June (aka, Pride month) is officially on the horizon, and we can’t wait to celebrate with all things rainbow — and yes, that includes rainbow nails! There’s something about a rainbow color palette that instantly sparks joy, and your nail art is the perfect way to get your daily dose of dopamine this month. After all, happy nails = a happy life!
So whether you’re looking for cute nails to wear to your local Pride parade or a rainbow design to boost your mood (and your outfits), we’ve rounded up the best ROYGBIV nail ideas and manicures that are guaranteed to make you smile. Let’s get into it!
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What types of rainbow nail designs and nail art styles are trending in 2024?
Rainbow nail art has been having a serious moment in 2024, and the design ideas are truly endless. For a trending manicure that’s super easy to DIY, you can’t go wrong with simple skittle nails that alternate between all the colors of the rainbow. This design works for every nail shape and length and can be customized with any rainbow hue — perfect if you’re feeling indecisive!
For the nail art pros, modern rainbow designs and Pride inspired nail art are also trending for 2024. Channel the Pride flag with wavy rainbow nails (like the design above) or cute rainbow arches in the form of French tips and bright nail stickers. It’s a fun way to show your support and stay on-trend at the same time!
Our Favorite Tools For Creating The Perfect Rainbow Manicure
When it comes to rainbow nail art, there are so many manicure ideas to choose from — from sparkly neon designs that are perfect for Pride month to pastel skittle nails that you can wear all year long. No matter what design you’re going for, here are the essential tools you need to recreate your brightest manicure yet:
- Rainbow nail polish: If you’ve been itching to add some new colors to your nail polish collection, a rainbow manicure is the perfect excuse! Whatever design you’re rocking for Pride month, don’t forget to stock up on nail polish in every color of the rainbow.
- Nail art brushes: Whether you’re DIYing rainbow French tips, festive swirls, or Pride inspired designs, nail art brushes are a must-have. They’ll help you create intricate nail art that will have everyone asking, Where did you get your nails done?!
- Dotting tools: Similar to nail art brushes, dotting tools are essential when it comes to creating intricate rainbow design ideas. They’re especially great for painting cute and classic nail art like daisies, hearts, and polka dots!
- Nail sponges: Ombre nail ideas are seriously trending right now (particularly rainbow designs for Pride!), and nail sponges are the best way to recreate this look at home. Use them to blend your nail polish and create the perfect gradients for your festive mani.
- Nail stickers and decals: If you’re not a nail art pro — or if you’re looking for easy DIY ideas — rainbow and Pride themed nail stickers are a lifesaver. Just pop them onto a dry base coat, and you have a professional-looking manicure in seconds!
Our Favorite Rainbow Nails Ideas and Design Art In Every Style
Can’t decide on just one color for your next mani? Then why not rock all of them?! Below, we’ve rounded up the best rainbow nail ideas for every style, from festive Pride inspired designs to cute technicolor nail art. And yes, all your favorite colors are represented!
Plus, we’re also sharing our tips and tricks for DIYing each of these trendy designs (and linking the must-have products to recreate the look). So grab your polish and let’s paint the town rainbow!
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Pastel Rainbow Nails Design Ideas + Nail Art
If bright neons aren’t your style, add a softer touch to your rainbow nail art with these pretty pastel designs instead. They’re the definition of dreamy, with candy-like hues and ultra-sweet nail art that will have you swooning every time you glance down at your fingers.
Read on for our favorite pastel rainbow nail ideas for every style, occasion, and nail shape — plus some cute manicure designs that are perfect for Pride month!
1. Pastel Rainbow French Manicure
photo: @naileditbyliv
If you’re looking for a manicure that will spark some serious joy this year, swap out your classic French tips for these rainbow ones instead. We love how each nail has its own pastel rainbow design on the tips — such a joyful twist on a traditional French manicure.
And yes, we found the perfect nail polish set to help you recreate this dreamy look at home!
2. Pastel Rainbow Skittle Nails
photo: @opi
Not a nail art pro? No prob — this skittle design is the easiest way to rock the rainbow nail trend, no nail skills necessary. Just paint each nail a different pastel color for a manicure that will instantly brighten up your day (and your outfit!).
While you can use ANY pastel hues to customize your nail design, these are the exact nail polish colors from the manicure above: yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink.
3. Minimalist Pastel Rainbow Nail Design
photo: @nailchark
Calling all minimalists! If you want to rock a rainbow nail design for Pride month — or beyond! — but don’t love super flashy nail art, this is the manicure for you. We love how the pastel hues add a subtle pop of color to the classic nude base coat. It’s proof that sometimes less really is more!
4. Maximalist Pastel Rainbow Nail Design
photo: @nailitmedia
On the other end of the spectrum, this maximalist rainbow nail design is EVERYTHING. From the bright pastel colors to the groovy retro swirls, it’s the definition of good vibes. Talk about the ultimate mood booster!
And since each nail is slightly different, this design is also super easy to DIY. Just be sure to let each coat dry before you add the next pastel color.
5. Diagonal Pastel Rainbow Nails for Pride Month
photo: @the_beauty_room_ely
If you loved the rainbow nails from #1 but want something a liiiiiittle more unique, look no further than this diagonal design. The geometric shape of the rainbows is so rad — kind of like pastel Pride flags for your nails! Prepare to see us rocking these beauties all June long.
If you’re looking for more nail ideas to rock this June (and beyond), don’t miss our list of the best summer nails— including a few cute designs for Pride!
6. Short + Simple Pastel Rainbow Manicure
photo: @lizbamfdarlin
For nude manicure loyalists, this pastel rainbow nail art is the cutest way to elevate your nails for Pride month. Just add some rainbow accents on top of your favorite nude polish for a subtle yet cute look, and you’re golden.
P.S. We also found similar reusable nails to help you recreate this festive look at home. Brb, adding to cart as we speak!
7. Pastel Rainbow Coffin Nail Art
photo: @chelrod15
How rad are these rainbow coffin nails?! The pastel colors have us dreaming about warm weather — perfect for manifesting your brightest szn yet!
We also love the long coffin shape of this rainbow nail design, which you can recreate with these acrylic nail extensions. Hello, drama!
8. Dreamy Pastel Rainbow French Tip Nail Art
photo: @melous_nails
For a manicure that will make you feel happy every time you glance down at your hands, it doesn’t get better than this rainbow nail design. The dreamy pastel tips are guaranteed to boost serotonin, especially when paired with the glitter gold stars.
With such a whimsical and joyful design, these nails are giving us ALL the Pride vibes!
French Tip Rainbow Nails Design Ideas + Manicure Inspo
It doesn’t get much more classic than a French manicure — it’s versatile, it’s flattering, and it’ll never go out of style. But if you want to take this traditional mani to new (read: trendy) heights, then look no further than these rainbow French tip nail designs!
Equal parts trendy and timeless, these nails are truly the best of both worlds. Meet your new favorite manicure!
9. Pastel French Tip Rainbow Nails
photo: @pop_polished | nails: Glamnetic
Pastel rainbow hues + classic French tips = a match made in nail heaven! For a manicure that’s equal parts timeless and trendy, we LOVE this technicolor design. And as a bonus, you can buy these exact nails from Glamnetic — they’re even reusable, so you can whip them out anytime you need a dose of color!
10. Two-Tone Rainbow French Manicure
photo: @bycheznails
Chevron tips are a bold twist on a classic French manicure, and they look SO good with a rainbow color palette. To add extra dimension to your rainbow mani, combine bright + pastel colors. Obsessed!
Pro tip: If you’re DIYing this two-tone design at home, mix your rainbow hues with white nail polish to create the lighter pastel shades. This gives you the perfect color match, while also saving you from buying five new nail polish colors!
11. Pride Inspired French Tip Rainbow Nails
photo: @_nailbay
Can we just take a moment?! With colorful arches that end in cute white clouds, this manicure is a literal take on a rainbow nail design. TOO GOOD. Whether you’re celebrating April showers or all the colors of the Pride parade, these are the perfect nails for the job.
12. Short Ombre Rainbow French Manicure
photo: @amyle.nails
Sure, you could paint each of your tips with a different color of the rainbow and call it a day. Or you could kick things up a notch with this ombre rainbow nail design! (We know which one we’re choosing.)
To get that dreamy ombre look, paint one half of your tips with one neon color, and the other half with the color that comes after it in the rainbow (such as red and orange, or blue and purple). Use a nail sponge to blend the two hues together, and prepare for major compliments!
13. Wavy French Tip Rainbow Nails for Pride Month
photo: @dandybelles
Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community or a proud ally, these are THE best nails to celebrate Pride month. Channel the Pride flag with these wavy rainbow tips — aka, the perfect finishing touch to your parade outfit!
You can even customize this nail design with different flag colors, like pastel blue + pink + white for the transgender Pride flag, or pink + purple + blue for the bisexual Pride flag.
14. Simple Chevron Rainbow French Manicure
photo: @polished_yogi
If you haven’t noticed, we’re big fans of chevron French tip nail ideas, and this is another one of our favorite rainbow manicure designs. To DIY a chevron mani, use a small brush to paint two diagonal lines that meet in the middle on the tip of your nail. Fill in the rest, and you’re good to go!
P.S. These sticker guides are also great for creating the perfect pointed arches, especially if you’re not a nail pro!
15. Neon Abstract French Tip Rainbow Nails
photo: @qwjluna
Pride month is all about positive vibes, self-expression, and rainbow hues, and this nail design definitely understood the assignment! Plus, it’s also the perfect nail art for showing off your artsy side. Just grab your nail art brushes and start doodling!
Neon Rainbow Nails Design Ideas + Nail Art Inspo
If you want to wear your rainbow nail art loud and proud, then these are the designs for YOU. Featuring neon versions of the ROYGBIV colors, these eye-catching nails are perfect for celebrating Pride month, kickstarting a new season, or brightening up your everyday outfits. Either way, they’re guaranteed to make you the center of attention!
So if you’re ready to embrace your main character energy this year, then keep scrolling for all our favorite neon rainbow nail ideas.
16. Neon Rainbow Daisy Nail Art
photo: @naileditbeauty
Like a bouquet of wildflowers, this botanical design features all the brightest colors of the rainbow — and we are in love! For unique rainbow nail art that screams springtime, you can’t go wrong with colorful daisies.
And if you’re looking for an excuse to buy more nail stickers, this design can easily be recreated with these colorful daisy nail decals. Perfect for all your seasonal manis!
17. Bright Neon Rainbow Nail Design
photo: @glossybox_fr
Bright and bold, this neon rainbow nail art would look right at home at a Pride parade! Use your most vibrant nail polish colors to create the statement striped design, then finish with a cute rhinestone or nail gem for a touch of glam.
Best paired with an equally bright and bold Pride outfit!
18. Dripping Neon Rainbow French Manicure
photo: @naileditbeauty
We love how the rainbow French tips look like they’re dripping down these Pride inspired nails. So rad! Because everything is better dripping in rainbows, amiright?!
To DIY this design (and all your other cute Pride nail ideas), this neon nail polish set from Olive and June is a MUST. Each color is inspired by a different snowcone flavor, and they definitely look good enough to eat.
19. White Glitter + Neon Rainbow Nails
photo: @thisisnarela
Sprinkle a little magic on your Pride nails with this cute glitter + neon nail art. It looks like something straight out of our wildest dreams, with bright neon swirls, black celestial designs, and plenty of glitter. One word: dreamy.
For an extra magical mani, use this holographic white glitter nail polish for your base coat — or recreate the look with these similar reusable nails!
20. Star-Studded Neon Rainbow Nail Design
photo: @pop_polished
These neon rainbow nails have us totally starstruck! Embrace your inner rockstar with this star-studded nail design — it’s the perfect finishing touch to a concert outfit, a Pride event, or anytime you need a little extra star power.
Just add these star nail stickers on top of a shimmery base coat, then finish with an extra glossy top coat. Instant star status.
Ombre Rainbow Nails Design Ideas + Manicures
The ombre nail trend has proven that it’s here to stay, and now it’s getting a rainbow makeover!
From pretty pastel hues to neon rainbow colors, these ombre nail designs are truly a work of art. We love how they add a soft and subtle touch to the bright rainbow look, with nail designs that you can wear from work to a Pride parade and back again. Scroll on for our faves!
21. Ombre Pastel Rainbow Nails for Pride Month
photo: @samrosenails
The perfect ombre rainbow nails don’t exi—
With pretty pastel hues and a dreamy rainbow gradient, this manicure is truly perfection. To create that perfect blend, add your pastel nail polish onto a wedge sponge, then carefully press it onto each of your nails. Finish with a top coat, and let those rainbow beauties do the rest.
22. Blushing Ombre Rainbow Manicure
photo: Kelsey Klos
Aura nails have been having a serious moment lately, and we can’t stop talking about this rainbow take on the trend! With a pop of color that starts from the middle of each nail and blends out, it almost looks like your nails are blushing in bright rainbow hues. We love!
For an easy DIY, start with a translucent white jelly nail polish for your base coat, then add a drop of bright nail polish to the middle, blending it out with a nail sponge. For a full tutorial, check out our complete guide below!
23. Pearlescent Ombre Rainbow Manicure
photo: @thenaillologist
Another cute nail trend that’s not going anywhere for 2024? Chrome nails. Give the look a Pride inspired makeover with this ombre nail design, featuring festive colors and a shimmery finish (which you can recreate with this chromatic top coat or pearlescent nail powder).
It’s trendy, it’s fun, and it’s definitely on theme for June.
24. 3D Glitter Ombre Pride Nail Design
photo: @jellybayn_nails
It’s impossible NOT to be happy when your nails look like this! They’re the definition of joy with pastel ombre designs, 3D nail pearls, and alllllll the rainbow glitter sequins. If that’s not a perfect nail design for Pride month, we don’t know what is!
25. Neon Ombre Rainbow Coffin Nails
photo: @nailqueennadia
We don’t know what we love most about these rainbow nails. The trendy ombre design? The neon rainbow colors? The bold coffin shape? All of the above?
For a design that’s made to stand out (for Pride month and beyond), these ombre nails are IT. As a bonus, we found similar press-on designs so you can recreate this manicure at home — no salon appointment required!
Short Rainbow Nails Designs + Manicure Ideas
Where are our short nail girlies at?! We’ve been seeing more and more people embrace shorter nail lengths in 2024, and we couldn’t be more obsessed. To help you make the most out of every centimeter, we’ve rounded up the best rainbow nail art and Pride inspired ideas for short nails.
From minimalist rainbow designs to maximalist neon nail art, these nails are proof that great style comes in all lengths!
26. Cute + Short Pride Inspired Rainbow Nail Art
photo: @karanailedit
As the saying goes, after the rain, there’s a rainbow….and we can’t think of better inspo for your Pride nails! Add these cute rainbow nail stickers on top of a clear base coat for a manicure that’s equal parts trendy and motivational.
27. Short Rainbow Micro French Manicure
photo: @pop_polished
If you’re rocking a short manicure, micro French tips are a great way to make the most out of the small space. Case in point: this cute rainbow nail art!
For a design that adds ~just~ the right amount of color to your short nails, we love these red, yellow, green, blue, and purple tips. They’re bright and festive, without overcrowding your short mani!
28. Short Striped Rainbow Manicure
photo: @estheticsbyselma
A short rainbow manicure that looks WAY more complex than it is? That’s the beauty of this Pride inspired nail design!
All you need to DIY this cute look is a colorful nail polish collection and some thin nail art brushes. From there, just paint small stripes across each nail in a rainbow pattern, and voilá: you have a simple manicure that’s guaranteed to wow.
29. Short Rainbow Marble Manicure
photo: @glossy.studios
This rainbow design is proof that short nails can still make a major impact!
While marble nail ideas take a little more finesse to DIY, you can recreate this technicolor design for Pride month (and beyond) by adding drops of neon nail polish to a bowl of water, then dipping your fingers in the mixture so that the polish sits on top of your nails. Remember: practice makes perfect!
30. Short Glitter Rainbow Nail Design for Pride Month
photo: @nonnailartist
Rainbow nail art, but make it sparkly! Using glitter nail polish, this colorful design was practically MADE for Pride month. We also love how the white cloud designs frame the sparkly rainbow nail art. It’s a unique and eye-catching manicure that’s perfect for elevating your short nails.
31. Short Pastel Rainbow Ombre Nails
photo: @cove.beauty
Pastel rainbow polish? Check. Dreamy ombre designs? Check. Short nails that instantly spark joy. Check and check! This manicure checks off all of our favorite rainbow nail ideas, and we are HERE for it.
P.S. We found the perfect ombre gel nail strips to DIY this look at home. As a bonus, they work for any nail length, so you can keep rocking your short nails!
Our Favorite Bright + Colorful Nail Inspo to Inspire Your Next Manicure
Here at GWS, we never miss the opportunity to try out a colorful nail design (the brighter the better!). That’s why we’ve rounded up bright nail ideas for every occasion, from these Pride inspired designs to colorful nail art for spring, summer, winter, and fall. We’ve even created tutorials for our favorite cute nail trends, including aura nails and chrome nails!
What’s your current nail obsession? Let us know in the comments below!