Cartoon and character nail ideas
Character nails turn each nail into a tiny canvas for cute faces, animals, food and playful hand-painted art. They are fun for birthdays, themed events or simply showing what you love.
Browse character designs from the Nailterest community below. Hand painting takes skill, so open a design to see the artist and their other work.
Like a design? Try it on your own hand with AR in the free Nailterest app, or find a nail salon near you that can do it.
Questions about cartoon and character nails
How are character nails painted?
Artists paint them by hand with gel paint and very fine brushes, or use nail stickers and decals for simpler designs.
Do character nails take longer at the salon?
Yes. Detailed hand-painted art takes extra time and usually costs more than a plain manicure, so mention it when you book.
Which nail shape is best for character art?
A medium length square, squoval or oval nail gives the most flat space for a small painted picture.