10 Non-Barbiecore Nail Trends to Try if You’re Tired of Pink

While Barbie pink nails have had their moment, there’s a vast world of nail trends out there that don’t involve the shade. If you’re seeking a fresh departure from the typical pink-dominated manicures, these ten trends will inspire you to branch out:

1. Monochrome Magic:
   • Description: Stick to shades of black and white, either as a solid color, ombre, or in geometric designs.
   • Tip: Matte black with a glossy top coat can make for a sophisticated and chic nail design.
2. Terracotta Tones:
   • Description: Earthy, warm tones inspired by clay and terracotta pots.
   • Tip: Combine with gold accents for a rustic, yet refined look.
3. Metallic Chrome:
   • Description: Reflective, metallic nails that mimic the look of metal.
   • Tip: Silver chrome paired with deep blues or purples can create a cosmic effect.
4. Jelly Nails:
   • Description: Semi-translucent nails, often with a hint of glitter or confetti inside.
   • Tip: Opt for ocean-inspired blues or greens for a refreshing aquatic vibe.
5. Tortoiseshell Texture:
   • Description: Mimicking the classic tortoiseshell pattern, usually in shades of brown, amber, and black.
   • Tip: Use a mix of gel polish and foil to achieve the authentic tortoiseshell look.
6. Denim Blues:
   • Description: Nail designs inspired by various shades of blue jeans.
   • Tip: Combine different shades of blue with white for a distressed denim look.
7. Negative Space Neutrals:
   • Description: Natural nail designs that play with bare nails and neutral shades.
   • Tip: Create geometric patterns or abstract designs to enhance the minimalist aesthetic.
8. Lavender Fields:
   • Description: Soft, muted purple shades that evoke a sense of calm and femininity without resorting to pink.
   • Tip: Add tiny floral decals for an extra touch of whimsy.
9. Golden Sunset:
   • Description: A mix of deep oranges, purples, and gold to mimic a twilight sky.
   • Tip: Perfect for an ombre effect transitioning from gold at the base to deep purple at the tips.
10. Mossy Greens:

• Description: From sage green to deep forest, green shades are both unexpected and chic.
• Tip: Matte green with metallic gold dots can mimic the look of a starry night amidst dense woods.

Final Thoughts: Trends come and go, but what remains constant is the opportunity to express yourself through your nails. Explore these trends and find what resonates with your style, beyond the realm of pink!

Baby Blue Nails

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If you’re in line with the belief that pink and blue are as mortal of enemies as children’s clothing sections would have you believe (a bigger issue, but I digress), then blue nails probably don’t come to mind when you think Barbie. So if you’re looking for a break from all the pink, try cooling your color palette down with some baby blue nail styles like blueberry milk manicures, Tiffany blue polish, or blue French tips.

Iced Coffee Nails

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Barbie can’t drink coffee—or anything for that matter. So, that makes iced coffee nails the perfect way to quench your thirst for all things not-pink. There are a few ways to achieve the iced coffee nail effect, be it mocha swirl style, French tips, chocolate drip nails, or just plain coffee-colored brown. All of these take the warm, neutral tones of your favorite caffeinated beverage and put them on your nails.

All-Black

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These all-black goth-revival nail ideas are definitely more suited for Bratz than Barbie. Too edgy for Ken to appreciate—or honestly even understand—and not colorful enough for even “weird Barbie” to sign off on (if you know, you know). Black and goth-inspired nails are perfect if Barbiecore has done more than exhaust you from pink, and even color in general. You can go with black French tips, black with edgy stars on top, or go more ethereal with black ombré nails.

Baroque Nails

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Now, Barbie is definitely a maximalist—like, have you seen her dreamhouse?—and being burnt out of Barbiecore doesn’t mean you have to be burnt out of maximalism altogether. If you like the glitz and glamor of the iconic doll but want to ditch the pink, try out some Baroque-inspired nails to bring out your regal energy. There is no one way to try this nail trend out, but sticking to deep reds, gold, and ornamental gems isn’t a bad way to try.

Aura Nails

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Barbie’s aura is definitely pink, but chances are yours is not. Aura nails come in every color, shape, and style and can easily be changed to reflect your inner aura. Try out sunset aura nails, diamond aura, icy aura, or any color combo your heart desires.

Blood Orange Nails

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If you have been having a tomato girl summer, this nail trend is right up your alley. Not quite red enough to be a tomato, but not quite orange enough to be an orange, blood orange nails are the perfect in-between to try out for those into the colorful-ness of Barbiecore but are over the hot pink shades it’s comprised of.

Chrome

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Chrome nails aren’t going anywhere and are a safe bet to fall back on if you’re seeking a return to pre-Barbie life. There are thousands of ways to wear chrome nails, from drippy renditions, web designs, French tips, and vanilla chrome. They’re all sleek, all stylish, and all Barbiecore-free.

Matcha Nails

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Whether you like the flavor of matcha or not, these nails are the perfect way to transition out of Barbiecore and into other colorful manicures. You can try just plain matcha green nails, add some chocolate swirls, add French tips, or add some gold embellishments.

Sea Glass Nails

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These might technically be worthy of mermaid Barbie, sea glass nails are a cute way to ride out the rest of summer. Sea glass nails are exactly what they sound like—a manicure resembling those tiny shards of sea glass you would collect on the beach. Semi-sheer, cool-toned, and with a matte finish, any color you would find on the beach works for this nail trend.

Cloud Nails

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If Barbiecore has burnt you out of colors altogether, then this is certainly the nail trend for you. One of the biggest barely-there nails of the year, cloud nails. Slightly sheer, ultra-glossy, and always white, this manicure elevates your nails to cloud nine and offers a chic, your-nails-but-better touch to any outfit you wear them with.