14 Cute Back-to-School Nail Ideas
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Planning your back-to-school nails is one of the perks of saying goodbye to summer. It's the perfect way to express your excitement for reuniting with friends, starting fall extracurriculars, and, of course, going back to class.
These designs can be inspired by everything from your favorite subjects, go-to school supplies, and even the doodles you're likely to draw in your notebooks throughout the year. Still, cute back-to-school nails are an art form: you need ideas that are fun enough to satisfy your inner-manicurist but also easy enough to DIY if need be. You'll be looking down at your hands a lot as you write and type your way through another semester, so above all, your nails should make you happy.
To make it easy, we've taken on the guesswork for you and have rounded up the best back-to-school nail ideas that we could find to help you plan out your most fun sets yet. From rounded stiletto tips with spot-on number two pencil designs to a simple "bubble bath" nail look that gets a colorful makeover, these manicures are more than mood-board worthy and will have you making your salon appointments weeks in advance. Read ahead for the cute back-to-school nails you'll need to start the new academic year off right.
Back-to-School Nail Ideas: No. 2 Pencil
Adorn your back-to-school nails nails with designs of your go-to school supplies, like No. 2 pencils and notebook doodles.
Back-to-School Nail Ideas: Crayons
If you're more of a fan of colorful back-to-school nails this crayon-inspired set is nothing short of epic.
Back-to-School Nail Ideas: Abstract Crayons
If you want a crayon manicure that's a bit more abstract, get the design and pair it with smoke in the color.
Back-to-School Nail Ideas: Subjects
Show your excitement for your favorite school subjects by getting nail art inspired by it. Love art? Get a paint-brush-inspied design like the one seen here.
Back-to-School Nail Ideas: Math
If you learn more toward numbers, get formula-inspired designs like the Pythagorean Theorem.
Back-to-School Nail Ideas: Paper Designs
What's more essential in school than paper? Get a paper-inspired background and make it your own by getting nail art of different numbers, color pencils and more onto your nails.
Back-to-School Nail Ideas: Chemistry
Yes, you can use your nails to show off your love of science too. Take this manicure, for instance.
Back-to-School Nail Ideas: Apples
Apples and teachers go together like peanut butter and jelly, so if you're a part of the profession, why not show your students the love by getting some school-themed nails as seen here?
Back-to-School Nail Ideas: Accent Designs
You don't need to have all 10 fingernails emblazoned with back-to-school nail art to show your school spirit. You can paint them on as cheery accents.
Back-to-School Nail Ideas: Paper Accent Nail
There isn't a more adorable back-to-school nail design that this neutral manicure with paper and pencil accents on the ring finger.
Back-to-School Nail Ideas: Lined Paper
Your cute back to school nails can look like the doodles in your college-ruled notebook by painting it on a base that looks like lined paper.
Back-to-School Nail Ideas: Colorful Doodles
Make the drawings on your paper nails pop by doing them in ultra-bold colors that people won't be able to help but notice.
Back-to-School Nail Ideas: Lined Paper
Mirror your back to school nails after the best part of everyone's school experience: doodling notes about your crushes in your notebooks.
Back-to-School Nail Ideas: Chalkboard Designs
While nails on a chalkboard may not be pleasant, the inverse is more delightful. After painting on the design, coat the nails with a matte top coat to make them feel like the classroom staple.