The Cherry Nails Trend – Step-by-Step Guide to Achieve This Adorable Look

Cherry nails are the latest nail art trend taking over Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest, and for good reason! 🍒✨ With their cute red cherries, delicate green stems, and glossy base, these nails are playful, flirty, and perfect for any season—especially spring and summer.

The best part? You can recreate this look at home, even if you’re not a nail art pro! 💅

Let us walk you through the step-by-step process to get this fun cherry-inspired look for your nails.

🍒 What Are Cherry Nails?

The cherry nails trend is all about adding tiny, vibrant red cherries over a sheer pink or neutral base. It's simple yet striking, combining bright cherry art with a clean, minimalist background.

Typically, this look includes:

🍒 Bold red cherry dots (usually in pairs)
🌿 Delicate green stems and tiny leaves
💅 A glossy nude or sheer pink base for that polished, fresh feel.

This Y2K-inspired nail design gives off those retro summer vibes, but it’s versatile enough to rock year-round. Whether you’re heading to brunch or a picnic, these nails are bound to turn heads.

✨ What You’ll Need for DIY Cherry Nails:

To create this viral nail trend at home, here’s what you’ll need:

Base Coat – To protect your natural nails and help the design last longer.
Sheer Pink or Nude Polish – Acts as the perfect backdrop.
Red Nail Polish – For your cherries! A bright, juicy red works best.
Green Nail Polish – This is used to paint the stems and leaves.
Dotting Tool or Toothpick – To create those perfect cherry dots.
Thin Nail Art Brush – For painting on the stems and leaves.
Glossy Top Coat – Seals in your design and adds shine.

Optional Add-Ons:

Tiny rhinestones or glitter for extra sparkle ✨
A matte top coat if you prefer a softer, velvety finish

💅 Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Cherry Nails

Step 1: Prep Your Nails

Start by cleaning your nails and gently pushing back the cuticles.
File and shape your nails as desired—square, almond, or rounded all work well for this design.
Apply a thin layer of base coat to protect your natural nails and allow it to dry fully.

Step 2: Apply the Base Color

Apply 1-2 coats of your sheer pink or nude polish.
Let each coat dry before adding the next to avoid smudges.

This creates a soft, clean background that lets the cherries pop!

Step 3: Paint the Cherries 🍒

Using your dotting tool (or a toothpick), dip it into the red polish.
Add two small red dots close together on the nail—this will be your cherry pair.
Repeat on each nail, varying the placement for a more playful look. Aim for 2-3 cherry pairs per nail.

💡 Pro Tip: Space them out so the design doesn’t look too crowded, but still has enough detail to stand out.

Step 4: Add the Stems and Leaves 🌿

With your nail art brush, dip into the green polish.
Draw thin, curved lines to connect the cherry pairs—these are your stems.
Add a tiny green leaf near the top of the stem to finish the design.

Don’t stress about making them perfect! The charm of cherry nails is in their hand-drawn, whimsical look.

Step 5: Seal With a Top Coat

After your cherry art has dried completely, apply a generous layer of glossy top coat.
This will help protect your nail art, smooth out any unevenness, and give that high-shine finish.

Step 6: Optional – Add Some Sparkle! ✨

Want to elevate your look? Add a touch of sparkle with fine glitter polish or place tiny rhinestones near the stems for a glamorous twist.

🍒 Fun Variations on the Cherry Nails Trend:

If you’re feeling creative, here are some cute twists to switch up the look:

Cherry French Tips: Instead of painting cherries on the whole nail, create a classic French manicure and add cherry art just above the tips.
Matte Cherry Nails: Use a matte top coat for a soft, modern finish.
Cherry Accent Nails: If you want something subtle, paint cherries on just one or two accent nails (like the ring and thumb).
Glitter Base: Swap out the sheer base for a subtle glitter polish to make the cherries pop even more

💡 Nail Care Tip:

To keep your cherry nails looking fresh, apply a thin layer of top coat every couple of days. This helps prevent chipping and keeps the glossy finish intact. 💅✨

📸 Ready to Try the Cherry Nails Trend?

If you decide to give these adorable cherry nails a go, I’d LOVE to see them! 💖🍒 Tag me in your nail art on Instagram and show off your creation.

Looking for more nail inspiration? Check out my other tutorials for trendy, beginner-friendly nail looks! 💅✨

Search form