swirls on your nails is quite easy for both novice and experienced nail DIYers.

• You can use nail tools such as a nail liner brush and a dotting tool, or use nail polish with a long, thin brush (If you use any of these tools you can create beautiful swirls over any manicure)
• Add swirls to any solid nail or layer them on a nude nail with a glossy undercoat
• And you can use any color to paint these accents, because any shade looks good in a swirl nail design

Pink nails with glitter + swirls

Pink nails with abstract swirl designs are the perfect mix of chic and feminine. I love the way the pink glitter accents and white details come together. I think this mani would be a fantastic choice for an anniversary dinner or a weekend getaway with your SO.

Blue + white spinal nails

I love the combination of solid blue nails with swirl nails; I think the white and blue swirl accents are so chic and striking.

I recommend adding some glitter to this look if you want to make it stand out even more, or leave it as is and wear this manicure if you want to have a drink with the girls.

Pastel Rainbow Swirl Nail Design

Pastel colors and spring go hand in hand, making these pastel rainbow swirl nails perfect for this time of year. In my opinion, this vibrant look is ideal for anyone who loves a colorful and fun nail design.

Pink + Green Swirls on Almond Nails

Pink and green are one of my favorite color combinations, and this bright pink with rich dark green is so gorgeous! This manicure is sure to turn heads wherever you go, and you can rock this look anywhere from a coffee date to a night out.

Light blue + peach swirl nail design

If you ask me, this is another perfect manicure if you’re going for summer swirl nails. The light blue and peach match perfectly and definitely have a summery feel.

I suggest choosing this manicure before your next day trip to the beach (or more if you are landlocked!)

Purple Swirl Nails

Purple is a rich and elegant color, so it’s perfect for a swirl nail design like this. I love the subtle shimmer in the dark purple, and you can show off this playful manicure while you’re out and about on a weekend day or evening.

White + black nails with swirls

I am in love with this bold swirl nail design. It’s perfect for anyone who prefers neutral colors but still wants a bold design. But my favorite thing about this manicure is the different swirls and patterns; it’s playful, eye-catching and so beautiful.

I would love to wear this nail design anywhere from the office to dinner or a night out on the town!

Long rainbow swirl nails

In my opinion, this is another beautiful rainbow swirl nail design that is perfect if you are going for a retro look! The combination of colors really makes this manicure stand out, and those bright colors combined with long swirling lines definitely have a vintage feel.

Gradient nails with swirls

Gradient colors and swirl details are a combination I didn’t know I needed in my life! I love everything about this look, from the matte finish to the textured swirl accents to the rich, warm tones.

These colors are perfect for fall, although you can still wear these during the warmer months for a chic, neutral manicure.

Matte pink nails + white swirls

I love how this beautiful pink shade gives a romantic feel to these nails, and the white swirls are modern and trendy. If you’re looking for a stylish and feminine nail design to show off, then I think this mani should be your top pick.

Swirl nails are so beautiful. This trendy art is one of my favorite ways to add some flair to both everyday outfits and special occasion looks! And since this popular nail design easily takes any manicure to the next level, it’s perfect whether you want a minimalist look or a statement look. So use this nail guide as inspiration and rock some beautiful swirls.

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23+ Fresh Butterfly Nail Designs You’ll Love

26+ stunning dip nail ideas to inspire your next mani

18+ 70s nails with a hip yet elevated vibe

23+ Classic Pink and White Nails + Cute Pink and White Nail Designs

31+ elegant holiday nails you will love on your next vacation

32+ stylish short nail designs and ideas for every season