Meet mermaid nails, the otherworldly nail art trend that's like wearing a fin on your fingertips

Souzan Michael
Meet mermaid nails, the otherworldly nail art trend that's like wearing a fin on your fingertips

With The Little Mermaid live-action film fully on our minds (we can’t wait to see Halle Bailey as Ariel and are obsessed with the rumor that Harry Styles might be Prince Eric), the latest nail art trend we’re stalking on Instagram is under the sea-themed.

Mermaid nails are the coolest, most intricate nail art trend of the summer, and we like to believe they’re what Ariel’s nails would look like 24/7 if she was real. From pearl accents to fin outlines to full-on glitter and holographic shades, mermaid nails may not be for the faint of heart, but they’ve certainly captured our hearts this summer.

So if you’re looking to try something new, and shelf your minimalist manicures (at least for a little bit), mermaid nails might be right up your alley. Browse our favorite examples on Instagram below.

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These nails though!😍 . . . . . Photo: @mermaidinspiration #mermaidnails #nailart #nailartist #getnailed #mermaid #mermaidgoals #mermaidlife #gifts #realmermaids #mermaidaccessories #mermaidlove #mermaidsofinstagram #mermaiding #mermaidstyle #imreallyamermaid #siren #mermaidcrush #merfangirling #mergirl #mersquad #mermaidgirl #merfun #lifeofamermaid #thefilthymermaid #squad #squadgoals #basicbitch #merlife #imreallyamermaid #mermaidsarereal

A post shared by The Filthy Mermaid (@thefilthy_mermaid) on Jul 11, 2019 at 12:00pm PDT

The glitter makes this so glam.

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. 今年の夏はロマンティックな #人魚の鱗ネイル に挑戦してみるのはいかが？人魚の鱗をモチーフにしたマーメイドネイルは、爽やかで夏らしく、ビーチに出かける時にぴったり！指先からヴァカンス気分を楽しめそうです。 . MERYでは他にも「かわいい」に近づくさまざまな情報を発信しています。 @mery.beauty コスメ・美容に特化した情報をお届け♡ @mery_spot 話題のカフェやお出かけスポットをご紹介！ こちらもぜひチェックしてみてください！ . . photo by @maricalife0614 @misapinail . #MERY #regram #instagram #instanail #nail #naildesign #gelnail #handnail #mermaid #mermaidnails #네일스타그램 #マーメイドネイル #鱗ネイル #夏ネイル #青ネイル #ピンクネイル #ブルーネイル #夏ネイル2019 #くすみピンク #パステルネイル #海ネイル #貝殻ネイル #マーメイド #人魚の鱗 #ハンドネイル #ジェルネイル #お洒落さんと繋がりたい #MERY女子 #メリー

A post shared by MERY (@mery.jp) on Jul 7, 2019 at 4:00pm PDT

Aren’t the seashell accent nails to die for?

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How Mermazing are these nails though!? 🧜‍♀️⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ Photo: @nailsofaquarius⠀ #mermaidnails #nailart #nailartist #mermaid #sealife #onlineshop #mermaidstyle #mermaidfashion #mermaidvibes #mermazing #mermaidobsessed #mermaidaccessories #mermaidlife #mermaidcovecollective #mermaidsquad #mermaidshop #mermaidstore #whositswhatsits #mermaidgoals #subscriptionbox #subscriptionboxes #subscriptionaddiction #subscriptionboxforkids #subbox #beachgirl #mermaidsoul #mermaidtreasure #merlife #mermaidsarereal #imreallyamermaid⠀

A post shared by Mermaid Cove Collective (@mermaidcovecollective) on Jul 15, 2019 at 12:00pm PDT

Take the trend to the next level by including an actual mermaid.

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sellős csodaköröm a Balcsihoz 🧜🏻‍♂️🧜🏻‍♀️ sok-sok kővel, aurora porral és varázslattal 😉 #gelnails #gelnail #gelnailsart #gelnailart #gelnaildesign #xtremefusiongel #acrylgelnails #polygelnails #pinknails #pinknailart #whitenails #auroranails #auroranail #aurorapowder #shellnails #shellnail #shellnailart #tigereyenails #cateyenails #magneticgelpolish #magneticnails #magneticnaildesign #mermaidnails #mermaidnails #mermaidnails🐚 #mermaidnailart #holidaynails #holidaynailart #holidaynaildesigns #summernails2019

A post shared by Lili nails (@lilirozsa_) on Jul 22, 2019 at 2:46am PDT

Mermaid nails, rose gold edition.

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🧜‍♂️mermaid nails🧜‍♀️ my mom has this sticky paper called vinyl and uses a machine to cut out designs. she made a mermaid scale one for me. white - @sally_hansen - color therapy - well well well pink - @fivebelow - fresh paint - matte about you blue - sally hansen- hard as nails - big teal gems are from amazon #nailart #mermaid #mermaidnails #mermaidnailart #mermaidart #summernails #nails #acrylicnails #acrylicnailart

A post shared by Hannah Nails (@hannah.nails) on Jul 21, 2019 at 5:47pm PDT

Obsessed with the contrasting shades.

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This is hand painted ❌ not sticker ❌ 🍍🌈 Aloha manicure ✨ #hugsxkissesnailbar #nailart #gelnails #lifeatthebeach #mermaidnails

A post shared by Hugs x Kisses (@hugsxkissesnailbar) on Jul 21, 2019 at 5:24am PDT

So cute—and surprisingly subtle.

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“ Smell the sea, and feel the sky, let your soul and spirits fly~~ All you need is a good dose of vitamin sea——“✨✨✨✨ ******************* For any Enquiries/appointment booking , kindly WhatsApp me at +65-9124 6283 📱 . #nailart #nailsoftheday #sgnails #nailist #arts #手描きアート #gelmanicure #美爪 #nailsbycarynsg #imcarynooi #全手繪 #handrawn #picoftheday ＃ジェル #sgnails #inspirationalquotes #nailonfleek #hardgelnails #hardgeloverlay #summer #beach #mermaidnails #shellnails #人魚の鱗ネイル

A post shared by Nails by Caryn (@nails.by.caryn) on Jul 21, 2019 at 3:34am PDT

Love the jewel accents.

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Mermaid vibes 🧜🏼‍♀️✨🐚 set of superior + @swarovski by Lisa! #adoredollsparlour #getnailedright

A post shared by ADORE DOLLS PARLOUR ™ (@adoredollsparlour) on Jun 9, 2019 at 3:27pm PDT

What’s a mermaid mani without some treasure?