Mermaid Nails Are Summer's Prettiest Nail Trend—11 Designs I've Screen-Grabbed

It's official: Mermaidcore has arrived in the world of beauty. We're already well acquainted with tousled beachy hair and mermaid waves, and now the trend is taking to our fingertips via mermaid nails. Searches for "mermaidcore" have soared 80% on Pinterest in the past three months, and the term has 187 million views and counting on TikTok. With the release of Disney's The Little Mermaid—and the beautiful Halle Bailey cast as Ariel—it's unsurprising that we're turning to all things under the sea when we're booking our next manicure appointment.
Halle Bailey has been spotted wearing pearl-encrusted blue nails for The Little Mermaid premiere.
Halle Bailey's pearl-encrusted mermaid nails by nail technician Yoko Sakakura.
I've been spying how celebrity nail techs are tapping into the mermaid-inspired nail art, and their takes are seriously chic and surprisingly wearable. From ocean nail art to shimmering seashell effect polishes and even freshwater pearl adornments, there are so many mermaid nail designs to get excited about this summer. Ahead, you'll find the best mermaid nail art designs we've found as well as the polishes you'll need to recreate the mood.
Mermaid Nail Designs
These mesmerising shimmering cat-eye nails perfectly capture the mermaid vibe without being too in the nose.
Celebrity manicurist Betina Goldstein used real freshwater pearls for Whitney Peak's Met Gala mani, in which she adhered to the underside of the nail. It's safe to say I'm obsessed.
These pearl-tipped nails are a chic nod to the mermaidcore trend.
If you're a milky nail stan, then swap your usual sheer white in for a seashell-inspired lacquer with an iridescent finish.
Osyter shell nails, anyone? This micro nail art is both delicate and fun.
I love the subtle pearl accents on this neutral nail colour base.
This mani perfectly captures how the sea sparkles in the light.
I can practically hear the seaside when I look at this ocean wave nail art.
From clams to starfish and conches, the dainty seashell nail art is quite possibly the prettiest way to tap into the mermaid nail trend.
A sheer wash of iridescent polish allows you to tap into your inner mermaid.
Shop Mermaid-Inspired Nail Polishes:
Up Next, These Are the Only 2023 Nail Trends That You Need to Know

Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman
Home and junior beauty editor at Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections.
With a degree in fashion journalism from the London College of Fashion, she has 10 years of industry experience and has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.
Eleanor’s journalistic focus is providing readers with honest and helpful beauty content. She has interviewed celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson.
-
15 Dark Academia Inspired Manicures That Evoke Dusty Leather Books, Secret Societies, and Layers of Plaid
We're hitting the books.
-
“So Pretty—Like Candlelight”: Celebrity Manicurists Can’t Get Enough of Toasted Nails This Fall
Forget everything you've heard about autumn mani trends.
-
My Latest Obsession? This Offseason Nail Shade That Works With My Entire Wardrobe
A subtle way to play with color.
-
It's Confirmed: This Season's Trendiest Manicures Are Finally Putting These 6 Nail Looks to Rest
I bet you'll be surprised.
-
You Heard It Here First: These 5 NYFW Nail Trends Will Influence Your Manis for the Next Year
Confirmed by the industry's top artists.
-
Football Season Is Back—24 (Non-Cheesy) Manis to Channel Your Inner WAG
Repping your favorite team has never been cooler.
-
5 Classy Nail Trends You’ll See Everywhere This Autumn
So chic, so glossy.
-
This Year's Biggest Fall Mani Trends Have Coquette Details and Rich, Juicy Shades
Sign us up.