47 Matte Nail Designs That are Anything But Dull (2024)

• Evelyn Limis a nail artist based in New York City and the chief educator at the New York City nail studioPaintbox.
• Olivia Van Iderstine is a Trend Expert and VP of Content & Creative for Olive & June.

Dusty Hues

Subdued purple, pink, and tangerine combine for a dusty negative space manicure that's subtle and stylish. To create the look, simply paint from mid-nail to tip on each finger and finish with a matte topcoat.

Silver, Nude, and Blue

We swoon over a negative-space moment, and this nail design is no exception. With a clear coat over the bottom of each nail, crisp sections of royal blue, and light-reflecting silver tips, we're in love.

Mint Green Tips

If you want to hop on the matte nail trend without covering your nails entirely in polish, check out this mint negative space option. To create the look, use striping tape to section off your nails and confine the polish from the tape to the tip. Once dry, remove the tape and finish with a matte topcoat.

Fun Designs

We have to admit, we have a thing for mismatched mani designs. Here, we see how using a matte polish as a base and colorful accents is a great pairing for this super fun manicure.

Monochrome Shades

Sure, burgundy and red are from the same color family but pair them together and you have yourself a high-contrast nail look that's even better matte. We're deeming it a step up from your classic red nails.

Lovely Details

To elevate your simple matte mani, opt for a heart detail, as seen here, that's both playful and sweet.

Blush Arcs

These matte seafoam nails might be simple, but with contrasting blush arcs, they're undeniably stylish, too. To get these painted lines, it's worth investing in some brushes like those found in Red Carpet Manicure Nail Art Tool Kit ($12).

Charcoal and Nude

Who knew that single nude dots on top of matte charcoal nails could be such a hit? While some nail art can be intimidating, this look is definitely DIY-able.

Neon Tips

Matte is having a major moment, and neon screams "all eyes on me", making this negative-space, melon-colored mani a must in our books. In case you can't find these shades in matte, make sure to finish with a mattifying topcoat—OPI Matte Top Coat ($11) is a solid choice.

Neutral

You can never go wrong with a neutral polish. "Any color looks amazing matte, and it's fun to see how the different finish can change the effect of your favorite shades. As we enter a new season, we love a neutral matte mani," says Van Iderstine, who recommends Olive & June creamy It's Chilly! ($9).

Solid Blue

Sometimes all it takes is a bold hue to create statement-worthy nails. Take this matte mani, for instance. With its medium-length squoval shape, it lets its royal blue color do all the talking.

Modern French

If you want to modernize a French mani, look no further. Here, sky and cobalt blue tips are painted in different shapes to create a fun and unique tip design on each nail. We love the vertical ombré squiggle but feel free to customize these colors to best suit you. The options are endless.

Peach Contrast

The black accent on these nails is even starker because of the matte peach base color. Try Essie Nail Polish ($9) in Peach Side Babe and finish with a matte topcoat to nail this look.

Eggs Over Easy

There are no limits when it comes to nail art. And while stripes and dots may be some of the more common (and easily achievable) designs, they're not the only ones. Whimsical eggs and a bright matte green color encourage thinking outside the box.

Baby Blues

Another way to embrace a clean, fresh feel for your mani is by sticking to a cool palette of blue and white. Plus, this one's super simple to DIY. But, if pastels aren't your thing, not to worry, there is a shade of blue for everyone.

Animal Print

Animal print–whether adorning our clothes, accessories, or nails–will never go out of style. Lim says that crocodile nails have been on the rise, but this zebra, snow leopard mani with matte black accents caught our eye.

Blue and Gold

We're all about mixing finishes. Fortunately for us, this matte blue and metallic gold combo is a cinch to recreate. Start by painting on a matte blue base, then use a detailing brush to swipe a gold arc across the bottom of each nail to create the cuticle half-moon accent.

Metallic Matte

Get ready for fall with these stunning autumnal shades that make for the perfect ombré latte mani. If you love the matte look but want more shimmer, try a metallic matte manicure. While we love this colored look on almond nails—both short and long—it will work on any nail shape.

All Wrapped Up

No matter, if your nails are short or long—or somewhere in between—this nude and white look, is easily replicable.

Mix and Match

Combine colorful pastel shades for a fun, springtime look. Known as a Skittles mani for its use of several hues, this nail look works with any combo of colors.

Café au Lait

This creamy brown manicure combines our love of coffee and negative space. What more could you ask for? Try it with OPI Nail Lacquer ($11) in Chocolate Moose.

Two-Toned Yellow

To conjure up some fresh springtime vibes, you can't go wrong with a pastel yellow polish. And in case you're looking to take your mani to the next level, metallic gold will give it that something extra.

Split Blue

If you blush over blues, check out this simple DIY. Start with a matte blue base and use a striping brush to delicately draw a thin white line down the center of each nail.

Glossy and Matte

All-black manicures make an eye-catching statement. By going with a matte black base, you're able to see the shiny black dotted design. To create the look, start with matte black polish and top it off with glossy circle details.

"I love to play with matte and glossy in the same nail with a matte base and a glossy design," says Van Iderstine. "The way the matte and glossy finish can transform the color effect is amazing."

Minty Fresh

Green might not be your go-to nail color, but this minty look may convince you otherwise. Wintergreen, icey blue, mint ice cream—whatever Frozen-inspired vibe you're getting from this mani, we hear you and support you.

Rose Fade

"My two favorite ways to wear matte is an all-over matte design for a cashmere-like effect that subdues the color a bit and gives your whole look some texture," says Van Iderstine. Case in point: this stunning blushing rose fade mani.

Wine Time

Wine lovers, rejoice: With this burgundy manicure, you can pay homage to your favorite vino in a minimalist way that's oh-so-chic. To really bring this look together, opt for gold hand jewelry to complement your gold polish.

Negative White

Feeling a fresh mani vibe? This negative-space nail look gives us clean, Art Deco vibes. Try it with white polish or your color of choice.

Purple and Red Details

Try creating graphic, angular lines for a look that reads colorful but mod. Again, if you can't find matte colors for the look, rely on your fave glossies and top them off with a matte topcoat.

Half and Half

Can't decide on one color (or even five)? With this half-and-half manicure, you'll be able to rock 10 colors on each hand. The vertical line also works to instantly elongate nails and fingers.

Sea Glass

If these stunning aqua nails don't make you want to comb the beach for sea glass, we don't know what will.

Black and White

Let's be clear: You can never go wrong with black and white. The monochrome palette can be worn with a black base and white details or vice-a-versa. Either way, the results are sure to turn heads.

Multicolored Dots

Remember those candy dots on paper that you used to eat as a kid? Something tells us that this mani was inspired by them. Consider it a way to satisfy childhood nostalgia.

Lisa Frank-Inspired

Lisa Frank, creator of our favorite school supplies, is reborn in this covetable look. The leopard stripe and neon green tips scream, "I love the '90s," while the square shape ensures maintenance is a breeze.

Fall Feels

This mani is the culmination of all things fall: neutral tones, animal print, and matte texture. Bring it into any season by switching up the burnt orange and black shades.

Pastel Ombré

This mani showcases the ombré nail trend front and center. Opt for matte pastel colors, which are perfect for springtime. Want to add a touch of glam? The answer is glitter. It's always glitter.

Trippy

Press-on nails and a sticker are all it takes to get this trippy look. Not only do press-ons make the application process a breeze but they are also one of the safest extension options for your natural nails.

Chocolate

A velvety chocolate color is perfect for the cooler seasons. If you want to switch up the heaviness of having a dark color on all of your nails, add a negative heart design, as seen here.

Curated Color

With its squiggly lines and color combo, these nails read as hippie chic. They also demonstrate that a killer mani can look just as good—or even better—on short nails than their lengthy counterpart.

Lengthy With Rhinestones

Talk about a head-turner. The impressive length of these blue and pink square nails will cause quite the stir on their own; however, we're inclined to decorate them with a few rhinestones because, why not?

Colorful Glitter

On the other side of the spectrum, short nails can also make an impact. This colorful number mixes matte hues and glitter to create a look that, fortunately for us, is easy to replicate at home.

Autumnal Palette

Looking for the perfect matte nail designs for fall? With orange, pink, and red polishes reminiscent of color-changing leaves, this mani has us wanting to throw on a cozy sweater.

Flower Power

Floral nail designs are some of our favorites and this one might just take the cake. Sure, the flowers might read as "spring," but combining them with a cool gray adapts this look for year-round wear.

Pink Coffin

Celebrity nail artist Chaun Legend played with a pink gel color to create this lovely matte mani. It works on nails of all forms and sizes but we're partial to this long coffin shape.

Abstract Designs

A natural matte base allows you to have fun with all sorts of designs. We're loving this Picasso-inspired design that features pops of blue, orange, and red amid black outlined faces.

Denim

Denim nails is one of Lim's favorite fall trending designs, and these matte nails don't disappoint. To achieve the look of denim, the nail artist painted a navy blue base followed by a thin scratchy brushing of periwinkle.Top with a matte coat and you're good to go.

Gold Tips

"Combining matte and glossy polish is a fun way to wear a French manicure. It almost creates the illusion of a two-tone French," says Van Iderstine of this charcoal and chrome look.