May is that awkward month where it doesn’t really feel like spring, but it still isn’t summer. Normally we’d be annoyed with such a confusing time of year, but we found a silver lining. There are so many May nail design ideas to choose from!
Can’t decide? Just rotate through one of these every day of the month. Your nail tech will be thrilled.
Not only do these nail art ideas combine the best of subtle spring pastels and bold summer colors, but they also take inspiration from all the May holidays. There’s Star Wars Day on May the fourth, Cinco de Mayo on the fifth, the Kentucky Derby, and so much more! If you didn’t think your schedule was full before, it definitely is now.
And if you didn’t get enough of all the flowers in April, don’t worry. We snuck in a few this month, too. Pay no mind to Miranda Priestly’s disdain.
35 May Nail Design Ideas
1. White Swirl With Glitter
When you’re feeling groovy, baby, but can’t pull yourself away from your neutral color scheme.
2. Floral Tips
Are these the May flowers that everyone keeps talking about?
3. Pink Banana Nails
Hey Siri, play Gwen Stefani. We need a spell check over here.
4. Blake Lively 2022 Met Gala Nails
The Met Gala is the first Monday in May, and Blake Lively is the unofficial queen of the carpet. This design pays homage to her 2022 gown, which we still dream about. And still hope she’ll let us borrow one day.
5. Mexican Flag Heart Nails
Celebrate Mexico’s win over the French army on May 5th with these nails that highlight the colors of the Mexican flag.
6. Clear Koi Fish Nails
Nemo…you look different?
7. Pink Smiley Faces
Don’t worry, be happy. Or at least fake a smile as good as these ‘lil guys. It’s almost the weekend somewhere!
8. Mismatched Blue, White, and Yellow Designs
We’ve given up on trying to make decisions when it comes to our nails. And our dinner. A linguine pizza with sushi on top is totally normal, right?
9. 3D Chrome French Tips
The only trend that this May nail design idea is missing is a few chips. What do you mean that’s only on our nails?
10. Purple Rainbow Waves
Hey Lisa Frank, consider this our official application to join your team.
11. Lilac Nails with Accents
If you tell people that this design was intentional, they’ll never know that you were really just running out of purple nail polish. Follow us for more life hacks.
12. Nude Nails with Gold Accents
Copy this design to celebrate the May release of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. We’re sure Lady Whistledown would approve. If not…you’ll hear about it.
13. Neutral Nails with Accent Line
We can’t be the only people who are suddenly craving a Caramel Frappuccino now…right?
14. Star Wars Sidekick Nails
Chewie, we mean sidekick in the best way.
15. C-3PO Nails
Don’t you take that tone with us, sir.
16. Yoda Nails
Do not try, only do. Cool, Yoda, no pressure on not getting you to look like a green blob.
17. Darth Vader and Stormtrooper Nail Art
If we knew that the Dark Side was so stylish, we would have joined a long time ago! Does the rebellion even have glitter?
18. Yellow Cinco De Mayo Nails
These festive nails are evocative of Frida Kahlo’s iconic fashion style.
19. Red Dahlia Nail Art
Bonus points if you have a skirt to match these nails. And bonus bonus points if you have an extra one we could borrow.
20. White and Blue Talavera Tips
Who cares if you can’t afford a bottle of Clase Azul? These nails are just as good! And we bet they won’t lead to a hangover. But if they do…what nail salon are you going to?
21. Kentucky Derby Icon Nails
Hopefully this helps you remember your binoculars and hat for this year’s race. But you can leave your horse at home. Apparently only jockeys get to bring their pets.
22. Red Kentucky Derby Nail Design
Roses are red. Horses have shoes. We’ll see you on the track with a mint julep or two!
23. Pink Kentucky Derby Flower and Horseshoe Nail Art
Here’s hoping our horse betting works out as well as this May nail design.
24. Mother’s Day Nail Design
This is your reminder to get your mom a Mother’s Day present now. You’ve been warned, procrastinators!
25. Pink and White Hawaiian Flower Nails
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! And a great reminder that painting flowers is a whole lot easier than growing them.
26. Tweed and Plumeri Nail Art
We can smell the ocean breeze from here. Oh, sorry. Apparently that’s just Febreze.
27. 3D White Flower Nails
Reminder to get your mom flowers this month. Manicured ones totally count.
28. Taurus Nail Art
Don’t you dare tell us that a Taurus isn’t stubborn when they decide to choose this many designs for one manicure! We’d never bull-ieve you.
29. Gemini Nail Art
Of course a Gemini would split this spelling onto two hands.
30. Red Nails With Gold Foil
This month we’re manifesting wealth. In gold…and chocolate. How’d you know we get our financial advice from a baker?
31. Translucent Dew Drop Nails
Raindrops on roses? More like raindrops on nails! We’ll get back to you on the rest of those updated lyrics later.
32. Groovy Spring Nails with Negative Space
Bring the warm weather to your fingertips with these groovy neon nails. And by warm weather, we mean 50 to 80 degrees, depending on where you live.
33. Stained Glass Flower Nail Art
Luckily these won’t break as easily as real stained glass. Just don’t touch too many things, okay?
34. May Flowers Nails
No water required. Or recommended, to be honest.
35. Watercolor Nail Art
Try this design out yourself! Your fourth grade art teacher will be so proud.
When not sitting behind a computer writing and editing, she’s an avid runner and yogi with an RYT 200 certification. Follow her on Instagram @hannah_rex and LinkedIn.
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