Smiling blonde woman standing beside white garden flowers

87 nail art designs featuring unexpected colour combinations

By Jess Watts | 17 September 2026 | Art & Technique

Long neon green and pink abstract-patterned acrylic nails

Check out entries to the 16 September 2026 nail art challenge from Scratch, in which techs were tasked with creating a design to fit the theme: Unexpected Colour Combinations.

Each nail style was submitted via Instagram or Facebook using #ShowScratch #CreativeChallenge.

Follow Scratch on Instagram and Facebook for future Creative Challenges – launching every other Wednesday.

Colourful abstract drip nail art on short nails
Image courtesy of Nicola Fincham
Hands with colourful apple-themed nail art and gold ring
Image courtesy of Megan Roberts Allen
Neon and patterned long acrylic nails
Image courtesy of Nikita Louise
Hands with colourful neon French tip manicure
Image courtesy of Sandra San
Hand with turquoise and gold glitter manicure
Image courtesy of Lisa Smith
Hands with glossy neon green and purple manicure
Image courtesy of Malwina Stolarek
Purple and blue polka-dot manicure on long nails
Image courtesy of Ana Gabriela Barrientos
Hands displaying glossy pink, olive and tortoiseshell nail art
Image courtesy of Nails and Beauty by T
Colourful abstract 3D nail art on long nails
Image courtesy of Claws by Carly
Purple manicure with colourful floral and paisley nail art
Image courtesy of Amanda Barkham Nail Artist
Hands with colourful long stiletto nail art
Image courtesy of Claw’d By LeiLei Nail Studio
Colourful 3D abstract nail art on tattooed hands
Image courtesy of Alt Beauty
Orange and leopard-print manicure with pink accent nail
Image courtesy of Becky Tosh
Red and pink cherry-striped manicure on square nails
Image courtesy of Heather Hettrick
Mustard, glitter and blue cow-print nail art
Image courtesy of Yvonne Webster
Green and ladybird nail art holding lilac flowers
Image courtesy of Natalia Kowalkowska
Pink and blue abstract basketball-inspired nail art
Image courtesy of Jennifer Casanova
Hands displaying colourful gradient floral nail art
Image courtesy of Claire Williams
Magenta almond nails with vivid turquoise French tips
Image courtesy of Ntina Tsihlas
Neon pink and green heart nail art
Image courtesy of Sophie Louise Anglesey
Blue and coral striped polka-dot manicure on hands
Image courtesy of Emma Young
Hands displaying colourful neon abstract nail art
Image courtesy of Jordan Newby
Hands displaying colourful striped nail art and ring
Image courtesy of Alpha Beauty
Neon yellow flower nail art with silver rings
Image courtesy of Jay Marballie
Navy and gold glitter nail art on hands
Image courtesy of Vicki Wilson Nail Technician Exclusive
Halloween acrylic nails with ghosts, spiderwebs and orange accents
Image courtesy of Delia Caruso
Nude nails with colourful floral French tips
Image courtesy of Linda Williamson
Hands displaying colourful abstract patterned long acrylic nails
Image courtesy of Anna Carroll
Five colourful African-inspired patterned artificial nail tips
Image courtesy of Nails by zoe barnes
Glossy red floral nail art on beige nails
Image courtesy of Vicky Fisher
Blue floral and brown striped stiletto nail art
Image courtesy of Sara Tuzinkiewicz
Hands with glittery teal, pink and gold grid nail art
Image courtesy of Nailed by Clare
Hands displaying pastel and chocolate polka-dot nail art
Image courtesy of Katz Nails & Beauty
Neon pink and green leopard-print acrylic nails
Image courtesy of Paula-Marie Churchill
Tattooed hands displaying colourful Halloween-themed stiletto nail art
Image courtesy of DeadGlam – Hair & Beauty
Colourful floral stiletto nails with rhinestone-accented coral nail
Image courtesy of Julie Quinn Cornes
Colourful stained-glass nail art on long acrylic nails
Image courtesy of Heather Leitch
Hands displaying colourful glitter manicures and silver jewellery
Image courtesy of Nails By Nikita
Colourful striped and polka-dot nail art on hands
Image courtesy of Louise Bradshaw
Long nails with teal, red and silver marble design
Image courtesy of Keeley Duggan
Glossy nude nails with pink, blue and red striped tips
Image courtesy of Kerry Rees
Hands with colourful abstract nail art and diamond ring
Image courtesy of Ginine Huggitt
Hands with colourful Halloween nail art and finger tattoos
Image courtesy of Katy Mercury
Hands displaying colourful abstract pastel gel nail art
Image courtesy of Robyn Olivia (Signature Nails)
Hands with colourful abstract and leopard-print nail art
Image courtesy of Donna Sutton
Neon yellow, purple and leopard-print manicure
Image courtesy of Kerry Pegg
Pink and zebra-print acrylic nails with diamond ring
Image courtesy of Tarsha Lea Nails & Makeup
Tortoiseshell nails decorated with brightly coloured star appliqués
Image courtesy of As’ka Baran
Glossy green and brown marble nail art with gold detailing
Image courtesy of Evgenia Mourati
Hands with colourful abstract nail art and silver rings
Image courtesy of Simply Gel By Rachel
Hand displaying glossy green, tortoiseshell and pink nail art
Image courtesy of Haus of Beauty
Colourful abstract geometric nail art with black lines
Image courtesy of Tricia Schooling
Colourful abstract neon nail art on manicured hands
Image courtesy of Udderly Beautiful Nails & Beauty
Colourful abstract neon nail art with gold foil accents
Image courtesy of Kayleigh-anne Cork (The Beauty Annex)
Hands with colourful abstract nail art and sunflower ring
Image courtesy of Dannielle Jane Punton
Glossy red nails with bright turquoise French tips
Image courtesy of Maria Bourne
Glossy tortoiseshell nails with vivid blue abstract accents
Image courtesy of Sage Blossom Beauty
Neon pink, purple and floral manicure with green tips
Image courtesy of Karen Evans
Colourful floral and ladybird 3D nail art manicure
Image courtesy of Aurelija O’Neill
Orange and purple leopard-print almond-shaped manicure
Image courtesy of Nails by jan at Elite Hair and beauty
Hand with colourful abstract gradient nail art
Image courtesy of Irina Shemet (Instagram.com/nail_station_im)
Pastel blue nails with colourful plaid line art
Image courtesy of The Pampervan
Colourful stiletto nails with tropical palm designs and gems
Image courtesy of Ongles Ananas
Hands displaying colourful floral and abstract nail art
Image courtesy of The Yorkshire Nail Shed
Colourful tropical floral nail art on manicured hands
Image courtesy of Claire Knight
Hands with colourful leopard-print nail art and rings
Image courtesy of Louise Michelle Skull
Galaxy-themed false nails with colourful planets and astronaut designs
Image courtesy of Angharad Davies
Hands with smoky floral nail art and white curved lines
Image courtesy of Sarah Cullen
Hands displaying neon pink and turquoise patterned acrylic nails
Image courtesy of Nicci Coleman
Hand with red floral nail art and gemstone ring
Image courtesy of Tilly Thwaites
Long stiletto nails with colourful leopard-print French tips
Image courtesy of Rozita Simeonova
Orange animal-print acrylic nails on hands
Image courtesy of Zulema Naciff
Pink and orange marble French manicure on square nails
Image courtesy of Laura-Jayne Martin
Hands with blue and yellow star-patterned nail art
Image courtesy of Courty Miskimmin-Moreland
Hands with colourful abstract nail art and diamond ring
Image courtesy of Kate Brookes
Yellow leopard-print nails with purple and black spots
Image courtesy of Jamie Louise Didlock
Collage of colourful hand-painted nail art designs
Image courtesy of Liesl Perryman
Hands displaying purple, orange and patterned autumn nail art
Image courtesy of Marni Keeble (Serenity Nails by Marni)
Animal-print turquoise manicure with Pantone colour swatch
Image courtesy of Cyrragh Harkin
Colourful graffiti nail art with cartoon woman accent nail
Image courtesy of Anna Suchecka
Autumnal nail art set with foxes, butterflies and glitter
Image courtesy of Instagram.com/seahorsebeauty_pressonnails
Hand with pink and red heart nail art
Image courtesy of Instagram.com/browandbeautyclub_
Hands with coral and colourful floral nail art
Image courtesy of Zoe Wilmot Calero
Dark floral and animal skull nail art
Image courtesy of Annie Bennett (Ambition Nails)
Five colourful abstract face nail art designs
Image courtesy of Ellen Rigg (Instagram.com/asv_nails_and_beauty)
Feet with colourful animal-print and patterned toenail art
Image courtesy of Betty-Rose Beauty Boutique
Neon green and pink abstract stiletto nail art
Image courtesy of Lindsey Salleyman
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