Last Updated on August 15, 2025 by Alexandra Markin, Dip.Mgmt.St.
If you’re looking for inspiration in the way of graduation nail ideas at this point in your education journey, congratulations!
2025 has been quite the year, and it’s time to get ready to celebrate! Whether you’re walking the stage or celebrating virtually, your nails help make the moment special.
I’ve rounded up the best graduation nail ideas to inspire your perfect look. From simple and classy, short to almond with the hottest colour trends and designs, this post has something for everyone.
Graduation Nail Ideas for Every Grad’s Style
I’ve always loved having my nails done, and have spent literal decades experimenting with gel nail colours and designs. In a way I feel like I’ve been preparing for graduation nails my whole life, so I’ve added tips and links to help you recreate these looks at home.
All you need are the basics: a gel base and top coat and a UV LED nail lamp. With a bit of practice, you’ll have perfect nails worthy of your big day.
If you prefer acrylic nails, these designs work well on both nail products.
So whether your grad falls in the winter, spring or any season in between, there’s something here that will help you honor the occasion with a polished look.
Classy and Simple Graduation Nail Ideas
1. Classic French Manicure
One of the most timeless looks for graduation nails will always be the classic french manicure. Use a natural light pink as the base, and apply the white polish tip using a french manicure nail guide.
2. Glazed Donut Almond French Manicure
This subtle yet trendy glazed donut french manicure is sure to turn heads. Apply a french tip using a precision tip white polish or french manicure nail guide and finish with light pink chrome effects polish to achieve that glazed donut look.
3. Colourful Pastel French Tip
Give the classic french manicure a modern update with a pop of colour that matches your grad dress. Easily apply the colour tip of your choice by using a french manicure nail guide.
4. Skinny French Manicure With Rhinestones
A skinny french manicure is all the rage right now, and you can up its elegance even further by adding a row of sparkle on your ring finger. Start with a base of nude pink, followed by french tip application with precision tip white polish, and finish with flat-back rhinestones applied with rhinestone nail glue.
5. French Ombré
French ombré nails are trendy but timeless – ideal for your big day. Start with light pink, then apply a strip of white polish to a foam makeup sponge and blend the white onto the tip of your nail to create the ombré look.
6. Pink and White French Manicure With Bow Design
For the girly girl graduates, there’s nothing quite as feminine as adding a bow design to a pink and white french manicure. Start with a few coats of soft natural pink polish, then add french tips and a bow design with white precision polish.
7. Nude Shimmer
A nude shimmer polish goes with any look and is a classy way to dress up any cap and gown.
8. Natural Light Pink Squoval
If you want something understated, you can’t go wrong with natural light pink in the flattering square oval (squoval) shape.
White Graduation Nail Ideas
9. White Swirl
Trendy yet elegant, white swirl nails will upgrade any graduation look. Start with a clear base coat and hand-paint your desired swirls using a white precision tip polish.
10. White Pearl Iridescent Shimmer
Add a bit of something extra to white nails by using a white pearl iridescent shimmer polish.
11. Short White Square
Sometimes nothing beats short, square and white polished nails. A great option if your school colour includes white!
12. Milky White Shimmer
Can’t choose between white or sparkly? Combine the two by using a subtle milky white shimmer polish.
13. Milky White With Pearl and Gold Line Design
These elegant almond shaped nails are sure to elevate any look. Start with a base of milky white polish, then add a gold line nail design sticker topped with a delicate centre pearl.
Pink Graduation Nail Ideas
14. Hot Pink Skinny Chevron French Manicure
For another trendy twist on the classic french manicure, start with pastel pink, then use a chevron-shaped french manicure nail guide to apply hot pink to the tip of your nail to rock your graduation gown.
15. Pink Ombré Squared Oval (Squoval)
This pink ombré look is classy yet sure to make you stand out! This Ombre Art Gel Set in Pastel Pink has all the multiple pink shades and brushes you need to create that beautiful ombré look on each finger.
16. Neutral Pink Translucent
Nothing compliments short rounded nails quite like a neutral pink translucent polish.
Black and Gold Graduation Nail Ideas
17. Half-and-Half, Black-and-White Colour Block Design
Also know as the halfsie (or half-sie) colour block mani, this is a great design if you’re looking for a trend guaranteed to turn heads. This is pretty advanced nail art to do at home, so I suggest seeking out an experienced salon.
18. Black Sparkle Skinny French and Solid Combo
Showcase your solid colour by painting your ring finger in black sparkle polish and the others in neutral pink. Use a french manicure guide to achieve your perfect style of french tip in black sparkle.
19. High Gloss Black
Glossy black nail polish always makes a statement and pairs with many school colours.
20. Black and Neutral Pink Negative Space
Leaving part of the nail unpainted is a sleek, negative space design that adds just the right amount of dramatic. Start with a coat of natural pink on negative space nails, then paint your choice of design using a black precision polish. Finish with glossy black on remaining nails.
21. Gold Chrome
Make a bold and modern statement at your graduation with gold chrome nails.
22. Black With Gold Glitter Diagonal Design
Mix black with gold glitter in a modern way. Start with glossy black polish and finish by painting the diagonal of each nail with gold glitter polish using a nail guide sticker.
23. Black and Gold With Floral Nail Art
Soften bold black nails by adding delicate florals. Start with glossy black nail polish on thumb, middle and ring fingers, adding a coat of clear shimmer polish for a subtle sparkle. Add gold chrome polish on index and pinky fingers and finish with gold floral nail art stickers.
Blue Graduation Nail Ideas
24. Blue Aqua Almond Cat Eye
If you’re looking for something trendy and eye-catching to elevate your gown, blue aqua cat eye nail polish is just the thing.
25. Royal Blue
Royal blue nails are a classic choice to complement blue grad gowns for an elevated, monochrome look.
26. Baby Blue Almond Ombré
Baby blue ombré nails are the perfect choice if you’re looking for something fun (and a little extra). Grab a set of 6 Aquarius blue shades and a foam makeup sponge to achieve your desired ombré style.
27. Baby Blue Square
These short baby blue nails are minimalist but still eye-catching. Apply a few coats of baby blue polish and you’re good to go.
Red Graduation Nail Ideas
28. Two Tone Red With Silver Design
Deep cherry red polish with the contrast of silver nail art is sure to make your cap and gown pop.
29. Red Sparkly Long Almond
These long red sparkly almond nails will catch the light just right to stand out in every photo.
30. Classic Red Almond
These timeless, classic red almond shaped nails will give you instant confidence as you walk across the stage.
31. Red Matte and Glossy
These matte and glossy short red nails are perfect if you want a subtle twist on a classic. Start with a classic red polish and apply matte top coat on whatever fingers you wish.
32. Glossy Red With Gold Reverse French Tip
These classy red nails are trendy, understated and yet still makes a statement. Start with a glossy classic red polish, followed by applying a gold line nail art sticker at the base of the nail bed to create the popular reverse french tip trend. Tip: match your reverse tip to the colour of your rings for maximum awe.
You Nailed It!
No matter what look you’re going for, there’s a graduation nail style out there that’ll help you feel ready for every hug, photo and proud moment.
Whether you go bold, classic or trendy, your nails are just one more way to celebrate how far you’ve come, because this day is all about YOU!
CONTINUE PLANNING YOUR CELEBRATION IN STYLE:
To quote my all-time favourite motivational study show character, Elle Woods: “Congratulations class of 2025 – WE DID IT!!!”
Comment below and let me know your favourite nail design!
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