Nail-Art Ideas to Wear to a Taylor Swift Concert
In case you missed it, Taylor Swift is currently in the thick of her much-anticipated The Eras Tour, which sees the multihyphenate star revisiting the many peaks of her music career. The 52-stop US leg of the Ticketmaster-crashing stadium tour kicked off with a bang on March 17 in Glendale, AZ, and marks her first since the record-breaking all-stadium "Reputation" tour in 2018.
The set list packs a whopping 44 tracks, plus two surprise acoustic performances at each show, in which you'll see Swift re-create several iconic fashion and beauty moments that harken back to each of her musical eras. Her nails, as you might have guessed, are no exception. In the lead-up to the tour, Swift debuted a meaningful manicure on social media featuring a nostalgic nod to her discography, with each nail colour thematically representing each of her albums to date.
Naturally, fans understood the assignment and, taking a page from their favourite artist's beauty book, have been re-creating Swift-inspired nail art to wear to her concert. From putting a pastel spin on their nails inspired by "Lover" to trying a sequinned, starry "Midnights" manicure design, concert-goers have come up with mesmerisingly creative ways to incorporate Swift's album concepts and various lyrical motifs onto their nails, which are nothing short of breathtaking.
So if you, too, are looking to put a Swift-inspired twist on your concert nails and take your manicure game to the next level, we've rounded up the best nail-art ideas you to inspire your personalized tour look. Keep scrolling to get a complete breakdown of how to re-create these nails at home, then check out the best polish recommendations for each look that'll help you proudly flaunt your Swiftie status.
Taylor Swift "Midnights" Nails
Once upon a time, the planets and the fates, and all the stars aligned, and we got the masterpiece that is Swift's latest album, "Midnights." To channel the surrealism of this era, all you need is a shimmery deep midnight blue hue and lots of shimmer.
Get the look: Swipe on the Holo Taco Sunken Secrets ($14) as the base. To give the nail art another dimension, we recommend using a metallic silver shade nail pen or liner similar to the RARJSM Gel Liner Nail Art Silver Glitter ($8) to add dazzling stars on top of the base. (Not to be the mastermind here, but these nails call to mind the stunning star-studded Moschino blue silk romper Swift wore during the 2022 VMAs afterparty after kicking off her bejeweled "Midnights" era.
Taylor Swift "Lover" Nails
The perfect pop-of-colour manicure features pastel polishes reminiscent of Swift's "Lover" album art cover. Like this look here, you can use similar pink, blue, and yellow nail paint shades.
Get the look: Try the CND Vinylux Hot Pop Pink ($6), the Essie Word On The Street ($10), and Orly Oh Snap ($11), and seamlessly blend these different hues using a wet sponge before topping it off with a protective layering of clear polish. Add tiny heart outlines using the Nails Inc. Mani Marker Art Pen ($5) at the bottom of each nail to finish off the look.
Taylor Swift "Reputation" Nails
Just as dramatic as the "Reputation" era are these nails that put a playful twist on classic neutral nail shades. You'll need black, white, and neutral polishes to capture those gothy, moody vibes.
Get the look: Grab the Essie Now or Never ($10), the Essie Blanc enamel ($10), and the CND Shellac Uncovered ($14) to alternatively coat your nails. Now you can use nail pens like the Mcduyant Nail Art Pens ($9) to draw Swift's 2017 album's recurring motifs of snakes and chains onto your nails, as shown in the picture above. Swipe a clear glossy top coat like the long-lasting Emilie Heathe On the Top Glossy Nail Polish Top Coat ($28) over your nail art to achieve a high-shine look.
Taylor Swift "1989" Nails
Aside from serving the pop-perfection that is "1989," this era boasts massive nostalgic yet timeless summer vibes (think: sundresses, sunglasses, breeze in your hair, Polaroids, and beach waves).
Get the look: You'll need a pale blue hue as a base like the Lights Lacquer Easy as Pie ($11). To create the cloudy effect, you can opt for the Lights Lacquer Head in the Clouds ($11) and use a black nail pen to write the numerals "1989" in a similar hand-written font as featured on the album cover to drive the era aesthetic home.
Taylor Swift Self-Titled Debut Album-Inspired Nails
Swift's self-titled 2006 debut country album captured the doe-eyed innocence of a teenage girl gaining priceless life experiences — friendships, first love, and heartache — while still figuring herself out. But you don't need to worry about figuring out the perfect nail art that perfectly aligns with the essence of this era because we have just the right fit for you.
Get the look: Blending the green-blue aura of the cover art of "Taylor Swift," opt for the ILNP Beach House ($10) in holographic turquoise colour. You can also add reverse-stamped butterflies using the Maniology Flower Angel: Butterfly Wings Nail Stamping Plate ($8) to employ another mesmerising reference from the album.
Taylor Swift "Lover"-Inspired Nails
Swift like shiny things, and that's where these nails come in. Utilise bright, pastel shades inspired by the "Lover" hues at the tips of the nails, and then let the stars do the rest of the talking.
Get the look: To honour "Lover"'s kaleidoscopic pastel colour scheme, use playful creamy shades such as ILNP Hatched Collection ($60) to draw confetti-like tiny stars over the nails. Then, add tiny Mr. Pen- Rhinestones ($6) to the base and tips of the manicure for extra sparkle.
Taylor Swift "Speak Now" Nails
You'll be enchanted to learn that it's easy to recreate a glitzy "Speak Now"-inspired ombré nail art at home, all you need is the perfect purple-magenta holographic polish.
Get the look: Use this combination of colours from Ilnp: the High Voltage ($10) to set the raspberry purple base and the Velvet Rope ($10) for the glittery berry tips. Top it off with sparkly golden nail stickers like the Deco Miami Wildflower ($10).
Taylor Swift "You Need to Calm Down" Nails
If "You Need To Calm Down" had a mood board, this nail art would definitely be featured on it. French manicures are always a great minimalist option, and adding multiple thin strips of pastel nail paints at the tips puts a refreshing spin on the rainbow french manicure.
Get the look: First, add a sheen clear base, and then for the tips, we love the perfect creamy combo of the Holo Taco Pastel & Don't Tell Bundle ($66, originally $72) that you can apply using the Modelones Thin Nail Art Brush ($6). Add two tiny shimmery hearts at the sides with the RARJSM Metallic Pink Gel Liner ($8), and voilà! You've achieved the perfect rainbow effect.
Taylor Swift "Red" Nails
If you want to channel the chic autumnal aesthetics of "Red (Taylor's Version)," match your nail polish to the iconic red scarf mention.
Get the look: Choose a vibrant scarlet red lacquer like the Orly Muy Caliente ($10). Draw thin serpentine waves on a nail to transform this look into an instant eye-catcher. Top it off with a clear top coating for that extra glass-like glisten.
Taylor Swift "Folklore" Nails
Nothing encapsulates "Folklore"'s woodsy, cottage-core aesthetic quite like Swift's floral Oscar de la Renta Dress she wore to the 2021 Grammys. And what better way to honour it than to wear it on your nails?
Get the look: First, prep your nails with a transparent base coat. Then transfer the subtle neutral-toned leaf designs onto your nails using a leafy nail stamping plate like the Maniology New Growth Nail Stamping Plate (m282) ($8). Stick on some tiny leaf and flower stickers like the Deco Miami Baba's Kitchen ($10) on your finger ring, and lastly, create the golden french tips using the ILNP Happy Hour ($10) to finish.
Taylor Swift "Evermore" Nails
"Folklore"'s sister album "Evermore" represents an older and wiser version of its predecessor, someone more of an adventurer, per Swift. So to embody that evergreen, mystical essence of this era, we can draw inspiration from the album art cover itself.
Get the look: You'll need warm winter nail paints like brown, mahogany, and cinnamon — we recommend the Lights Lacquer YNBB 2 Bundle ($58, originally $66) to mix and match to create the perfect autumnal nails.
Taylor Swift “Midnights” Nails
If "Bejeweled" is your go-to self-love hype anthem, then this dazzling nail art would be perfect for you to wear as you pump yourself up to the beats of this up-tempo pop number.
Get the look: grab a clear glossy base polish, such as the Orly Treatment + Shine Nail Polish ($11). Add reverse french tips with a black-coloured nail polish like the CND Vinylux Black Pool ($6). To round off the nail art, you can use multi-coloured decal stickers such as the Taylor Swift The Eras Tour Nail Gems ($15) to bedazzle one of the fingernails, and you're ready to shimmer.
Taylor Swift "Lavender Haze" Nails
We, too, want to stay in the "Lavender Haze" of this dreamy nail art. All you need is to apply two coats of a clear base to your nails and then add lavender-hued french tips.
Get the look: For the colourful tips, swipe on the Cuccio Lavender Sorbet ($7). Accessorise with white floral petal stickers using the Deco Miami English Garden ($10) to sprinkle some spring breeziness to your manicure.
Taylor Swift "Reputation" Nails
The iconic "Reputation" era is one for the ages, so we couldn't resist including this striking nail idea. If classic yet understated nail designs are your style, this look could be your endgame to wear to the concert. Are you ready for it?
Get the look: Choose a matte black polish as the base, or opt for a reusable press-on manicure like the Static Nails Caviar Almond ($20) as a canvas. Then, using a clear nail paint and the Modelones Thin Nail Art Brush ($6), spell out "rep" in Engravers Old English font similar to the album cover, plus add a sleek slithering snake design on top of your nails. Now all that's left to do is to admire the results.
Taylor Swift Eras-Inspired Nails
This is a fun twist on the iconic nails that Swift herself wore in the lead-up to kicking off her hotly-anticipated US leg of the "The Eras Tour." Each fingernail chronologically pays homage to all ten albums that Swift has released so far — because in the rich Taylor Cinematic Universe, every feeling and every record embodies a specific colour. In addition to this nail art featuring trendy French tips, it also packs several nods to particular albums. You have the number "22" emblazoned for the "Red (Taylor's Version)" era and glittery stars and moon for "Midnights," for instance. You can get creative and unleash your inner Swiftie to incorporate your favourite lyric or song title into your nails.
Taylor Swift "Maroon" Nails
"Midnights"'s second track, "Maroon," taught us a lot about different shades of the titular colour. You have burgundy, wine, blood, scarlet, rust, and, of course, maroon, all beautifully strung together in the song's emotionally piercing chorus. So, the "Maroon" lovers out there need not search further than Swift's hauntingly beautiful lyrics for their tour nail idea. Now that's a real f*cking legacy.
Get the look: Sweep coats of different maroonish-red hues across each nail to embody the subtleties of the track. To get started, you can opt for the ILNP Dear Santa ($10), the ILNP Ruby ($10), the ILNP Penny ($10), and the Lights Lacquer Candy Apple Red With Smooth Pearlescent Shimmer ($11).
Taylor Swift "Folklore" Nails
Let the "Mirrorball" in you shine brighter with the metallic mirrored nails.
Get the look: Apply two coats of a silver metallic holographic nail paint like the Holo Taco Girft Receipt ($14) before dusting off with the Hisight Silver Nail Powder ($7) to achieve that crystal-clear reflective finish.
Taylor Swift T.S. Nails
If you're more literal, and want to show your Swiftie support by adding initials to your nail art, this idea is for you.
Get the look: Grab a bunch of white-tinted shades like the Orly Power Pastel ($11), the Orly Forget Me Not ($11), and the Lights Lacquer Clara ($11) nail paints to bring about this head-turning nail art. Now using a black nail pen, like the Nails Inc. Mani Marker Art Pen ($5), you can give it more dimensions by drawing a butterfly, a "Lover"-inspired glittery heart outline, "T.S.," and so on.