37 acrylic nail ideas to inspire your next trip to the salon

Can’t settle on a mani? Our edit of acrylic nail ideas has you covered with plenty of inspiration. While BIAB (that’s “builder in a bottle” to newbies) manicures have surged in popularity over the last couple of years, there’s still a place for acrylic nails, which remain a super popular choice at the salon for those who want a durable manicure with or without extensions.

For those who aren’t clued into this nail treatment, acrylic nails have been around for decades and are created by applying a liquid and powder mix over the nail, either at their natural length or with an extension tip. They last around 2-3 weeks, by which time a bit of regrowth will be visible at the base of your nails.

Design-wise, there are almost endless options to choose from when it comes to acrylic nail ideas, from single blocks of color to ombré manicures, or glazed donut nails to velvet nails. Of course, this time of year also brings with it a whole host of seasonal manicure inspiration, so you can dabble with Christmas nail art designs or go for something sparkly and NYE-ready that’ll see you into 2023.

So, whether you’re a classic French manicure gal or you prefer more intricate nail art creations, the below nail designs are sure to inspire you (or end up on your Pinterest board for a later date). Although the method used to create them varies, you’ll be able to ask for any of them with your next full set. Happy browsing!

37 acrylic nail ideas to inspire you

Baby French

The noughties are enjoying a full-blown resurgence at the moment, and that very much extends to nail trends. This is a daintier take on the era-defining French manicure that features a much narrower tip.