Back to School Nails Fun and Trendy School Themed Nail Art Ideas
As the back to school season begins, it's not just about fresh books and school supplies. Back to school nails are one of the best ways to celebrate this exciting time and express your school spirit through creative and fun designs! Whether you're heading into high school, college, or even gearing up for the school year ahead, your nails can make a statement.
In this post, we’ll cover school-related nail designs that will help you rock your back to school look. From books to school colors and everything in between, these designs are inspired by the essence of school life, making sure your nails stay cute and creative all year long.
Pencil Tips Manicure
A simple yet clever design — turn the tips of your nails into the shape of a pencil. This back to school design can be easily achieved with a light yellow base and a sharp tip at the end of each nail that mimics the look of a pencil. It’s playful and perfect for the start of the year. If you love playful and unique nail ideas, check out some fun summer nails to keep the vibe going!
Apple Accent Nails
Apples are the quintessential symbol of school, and they make for an adorable accent nail. Paint your nails with a solid color like red, green, or blue, and then add a cute apple on one or two nails to showcase your school spirit!
School Color Nails
Support your school spirit by incorporating your school’s colors into your nail design. Whether it’s through a two-tone color scheme, ombré effect, or even stripes, using your school colors on your nails is a great way to show pride and start the year with enthusiasm.
Back to School Chalkboard Nails
For a truly school-inspired design, create a chalkboard effect on your nails. Use a black or dark green base color and draw on small "chalk" writing using white polish, mimicking the look of a classroom board. It’s fun and gives a nostalgic feel to the classroom! If you're loving this school theme, take a look at our DIY August nail designs for more easy-to-create looks!
Books & Notebooks Nail Art
For book lovers and those excited about the new semester’s reading list, try incorporating tiny book or notebook designs on your nails. A mini book on your accent nail or a subtle stack of books as a design can make you feel like you’re diving into your studies in style. Need more library-themed designs? Check out our August nail colors for more ways to mix and match your back to school theme.
Back to School School Supplies Nails
You can turn your nails into a tribute to all your favorite school supplies! Think pencils, erasers, rulers, scissors, and paperclips. This creative nail art will show your love for everything related to the classroom.
School Bus Yellow Nails
Bright yellow nails are not only trendy but also symbolize the iconic school bus. Opt for a vivid yellow base with subtle accents like a black stripe (to represent the bus windows) or simple designs like bus wheels. It’s a cheerful, back to school look that’s perfect for the season! If you're into bright colors, browse our 10 red summer nails for a bold summer transition.
Penmanship Nail Art
Get nostalgic about the art of handwriting with penmanship-inspired nail art. Use your nails as a canvas to replicate cute cursive or block letters that reflect your favorite quote, your school motto, or your name. It’s a fun way to show your appreciation for the art of writing!
Graduation Cap Accents
For seniors or those celebrating upcoming milestones, consider adding a graduation cap design to your nails. You can place it on one or two nails, using a small black square for the cap and a gold tassel to represent the ultimate goal of the school year: graduation.
Calculator Pattern Nails
Love math? Turn your nails into a fun homage to the calculator! You can use silver or black base colors and create simple squares or rectangles with numbers or mathematical symbols on your nails. It's quirky and unique, perfect for math enthusiasts!
Ruler Stripes
Incorporate a ruler design into your back to school nails by adding straight lines and subtle measurements to your nails. Using gold or silver nail polish, draw thin, straight lines across each nail to mimic the look of a ruler.
ABC Nail Art
Remember your first days of school, learning the alphabet? Celebrate that iconic classroom moment with ABC nail art. You can opt for a cute font and write the alphabet on each nail or just pick a few letters for an educational touch.
Locker Inspired Nail Art
Embrace the classic high school locker vibe by painting your nails with metallic colors like silver, gray, or blue, and then adding small stickers or decals of locker accessories like locks, magnets, or pictures pinned to the walls of your locker.
Math Equation Nails
For those who love numbers, math equation nails are a fantastic back to school look. Choose simple math symbols like plus signs, minus signs, multiplication, and division, and paint them on each nail. You can make it colorful or go for a more minimalist black-and-white look.
Notebook Paper Nails
Recreate the look of classic school notebook paper on your nails. Use a white or pale blue base and paint horizontal lines with fine, dark blue stripes to mimic the look of notebook paper.
Library Card Nails
If you’re a bookworm, a library card nail design is a must-try! Paint your nails with the look of a vintage library card — complete with check-out dates and a library stamp. This unique design adds a nostalgic touch to your back to school manicure.
Math Pi Nails
For fans of geometry and math, Pi nails are perfect! Draw the Pi symbol (π) or other math-related designs on your nails using black, white, or metallic shades. You can even add the first few digits of Pi for an extra nerdy touch.
School Flag Nails
Incorporate the school flag into your nail art. Use your school’s emblem, mascot, or even a mini flag design on your nails to express your school pride. This is a great way to show support for your school or team during the school year. If you love school spirit, browse our top 50 trendy fall nail designs for a new twist on school pride.
Notebook Spiral Nails
Celebrate school supplies with a design based on notebook spirals. Use a black or dark-colored base and create a spiraling design that mimics the look of a notebook. It’s a quirky and stylish tribute to your favorite school supply! For a more intricate twist, explore spring nail ideas that feature spirals and other fun patterns.
Nail Care Tips for Back to School Nails
While these back to school nails will help you express your creativity, it’s also important to maintain healthy nails. Here are some tips to ensure your nails stay fresh and vibrant throughout the school year:
Moisturize Regularly
Dry nails can crack and break easily, so it’s important to keep them hydrated. Use cuticle oil and hand lotion to keep your nails strong and healthy.
Base Coat and Top Coat
Always apply a base coat before your nail polish to prevent staining, and finish with a top coat for a glossy, long-lasting finish.
Don’t Overuse Nail Polish Remover
Frequent use of nail polish remover can dry out your nails. Use it sparingly and opt for a gentle, acetone-free remover whenever possible.
Protect Your Nails
If you’re going to be doing activities that could chip or damage your nails, like sports or heavy lifting, consider wearing a protective layer or using a chip-resistant top coat.
Give Your Nails Breaks
After wearing nail polish for a while, give your nails some time to breathe by going without polish for a few days. This can help your nails stay strong and prevent them from becoming brittle.
Back to school nails are a fun and creative way to express your personality, school pride, and love for everything related to school. Whether you go for pencil tips, apple accents, or a notebook-inspired design, your nails can reflect the excitement of the new school year.
if you are a teacher, With these school teacher nail ideas you’ll be ready to rock the classroom with nails that are both stylish and school-appropriate. Embrace the back to school spirit and let your creativity shine from the very first day!
