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The 2024 Olympic Games have served up an unexpected amount of beauty inspiration this year, from gymnast-proof setting spray tips to post-training skincare routines. The innovative nail art at this year’s games is the latest Olympic beauty trend to take over, and it’s clear that these celebratory manis are a cool way to show off Olympic pride.
The nail designs at this year’s games serve a myriad of purposes: some are an ode to athletes’ and attendees’ home countries, others are inspired by the Olympic rings, and many feature stars, stripes, and flags. Most notably, French tips are dominating manicures at the Olympic Village, a cheeky nod to this summer’s Parisian location. Scroll on for the very best Olympic nail art looks that deserve medals all on their own.
Red, Textured, and Blue
Who: Sha’Carri Richardson, USA Track and Field
Track and field athlete Sha’Carri Richardson took red, white, and blue to the next level with this mesmerizing set at the 2024 Opening Ceremony. Red and blue gemstones, gold textures, French tips, and the American flag come together for a mismatched, yet harmonious nod to the USA that’s simply a work of art.
Get the Look: Essie Butler Please ($10), OPI Gimme a Lido Kiss ($12), and Essie Blanc ($10) are the perfect hues to recreate the American flag. Pro-tip: Enhance the look with this Nail Rhinestones Nail Art Set ($6) from Amazon.
Classic French Tips
Who: Simone Biles, USA Gymnast
A nod to the game’s location, USA gymnast Simone Biles donned a classic French manicure to the Olympic Games this year. Her tips are an elegant oval shape, and every nail is complete with a tiny silver rhinestone placed at the center of each cuticle for a little extra sparkle.
Get the Look: Zoya Naked Manicure Nude Perfector ($12) is the perfect French mani base, while OPI Alpine Snow ($12) serves as a great, stark white tip. Complete the look with a silver rhinestone on each nail, like those found in this Beadsland Rhinestones Set ($8).
Stars and Stripes
Who: Beyoncé
An ode to the Olympic Games (and Cowboy Carter, no less), this stars and stripes set has everything and more: embellished jewels, defined stripes, metallic hues, and glittery stars. We’re especially enamored by the jewel-toned red and blue hues in this mani, giving it a sophisticated touch.
Get the Look: Opt for a metallic red hue like INLP Ruby ($10) for a more elevated Olympic-inspired finish.
Seeing Stars
Who: Ilona Maher, USA Rugby
Rugby player Ilona Maher was inspired by the Olympic ring colors and USA Team colors for this mismatched, starry mani.
Get the Look: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish in My Ca-Banana ($6) and Orly Neon Paradise ($10) are the ultimate yellow and lime hues for mimicking the Olympic rings.
Wicked Pride
Who: Cynthia Erivo
Celebrity nail artist Rose Hackle created a Wicked-inspired sparkling forest green manicure for actress Cynthia Erivo’s appearance at the opening ceremony.
Get the Look: Hackle used OPI GelColor in Midnight Snacc ($19), OPI GelColor in Taurus-t Me ($21), and OPI GelColor in Snatch’d Silver ($22), for the layered green and silver look.
Rings and Things
Who: Arielle Chambers
ESPN commentator and sports reporter Arielle Chambers went with an Olympic ring design on a bubblegum-pink polish base for attending the games.
Get the Look: Orly Bubblegum Pop ($11) is a pretty, bright pink to pair with the Olympic ring nail art colors of red, green, black, yellow, and blue. You can achieve a thin circle with a nail precision brush, like the one found in this Nail Art Liner Brush Set ($6).
American Icon
Who: Noah Lyles, USA Track and Field
Track and field athlete Noah Lyles sported a very literal mani for the 2024 games, with the word ICON spelled out on each nail in a striking bright blue.
Get the Look: Olive & June Can’t Lose ($10), is the perfect pick for recreating the lettered look.
Red and Blue Tips
Who: Jordan Chiles, USA Gymnast
Gymnast Jordan Chiles donned bright red and blue French tips with white and embellished gold details for the Olympic Games. The combination serves as a nice blend of the Team USA colors and Parisian elegance.
Get the Look: The brighter the better when choosing nail colors to replicate this look—Essie Strut Your Stuff ($8), and Essie Expressie Quick-Dry Nail Color in Send a Message ($9) are must-tries for this reason.
Team Tips
Who: Liz Clay, Australian Hurdler
Australian athlete Liz Clay’s manicure is an ode to her country’s team hues. The French tip has a thinner forest green line on the inside with a thick neon yellow on the outer tip.
Get the Look: Nails Inc. Naked in Neon Nail Polish in Knightriders Street ($8) and OPI Stay Off My Lawn!! ($12) are a great duo for replicating the look.
Press-On Power
Who: Suni Lee, USA Gymnast
USA Gymnast Suni Lee’s nail look proves that an Olympic-worthy mani doesn’t have to take hours at the salon with these French-manicured press-on nails.
Get the Look: Lee is wearing the KISS Salon X-tend LED Soft Gel System in Pure ($20) which you can find at your local drugstore. [Editor’s note: Lee is a KISS Salon X-tend celebrity ambassador].
Olympic Abstract
Who: Joscelyn Roberson, USA Gymnast
For a more abstract take on the Olympic colors, we love this curved French mani with abstract circles on USA gymnast Joscelyn Roberson. Mismatched white, green, blue, and yellow tips reference to the Olympic rings.
Get the Look: Essie Expressie in Unapologetic Icon ($10) is the ultimate quick-drying white polish for nail art similar to Roberson’s look.
Zip Coded
Who: Satou Sabally, Germany Women’s Basketball
LA-based nail artist @nailzzbysteph created the coolest hand-painted lettering for German basketball player Satou Sabally’s Olympic nails. The letters and numbers are a reference to Germany’s zip code, and the look is complete with the country’s signature colors of red, gold, and black, plus a hand-drawn bear.
Get the Look: Recreate the zip code lettering with a saturated black polish like OPI Black Onyx ($12).
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