Something personal you should know about me: I have a pretty strict anti–animal print policy. The conventional favourites (zebra and leopard print, check) have a way of giving me visceral flashbacks to the aughts, all before rushing back out of popularity before anyone even bats an eye. That is, with one major exception: cow print. The underrated, über-versatile pattern plays the perfect complement to everything in your closet, from neutrals to bright colors, and even other animal prints. (Calling Kendall Jenner’s recent Instagram post to the stand.)
As of late, master manicurists have proposed an all-new way to imbue the print into your signature look. You guessed it: cow-print nail designs. It’s the playful, extraverted, summer-ready update you didn’t know your mani needed. One of the best things about the cowhide nail look is how deceivingly simple it is. Unlike the total precision required to nail even a basic french, minute imperfections will only add to your spotted look in this case. That is if you are going the freehand route. A bevy of stick-on decals from brands like Ciaté London make it even easier to tap into the trend. (You’ll have a chance to shop the whole set ahead.)
Pros can consider this a short-on-time update to your basic mani. And novices, this is your gateway into the wonderful world of nail art. Peruse our edit of energised cow-print manicures, with all the products you’ll need to recreate the looks at home.
Consider test-driving the trend on a single nail, flanked by other designs that may already have earned their stripes in your nail art rotation.
For an ultra-low-lift spin on the look, try these easy cow nails, which overlay black spots on a clear-coat base.
Complementary colours will add a spark to the classic black-and-white look.
It doesn’t get more classic than this. Start with a milk-white polish and use any black brush to dab on perfectly imperfect spots, and you’ve nailed this look.
Chocolate milk, anyone? This take on the trend is infused with soothing cocoa and caramel hues, making for a great summer-into-autumn option.
Remember the decals we touched on earlier? Here they are in all their glory, styled with a wavy take on the negative-space manicure.
Serious question: Is there anything cuter than strawberries and clouds? To get this playful look, repeat the previous process on a single nail, accompanied by a trove of other kitschy designs.
For a peak summer look, call on this season’s hottest colourways (grass, lavender, and tangerine) for your cow spots, and stick with glossy white for your base.
Paging the more daring nail artists. This pro-level mani is the one for you. It anchors cowhide print in between Murakami-inspired designs and neon flames.
The chocolate milk look we touched on earlier just got a joyful update with the now-trending smiley face motif.
We promised you that cow pint paired well with other animal prints. See that evinced here, with a giraffe-print sidekick.
This spin on the trend tacks black and white spots onto a clear base, making for a polished, minimalist look.
Navy and white is one of the summer’s most ideal colour pairings and it’s not at all off-limits when it comes to this trend.
If glitter nails are your thing, we’ve got you covered with this sheer, ethereal cow-print look. Even if they’re not, that’s all the more reason to give it a go, as they’re heavily trending in 2021.
Good news if you’re having a hard time choosing your fighter: You don’t have to. Try alternating nails bedecked in spots with a lightly speckled French-tip mani.
To mix up your cow-print mani, keep it to one or two fingers and pick a few favorite hues from your polish collection. With those, paint the rest of your nails solid and stick on a few decals once dry. Voilà!
What, you don’t coordinate your beauty look with your mani? Get inspired by this user’s bold eye shadow which adds a playful pop to her classic cowhide mani.
Update your french mani with a host of playful prints—cowhide included, of course.
They’re calling this the date night-ready animal-print nail look. Bonus points if you tuck a few dainty heart-shaped cow spots into each nail.
Another case of animal-print mixing, this time, with the 2000’s favourite zebra print. This manicurist also test-drove a shocking twist on cow print with a purple base and orange spots.
This iteration of the navy-white look also includes the negative space trend. Plus, it relegates the spots to a certain part of the nail, making it easier to test out for first-timers.
Last but not least, an ultra-simple, palate-cleansing take on the cow-print mani to soothe your infinite scroll.
