Dreamy, alluring aura nails have been a highly sought after manicure style for years now, and it's easy to see why. Not only does aura nail art instantly catch the eye, it’s also a really satisfying form of self expression, since it showcases your inner self.
What are aura nails?
As the name suggests, this trendy manicure centers around auras, which is a colorful electromagnetic field said to surround a person’s body, which denotes their unique energy and can even highlight their physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health. Where woo woo meets nail fashion, more or less.
While you certainly can get a professional aura reading, or even try to “see” your aura yourself, many simply choose a couple of colors that resonate with them, or look up different colors and their meanings (more on that later).
What gives an aura manicure its signature look is the lack of harsh lines, since one burst of color is set in the center of the nail and then seamlessly blended into another color, resulting in a mesmerizingly gradient design with a radiant halo effect. Very much like a vintage aura photograph.
And the great thing is—you don’t have to go to a nail salon (or a psychic, for that matter) to give yourself an aura manicure. Aura manicures are famously easy to do yourself at home, especially when you’ve got Aprés, winner of the “Best At-Home Gel Nails Kit” title, on your side.
How to get aura nails at home
Below are a few of our favorite techniques you can try, depending on your experience and preference.
Airbrush aura nails
After applying a base color, apply your center color using an airbrush machine. It might take a few coats to get your desired opacity.
Recommended product: Aprés aer Gel Machine
Make-up sponge aura nails
Again, after applying your base nail color, dip a make-up sponge (the ones you normally use with eyeshadow) into your secondary color and gently dab onto the center of the nail. You can clean up any overflow on the skin using a q-tip dipped in nail polish remover.
Brushed out aura nails
Apply/cure a base color, followed by applying and curing a matte top coat, without wiping away the sticky layer. Then gently dab your secondary colors onto the base color using a dotting tool, making sure it’s in the center. Lastly, blend out the color from the center using a fluffy makeup brush.
And now, for the fun part…
12 Ethereal shades for you own magical aura manicure
Below are some fun color suggestions, along with the kind of vibe they generally represent, to give you some aura inspo.
Red for power
We all know that red packs a punch. And those with a red aura do too. They are energetic, passionate, outgoing, ambitious, determined, and strong, all of which make them natural born leaders. If you're looking to unleash—or perhaps discover—your fiery side, this is the color to do it.
Suggested Aprés Gel Couleurs: Vampire Drunk - 254, Brickhouse - 297, Just Chili Out - 258
Pink for an open heart
This is more than just Barbie-core. If red represents passion, pink, its softer counterpart, represents those more tender aspects of love. Think gentle morning kisses, rather than a night of ardent desire. If you exude a pink aura, you might be known for your kindness, openness, affection, and maybe even a childlike playfulness—all of which are feminine traits, and deserve to be celebrated.
Suggested Aprés Gel Couleurs: Pink About It - 267, Latchkey Pink - 213, Sweet Cheeks-217
Orange for positivity
As bold and vibrant as its namesake fruit, those with an orange aura exude optimism and cheeriness, making them the life of any party or social gathering. What’s more, this bright and beaming hue denotes a huge jolt of creativity and adventurousness. What a great way to honor your inner thrillseeker by incorporating this exuberant shade.
Suggested Aprés Gel Couleurs: Juzi Orange - 359, Savanna Sun - 260, Ochre Okurrr - 360
Yellow for vibrance
If you are bathed in the dazzling, sunny brilliance of a yellow aura, curiosity—along with a healthy dose of confidence—is at the core of your being. This bright and radiant color belongs to those with active minds who thrive in problem-solving situations and thought-provoking conversations.
Suggested Aprés Gel Couleurs: Lemon Squeezy - 363, A-Maize-Ing - 364, Lemon Sour - 207
Green for healing and balance
Green represents nurturing, healing, harmonious energy, along with a deep connection to the natural world. It is, after all, Mother Nature’s signature color. If you possess this aura, thank you for being the peacekeeper in every circle, pricing a calming presence and reminding those around you to find balance in every aspect of human life.
Suggested Aprés Gel Couleurs: Emerald City - 347, Aloe You Vera Much - 348, Tropic Light - J09
Blue for tranquility
As wisdom as deep as the ocean itself, those blessed with a hypnotic blue aura radiate a sage-like quality. Powerful, perceptive, and peaceful, these individuals are masters of keeping it cool. This often manifests in their clear communication skills. Consider this shade if you’ve been known to cut through the B.S. to see the truth lying underneath.
Suggested Aprés Gel Couleurs: Billy Blue - 240, Dusky Denim - 246, In The Navy - 238
Purple and Indigo for spiritual awareness
If you’ve heard of auras, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Indigo children, which is another New Age concept describing those who are believed to possess special, unusual, and sometimes psychic traits or abilities. Both purple and Indigo auras symbolize intuition, empathy, and an ability to give others a deeper understanding. Even if you don’t see yourself as psychic (though maybe you have hidden gifts you don’t realize yet), this is very much a patron color for teachers, healers, and artists of all kinds.
Suggested Aprés Gel Couleurs: Cote D'Azur - J02, PB&Jelly - J04, Kunzite Light - 270
White for clarity
White auras are known for their purity and selflessness. It is said that most babies start life with a white aura, due to their inherent innocence and lack of connection to the material world. So in a way, using white as the basis for your aura manicure might invite a renewed sense of childlike wonder, as well as enlightenment, generosity, wholeheartedness, and universal love—all white aura traits.
Suggested Aprés Gel Couleurs: Summer Aurora - G12, Winter Aurora - G11, Cottagecore - 321
Many people use black crystals—like obsidian, tourmaline, and onyx for example—for absorbing negative energy. Similarly, a black aura symbolizes spiritual cleansing, and the serious inner transformation that follows as a result. Think of how light and revitalized we feel once a heavy weight is finally lifted. Same concept. And, hey, even if you don’t believe in any of this “aura” stuff, black is always badass.
Suggested Aprés Gel Couleurs: Birnam Wood - 344, Concrete Hustle - 326
Rainbow for abundance
Why choose one or two colors when you can choose them all? You contain multitudes! And after all, people have been known to give off rainbow auras, and these individuals are known to have plentiful dynamism, bustling energy, and able to handle anything life throws at them. Plus, rainbows themselves are a powerful symbol of diversity, inclusion, and individuality.What’s not to like?
Suggested Aprés Gel Couleurs: Lucky Envelope - 256, Electric Starfish - 208, Forever Marigold - 361, Plantling - 351, Cornflower Hour - 249, By My Acai - 34
And for bonus aura points, add some accents—stars, hearts, bows, flowers, peace signs, abstract lines, whatever calls you. Not to mention you can play with unusual color combinations, experiment with bold neons or soft pastels, add a touch of sparkle. Customization is all part of the fun. After all, it’s about creating something that feels authentically you.