The smiley face logo became popular in the 50s and 60s, leading to tens of thousands of variations.
From graphic designer Harvey Ball’s smiley created to boost employee morale at an insurance company, to being plastered all over our walls in the form of Blink 182s album artwork (IYKYK), and gracing the fingertips of Harry Styles – the smiley is a now a classic.
Whether you’re no stranger to getting your nails done at the salon or you prefer to take a night of self-care painting from the comfort of your own couch – there’s a smiley face nail design for you in our carefully created list.
We guarantee these will brighten up your look (and your day)!
1. Black smiley face nails
Go all-out black or reverse it up like the set below.
Image – @@majesticnailsbyamy/instagram
2. Monochrome smiley face nails
This set combines a few trends – monochrome, colour blocks, checkered print and smiley faces. Nailed it.
Image – @nailedbyrebeka/instagram
3. Yellow smiley face nails with gems
A shimmery and shiny twist on the classic neon smiley.
Image – @nailsbloodynails/instagram
4. Pink smiley mani with orange
Pink and orange are the perfect pair, IMO.
Image – @ericasata/instagram
5. Hot pink nails with yellow smiley faces
Pink nails look amazing in any shade (yep, I’m a real pink girly ATM), but hot pink and yellow smileys are just *perfect*.
Image – @madnails.ut/instagram
6. Brown nails with smiley faces and swirls
Brown nails are having a bit of a moment lately, add some flowers, swirls, and smileys are you’ve nailed a multitude of trends!
Image – @nails_by_annabel_m/instagram
7. Classic Frenchies with green smiley faces
Want to brighten up the classic French mani? Smiley faces are the way to go!
You can literally choose any colour (or all the colours) and have a face on each nail or just a couple of feature nails like the set below.
Image – @charsgelnails_/instagram
8. Clear mani with classic smiley faces
The classic yellow smiley face doesn’t need anything but a clear base.
Image – @xglitzandpolishx/instagram
9. Orange mix and match smileys
Smiley faces don’t have to be the classic round face, 2 dots and a smile – channel your inner Blink 182 pop-punk vibes with these crosses and tongues.
Image – @pressedbycharlotte_/instagram
10. Red and pink negative space smiley face nails
Does anyone remember constantly using this smiley face on Myspace in the 2000s :] ?!
Image – @thehangedit/instagram
11. Baby blue nails with shades of blue smiley faces
This mani is super on trend as we are seeing baby blue everywhere lately. But it would also work in basically any colour shades.
Image – @ells__nails/instagram
12. Purple nails with checkered print and classic smiley faces
The checkered print nail is going to be huge this year, mix it with some smiley faces and you’ve got a mani to transcend trends.
Image – @luminary_nail_systems/instagram
13. Multicoloured smiley faces on nude nails
If you love a colourful mani then this one’s for you.
Image – @jazzynailsx/instagram
14. Cute frog pattern smiley face nails
The clear base works perfectly on this mani, complete with classic yellow smileys, smiling frogs and cute alien faces.
Image – @gxbbydoesnails/instagram
15. Preppy muted smiley face nails
Smiley nails don’t have to be bold and bright, this set screams luxe.
Image – @elias.nails
16. Rainbow print nails with smiley faces and flowers
This is the cutest set for spring, and how good do smiley faces look paired with rainbows and flowers?! Adorable.
Image – @emmap_nailtechnician./instagram
17. Pastel smiley nails with glitter
If you like a toned-down mani that still packs a punch, pastels are for you. This set is super understated with ombre pastel shades and barely-there nail art.
Image – @rosebnails/instagram
18. Neon smiley faces and mismatched prints
I am seriously loving the mismatched nail trend that’s all over my feed at the moment, perfect for spring and summer.
Image – @sophrainbownails/instagram
19. Black wavy smiley faces on nude nails
The classic smiley has had a bit of an update over the past year, turning into a trippy wavy print. If you like line art, this is the perfect way to take on the trend without being too ‘out there’.
Image – @nailsbyheather.errington/instagram
20. Drippy melted smiley face nails
These smileys are the perfect nod to the 90s acid trip trend.
Image – @truebeautybycarrie/instagram
21. Cow print nails with smiley faces and gems
Who would have thought to mix cow print with smileys AND gems?!
Image – @rebeccabarcleigh_nails/instagram
22. Daisy smiley faces on nude nails
Incorporating smiley faces into daisies *might* just be our fave thing ATM. Plus a nude nail is always a classic.
Image – @nailsbyheather.errington/instagram
23. Pastel flame smiley face nails
Flames don’t have to be red and yellow! For a more feminine twist on the trend, use pastel colours and add cute smileys.
Image – @nailsgeraldinj/instagram
24. Flower smiley face nails
Another take on the cutest flowery nails, complete with ice cream rainbows *swoon*.
Image – @ohmylorb/instagram
25. Emoji smiley face nails with sunglasses
I’ve seen a lot of emoji nails on my feeds lately, and how cute are these kissing and sunglasses ones?!
Image – @beauty_by_hayleigh_jayne/instagram
26. French smiley face nails
If you love a French mani but still want to be on trend, all you need is some smiley nail art.
You could just add the smileys to classic French tips, or go for a bright colour like this set.
Image – @colourparlormiami/instagram
27. Gel smiley face nails
This set was created using The Gel Bottle Inc *everything*.
Image – @emily__meraki/instagram
28. Smiley face nail stickers
Prefer to do your nails at home but haven’t got a steady hand/the time/millions of different coloured nail polishes?
Ciate London has got you with these cute and colourful nail stickers that are super easy to use (£16.00/$18.00 on the Ciate London website).
Image – Ciate London
29. Dip powder chrome nails with yellow smiley faces
Chrome is the perfect backdrop for any nail art, and yellow smileys are no exception.
Image – @sophiadoesnails/instagram
30. Acrylic smiley face nails
Acrylics are a great way to add some length to your nails, making it even easier to go all out on the nail art.
Image – @sophrainbownails/instagram
31. Short 90s inspo smiley face nails
90s inspo is everywhere at the moment (urm hello Gen Z, we were here first!), and I am absolutely loving it! Think tie-dye, smiley faces, yin and yang, and neon hues.
Image – @kdnailedit/instagram
32. Monochrome almond mix-and-match smiley face nails
Monochrome lends itself really well to mix-and-match manis that incorporate a different pattern on each fingertip.
Image – @thenailbarmia/instagram
33. Chrome coffin nails with purple and green smiley faces
Coffin nails are usually long making them perfect for crazy designs.
Image – @glammertized/instagram
34. Square smiley face nails
Keep it short and sweet with a square mani and simple smiley nail art.
Image – @thehandedit/instagram
35. Stiletto smiley face nails with dots
Stiletto nails leave so much room for art and designs – the perfect canvas for some crazy smiley face prints!
Image – @simplysonja_m/instagram
The takeaway
Well, if that doesn’t cheer you up, we don’t know what will!
The smiley face trend is here for 2024 in the form of nail art and designs, t-shirt prints, interior design (yep, I’ve seen this all over my TikTok and it’s *so* cool), phone cases, and keyrings.
The 90s never really goes out of style (in my head, at least), so you’ll definitely nail the trend on this.
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