Harry Styles Nails: Get His 7 Best Looks (DIY Guide)

It’s official: Harry Styles' nails have a bigger celebrity "it" factor than most A-listers. For the past several years, his manicures have become a key part of his fashion identity, just as much as his pearl necklaces or feather boas. 

From a single, chipped smiley face to full-blown album art, his hands are a masterclass in playful self-expression. He's proven that nail art is not just an accessory, it is an attitude. 

The best part? His most iconic looks are surprisingly easy to recreate. Forget the salon; this is your ultimate DIY guide to getting the Harry Styles look, one nail at a time.

Quick Guide - How to Get Harry Styles' Nails ✨:

• He's a DIY-er: Many of Harry Styles' nails and looks are intentionally playful, mismatched, and imperfect, making them perfect for at-home DIY designs.
• The Pro Behind the Polish: His long-time, most iconic looks (like the Fine Line art and Met Gala nails) were created by celebrity nail artist Jenny Longworth (@jennynails).
• Key Iconic Looks: His most famous manicures include the yellow smiley-face mani, the "Skittles" (mismatched) mani, the pink-and-blue nails from the Fine Line album, and tiny cherries.
• His Own Brand: He launched his own beauty and apparel brand, Pleasing, in 2021, which features a range of polishes (like "Perfect Pearl") that he often wears.
• The Philosophy: It's all about fun, self-expression, and breaking down gender norms. There are no rules.

The Artist Who Defines the Trend: Jenny Longworth

Before we dive into the DIY, you must credit the expert who helped make Harry Styles' nails a global phenomenon. 

While Harry himself is the creative force, his most famous and polished (pun intended) looks are the work of London-based celebrity manicurist Jenny Longworth (@jennynails).

Longworth is the mastermind behind the Fine Line album art nails, the "Groovy" lettering for his SNL appearance, and his groundbreaking 2019 Met Gala manicure. 

She is one of the most sought-after editorial nail artists in the world, and her collaboration with Styles is built on fun and creativity.

In interviews, Longworth has shared that Styles is always deeply involved in the creative process, often sending her inspiration photos. 

Their work together is not just about painting nails; it is about telling a story that matches his outfit, his music, or his mood. 

It was this professional partnership that took his nails from a simple "rockstar" statement to a true fashion trend.

More Than Just Polish: The Philosophy Behind Harry Styles' Nails

This is the big question: "Why does Harry Styles paint his nails?" The answer is not just "because it looks cool." His manicures are a core part of his personal brand and philosophy. They are a powerful statement, and understanding the "why" makes wearing the looks even more meaningful.

Breaking Boundaries and Redefining Masculinity

First and foremost, Harry Styles' nails are a key part of the gender-fluid fashion movement. Sure, male rock stars like David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, and Kurt Cobain painted their nails in the past. But they often did it as an act of punk rebellion or an androgynous stage persona.

Harry's approach is different. He made it mainstream, joyful, and casual. He wears nail polish to the corner store, to a talk show, and to the Met Gala. 

He has normalized it. His polished nails are a simple, visual way to challenge outdated ideas about what masculinity is "supposed" to look like. He quietly and confidently states that style, color, and self-care are gender-neutral.

A Tool for Playful Self-Expression

The most important part of the "Harry Styles nails" philosophy is fun. His nail art is almost never serious, perfect, or intimidating. This is what makes it so appealing.

• He rocks mismatched colors.
• He loves goofy, simple drawings like smiley faces, fruits, or letters.
• He famously wears his polish until it's chipped, proving that it doesn't have to be "perfect" to be cool.

This playful attitude is an open invitation for everyone to join in. It removes the pressure of needing a flawless, professional manicure. It sends a clear message: beauty and fashion should be about your happiness, not about someone else's rules.

It's "Pleasing": The Brand Philosophy Made Real

In 2021, he launched Pleasing, his own beauty and apparel brand. This was not just a celebrity business move; it was the natural next step of his entire philosophy. 

The brand's official motto is about "finding little moments of joy," which is exactly what his nails have always represented.

The polishes themselves reflect this. The initial launch featured sheer, pearlescent shades designed to be layered and played with, not thick, opaque colors. The bottles are like little works of art. 

The whole brand is an extension of his personal style: unique, joyful, and designed to make you feel good.

 

Recreating Harry Styles' Most Iconic Nail Art

This is the fun part. We have broken down his seven most famous and replicable nail looks. We will tell you what you need and exactly how to do it at home.

1. The Smiley Face Manicure (The "Have a Nice Day" Look)

This is, without a question, his most famous and beloved nail design. It is often a single yellow smiley face on one or two nails (like the middle or ring finger), with the rest of his nails painted a solid color like black or teal. It is the definition of "Pleasing."

Tools You'll Need:

• A base coat.
• A glossy top coat.
• A bright, opaque yellow polish.
• An opaque black polish.
• A dotting tool. (If you do not have one, a bobby pin, the end of a makeup brush, or even a toothpick will work.)

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Prep & Base: Start with clean, filed nails. Apply one thin layer of your base coat.
• Paint the Base (Optional): If you want a base color like black, paint two coats on all nails and let them dry completely. This is important; wait at least 15-20 minutes. If you want the smiley on a bare nail, skip this.
• The Yellow Circle: Take your yellow polish. Using the brush from the bottle, carefully "stamp" a circle onto your chosen nail. Do not try to paint a perfect circle. Just use the brush to make a solid dot. Let it dry for a few minutes, then do a second coat to make the yellow really pop.
• Wait!: Let the yellow circle dry for at least 10 minutes. If it is wet, the black will bleed.
• The Face: Pour a tiny drop of black polish onto a piece of foil or paper. Dip your dotting tool (or bobby pin) into the black and carefully place two small dots for the eyes.
• The Smile: Now, either use the same dotting tool or a very thin brush. Dip it in the black and "draw" the smile. The easiest way is to place three small dots in a "U" shape and then connect them.
• Seal It: Wait another 10-15 minutes for the face to set. Then, apply one thick, glossy top coat over the entire nail to seal in your design and make it shine.

Expert Tip: Do not worry if it is not perfect! A slightly lopsided smile or uneven eyes is part of the Harry Styles charm. It shows you did it yourself.

2. The Fine Line Album Nails (Pink & Blue Perfection)

Credit: https://www.instagram.com/harry_styles_nails/

This look is a direct tribute to his 2019 masterpiece, Fine Line. The album cover, shot by Tim Walker, famously features a fisheye lens and a pink-and-blue wall. His nails, by Jenny Longworth, perfectly matched.

Tools You'll Need:

1. Base coat and top coat.
2. A pastel, bubblegum pink polish.
3. A pastel, sky blue polish.
4. (Optional) A white polish and a thin brush.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Prep: Apply your base coat.
2. Plan Your Colors: The beauty of this look is the mismatch. There is no set rule. A common way to do it is to paint three nails on one hand pink and two nails blue. Then, do the opposite on the other hand.
3. Paint: Apply two coats of your chosen colors to each nail.
4. The Fine Line Detail (Advanced): For the true album look, you need the lettering. On one of the pink nails (like your thumb), use a very thin brush and white polish to write "Fine Line." This is tricky! An easier way is to just paint simple white clouds on the blue nails or white polka dots on the pink nails.
5. Seal: Finish with a glossy top coat.

Expert Tip: The key to this look is getting the colors right. You want soft, opaque pastels, not bright neons.

3. The "Skittles" Manicure (The Easiest DIY)

This is the ultimate entry point for anyone inspired by Harry Styles' nails. The "Skittles" mani, as it is known in the nail world, is simply painting each nail on your hand a different, coordinating color. He does this all the time.

Tools You'll Need:

1. Base coat and top coat.
2. Five different nail polishes.

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Choose Your Palette: This is the only "hard" part. You have two options:
  • Clashing: This is the classic Harry look. Pick five totally different colors, like yellow, teal, black, pink, and red.
  • Complementary: Pick five shades in the same color family, like a "coffee" look (mocha, beige, cream, brown, white) or a "berry" look (red, pink, magenta, lavender, light pink).
• Paint: Apply your base coat. Then, paint two coats of a different color on each nail, from thumb to pinky.
• Seal: Apply your glossy top coat. It is that simple.

Expert Tip: This look is a great way to use up old polishes. It is also the most forgiving of all the styles.

4. The "Cherry" Nails (His Fruity Signature)

In honor of his song "Cherry," Harry (and his artist Jenny Longworth) created this adorable, tiny fruit design. It is slightly more advanced than the smiley face, but totally doable. He usually wears this on a white or nude base.

Tools You'll Need:

1. Base coat and top coat.
2. A white or nude base polish.
3. A bright red polish.
4. A forest green polish.
5. A dotting tool and a very thin nail art brush (or a toothpick).

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Base: Apply your base coat, followed by two coats of your white or nude polish. Let it dry fully.
2. The Fruit: Pour a drop of red polish onto your foil. Using your dotting tool, place two small red dots right next to each other, almost touching, but with a tiny gap.
3. The Stems: Pour a drop of green polish. Now, take your thinnest brush (a toothpick works well here). Dip it in the green and draw a tiny "V" shape. The top of the "V" should be the stems, and the two lines should go down and touch the top of each red dot.
4. The Leaf (Optional): At the top of the "V" where the stems meet, draw one tiny leaf shape.
5. Wait!: Let the cherry design dry for at least 10 minutes.
6. Seal: Apply your glossy top coat.

Expert Tip: Place the cherry in a different spot on each nail (near the cuticle on one, in the middle on another, near the tip on a third) for a more dynamic look.

5. The 2019 Met Gala Nails (Black & Teal)

This was a huge moment. For his first Met Gala, where the theme was "Camp: Notes on Fashion," Harry walked the pink carpet with a single pearl earring and a sheer Gucci top. His nails, by Jenny Longworth, were simple but bold: black and teal.

Tools You'll Need:

1. Base coat and top coat.
2. An opaque black polish.
3. A rich, deep teal or turquoise polish.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Prep: Apply your base coat.
2. Paint: This is just a simple "Skittles" mani with two colors. Paint some nails black (like your thumb, middle, and pinky) and the other nails teal (index and ring).
3. Apply: Use two coats of each color to get a rich, opaque finish.
4. Seal: Finish with a glossy top coat.

Expert Tip: The attitude is what sells this. It is a look that is both "rockstar" (the black) and "camp" (the bright teal).

6. The "Groovy" Lettering (Advanced)

Credit: https://www.purewow.com/beauty/harry-styles-nails

For his 2019 SNL appearance, Harry wore one of his most complex DIY-style manicures, again by Jenny Longworth. It featured mismatched nails with words like "Groovy" on them. This is the most advanced look on the list, but it is a fun challenge.

Tools You'll Need:

1. A base coat, top coat, and several solid colors (like orange and blue).
2. A white polish.
3. An extremely thin, long nail art brush (often called a "striper" brush).

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Base: Paint your nails with your chosen base colors (for example, paint your thumb orange) and let them dry completely.
2. The Letters: This requires a steady hand. Pour a drop of white polish. Dip your thinnest brush in and slowly paint the letters.
3. The "Cheat" Method: Do not try to paint the whole letter at once. Paint it in small strokes. For an "O," paint two "C" shapes. For a "V," paint two diagonal lines.
4. The Real Cheat Method: Buy nail art stickers. You can easily find letter stickers to apply over your base polish.
5. Seal: Wait a long time for the letters to dry, then seal with a top coat.

Expert Tip: Write different things on each nail. "Groovy," "Love," or just your initials are all very Harry.

7. The Pleasing "Perfect Pearl" Look (The Entry-Level Harry)

This is Harry's current, everyday look. It is the manicure he wears when he is not on a photo shoot. It is subtle, elegant, and the easiest one to achieve.

Tools You'll Need:

1. A sheer, pearlescent white polish. (His brand's "Perfect Pearl" is the authentic choice, but any sheer white shimmer will work).
2. (Optional) A glossy top coat.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Prep: Start with clean, filed nails.
2. Paint: Apply one coat of the sheer pearl polish. That is it.
3. The Vibe: The Pleasing polishes are designed to be "barely there." One coat gives you a healthy, shimmery glow. Two coats will give you a more opaque, "glazed donut" effect.
4. Seal (Optional): His "Pearly Tops" top coat adds extra iridescence, but any top coat works.

Expert Tip: This look is fantastic for all genders and all professions. It is a quiet, confident statement that is appropriate for any setting.

Get the "Pleasing" Vibe: Tools & Pro-Tips

To really capture the spirit of Harry Styles' nails, you need the right tools and the right attitude.

The Authentic Choice: The Pleasing Brand

If you want the exact polishes he wears, you can get them. His brand, Pleasing, is the authentic source.

• The Polishes: The brand is famous for its unique polishes that are often sheer, buildable, and pearlescent. "Perfect Pearl" is the classic, but they release limited-edition colors (like "Granny's Pink Pearls" or "Inky Pearl") with each new collection.
• The Quality: The polishes are high-quality, 12-free (meaning they are free of 12 common toxins), biodegradable, and vegan.
• The Vibe: The bottles themselves are works of art, with round, marble-like caps. They are designed to be displayed. Using his brand is the most direct way to support his philosophy.

The Ultimate DIY Hack: Press-On Nails

Let's be real. You might not have a steady hand. You might not have 90 minutes to wait for paint to dry. 

The easiest way to get complex Harry Styles nails (like his Gucci logo nails or perfect lettering) is to skip the DIY and use press-on nails.

• The Benefit: You get a perfect, high-fashion, salon-quality manicure in about five minutes.
• What to Look For: Do not just grab any pack from the drugstore. Look for "soft gel" or "hand-painted" press-ons. These are made from the same material as a salon manicure and look incredibly realistic.
• The Style: You can find thousands of press-on sets online inspired by his looks, from smiley faces to mismatched colors. It is the ultimate pro hack for a perfect look.

Conclusion: Your Nails, Your Rules

Harry Styles' nails are more than just a passing trend; they are a permission slip to have fun. His manicures, from the professionally done to the chipped and casual, show that you do not need to be a pro to express yourself.

The most important takeaway from his style is that there are no rules. Perfection is not the point. Joy is.

So, whether you are carefully recreating his "Cherry" design, trying a simple "Skittles" look, or finding a set of press-on nails that speaks to you, the goal is exactly the same: to find a little moment of joy, right at your fingertips.

Find Your Next Signature Look

Ready to skip the painting and get the look instantly? Check out these artist-quality collections for durable, reusable, and realistic press-on nails.

• Celebrity-Inspired Nail Collections
• Realistic Press-On Nails
• Hand-Painted Soft Gel Press-Ons

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Harry Styles' Nails

Who is Harry Styles' nail artist?

His long-time and most iconic nail artist is Jenny Longworth (@jennynails), a London-based celebrity manicurist. She is the expert behind his Fine Line album nails, the 2019 Met Gala manicure, and many of his other famous photographed looks.

What nail polish brand does Harry Styles use?

He almost exclusively uses his own brand, Pleasing, which he launched in late 2021. The brand is known for its pearlescent finishes, unique bottle designs, and 12-free, vegan formula. He is often seen wearing the brand's signature shade, "Perfect Pearl."

Why does Harry Styles paint his nails?

Harry Styles paints his nails as a form of self-expression and fun. It is a key part of his gender-fluid style, which challenges traditional fashion norms and promotes the message that beauty, color, and grooming are for everyone.

What is Harry Styles' most famous nail look?

His most famous and recognizable nail art is the yellow smiley face manicure. This look, often featuring a single smiley on a black or colored base nail, perfectly captures his "Treat People With Kindness" and playful "Pleasing" brand aesthetic.