Moo-ve over minimalist nail ideas, because today we’re talking about our favorite maximalist nail trend for 2024: cute cow print nails! With a western aesthetic taking over our fashion and beauty mood boards, there’s never been a better time to try out this country-inspired look. That’s why we’re rounding up all our favorite cow print nail ideas, from cute pink designs to classic western nail art. And yes, they’re all udderly adorable.
Read on for the best nail art for your cowgirl era, plus our step-by-step tutorial to help you recreate this country western look at home. Let’s get into it!
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Everything You Need To Know About The 2024 Cow Print Nail Art Trend
The western aesthetic is having a serious moment right now, and our nail designs are following suit! With the release of Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter album and the uptick in western fashion (Bella Hadid, we’re looking at you), now’s the time to embrace your inner cowgirl. Enter: cow print nail ideas!
These cute and classic nail designs are the perfect way to incorporate the western inspo trend into your everyday look. They’re fun, they’re trendy, and they go great with a pair of western boots. It’s no wonder so many people are rocking this country-inspired look in 2024!
Is this something you can easily create at home? Or should you go to a salon?
Here’s the good news: most cow print nail ideas are surprisingly easy to DIY at home, even if you’re not a nail art pro! Unlike many other intricate nail designs, cow print nails don’t have to be perfectly cohesive nail by nail. After all, no two cows are exactly the same, so why should your manicure be any different?
So if you’re ready to embrace your inner cowgirl this year, feel free to skip the salon appointment and create a cow print manicure at home instead. All you really need to DIY the look is black nail polish, a nail art dotting tool, and some good old western vibes. Which brings us to our next FAQ….
Tools You’ll Need to DIY Your Cow Print Nail Designs
If you want to DIY your cow print nails at home, here are the essential tools you need to create a cute and country-fied design!
- Nail art brushes and dotting tools: These are a must-have for creating those cute unique spots that cow print is known for. With a small nail art brush or dotting tool, you can easily add an intricate cow spot pattern to any nail design.
- Nail stickers and decals: Still a nail art beginner? No worries — nail art stickers and decals are a super easy way to achieve a professional cow print manicure at home without any nail art skills.
- Cute nail polish: While classic cow print designs feature black and white nail polish, no colors are off-limits for your western manicure! Channel Dolly Parton vibes with pink cow print, or have fun with neon color combos and pastel hues for a fun aesthetic.
- A clear top coat: A strong top coat is a must for protecting your nail art and giving your manicure a cute and glossy finish. Keep it classic with a clear top coat, or add a unique touch with a matte finish or an iridescent shimmer.
How To Do Cow Print Nails At Home – Step By Step Guide
Grab your nail tools and your lasso, because we’ve created a step-by-step design guide for how to create cute cow print nails at home. Hint: it’s way easier than it looks!
- Apply your base coat: For a classic cow print design, apply a white base coat to help the black spots stand out. Want to mix things up instead? You can use any color for your base coat, or even leave it clear for a unique and minimalist design. There are no wrong answers here!
- Add your spots: Once your base coat is dry, use a small nail art brush or dotting tool to paint your cow print spots in a random pattern across your nails. Remember: no two spots on a cow are ever the same, so don’t worry about making your design perfect, either. It’s all about achieving that organic cowhide look!
- Finish with a top coat: After you’ve finished adding your cow print, seal the deal with a clear top coat. This will protect your design and add a professional shine to your look. And voilà — you have a cute cow print manicure!
Think of this tutorial as the jumping-off point for your cow print nail ideas. From here, you can experiment with different colors, designs, and nail art combos — and we’ve rounded up the best inspo to get you started! Keep scrolling for the best cow print nail ideas and cute western-inspired designs to try in 2024.
Our Favorite Cow Print Nails and Design Ideas
Get ready to embrace your wild side with these cute cow print nail ideas! We’ve found rad designs for every style, from hot pink nail art (perfect for a western themed bachelorette party) to cute french tip designs (perfect for your everyday cowgirl look). We’ve also linked a few must-have tools and nail polish to help you DIY these western nails at home.
Scroll on for our faves, and prepare to fall in love with these cow print moo-nicures! (Sorry, we had to.)
1. Squared Off Cow Print French Manicure
photo: @thevampcollective_
Give your favorite French manicure a yee-haw touch with this cute cow print nail design idea. It’s timeless and trendy at the same time, perfect if you want to dip your toes (or should we say your fingers?) in the country western trend.
To get the look, use a dotting tool to add black spots on top of your white French tips. Finish with a clear top coat, and you’re pretty much golden!
2. Cute Ultra-Long Coffin Shaped Cow Print Nails
photo: @jordanaticiacosmetics
For a classic cowhide look, you can’t go wrong with this black and white design. With such a minimalist color palette, it’s the perfect manicure to rock with ALL your cowgirl inspired ‘fits. Bring on the western boots!
Ready to enter your cowgirl era? We’ve rounded up the cutest western inspired outfit ideas to achieve the look!
3. Chic Brown Cow Print Nail Designs
photo: @primenailsph
You’ll be looking rodeo-ready with this cute cow print nail art! If black spots aren’t your jam, we love the look of this caramel brown design. It oozes country-western vibes, but in a more soft and subtle way. For a western-inspired manicure that’s classy versus tacky, it doesn’t get better than this!
4. Colorful Pastel Cow Print Nails
photo: @nailsbyharriet_
The skittle nail trend just got a whole lot cuter! To make your cow print nails pop, use a different pastel color for each nail. The result? A colorful and country-inspired manicure that’s guaranteed to spark joy.
P.S. We found the perfect pastel nail polish set to help you DIY this mood-boosting look at home. Just add your bright designs on top of a clear base coat, and you’re ready to go.
5. Trendy Brown Mismatched Manicure
photo: @overglowedit
Not ready to commit to a full cow print look? No prob! A mismatched manicure is the perfect way to try out multiple nail ideas at once, and cow print nails are no exception. To test-drive the western look, combine a cow print design with other trendy nail ideas, like a checkerboard pattern or a wavy design.
Just be sure to stick to one color palette to keep the look cohesive — this western brown + creamy white combo is definitely on theme!
6. Short Neon Cow Print Nail Art
photo: @peachinails
If you’ve never met a color that you didn’t like, then prepare to fall in love with these neon cow print nail ideas! We love how each nail features a different color combination, from classic black + white to funky pink + green. The options are truly endless!
7. Cute Barbiecore Pink Cow Print Nails
photo: @charsgelnails_
Hi, Cowgirl Barbie! Pay homage to the “Barbie” movie with these hot pink nails. Because everything is better with a little pink, amiright?!
To recreate this look in The Real World, alternate between solid pink nail polish and cute cow print designs. We also love the look of the pink French tip accent nail — definitely Barbie-approved!
8. Pretty in Pink Cow Print Nail Ideas
photo: @withlove.liberty
Another pretty-in-pink design, this cow print manicure is EVERYTHING. It trades classic black spots for gorgeous pastel pink ones, and we couldn’t be more obsessed. If you’re looking for a cute design for a Nashville bach party (or any western-themed event), these cow print beauties are IT.
9. Western Brown French Manicure
photo: @hairbykatelynd
This one’s for the French manicure loyalists! Countrify your go-to manicure with this cute cow print design. With chic brown spots, it channels the western trend while still being versatile enough to wear every day. Whether you’re headed to the office or the honky tonk, this is the perfect manicure for the job!
Pro tip: Want to DIY these western nails at home? These nail sticker guides will help you create the perfect French tips every time. You can thank us later!
10. Purple French Tips + Cute Cow Print Nail Art
photo: @amberjhnails
We don’t know what we love most about these western aesthetic nails. The cute cow print nail art? The classic French tip designs? The lavender purple nail polish? All of the above?! For cow print nail ideas that feel modern and on-trend, look no further.
11. Short Black and Pink Manicure
photo: @nailsby_katy_
Can’t choose between a classic cow print design or a bright funky color? Why not do both?! This manicure gives you the best of both worlds with a black and white design on one hand and cute pink nail art on the other.
We’re especially digging this look for short nails — bright and bold, it makes the most out of every centimeter!
12. Star-Studded Cow Print Nail Designs
photo: @kuredstudio
We have major starry eyes for these cute western nails! Embrace your inner country star with these shimmery designs, which feature star-studded cow print nail art and glittery gold outlines. SO perfect for your next country concert or outdoor music festival.
Headed to a concert this year? Dress the part with these cute outfit ideas — including western inspired ‘fits for your next country concert!
13. Pink Western Aesthetic Manicure
photo: @stylebycambria
Speaking of country music stars, we’re getting major Dolly Parton vibes from these cute western aesthetic nails! From the cow print designs to the shimmery star details to the bright pink color palette, they’re a Dolly dream come true.
And those western-inspired nail decals? TOO GOOD.
14. Glittery Gold Foil Cow Print Nail Art
photo: @illustrated_Nails
Cow print nails, but make them sparkly! If you want to add a dose of glamour to your western manicure, you can’t go wrong with this gold foil + cow print design. We love how the gold flakes look like shimmery spots, especially combined with the classic black and white nail art. OBSESSED.
15. Pastel Pink Cow Print Nails
photo: @popmynails
Pastel pink nail polish and cow print nail art — just try to name a more iconic duo! (We’ll wait.)
For another cute take on this classic combo, we love this asymmetrical nail design. The black and white nail art pops against the pink base color, and the matte top coat adds a modern touch to the look. It’s the epitome of cowgirl chic!
16. Cute Neon Green Accented Cow Print Nail Designs
photo: @scratchmagazine
Get a little ~wild~ with these cute neon green accented cow print nails! While green nail polish may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of western nail ideas, it looks seriously cool paired with the spotted cow print designs. We plan on rocking this maximalist manicure alllllll summer long.
17. Minimalist Nude Western Manicure
photo: @memoria.nail
More of a minimalist than a maximalist? Then look no further than these cute western nails! The soft nude hue gives the design an understated look that’s perfect for any season, style, or occasion. It’s the clean girl version of cow print nail ideas, and we are HERE for it.
Pro tip: If you want to kick these minimalist nails up a notch, add a little bling with a simple gold chain. It’s like jewelry for your nails!
18. Whimsical Brown Cow Print Nails
photo: @desertdollnails
These western nails feature another one of our favorite nail trends for 2024: butterflies! Rock both nail ideas at once by adding a cow print design to your butterfly wing nail art. It’s giving us major “Debut” era vibes — perfect for your Eras Tour manicure!
19. Cute Teal Blue Cow Print Nail Ideas
photo: @nailsbycharlx
There’s something about the color blue that oozes country-western vibes. Blue jeans, turquoise jewelry, wide open skies…no wonder it looks so good with this cow print nail art!
If you’re looking for a cute color to combine with your cow print nail ideas, this teal blue hue is a fool-proof choice. Best paired with your favorite blue jeans!
20. Classic Western French Manicure
photo: @nailsbydannimoore
How rad are these cow print frenchies?! They combine classic French tips with a cute cow print design to give you a trendy manicure you can wear anytime, anywhere.
Plus, these nails are super easy to DIY, even for nail novices! Since every spot is different, you don’t have to worry about creating a cohesive design on each nail. Just paint your white tips on a nude base, then use a small brush to dab on your black nail polish. It’s as easy as that!
21. Cute Pastel Pink Accented Cow Print Nail Ideas
photo: @naileditbeauty
These cute cow print nails have stolen our hearts!
If you loved the previous nail art but want a little extra somethin’ somethin’ to make it stand out, look no further than this pink-tinted design. The pastel pink accents add just the right amount of sweetness to the trendy look — especially combined with that cow print heart. SO CUTE!
22. Short Half-and-Half Cow Print Nails
photo: @stephie_nails
Where are our short nail girlies at?! If you’re worried that you can’t rock a cute cow print design with short nails, these beauties are here to prove you wrong. With a half-and-half design, they’ll give you the wow factor of cow print, without overpowering your shorter manicure.
To get the look, balance your nail art with a subtle nude nail polish. It’s simple, but SO effective!
23. Neon Accented French Manicure
photo: @livnailsx
We can’t stop, won’t stop obsessing over cow print French manicures, and this is another one of our favorite designs!
Take your western mani to the next level with bright neon accents under each tip. It’s the cutest pop of color for the look — plus, we found the perfect neon nail polish set to help you DIY this design at home!
24. Funky Mismatched Western Manicure
photo: @no_nakednails
When you can’t decide on just one design for your nails, why not rock them all?! For the indecisive nail lovers out there, this mismatched nail art is a no-brainer. We love the mix of the cow print pattern with the other abstract nail art, which you can customize with any design ideas of your choice.
And those winking eyelashes? Adorable!
25. Glamorous Gold Flake Manicure
photo: @feliciadeebeauty
This nail design is proof that all that glitters is gold! Make your cow print nail ideas extra eye-catching by adding some cute gold flakes to the design. It’s like the gold foil manicure from #14, but with even more shimmer. Because there’s no such thing as too much sparkle, amiright?!
P.S. We found glue-on nails with the same cow print and gold foil design, so you can easily recreate this look at home — no nail art skills necessary.
26. Teal Blue Cow Print Nail Art
photo: @thatnailtechnikki
These nails check off ALL the boxes for a rad western aesthetic manicure. Cute cow print designs? Check. Teal blue nail polish? Check. Trendy western details? Check. When a classic cow print mani just isn’t enough, these cactus designs and cute color palette are here to make your western nails pop.
27. Cute Neon Cow Print Nail Ideas
photo: @nailsby._kass
Cow print nail ideas are all about making a bold statement, and this cute design definitely understood the assignment! With neon colors and long coffin-shaped nails, this manicure will have all eyes on you.
Embrace your main character moment by creating your design on top of these coffin-shaped acrylic nails. They’ll give you all the space you need to DIY your most iconic western nail designs in 2024!
Manicure Inspo For Every Occasion and Vibe? We’ve Got You Covered.
If you’re anything like us, then you LOVE trying out new nail trends. And that’s why we’ve created an entire nail hub filled with all of our favorite design ideas, from cute cow print nail art to minimalist milky manicures. We’ve got all the inspo you need for your next salon appointment!
What’s your favorite nail trend for 2024? Let us know in the comments below!