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Dark brown gets a bad wrap. The hue is often seen as a true neutral meant to fade into the background, just there to create depth and shadows. But let's be real: It deserves so much more than that. Dark brown is edgy and versatile and makes every color around it pop—perfect for a manicure color. Whether you're doing a tortoise shell-inspired look with pops of ginger or latte nail art, there's a dark brown mani for every person and every nail. Scroll on for 17 of our favorite dark brown nail ideas for your next manicure appointment.
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Brown French
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French manicures are known for being versatile and forever open to interpretation—and this take on the look, featuring a dark brown shade for the tips, is fabulous and neutral.
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Tortoise Shell Chic
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Tortoise shell contains just about every shade and tone of dark brown imaginable. If you don't want to commit to a full set featuring the print, try this 2-by-2 design and incorporate solid-colored digits.
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Brown Skittles
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Is the Skittle nail trend in shades of brown technically the M&M's nail trend? Either way, we love this neutral concept.
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Chocolate Candy Hearts
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At first glance, this seems like an average, simple manicure—but we all know it's not. The added negative space heart and rhinestone gem in the center make this set as sweet as candy.
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Brown, But Make It Abstract
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This take on dark brown nails marries the color with abstract swirls of ivory, blue, magenta, and light orange—with a little black striping and gold flakes to top things off. These feel like you scored a beautiful box of expensive bespoke chocolates and used it as nail inspo... and why not?
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S'mores Nails
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This swirly white and brown square manicure reminds us of cooking s'mores over a fire. While they're less messy than the camp classic, they're just as delicious.
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Hot Cocoa Drip
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This isn't your standard French manicure—this set blends so many different trends that it's hard to keep up. You've got a chrome polish base, dark brown French tips, and drippy details. If this is trendmaxxing, sign us up. (After our nails dry, of course.)
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Pink Chocolate Hearts
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If you want a Valentine's Day French nail look that doesn't scream "red and pink!," you may love these brown heart French tips. There's something very "candy store" about these nails, and the brown tips keep them from feeling too seasonal.
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Glossy Chocolate
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You know those commercials that feature a candy bar emerging from a vat of chocolate? Yeah, you can bring that to your nails. Square French manicures are back big time; create one with a matte base and glossy tips and you'll be elected mayor of Hershey, Pennsylvania.
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Neutral Abstract
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These brown, gold, and emerald green abstract nails would be right at home in a museum; no two fingers are exactly the same. Work with your nail artist to come up with the perfect design and color combo to make it your own.
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Caramel Swirl
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Swirly manicures have been all over Pinterest boards and Instagram feeds for a while, and we love this salted caramel latte take on the trend.
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Mocha Swirly French
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Extending the tip via swoops and swirls around the nail makes this drizzled mocha set look more fun than your standard French.
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Milk Dud Nails
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In a sea of nail art, why not just pick the perfect dark brown? This deep, umber brown shade goes gorgeously with a darker skin tone. From coffee to cinnamon, cedar to carob, there's a dark brown for everyone.
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Vintage Vibes
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Dark brown is the perfect neutral base for a pop of color—and nearly every color works with dark brown. Here, swirls of mint and neon green on a dark brown base create a '70s vibe.
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Ginger Spice Nails
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A blobby manicure sounds less chic than it looks, but trust us on this one. These not-quite-marbled nails are the perfect blend of neutral and abstract.
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Tempered Chocolate Nails
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Whether or not you actually know what tempered chocolate is (it's a fancy way of treating chocolate by heating and cooling to create a smooth, shiny finish and snap), trust us when we say that these nails are far easier than tempering chocolate. Just paint on a couple of coats of deep espresso brown and lock them in with a matte top coat. After they've dried, use a fine-lining brush or half-moon guides and the same polish for your glossy tips.
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Chocolate French Hearts
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A heart manicure is always a fun look. But, when paired with the French tips in assorted shades of brown, it takes on a "box of chocolates" feel—and we want to dig right in.
