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Home » Beauty » Nail Ideas

Complete Your Mermaid Transformation With These Mermaid Nail Ideas

By Hannah Rex | May 24, 2023 | Updated on June 10, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that we collect a share of sales from. Click here for more details.
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Mermaid Nails - pink and orange with stars
Mermaid Nails - Opalescent Scales
Mermaid Nails - Mermaid Core Nails

Are you the type of person who spends every second of a beach vacation diving through waves and challenging people to water handstand contests? Did you watch The Little Mermaid so many times that you memorized every line and choreographed move? Then we bet you’ll love these mermaid nails.

And we bet that you’ve paid way too much for a mermaid tail. At least once.

And you know what? We don’t blame you! Mermaids embody the essence of oceanic beauty, channeling the allure of the deep blue waves and the iridescent treasures found beneath. And…they have great fashion sense. Seashell tops and shimmery scales everywhere? Sign us up! Once we figure out that whole “breathing underwater” thing, anyway.

Until then, these creative mermaid nail art ideas will have to do.

 

35 Mermaid Nails

1. Mermaid Core Nails

Bubbles, swirls, and pearls, oh my! Wait…wrong movie.

Mermaid Nails - Mermaid Core Nails
Photo Credit: @77k.studio

 

2. Opalescent Scales

This look is a slightly more understated way to say, “I would rather be diving for seashells than explaining how you can print a PDF file for the 10th time.”

Mermaid Nails - Opalescent Scales
Photo Credit: @bbnailsuk

 

3. Sunset Nails with Stars

An ocean sunset has nothing on this manicure. Other than being a way bigger, jaw dropping, daily act of Mother Nature. Okay…well these are a close second.

Mermaid Nails - pink and orange with stars
Photo Credit: @mere_limtiek

 

4. Pink Pearly Shells

Are the shells? Are they rays of light? Or are they just a great conversation starter?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by essie (@essie)

 

5. Seashells & Pearls

Are these the seashells that Sally keeps talking about?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by APRÉS GEL X NAILS 🇨🇦 (@amys.clients)

 

6. Lily Pads and Sea Sirens

This is giving “rowing through a pond while singing ‘Kiss the Girl'” vibes. In a totally consensual way, of course.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ❀✿ big freaky marisa ✿❀ (@bigfreakyclaws)

 

7. Blue Pearl 3D Nails

Pearly whites? No, no. We’re all about these pearly blues. And that has nothing to do with the fact that we spilled our blue polish on our white polish.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Holdyn | Vegas Gel-X Nail Tech (@hkgelnails)

 

8. Mermaid Vibes

It’s the tentacles for us.

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A post shared by Nails By Nisa (@nailsbynisa_)

 

9. Green Mermaid Nails

You’ll be the Kelp Queen with this manicure. King Triton would be so lucky.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by J3N NAILED IT (@j3nnailedit)

 

10. Accent Scales

Don’t mind us as we rewatch Aquamarine for the 100th time. (We only wish that was an exaggeration.)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Faithful Nailz (@faithful_nailz)

 

11. Little Mermaid Nails

Tell us you’re absolutely stoked for Halle Bailey‘s Little Mermaid without telling us.

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A post shared by Under Construction 🚧 (@nailsbynuk)

 

12. Mix ‘n Match Mermaid Nail Art

It’s a little bit mermaid, and a little bit Mermaid Man. It’s not, however, a little bit Alexis. But that’s fine.

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A post shared by Confidence Without Limits (@confidencewithoutlimits)

 

13. Ocean Dipped Nails

Take your ombré game to the sea with these stunning nails. Bring us back a cool shell, while you’re at it.

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A post shared by Fairies and Nails (@fairiesandnails)

 

14. Under The Sea Little Mermaid Nails

Darling it’s better, down where it’s wetter…but only after this manicure dries!

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A post shared by Lily (@nail.by_lily)

 

15. Scales And Shells With Pearls

Don’t lay out on the beach with these in the open for too long, or someone might try to add them to their shell collection. Also, you don’t want to get a sunburn.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Uñas Polygel | uñas Acrilico | Manicura rusa y pedicura esterica (@nailshousepanama)

 

16. 3D Seashell Nails

There Ariel goes, diving for more forks.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lily (@nail.by_lily)

 

17. Little Mermaid-Inspired Nail Art

The blues and pinks, the starfish, the subtle pops of gemstones…sorry what were you asking? We were just listing our ideal interior decor ideas.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Csm9OMVRAPA/

 

18. Blue and Purple Mermaid Nails

Go big and bold with this mani idea. And then go home, because honestly it’s been a day and you deserve a break.

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A post shared by Sarahjeangirl (@sarahjeangirl)

 

19. Neon Mermaid Stiletto Nails

Neons? For mermaid nails? Miranda Priestly would be impressed with your creativity.

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A post shared by @nailartbyjo

 

20. Simple Sparkle Nails

If you want to keep things simple, this is an easy way to give off the mermaid vibe without needing any artistic abilities. We peaked in our 4th grade art class, and we’re okay with that.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Natasja Daphne✨ (@nailsbynatasjax)

 

21. Mermaid Nail Art

When they take the “art” part of “mermaid nail art” literally. Isn’t this supposed to be in a museum somewhere?

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A post shared by Taunya K (@tkclaws)

 

22. Glitter Scale Accent Nails

We told you that glitter from New Year’s Eve was going to be impossible to get rid of!

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A post shared by Mar Ina (@mar_ina_81_official)

 

23. Oyster and Pearls Nails

The world is your oyster? Or you are the world’s oyster? That’s what we thought.

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A post shared by Jessika M.A. (@jes.m.a_nails)

 

24. Mix and Match 3D Mermaid Nail Designs

Why pick your favorite part about being a mermaid when you can choose them all! Or, at least 10. Take that, octopi.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MAISON MKS / NAIL ARTIST & FORMATRICE (@maison_mks)

 

25. Short Mermaid Nails

Short nail girlies can still rock mermaid nails with the best of them. And still be able to zip up a coat. What a time to be alive.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jackie • Nail Polish Swatcher & Nail Art (@jackie.shades)

 

26. Sea Creature Nails

We all know that Flounder is the best Disney sidekick to ever exist, and this manicure gives him the spotlight he deserves. Not now Sebastian!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ✨ Charis ✨ (@cosmiccreations__)

 

27. Reverse French Tip Sparkles

Add a little bit of sparkle to your life with this nail design. It’s way more practical than carrying that disco ball around.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by לוקס ניילס ⚜️ ציפורניים בחיפה (@annabell_luxenails)

 

28. Multicolor Pearl Nails

Are we seeing all these different colors shining through, or have we just been sitting out in the sun for too long?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chutiya Vailom (AkA Dara) (@darastudio.art)

 

29. Blue and Gold Scales

Nothing screams “mermaid” like gold and blue scales. Other than that guy on the dock who keeps yelling “mermaid!” Wonder what’s going on?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sarah Hardy (@das_spoosh)

 

30. Pink and Teal Mermaid Nail Art

Lisa Frank, meet mermaidcore.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rachel Wood Okc Nail tech (@thatnailbtch)

 

31. Ursula Nail Art

Ursula might have made Ariel’s life a bit difficult, but you can’t say she’s not a good business woman! To think how much more we could with eight hands…

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nails By SH (@nails.bysh)

 

32. Breakthrough Scales

Did your manicure start to chip? Or was this totally intentional? We’ll never tell. XOXO, Gossip Girl.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sammy 🐾 (@my_nail_envy)

 

33. Sandbox Nail Art

We’re not totally sure how this nail design works, but we imagine it was as easy as going to the beach with wet nails. We still have some in our hair from last year’s vacation.

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A post shared by Keren-Rachel Ralat (@bella_nails_room)

 

34. Wave Tips

Surf’s up! We’ll watch from here. You’re doing great, sweetie.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by alexandra 🪬 (@klawed_by_lex)

 

35. Pearly White Nails

Subtle and simple, these chrome nails would definitely be the go-to nails for any mermaid royalty. Is Hailey Bieber trying to tell us something?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by JeilynxNails 😘👌🏼 (@jeilynxnails)

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Hannah Rex
Hannah Rex
Hannah Rex is Darcy’s Executive Editor. She has a background in journalism, content marketing, and SEO writing. She currently covers entertainment news, food news and trends, pop culture trends, and more. In addition to Darcy, she has written for companies including Beachbody, FitPlan, Soothe, Let's Eat Cake, and Her Campus. She also manages Darcy’s Instagram and weekly newsletters.

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.
Hannah Rex
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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon and other sites that we collect a share of sales from.
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254 shares
254 shares