10 of the Best Non-Cheesy Animal Print Nail Art Ideas

Animal print will forever be a classic in our eyes, but trust us when we say there’s a right and a wrong way to do it. Trying to pull off a look that reads more trendy than trashy can be a little tough. From mixing prints with metallic touches to topping them off with a matte polish, the funky nail art ideas below are all you’ll need for inspiration.

View this post on Instagram

I stopped painting my nails for at least a month, and now that I’ve started with the purple/Pantone themed polished I can’t seem to stop 🙆🏻💜🌂👾🍆😈☂️🔮☮️ . . . #mylultraviolet #lookmoyoulondon #nailsofinstagram #nails #nailsonfleek #nailstamping #nailitdaily #animalprintnails #pantonenails #pantone2018 #UltraViolet #coy2018 #desafiodoidasporesmaltes

A post shared by @ nailswmc on Feb 8, 2018 at 6:37pm PST

1. Mixing Patterns: Mixing and matching animal prints is a playful way to add color to the trend.

View this post on Instagram

⭐SEMIPERMANENTE⭐ • Un Print #AntiLove en el mes del amor😅 • E X P R E S Á T E • #fantasynailsbylala💅💅💅 Whatsapp📲(11)6860-3698 ⭐Palermo NailStudio⭐ • #nails #nailart #nailartlove #Semipermanente #esmaltesemi #esmaltesemipermanente #nailartsemipermanente #gelnails #gelpolish #nudenails #silvernails #animalprintnails #animalprint #antilove #antiyou #nailstoimpress #nailstoinspire #notd #LaLaFantasyNails

A post shared by LaLa FantasyNails&MakeUp (@lalanails_bsas) on Feb 16, 2018 at 9:15am PST

2. Fun Sayings: Logos or phrases will bring an unexpected detail to your style.

View this post on Instagram

More animal prints! 😍 cool stone and vamp gelux with zebra print and holographic glitter #gelpolish #gelinfills #abfabsalon #birminhamuk #animalprintnails #nailsbylia

A post shared by Absolutely Fabulous (@abfabsalon) on Feb 18, 2018 at 6:57am PST

3. Monochromatic: Looking to keep things coordinated? Stick with one color palette and go all in with those shades.

View this post on Instagram

#animalprintnails #nails #cutenails #ногти #ногтиафины #fileandstyle_gr

A post shared by Sahakyan Liana (@sahakyanl) on Feb 13, 2018 at 12:39pm PST

4. Two Accent Nails: Opt for more than one accent nail if you see a trend that’s too good to pass up.

5. Leopard Print: Pair your funky leopard print with a neutral tone to make your design the center of attention.

View this post on Instagram

Ready for her babe's jungle theme birthday party 🐆🐘🐅🐒

A post shared by Danielle (@fortifiednails) on Jan 31, 2018 at 2:38pm PST

6. Matte Topcoat: From liquid lipsticks to nail polish, matte is in. Mix it up with different patterns for extra oomph.

View this post on Instagram

Llegó el verano con colores intensos #summernails #maripi_nails #esmaltepermanentetemuco #manicuretemuco #nails #uñas #uñitaslindas #animalprintnails #clientavip

A post shared by Pía Valdivia (@maripi_nails) on Dec 5, 2017 at 11:09am PST

7. Not the Whole Nail: Sometimes the best looks are left unfinished.

View this post on Instagram

✨😍😍😍✨⠀ Search: "Hot Red Leopard"⠀ 💕www.DoobysNails.com💕⠀ ⠀ #nails #nail #fashion #style #brightrednails #rednails #beauty #beautiful #longnails #3dnails #girl #girls #leopardprint #khakis #styles #wakeupandmakeup #nailart #art #opi #redbottoms #essie #slay #pastels #animalprintnails #leopardprintnails #love #animalprint #polish #nailpolish #nailswag

A post shared by 💞✨💅🏻Doobys Nails Ltd💅🏻✨💞 (@doobysnails) on Dec 3, 2017 at 10:50am PST

8. Underneath the Nail: If you want to try an animal print but don’t want it to be too overwhelming, channel Louboutin and rock your design underneath.

View this post on Instagram

Animal print is so easy to everyone else but it’s been a struggle for me!! This is only my second time trying it again and it came out much better! #stilllearning #stillgrowing #nailsnotbynono #designbynono #nailstagram #nailart #animalprint #animalprintnails

A post shared by @ nailsbynono on Nov 27, 2017 at 10:52am PST

9. Metallic Touch: No matter what color you choose to paint your digits, adding a touch of glitter amps up the look that much more.

View this post on Instagram

Gel Polish Ombre Zebra Designs on Coffin Shaped Nails ✨ . . . . . . . #ombre#zebranails#zebranailsart#ombrenails#coffinnails#nails#nailsofinstagram#nailart#nailsonfleek#naildesigns#nailswag#acrylicnails#naillife#manicure#nailsofig#nailstyle#polishaddict#art#beauty#girly#love#fun#potd#style#fashion

A post shared by Divine Nails & Hair Spa (@divinenhs) on Feb 12, 2018 at 1:07pm PST

10. Neon Vibes: If you’re sporting a wacky print, feel free to take it a step further and pair it with neon polish.

Tweet us your favorite nail art designs @BritandCo!