Over the years as a beauty editor, I’ve realized that the manicures that look the chicest are often the simplest. Like, a rich, moody color finished with a glassy topcoat.
A barely-there neutral that makes your cuticles look neat and your nail beds look healthy. Or a Micro French so thin it almost looks accidental. Basically, the kinds of nails that make people grab your hand mid-conversation to ask for the shade name or where you got them done.
So if you’re looking for that elevated manicured look without committing to crystals and a bunch of nail decals, you’re in the right place. From minimalist nail designs to sleek shades, I found all the best expensive-looking manicures, and most of them are easy to DIY and require one or two great polishes and a steady hand.
Ahead, the best expensive-looking nail colors, manicure trends, and design ideas—no rhinestones required.
Micro-French Nails
The Micro French is the definition of quiet luxury. It’s simpler and more modern than a traditional French manicure, and even the shortest nails look polished and expensive.
Pearly Pastel Nails
Pearlescent pastel nails take your favorite soft shades—light pink, lilac, baby blue—but with a glowy and light-catching finish on top. The subtle shimmer makes them look way more expensive than your standard polish.
Chrome French Nails
Chrome French nails are a modern update on the classic tip, swapping basic light pink for a shimmery finish. It’s a subtle change that makes a simple manicure feel instantly more interesting, and if you're doing it yourself, you can use any iridescent topcoat.
Gold Accent Nails
Dua Lipa rocked this luxe mani last year, and I’ve been obsessed with it ever since. The look features delicate detailing that mimics a thin gold twine wrapped around the edge of each nail, adding just the right hint of shine.
Monochrome Textured Nails
Textured and sculptured nails use raised shapes and patterns to add dimension without color changes. Keeping the 3D elements in a single monochromatic shade makes the design feel sleek, sophisticated, and like a tiny work of art on each finger.
Soap Nails
Soap nails are a minimalist, “your fingers but better” look, and the soft pinks make your mani look squeaky clean. The sleek finish lets your natural nail shape shine and keeps your nails looking fresh and chic.
Deep Red Nails
Deep red nails, like a rich burgundy or red wine, are a classic hue that never goes out of style. They instantly make any manicure feel bold and sophisticated, perfect for when you want your nails to stand out without the need for designs or intricate nail skills.
Lace Nails
Lace nails add a delicate and coquettish touch to your fingers, mimicking the soft patterns of real fabric. This look will likely require a nail appointment, but the result is a luxe and romantic manicure that feels classy without being over the top.
Polka Dot Nails
Polka dot nails are a playful way to add a pattern while still keeping things simple (and doable on your own). You can use any colors, mix up the dot sizes, add a chrome finish, or invert the shades.
Multi-Color Nails
Multi-color nails follow a single color story but give each nail a different shade. The result is a coordinated yet dynamic manicure that's simple and easy to paint on yourself.
Sheer Chrome Nails
Sheer chrome nails, glazed donut nails, Hailey Bieber nails, whatever you wanna call them, just scream expensive. That translucent metallic finish instantly elevates even the simplest nails.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who writes about all the latest nail polish and design trends. For this story, she spent hours researching the newest colors, shapes, and techniques, testing the trends herself, and tracking celeb nail artists to see what’s actually making nails look chic and elevated.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
