Just 25 Really Freakin’ Cute Pics of Butterfly Nails (You’re Welcome) (2024)

Butterflies and pastels clearly go very well together. This butterfly nail idea is giving me ‘60s retro vibes, which I love, but it’s also super lowkey and not too bright if you like a softer-toned manicure.

🦋Recreate it with: Essie Yellows Nail Polish

How cute are these bright-blue butterfly nails? Butterflies are a great way to add some color and art to a neutral base. Even better, wearing a cooler color like blue makes this work for a winter nail idea too.

🦋Recreate it with: Red Carpet Manicure Blue, Green & Yellow LED Gel Nail Polish in Denim Mini Skirt

The cool thing about butterfly nails is that basically every single pic is hella impressive, thanks to the very detailed nature of butterflies. I mean, how pretty are these intricate bbs? In this case, I’d recommend taking this design to a nail artist near you.

🦋Recreate it with: OPI Nail Lacquer Nail Polish in Got Myself into a Jam-Balaya

IMO, marble is one of the coolest trends in nail art right now and it’s a sure-fire way to get that “upscale mani” vibe. But there’s a catch when it comes to lighter colors like these butterfly nails: Your cuticles are on full display. Once you leave the salon, your main priority (aside from, like, food, water, and being happy) should be keeping them moisturized with cuticle oil.

🦋Recreate it with: Jinsoon in Absolute White

I can’t get over how ~dreamy~ this butterfly nail idea is. These pastel clouds are such a cute way to add another illustration to your nails without overwhelming them. And even though they look super challenging, with some small nail brushes and a nail polish palette, recreating this will be much easier than it looks.

🦋Recreate it with: Pear Nova in Frida Be Free

Kylie Jenner’s nails are always my #manicuregoals, and this butterfly-gem combo is no exception. BTW, this butterfly nail design could very easily be recreated on shorter, rounder nails too, if long nails aren’t your thing.

🦋Recreate it with: Orly French Manicure Nail Lacquer

These little red butterflies are so unique, showing only the sides of a butterfly instead of both sets of wings. Plus, if you just don’t have the time to paint all ten of your nails, putting your design on alternating nails is a really cute addition to a neutral mani.

🦋Recreate it with: Nash and Pino in Seduction

The best thing about butterfly nails? They look really pretty on any nail shape. Seriously, give me a nail shape and I’ll convince you that you need to add some butterflies. These square-shaped nails are more than enough proof. BTW, you can get this set either with extensions (like acrylics or polygels) or natural nails.

🦋Recreate it with: Ella+Mila BonBon Collection Nail Polish

If you like to keep your nails very much under the radar (I get it, you’re an introvert), that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a cute butterfly nail design too. Adding the subtle white butterflies to a neutral color is a great nail hack for dressing up your mani without going over the top.

🦋Recreate it with: Mischo Beauty in Je Ne Sais Quois

You don’t have to stick to one or two colors for butterfly nails. Just like butterflies in the wild, you can paint in all different colors and just have some fun with it. They’re also a great way to add some flare to short nails.

🦋Recreate it with: Nailtopia Love Yourself Skittle Mani-Kit

This manicure combines two great nail trends: ombré nails and butterfly nails. Even though I tend to lean minimalist with my nail art, these two styles look freaking great together. Pro tip: To get that ombré effect, use an eyeshadow sponge applicator to help blend the two nail polishes.

🦋Recreate it with: China Glaze Nail Polish in Flip Flop Fantasy

Did you ever dream that butterfly nails could take the form of French tips? Me either, until this v impressive manicure graced my feed. Choose your butterfly base color (like the orange in this pic) and then have your black and white polishes nearby for the details.

🦋Recreate it with: Sephora Collection Color Hit Mini Nail Polish in Black Lace

It’s the simplicity in this butterfly nail idea for me. Painting the butterflies a solid color without too many inner details gives it a really soft feel. These nails look amazing with that shiny finish, so make sure you have a glossy topcoat on hand. And even if you get them done at the salon, swipe on a fresh topcoat layer several days later when they start to look dull for a renewed finish.

🦋Recreate it with: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel 3.0 Shiny Top Coat

I’m here for these baby butterflies on just one finger. These butterfly nails are really chill and you can easily make it happen with a couple of butterfly stickers on top of a sheer neutral polish.

🦋Recreate it with: Blulu 24 Sheets Butterfly Nail Art Stickers

The best thing about butterflies as French tips is how versatile they are. You can do the same butterfly nail design over and over with different colors, finishes (like matte or shiny), and placement and it'll look great every single time.

🦋Recreate it with: Sundays Nail Polish in Milky Blue

If you’re bored of the same coat of neutral you always use but you can’t be bothered to paint intricate designs, this butterfly nail idea is a good option. You can easily recreate this really pretty set with some cute gold butterfly stickers and a sheer neutral base coat.

🦋Recreate it with: Triple O Polish in Askia Musa

You definitely don’t need to have butterflies on every finger to get a cute manicure. Exhibit A: this butterfly nail idea, with black and white tips that contrast really well with the blue butterfly. Just make sure you have a glossy topcoat on standby to get that shine.

🦋Recreate it with: OPI Infinite Shine ProStay Gloss Top Coat

Was I right about butterfly nails working with literally every nail shape, or was I right? The black butterfly stamps take these ballerina nails to an entirely new level. And while the neutral and white nail polishes are classic, you can easily change up the color of either the tips or the butterflies to get a new look.

🦋Recreate it with: Nailtopia Plant Based Nail Lacquer in So Fresh, So Clean

If you’re not down to paint butterflies yourself (lol, same) but still would rather paint your nails at home, press-on nails are your answer. Get yourself a cute butterfly set like these ones, add a drop of nail glue to each finger, and you’ve got a salon-worthy butterfly manicure.

🦋Recreate it with: 24 Pcs Luvehandicraft Long Glossy Fake Nails Coffin

Incorporating multiple nail art designs into one manicure is bold and hard to pull off, but this butterfly manicure makes it happen. The four colors—transparent marble, white, neutral pink, and gold butterfly nail stickers—pull it all together in such a pretty way.

🦋Recreate it with: TailaiMei 12 Sheets Laser Butterfly Nail Art Stickers