Top 12 Must-Try Pierced Nail Designs for a Unique Touch
It was Claire’s fault. Back in the nineties, that store was the cheapest place to get earrings. Somehow, wearing them in earlobes wasn’t enough. No, someone discovered that they could hang earrings and charms from their nails. Bam, a new trend was born. It was a big enough deal that Janet Jackson wore them in a music video. But then the pierced nails style faded until Kim Kardashian resurrected it in 2017. Her multiple rings manicure was just one of the must-try pierced nail designs blowing up social media today. Browse the nail piercings ideas below if you want your nails to look and feel unique in a way that polish alone can never achieve.
Top 12 Pierced Nail Designs
Pierced Bridgerton Nails
In 2022, artist Michelle Class did Nicola Coughlan’s black Bridgerton manicure with a subtle pinky piercing. The crystal dangles from an oval nail that’s so short we think it might be natural.
We recommend using soft gels or acrylics when experimenting with nail piercings for the first time. They resist splitting and tearing in case the dangly parts snag on something. Combine them with durable and flexible gel polish like Lavis Super Black for chip-resistant results. (Eco-conscious nail fans will appreciate that we carry Super Black refill bottles that cut down on waste).
LAVIS Gel Polish Super Black
Megan Thee Stallion’s Pierced Nails
No one is surprised that this rapper has glittery piercings dripping from her beautiful nails. The gold chrome tips are extra luxe.
Jelly Nudes
Pierced nail art doesn’t have to be flashy. This elegant design features a tone-matched nude base with tasteful gold accents. The hardest part was choosing the correct hue. Fortunately, the LDS Jelly Nude Collection has a shade for every skin color.
LDS Jelly Nude
Studded Stilettos
These silver studded spiky nails were done in Paris in 2023. As you can see, the pierced nail trend circles the globe.
Pierced Matte Black Soft Gels
Make your piercings stand out shinier against a matte background. Here someone perforated soft gel tips to achieve a safe and attractive design.
Lavis Soft Gel Tip
Gold and Crystal Accents
The guy who invented the French manicure could not have envisioned this future. Sharply angled burgundy tips host various bits of gold jewelry. Some look like charms or earrings, while others would be right at home as a navel or tongue piercing.
Neon Barbells
While we’re on the topic of bold French tips, let’s include pierced neon nails. Explore the Urban Lightning Collection for the brightest gel shades that glow in the dark. You could upgrade old piercing jewelry with nail polish to match your design.
LX4 Urban Lightning Collection
Ombre Sections
We included this one for fun. It’s impractical but definitely an attention-grabber.
Sculpted Pierced Acrylics
This artist made us feel like we’d entered the Guggenheim Museum. We imagine that acrylics are the quickest way to achieve this contemporary style.
Young Nails Acrylic Powder
How to Pierce Nails the Safe and Effective Way
Let’s get this part out of the way: Please never pierce your natural nails because you may split them. You’ll make them damage-prone in ways you’ll regret. Instead, you have a whole world of options for safe and effective nail piercings. Turn to soft gels, acrylics, poly gel, or press-on nails for creative pierced nails with all the benefits and no suffering.
These are the supplies you need to pierce nails:
- A nail drill and bit of the proper size for the jewelry, or a fine, sharp pointy object (sewing needles are too small and flimsy, but a drawing compass point might work in a pinch)
- A safe, firm surface on which to drill, like a wood scrap
- False nails (see above) and whatever you need to apply them, like soft gel adhesive
- Top coat, at a minimum, to reinforce the pierced nails, and other decorative materials
And here are the steps for a successful nail piercing:
In the planning stage, mark the spot you plan to drill with a washable marker. Leave at least one-eighth-inch from the edge or around the hole before adding more piercings next to it.
Next, lay the nail face down on a scrap of wood or something similar to protect the work surface. Begin drilling at a low speed and make sure you have a firm grip on the nail. Watch your fingers to avoid injury. Keep the bit vertical. Pause and put it in reverse if it gets stuck.
It only takes a few seconds to pierce the nail. Then you can remove it and wipe off the debris. Apply, paint, and decorate it however you wish. Pro tip: use nail adhesive to secure the backing to the charm or earring if necessary.
Should you pierce polished nails? It’s up to you. You may need to touch up your design if the polish chips as you drill. But when you paint the pierced nails, you’ll need to poke through the polish to insert the jewelry anyway.
A Little Bit of Everything
Here we have mix and match nails, pierced style. Not a bad way to get more mileage from those solitary earrings that no longer have a partner. Here they have new life in a party all together.
Pierced Goth Nails
Show off your dark side with these beauties. The smoky glass effect is stunning next to the perfectly aligned pierced nails.
Chrome and Stars
It won’t be easy to type with these pierced tips, but we bet this chromed look will be unforgettable.
Chrome Nail Powder
Conclusion
We’ve shown you the top pierced nail designs and hope they sparked your creativity. Now we’d love to see what you do with them! Stop by and show us or tag us on social media.
If you want more of the latest and greatest nail art supplies for the hottest trends, don’t miss the New Arrivals. We offer bulk buy discounts and free shipping so you can focus your cash where it counts—following your dreams!
