There’s something undeniably cheerful about smiley faces, and when they make their way onto your nails, the happiness factor multiplies.
I’ve been noticing these playful designs popping up everywhere on Instagram, and honestly, I can’t get enough of them.
Whether you’re feeling a bit down or just want to spread some positivity through your manicure, smiley face nails are the perfect pick-me-up.
I’ve gathered 31 of the most adorable smiley face nail designs that range from subtle and minimalist to bold and colorful. These designs prove that a simple smile can transform any manicure into something special.
Keep scrolling to find your next mood-boosting nail look.
1. Rainbow Bright Smiley Faces
This vibrant multicolored smiley face nail art is pure joy on your fingertips. With neon green, blue, yellow, orange, and pink polish creating different expressions on each nail, this manicure is like wearing a rainbow of emotions.
I love how each nail tells its own story while maintaining that cohesive happy vibe.
2. Pastel Paradise Smileys
Pastel-colored smiley faces over a neutral base create the perfect balance between playful and sophisticated.
This is my go-to recommendation for anyone wanting to dip their toes into the smiley face trend without going too bold.
3. Minimalist Happy Vibes
Sometimes less is more, and these minimal smiley face designs prove it. The pastel base paired with white smiley designs creates such a clean, fresh look that I’m obsessed with.
Perfect for those who prefer understated nail art with a twist.
4. Neutral Base, Vibrant Smiles
Multicolored smiley faces against a neutral base offer the best of both worlds. The vibrant smiley designs pop beautifully while the neutral background keeps things office-appropriate.
If you ask me, this is the ideal manicure for adding personality to your everyday look.
5. Pastel Mix and Match
Yellow, blue, and pink accent nails adorned with smiley faces in various colors create a sweet, candy-like effect.
I adore the combination of solid color nails mixed with design nails—it keeps the overall look balanced and not too busy.
6. Lavender Dreams
This lavender smiley face nail design with a checkered pattern accent nail is giving me all the retro vibes.
The combination of solid lavender nails and smiley designs creates such a cohesive yet interesting manicure that I would definitely rock this spring.
7. Floral Meets Happy
Pink base polish decorated with multicolored daisy flowers and smileys, topped off with a rainbow French tip accent nail? Yes, please!
This design perfectly captures that carefree summer feeling, and I think it’s ideal for vacation or festival season.
8. Smiley French Tips
These pink smiley face French tip nails on oval-shaped nails are elegance meets whimsy.
The transparent base with pink smile designs and red details on the smiley faces create such a unique take on the classic French manicure. I’m loving this modern twist!
9. Sunshine Yellow Pattern
Yellow smiley faces scattered across a transparent base create the ultimate sunny day manicure.
This pattern gives me instant happiness, and I think it’s perfect for brightening up any outfit.
10. Emerald Mix Master
Green white nail art combining smiley faces, checkered patterns, floral dots, and solid emerald polish on mixed matching nails—this design has it all!
The variety keeps things interesting while the color palette ties everything together beautifully.
11. Blue Wave Smileys
Blue French tip nails with a clear base featuring blue wavy patterns and blue smiley faces create such a cool, ocean-inspired look.
I would recommend this design for anyone wanting something unique yet cohesive.
12. Glitter and Grins
Silver glitter base with yellow smiley face accents is the perfect party manicure.
The contrast between the sparkly base and cheerful yellow smileys creates such a fun, celebratory vibe that I can’t help but smile.
13. Nude and Happy
A nude base with yellow smiley faces featuring multiple smiley designs per nail strikes the perfect balance.
This manicure proves that you don’t need bold colors to make a statement—sometimes subtlety speaks volumes.
14. Checkered Charm
White checkered patterns mixed with black smileys on accent nails, plus some French tip styling thrown in—this playful mix of patterns is absolutely adorable.
I think this design perfectly captures that trendy, Gen-Z aesthetic.
15. Shimmery Pink Smiles
Pale pink base with yellow smiley accents and a shimmery finish creates such a dreamy, ethereal look.
The shimmer adds that extra special touch that makes this manicure feel luxurious yet playful.
16. Electric Summer Vibes
Pink and yellow color scheme with star and lightning bolt designs alongside smiley face accents—this vibrant summer nail art is giving me all the positive energy.
Perfect for those who love to make a statement with their nails.
17. Melting Happiness
Pastel purple swirls, white floral designs, and yellow melting smiley faces on long pointed stiletto nails create such an artistic, avant-garde look.
If you’re into nail art that doubles as wearable art, this design is for you.
18. Purple Sun Smiles
Bright purple polish on most nails with yellow sun designs featuring smiley faces creates such a bold, happy contrast.
I’m obsessed with how the purple makes the yellow suns pop even more.
19. Purple Checkered Mix
Purple and white color palette with checkered patterns on accent nails and multiple smiley face designs creates a cohesive yet varied look.
The mix of solid color and patterned nails keeps things visually interesting.
20. Classic with a Twist
Nude base with white French tips and a yellow emoji on one nail—sometimes a single smiley is all you need.
This subtle approach is perfect for those who want just a hint of fun in their otherwise classic manicure.
21. Black and Orange Pop
Black glossy nails with an orange accent nail featuring a smiley face design create such a striking contrast.
This Halloween-ready design proves that smiley faces can work with any color palette.
22. Brown Checker Smiles
Brown and white checkered pattern nails mixed with white smiley nails and solid brown nails create such a cozy, autumn-inspired look.
I would definitely wear this design with my favorite fall sweater.
23. Gold Glitter Happy
Yellow smiley face designs on a glittery gold base paired with black and white checkered nails—talk about making a statement!
This combination is perfect for New Year’s Eve or any celebration.
24. Orange Blossom Smiles
Orange French tips with yellow smiley face accents and small flower designs create such a cheerful summer-inspired look.
The combination of citrus colors instantly brightens my mood.
25. Flame and Smile
Yellow flame nail art paired with smiley face accent nails brings the heat in the best way. This edgy take on smiley nails is perfect for those who like their nail art with a bit of attitude.
26. Cloud Nine Nails
Light blue French tips with white cloud designs featuring smiley faces and scattered mini smiley patterns create the most whimsical sky-inspired theme.
I think this design is absolutely dreamy and perfect for daydreamers.
27. Classic Yellow Smiles
Bright yellow base color with black smiley face designs—sometimes sticking to the classics is the way to go.
This traditional take on smiley face nails never goes out of style.
28. Melting Black Tips
Black French tips with yellow melting smiley face designs on a nude base create such an interesting contrast.
The melting effect adds a trendy, artistic touch to the traditional smiley face.
29. Eclectic Pattern Mix
Yellow smiley face accent nail, black leopard print design, French tip with black accent, and solid black nail—this eclectic mix of patterns shouldn’t work, but somehow it does!
Perfect for those who love to break the rules.
30. Neon Green Happiness
Bright neon green nail polish with yellow smiley face designs featuring multiple smileys on each nail—this electric combination is impossible to ignore.
I suggest this design for anyone wanting to make a bold, happy statement.
31. Daisy Smiles
Yellow nail polish on some nails with clear base coat on others featuring white daisy flower designs and yellow smiley face centers on the daisies—this clever incorporation of smileys into floral designs is absolutely genius.
It’s the perfect spring manicure that combines two happy elements into one cohesive design.