19 Western Nail Ideas To Try for Cowgirl Spring

A close up of white nails with brown cow print art. — @gotg0ld / Instagram

It's clear that pop culture is in its yee-haw era. Perhaps you've got Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter on repeat or you're dreaming up your own ranchhand romance à la Bella Hadid. (Or maybe you're just obsessed with the Western-inspired outfits all over TikTok.) But one idea that needs no deliberation is channeling cowgirl influence into our beauty routines—specifically in the nail department. From turquoise gemstones to hard-worn metallics and kitschy cowboy boots—you can saddle up, because we've lassoed up the 19 best Western nail art ideas to unleash your inner cowgirl.

01 of 19

Totally Turquoise

Close up of nails with multi-shaped turquoise gems with silver and black outlines, — @trillanails / Instagram

Turquoise—a stunning blue-green mineral known for unique shimmery veins—has been prized in the Southwest for centuries. Revered in Indigenous culture as a stone of health and protection, honor that good fortune on your nails with a jewelry-inspired design.

02 of 19

Modern Cow Print

A close up of nails with orange and brown cow print and gold beads. — @gotg0ld / Instagram

Cow print gets a new life when mixed with multiple shades of brown, orange, and black, as well as with mixed metal beads.

03 of 19

How Now, Brown Cow?

While coco brown cows do not make chocolate milk (sad), they do make great nail inspiration. Layer warm brown splotches on a stark white base for a bolder contrast, like this set.

04 of 19

Itty Bitty Boots

A close up ofshort nude nails with pink cowboy boot and floral art. — Olive & June

Floral nail designs are cute on their own, but when paired with a whimsical icon (like, in this case, a coral-pink cowboy boot), they somehow become even cuter.

05 of 19

Choco Cow French

A close up of nude nails with a brow cow print French tip. — @heluviee / Instagram

Who said a French manicure has to be white, thick, and solid? This negative space French stands out from the herd, with cow print forming the classic arch formation.

06 of 19

Cow-Girly Pink

A close up of pink and brown Western inspired nails with a hand painted boot and paisley bandana print. — @myprettyset / Instagram

Graphic design lovers will adore this brown and pink cowgirl set, which includes personal touches like an initial and zodiac sign nail art.

07 of 19

Desert Sunset

A close up of square long nails with sunset red and orange stripes and a hand painted green cactus detail. — @myprettyset / Instagram

If you stare at this set for long enough, it almost feels like you're in the Mojave desert watching the sun set after a glorious horseback ride.

08 of 19

Sandy Swirls

A close up of nude nails with varying shades of brown swirl art. — @myprettyset / Instagram

A less literal approach to the wild West is best for minimalist (and DIY) cowboys. To evoke desert vibes, simply create abstract swirl art with three shades of brown.

09 of 19

Bandana and Cow Print Mix 'N Match

A close up of a Western inspired French manicure with paisley print and cow print. — @myprettyset / Instagram

Mismatched manicures are all the rage right now, which is why we're so drawn to this warm brown set that features paisley and cow print.

10 of 19

Badge of Honor

A close up of brown short nails with a 3D sheriff badge. — @betina_goldstein / Instagram

Outlaws, beware—3D nail art has moseyed over to the Western side of trends with celebrity Betina Goldstein's sheriff badge set.

11 of 19

Watercolor Cacti

We're adding this look to the top of our spring nail art wish list, thanks to the dreamy watercolor look of these cacti.

12 of 19

Cowboy Hat Accent

A close up of neon mix and match nails with a smiley face, flower, yin and yang icon, and pink cowboy hat. — @yo_keshh / Instagram

Give a nod (or, in this case, a tip of your cowboy hat) to the West with a vibrant mix-and-match manicure that screams summer nail inspo.

13 of 19

Next Stop, Nashville

A close up of short nails with pink nail stickers including a cowboy boot, disco ball, and hearts. — @pop_polished / Instagram

If this popping pink set doesn't scream Nashville bachelorette party, we don't know what does. Ask for this look before your next big trip with friends, or just when you need some cheering up.

14 of 19

Antique Treasures

A close up of nude nails with turquoise gemstones and gold beads. — @imarninails / Instagram

The West is full of antique shops with found treasures from the old days, and this manicure perfectly encapsulates those vibes.

15 of 19

Canyon Layers

A close up of long square nails with a freestyle abstract design in brown, orange, and white nail polish. — @myprettyset / Instagram

As the dust settles in Western canyons, layers of orange, brown, tan, and white sediment are revealed—much like the look of this freestyle design. The added bullrings of the pierced nail trend elevate the set further into modern territory.

16 of 19

Classic Red Bandana

A close up of red short nails with a bandana print, paisley design. — @tinybrushes / Instagram

Bandanas are often used to keep dust, dirt, and debris out of the face of a rider (or concert-goer, as is the case at Coachella). But on nails, the timeless bandana paisley print gets a boho chic makeover.

17 of 19

Cacti Accents

A close up of short, bubblegum pink nails with hand drawn cactus designs. — @chalkboardnails / Instagram

Pink nail devotees will adore this bubblegum set, which adds a dose of Western influence to your look with cacti accent nails. We especially adore how the dark pink blooms contrast against the lighter base.

18 of 19

Abstract Cow Print French

A close up of a short white French manicure with black cow print. — @myprettyset / Instagram

Embrace your inner wild side (and artist) by trying your hand at this look. All you need is black and white polish, patience, and a somewhat steady hand. What's great about this set is that there's no need to be precise—stray lines and curves fit into the unique cow pattern seamlessly.

19 of 19

Tonal Brown Bandanas

Close up of long square nails with brown bandana paisley print French tips. — @myprettyset / Instagram

Square nails are back and better than ever, so you might as well fuse two trends into one. Countrify your square tips with an intricate bandana print and ride off into the sunset.