9 Gilded Manicures That Your Fancy Little Nails Deserve

Nail polish, Manicure, Nail, Nail care, Cosmetics, Finger, Skin, Service, Hand, Material property,

(Image credit: Instagram)

published 23 March 18

After a winter of wearing only dark, sad, blah colors, I've shifted my obsessions toward the gilded and sparkly. But rather than slapping on a few coats of gold polish and calling it a day (what is this, amateur hour?), I've instead searched far and wide across the depths of Instagram to find the prettiest, most-inspiring gold manicures worth trying immediately.

And guess what? I found a treasure-trove—I'm talking shimmery hues, simple mattes, and glitter-packed designs that will make you feel super-cool and fancy, even if you most definitely aren't. Like me!

1 This Understated, Yellow-and-Gold Mani

Nail, Manicure, Finger, Nail polish, Nail care, Cosmetics, Hand, Ring, Fashion accessory, Material property,

CREATE IT WITH: Zoya Nail Polish in Ziv, $10

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2 This Retro, '70s-Inspired Manicure

Nail polish, Nail, Nail care, Manicure, Pink, Finger, Cosmetics, Skin, Peach, Hand,

CREATE IT WITH: ILNP Nail Lacquer in Empire, $10

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3 These Shimmery Half-Moon Nails

Nail, Manicure, Finger, Nail polish, Nail care, Cosmetics, Hand, Service, Material property, Gloss,

CREATE IT WITH: L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Nail in Because You’re Worth It, $4

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4 These Minimalist Gold Lines

Nail polish, Nail, Manicure, Nail care, Finger, Cosmetics, Skin, Hand, Service, Beige,

CREATE IT WITH: Essie Nail Color in Good as Gold, $9

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5 This Pink-Striped Gold Manicure

Nail polish, Nail, Manicure, Nail care, Pink, Cosmetics, Finger, Glitter, Magenta, Material property,

CREATE IT WITH: Butter London Nail Lacquer in The Full Monty, $15

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6 These Glittery, Disco-Level Nails

Nail, Nail polish, Nail care, Manicure, Finger, Cosmetics, Glitter, Hand, Material property, Thumb,

CREATE IT WITH: Smith & Cult Nail Lacquer in Shattered Souls, $18

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7 This Soft-Pink Mani with Gold Stars

Nail, Nail polish, Finger, Nail care, Manicure, Pink, Cosmetics, Hand, Close-up, Glitter,

CREATE IT WITH: Julep Color Treat Nail Polish in Oscar It Girl, $14

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8 These Matte Green-and-Gold Nails

Nail polish, Manicure, Nail, Nail care, Finger, Cosmetics, Green, Beauty, Service, Turquoise,

CREATE IT WITH: China Glaze Nail Polish in Passion, $5

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9 This Gold-Brushed Manicure

Nail, Nail polish, Finger, Nail care, Manicure, Cosmetics, Hand, Artificial nails, Service, Close-up,

CREATE IT WITH: Yves Saint Laurent Dazzling Lights La Laque Couture Nail Polish in Gold Fire, $28

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Ruby Buddemeyer

Ruby was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covered beauty across print and digital. Her work has appeared on The Zoe Report, Fashionista, and StyleCaster. Follow her on Instagram.