It’s Time Kourtney Kardashian’s Manicures Get The Credit They Deserve

Kourtney Kardashian, despite being one of six siblings, isn’t exactly what you’d call a wallflower. From the earliest episodes of Keeping Up With The Kardashians nearly — brace for impact here — 15 years ago, the eldest sister never once shied away from the spotlight, the drama, or the chance to show off some seriously killer beauty looks. Through the years, her reputation as the (sarcastic) voice of reason grew, only bolstered now by her status as one half of the internet’s favorite goth-glam power couple. Her ever-changing aesthetic means Kardashian’s best manicures are also the most versatile of her entire family.

Even more so than her hair and makeup choices, Kardashian seems to carefully plan her nail colors and manicure types to act as extensions of her mood. Think about it: when she soft-launched her relationship with Travis Barker, what did she post? That’s right — a shot of her heart-tipped nails holding his hand in the car. To celebrate Kardashian’s always-excellent nail game, browse through her best manicure moments to get some inspiration for your own. Whether you’re after something subtly playful like one of her colorful French tip looks (one of her all-time favorite styles), a minimalist negative space mani, or going all out with a glitzy, crystal-studded masterpiece on each nail, there’s a Kardashian-approved manicure for every style out there.

Crystal-Covered Purple

Matching her soft lavender eyeshadow (and her brand Lemme’s signature packaging), Kardashian’s delicate, crystal-studded nails feature just a hit of texture and shine through the tips. She doesn’t wear the 3D look too often, but when she does, she likes to concentrate it at the ends rather than all-over.

Futuristic Chrome

Even behind-the-scenes photos from her 2022 Bustle shoot, Kardashian’s reflective chrome nails steal the show. It matches her gleaming rings and puffy wrist cuff, adding a futuristic feel to her entire look.

The Ultimate Nude

There’s nothing basic about Kardashian’s beloved nude nails. Opting for a skin tone-matching shade on the taupe side, they add elegance and length to her hands without relying on a bold color.

Emerald Green Everywhere

Regardless of season, the old-money opulence of an emerald green manicure is undeniable — which is probably why Kardashian loves the color year-round. Deep enough to blend in with her beloved black-on-black wardrobe, it’s an always-reliable shade.

Negative Space Hourglass Nails

Just when you thought nail art was over, Kardashian dropped this blood-red, negative space hourglass manicure and inspired an entirely new wave. By concentrating the bold color just along the nail’s edge, it’s far more subtle than her earlier nail art experimentations.

Bow-Covered Tips

Behold: Kardashian’s most over-the-top manicure in recent memory. Created for mom Kris Jenner’s annual Christmas Eve blowout, the silvery, spangly French tips are dressed up by clear crystal bows affixed to each ring finger. Rather than something overtly Christmas-y (no red and green in sight here), she went the icy winter route for a more streamlined look.

Glam Goth Engagement Nails

Being totally caught off-guard for a surprise proposal is romantic and all, but only if you’ve already got your engagement manicure in place. Fitting for her neo-goth nuptials, Kardashian showed off her 10-carat wedding ring with long, almond-shaped nails coated in an inky black lacquer.

Half-And-Half Neutrals

Always up for some experimentation, Kardashian loves a geometric nail moment. Her vertically-cut manicure is half warm brown and half creamy beige to make the ultimate seasonal transition manicure. Considering how popular split-dye hair is becoming, expect to see this nail style majorly trend soon, too.

Leopard Print Tips

Kourtney practically lit the internet on fire when she debuted this set of sleek, matte nails featuring a nude base and leopard French tips. Designed and created by Lisa Kon, a go-to manicurist for all the Kardashian-Jenners, they’re a stunning take on the French manicure revival while still managing to look subtle. Well, as subtle as leopard print can be.

Micro French Tips

Who says a manicure needs six colors and a funky pattern to be iconic? Judging by the comments and likes on these super-minimalist, ultra-fine black tips, they’re actually one of Kourtney Kardashian’s most popular nail sets to date. They’re the work of Kim Truong, a top-rated celebrity manicurist who frequently works with Dua Lipa, Kerry Washington, and of course, Kourtney’s sisters.

Cherry-Print Nail Art

Sure, this photo op could be to show off her incredible cherry-printed nails, complete with red tips and one very glossy top coat. But the manicure’s proximity to Travis Barker’s new “Kourtney” tattoo — and the fact that the cherries are shaped like teeny-tiny hearts — tells the real story.

Spring Green

Kourtney clearly knows that a bright green (be it slime, lime, or spring green) is one of the hottest color choices for nails right now, as exhibited by this earth goddess mani. Perfectly paired with this leaf as her prop, the green nails are an ideal pop of color.

Soft-Launch Heart Tips

Spend more than a few minutes scrolling through Kourtney Kardashian’s Instagram feed, and you’ll glean a few things from her nails alone: she loves red (must be her inner Aries), she loves her boyfriend, and she loves to send subtle but very clear messages through her manicures. In a close-up shot liked by nearly four million people, Kardashian chose these heart-shaped French tips for her official relationship announcement. With no accompanying caption, she lets her romantic, Valentine’s Day nails do all the talking.

Rainbow Pastel French Tips

“A little nail porn,” is how Kourtney Kardashian described this sun-drenched shot of her pastel, rainbow-tipped manicure, posed against her multicolored Louis Vuitton. But based on the absolute craze these nails helped kick-off, Kardashian’s comment might be a bit of an understatement. Another work of art by Kim Truong, this set would help usher in the rainbow nail trend still seen all over social media (and on the street) today.

Ariana-Approved Pink

Assuming Kourtney Kardashian is a Method actor, she didn’t technically pick (or even wear) this manicure — Ariana Grande did. As part of her pitch-perfect Halloween costume as the “Positions” singer, Kardashian made sure nothing about her baby pink outfit, high-pony wig, and Ariana-approved makeup was inaccurate. That applies to her candy-pink nails, which look like an exact match to the shade Grande’s worn on several occasions.

Theme Park Two-Tone

Described as her Disney manicure, this two-tone set by Lisa Kon for a day at the park with the kids is perfectly Kourtney Kardashian: dressed-up and special but not too on-the-nose theme-wise. An impressively thin half-moon curve outlines the very tips of Kardashians in a striking metallic red, while the pale pink base adds the illusion of even more length and keeps the whole thing casual. Kon even put together a kit of polished used for easy at-home recreation.