Beauty

Embrace Your Wild Side With Crocodile Nail Art

Officially the cutest way take on this season’s most popular animal print.

by Laura Pitcher

Animal prints have been trending in the nail art world for a while now, so it feels like we’ve seen just about every mammal imaginable. From cow print to leopard spots to zebra stripes, opting for one of nature's array of interesting designs is a sure-fire way to elevate your next manicure. So obviously, the next animals on the agenda are our reptilian friends. Crocodile nails have hit the scene and are officially a trend for fall.

Commonly, achieved using the blooming gel polish technique, you’re going to want to head to a professional nail tech for this look, but we can assure you that it will be well worth it. Tap through for some inspiration for when you get there.

Glamour Green

Considering that they’re called “crocodile nails”, the color green is a given. This added texture also really emphasizes the print.

Glamour Green

Opting for green and black is a cute way to jump on the dark fall nails trend. It makes the print more subtle, so it’s super sophisticated.

Croc Tips

With Y2K french tips having a moment right now, these blue crocodile nail tips really bring together the best of both worlds. The added sparkle is an optional nice touch.

Croc Tips

Black and white crocodile nails are the winter manicure inspiration we didn’t know we needed.

Croc Tips

Scaly French tips also work on a more almond-shaped mani. We love the bumpy 3D detailing on this set.

Reptilian Pink

Hot pink has become the unexpected favorite shade for crocodile nails, probably due to its totally 2000s aesthetic.

Reptilian Pink

These bubblegum-colored crocodile French tips are a more subtle way to add a pop of pink.

Reptilian Pink

Mixing tips and full painted nails is a great way to incorporate more trends and still show off the best of the print and texture.

Mix and Match

Crocodile nails pair extremely well with other blooming gel designs like organic-looking spots and waves. Using the same polish technique to create different effects makes it easy to mix and match and still look cohesive.

Mix and Match

This cool combination of purple stripes mixed with a yellow spot design is one to save for your next manicure appointment.

Swampy Browns

If you’re looking for something more understated, try doing the crocodile print with natural shades. The mix of the white french manicure with the rich brown is a super chic combination.

Swampy Browns

This blend of warm and cool browns on alternating nails makes for the perfect soft neutral manicure for fall.