Beauty
Designs for minimalists and maximalists.
If you’re looking for new ideas to work into your nail art, there’s one that can be incorporated into every single manicure: evil eyes. But this famous cobalt blue eye design is more than just an adorable decal.
Used in fashion, beauty, and all aspects of culture, the evil eye has been around for ages. In its most basic definition, the evil eye is meant to represent a curse transmitted by someone who is envious of you. Wearing an evil eye amulet or charm helps protect you and ward off those bad spirits. A nail design that looks cool and invites only good vibes? Yes, please.
There are plenty of ways to wear evil eye nails. You can go classic and stick to the cobalt blue designs or change it up based on the season’s hottest colors. "One easy way to find color combinations that go together is through nail brands' seasonal collections,” Brittney Boyce tells Bustle. “They're developed to be a complementary palette, in that the five or six shades are professionally designed and tightly edited to be a cohesive collection,” says Boyce. “If you don't quite know where to start, get colors from the same seasonal collection and start combining them to try."
Need more manicure inspiration to screenshot for your next appointment? Here are Bustle-approved evil eye designs for your nails.
Subtle Details
"I just recently did a look and included an evil eye within a negative space on the lunula part of the nail within a French tip design. I thought it was a cool way to channel the look and spice it up,” nail artist Riyah Martin tells Bustle. “Evil eye can be either the focal point of a nail art, right in the middle of it, or subtly incorporated so that it feels more personal and secretive. Unless someone really pays attention, they won't know it's there."
Eyes All Over
For ultimate protection from bad vibes, switch up where you draw on the evil eyes and alternate their placements — the sides, top, and bottoms — on each nail.
Mini Evil Eye Nail Art
Dainty and oh-so adorable, these mini evil eye art designs set against a bare nail make a great look for minimalistic manis.
Geometric Eyes
This abstract design has evil eyes hanging on a straight line drawn across the nail for a really cool geometric spin to this classic nail art.
One & Done
Sometimes all you need is one evil eye for ultimate protection from the bad vibes. Try it on an accent nail against a bright orange polish for a bold pop of color
Side-Eye
Turn the evil eye on its side and decorate the edges with shimmery, golden rays for just the right amount of sparkle.
Deep Blue
A deep blue nail is dramatic and eye-catching on its own. Dress it up with an evil eye design for a simple way to elevate your manicure.
Accent Eyes
French tips in two brilliant shades of blue are only made cooler by a couple of tiny accent eyes.
Think Pink
Into the Barbiecore trend? Add pink details to your French manicure for nails that are feminine and fun.
More Minis
Miniatures of anything will always be super cute. Tiny evil eyes against a sheer milky white nail add some nice contrast.
Square French Tips
Next time you’re heading to the nail salon, skip the glossy finishes and opt for a matte moment.
Golden Hour
An sunny orange-yellow nail polish base adds a summery vibe that’s perfect for warmer weather.
Fine Lines
Blue and white abstract lines create a discreet design that is equal parts simple and striking.
Red-Eye
If white and blue aren’t your vibe, black and red makes a combination that’s just as stunning. A mix of wavy lines and differently sized details will complement longer stiletto-shaped nails.
Delicate Dots
Turn miniature evil eyes into the center of flower. No nail art tools? No problem. Celebrity manicurist Kimmie Kyees — a nail pro who works with Rihanna, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and more — once shared a brilliant hack with Bustle. Simply bend open a bobby pin, and use the little balls on the ends as makeshift dotting tools.
Tangerine Dream
Mix a creamy orange nail polish, evil eye design, and happy clouds for the coolest trifecta of nail art.
Chrome Details
When it comes to the hottest nail trends right now, chrome is king. Subtle metallic details add the perfect amount of shine.
Short & Simple
A small evil eye design looks beautiful on shorter tips, too. Paired with a barely-there polish, it’s a solid option for nail art newbies.
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