Disclosure: This space buns braids page contains affiliate links. Read full Disclosure Policy.
Perfect for a lover of glitz and glam, sugar nails is one of the newest trends in nail art.
What are Sugar Nails?
Sugaring refers to dipping the nail in glitter or nail powder in order to get the desired effect. Sugar nail art is open to all kinds of designs depending on the application of the glitter or nail power. The most common sugar nails use the raw glitter effect from which the style gets its name. Pour glitter straight onto the wet nail, which leaves you with a dazzling textured design. From there, the possibilities are endless! Whatever part of your fingernail you want to sparkle, simply add the glitter to the wet polish and leave to set.
For those looking for a smoother and classic look, the dip powder method would be for you. The process is the same, simply pour or dip the nail into the powder. If you want to go for a more matte look, either use a matte clear polish or leave the nail without a top coat. This sugar nail method ends up looking like a regular manicure, but takes half the time and eliminates the chance for brush strokes in your design.
One of the biggest advantages about sugar nails is that it is easy for you to do yourself at home. Why pay for an expensive manicure when you can achieve a fabulous look yourself at a fraction of the price?
Whether you are prepping fake nails or going all natural, sugar nail designs are easy for anyone to accomplish.
As an inspiration, we have put together some of the best sugar nail ideas. Whatever your nail style, outrageously fabulous or classic chic, you will find your new favorite sugar nail art here.
The Best Sugar Nail Ideas for You
Baby Blue and Sparkles Long Nails
These simple yet elegant baby blue nails seamlessly incorporate sugaring in the nail design. Here the main sugar nail element is the fine sparkles on the ring finger. The multiple accent nail look is on trend, and the glitter is a glitzy contrast to the edgy tipped counterpart.
Lavender Coffin Nails
A perfect example of the dip powder method, these smooth sugar nails show off the elegance of the color choice as well as the bold shape. Coffin nails are also on trend, so this fun design works both into one.
Be My Valentine Sugar Nails
In this case, the sugar nail effect is only one part of the design. You can accomplish this fun and flirty look by letting the base coat of your nails set, painting the hearts, then pouring the glitter onto the hearts while still wet. Shake off the excess and voila!
Midnight Sparkle Sugar Nails
One of the fundamental sugar nail designs, this look is easy to replicate. Pour or dip your nails into the black glitter (we recommend you also use a black base coat) and let set. Either stop there for the raw glitter effect, or seal with clear polish for a chic finish. These nails would be perfect for every day glitz or a night on the town.
Raw Sugared Tips
In this case, the nails are dipped into the powder and left unsealed. This is where sugar nails get their name, as the nails really look like they have been dusted with sugar. A perfect way to add flair to classic ombre tips.
Tuxedo Sugar Nail Designs
Texture is the name of the game with this design. Using different types of glitter, both the raw and smooth effects combine to make a unique look. Even the tuxedo tips could be a sugar design if using dip powder.
Red Dip Powder Sugar Nails
Another smooth look, these sophisticated nails work well for every day. The dots on the pink nails add a bit of fun but remain classy. The shape of the nails complement the look of the design.
Black Sugar Tips
This design shows the versatility of sugar nail art. To accomplish these tips, simply paint the desired tip shape and dip into the glitter. These particular tips are a fun and funky shape, accented by the raw glitter effect. Perfect for someone looking for a bit of edge.
Head in the Clouds Coffin Nails
For these nails, the sugaring provides a pretty background to the clouds and rhinestones that complete the look. Using fine blue glitter, cover the tips and then seal to get a smooth layer before adding the clouds. Sugaring versus glitter nail polish works best in this case to help get the fade in look.
Smooth Black Sugar Nails
These nails are the perfect example of using the same technique to achieve multiple looks. The sugaring is what provides cohesion to the design, but you can still see the creativity with the variety of patterns. For those looking for a way to have distinctive nails with limited time to do them, this is perfect.
Short Blue Sugar Nails
Combining sugar nails and simple tips, these cute nails are ideal for someone looking for a fun, everyday look. Using a coarse glitter provides texture, which is the perfect contrast to the smooth tips. The color is perfect for daytime or spring, but you could also change the color to something darker (purple, red, or even black) to change the tone of the design.
Black and Gold Sugar Nail Art
This nail design works in the sugar nail effect in two ways, one full nail and as decoration on another. The gold glitter adds glamour to an art deco look and compliments the rhinestone accents. These nails are perfect for someone looking a manicure that stand out.
Raw Sugar Nails
The quintessential sugar nail design, the simple addition of clear-flecked glitter is a trendy way to spice up your nails in minutes. While the glitter is raw in this case, sealing it would add smoothness to the look while maintaining the sparkle.
Shades of Blue Sugar Nail Art
The different shades of blue in this sugar nail art design are a stunning example of mixing and matching this effect. Again accented by rhinestones, this 3D nail look would be perfect for a formal winter effect. Add in the length and shape of the nails, and the whole thing is striking.
Mickey and Minnie Sugar Nails
A perfect combination with the matte look, sugaring, and the addition of the beloved characters. These nails are ideal for someone looking to add whimsy to their design but still maintain class. The same concept lends itself to any character design and color combination. Heading on a Disney cruise or to a Disney wedding? You’ve found your nail design.
Ruby Red Sugaring
Who doesn’t love a classic red nail? The iconic look gets anfr upgrade with the sugar nail effect on the accent nail. Great for the Christmas holidays or if you want a glitzy pick me up, red glitter makes this design pop.
Red Chrome and Sugar Nails
Taking the red look to the next level, the different shades and depth of red in this design are edgy and fierce. Shaping the nails to a point only emphasizes that feeling. The sugar effect in this instance evokes the feeling of snow glittering in the sun. These nails would make a great holiday look.
Love Valentine Nails
Short, cute, and sparkly, these nails are perfect for a night out with your love or for Galentine’s Day. The sugar effect is done in two ways, sprinkled on the first two nails and dipper on the pinky. Cute factor is increased with the love applique.
Disco Dust and Lavender Tips
Silver glitter makes the maximum impact in this eclectic sugar nail design. The purple tips are also easy to accomplish with the dip powder method. The length of the nails and the holographic accents come together for a futuristic and fantastic look.
Burgundy, Marble, and Sugar Nails
This look incorporates black glitter in the raw sugar method. The sugar nails are a fun contrast to the marble accent nails. The color scheme is great for the winter time or a formal event.
Nude Sugar Nails
Nude nails get a lift in this look. A combination of techniques and sugaring can accomplish all of them. Dip powder provides the matte and chrome looks, and glitter comes from a more traditional sugar nail method.
Pink Ladies Sugar Nails
The coffin nails are fun and edgy with just the right amount of glam. Using bubble gum pink provides femininity while the black is dramatic and bold. Different types and shades of glitter add creative flair. This look is easiest to accomplish with the dip method.
Black Matte and Glitter
Glitter and matte are the perfect texture contrasts. The round nails in this instance adds sharpness for someone looking for an edgier design. The glitter in this instance could be sealed for a smooth contrast to the matte or left raw.
Sour Patch Kids Sugar Nails
Reminiscent of the popular sweet and sour candy, sugaring adds pizzazz to this bright design. In this instance, the finer the glitter the better to accomplish the look. The stripes break up the glitter and lift the design to a more mature level.
Red and White Love Nails
Red and white glitter sugar nails are the perfect Valentine’s Day look. Sealing the red is the perfect contrast to the raw white glitter. The classic heart shape adds romance to the whole design.
Multi-glitter Sugar Nails
Were you one of those kids that loved painting your nails all different colors? This is a more grown up version of that name style. Each nail is a different collaborating color, also using two types of glitter for a multiple sugar nail effect. The pop of red adds flash to the look, complementing the sparkle.
Gray and Glitter Sugaring
Charcoal glitter is the perfect opposite to the matte gray in this look. Using a plain matte polish for the other nails really makes the sugar effect pop and provides a difference in texture. The short nail look along with the elegant simplicity of this design makes it perfect for everyday wear.
Coral Sugar Nail Art
Sugar nail techniques are used in multiple ways in this fun, springy design. Using the same coral color on the majority of the nails provides cohesion, but incorporating different types of glitter shakes up the look and makes it more interesting. The white glitter is chunky versus the fine glitter on the tips, and isn’t completely opaque to allow the color to come through.
White Sugar Nail Set
Perfect for long-term wear, this classy sugar nail design incorporates basic white glitter to add sparkle to an otherwise plain look. In this case, the letter J is added for a personal touch. You could also see a or other design here. However, the simplicity of this design opens the door to any accent nail or personal addition. This could be another opportunity to add a character icon or pop of color.
Extreme Shimmer Tips
This look is easily accomplished with either dip powder or rainbow shimmer glitter. Simply paint just the tip of the nail and apply the sugar method of your choice. Both give a modern disco flair. The extreme shape of the nails adds another element of drama to the design.
On Wednesdays We Wear Pink
If you are a fan of all things pink, these sugar nails are ideal for you. The texture and sparkle from the glitter is fabulous in all ways, and the lighter pink nail complete the look. Subtle enough for every day, but still sparkly enough to make your manicure feel special.
Gold Accent Sugar Nail Art
This design is the prime example of how sugaring can lift an entire manicure. The gold compliments the dusty rose of the rest of the look but still adds that wow factor. Using neutral tones allows the look to move from day to night, causal to formal, with ease. You could just as easily have this manicure to wear with a gown as jeans.
Chrome Sugar Nails
Once more playing with texture, the multiple types of glitter come together to form a bold look while still having differences throughout. Shades of silver, black, and gray accomplish the chrome industrial look while maintaining a feminine vibe with the glitter. The addition of the rhinestones are the perfect final touch to bring the whole design together.
Day and Night Basic Sugar Nails
Both these looks use the most basic sugar nail technique of applying glitter to the nail. The coral has a rawer look and would be perfect for a summer day at the beach. The galaxy glitter is sealed for shine and a polished finish, which also makes it the perfect nighttime look.
Delicate Flames
Unless using dip powder, this look incorporates sugaring in a simple, delicate way – to accent the flames in the design. It goes to show that sugar nails don’t have to be overly complicated or glitter-forward, you can just as easily use the sugar technique to highlight a feature of your design. In this case, the silver glitter on the flames gives just the right touch to make the whole thing seem finished.
Rosé, Anyone?
Another matte and glitter contrast, the more mature pink tones are the perfect way to take the pink manicure to a more sophisticated level. In this instance, the glitter particularly pops as the matte color is so close to the skin tone, which emphasizes the contrast. Applying this look to a coffin nail adds to the whole effect.
Sugar Nails and Rhinestones
Two different sugaring techniques work together in this over the top glamorous design. The peach nails have the fine glitter sealed in to serve as a base for the rhinestones, which the raw sugar nail technique is dazzling with the coarser pink glitter. A look definitely meant for a special occasion, this design would wow any party guest.
Raw Sugar Pink Tips
Sugaring adds a layer of texture to these daring pink-tipped nails. A manicure that already makes a statement with the different nail shapes, the sugar nail effect gives one more bit of punch. Using white powder in this instance provides the texture without taking away from the color.
Peach Glitter and Rhinestones
A short nail look, the sweet peach color is the perfect canvas for the gorgeous raw glitter. Rhinestones add another layer of glam, but if you wanted an everyday look, they can be left off. This design would also be easy to accomplish at home.
Purple Passion Sugar Nails
The stark contrast between the deep violet and the soft lavender makes this design instantly striking. The gorgeous purple glitter is the perfect shade in between and makes this a play on an ombre style. Perfect for day to day or an evening look.
Shimmer Coffin Nails
A dramatic nail shape gets pizzazz with simple clear glitter. In this case, the nails are sealed for shine and polish; however, the raw glitter look would be just as effective. This manicure is versatile enough to use any color of glitter or polish.
Eclectic Sugar Nails
This look combines several styles and shapes, perfect for someone who loves to get a little wild with their nails. The sugar effect is clear in the gold glitter design, but the green and black nails could have used the dip powder sugar technique. Rhinestones are the final layer of glam.
Sugar Nails to the Rescue!
If you are tired of being disappointed by glitter nail polish, sugar nails are the ideal solution for you. All you need is your favorite nail polish and the glitter of your choice and you can have a glamorous manicure all on your own. Sugar nails are a fun trend that is easy for anyone to do.
Whether you are looking for a sparkly everyday look or a dramatic nighttime statement, sugar nails are the perfect choice in a manicure.
Which sugar nail design is your favorite? Tell us in the comments!
