7 Bold Nail Looks To Usher In Leo Season

Of all the signs of the zodiac, the most attention-grabbing is Leo — because that's exactly how they want it. Fiercely loyal, confident (sometimes to a fault), egotistical, stubborn, and kind, these natural-born leaders take the word "bold" and not only roll with it, but give it a new meaning.

"Leos are the life of the party (and wherever they are tbh)," astrologer Betty Andrews tells Glamour. If this zodiac sign had a signature holiday, it would be New Year's Day, complete with the confetti, ball drop, and all. "Confident, creative, and effortlessly charming, they're the ones who effortlessly steal the spotlight without even trying, leaving everyone in awe of their natural magnetism ... Under all of that, there's a need to be loved and a suspicion that they have to be larger than life to earn that love," Andrews continued. 

In honor of Leo season and Leos the world over, we gathered a selection of some of the boldest Leo-inspired manicures under the sun. (Get it? Because Leo is ruled by the sun!) Whether you're a Leo about to celebrate your season or just someone who happens to love a manicure that says so much and then some, it's time to get inspired by some seriously impressive nail looks.

You don't have to be a Jackson Pollock fan to know that abstract art never goes out of style. We saw that with freehand abstract tattoos becoming trendy in the 2020s, and now, the art style is popping up in our manicures. Choose what colors best fit your personality, let the nail artist do the rest, and you'll get yourself an attention-seeking nail look that's so very Leo.

The coquette beauty trend hit the scene hard in 2023 and is still thriving. Ultra-feminine and almost too sweet for words, coquette plays with pastels and imagery that's always just one step away from a fairytale. If you're loving this trend and all it represents, then lean into it and, because it's Leo season, give it a Leo twist by adding the Leo symbol, the constellation, or a sweet lion covered in bows. This is your chance to get creative and whimsical.

Not sure you have what it takes to go all out with your manicure? No worries. There's a cure for that it and it's called the accent nail. An accent nail is an easy way to spice up a no-frills manicure without too much commitment. "[The accent nail is] a nod to the minimalistic vibe and also a throwback to the Y2K era," celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec tells Popsugar. In other words, it has all the elements for what it takes to be ridiculously en vogue. For Leo season, a little lion on one finger communicates confidence without being over-the-top. 

As much as Leo symbols and lions are fantastic ideas for nail art, they're certainly not the only imagery that comes to mind when talking (or thinking) about the fire sign. Unlike other signs that are ruled by planets or the moon, Leo is ruled by the sun. The sun is actually a star and its energy is paramount to our very existence. Because of this, it's not just at the center of our solar system, but at the center of our lives — just like every Leo you know. So, let that 4.5 billion-year-old yellow dwarf star inspire you and bring on the rays of sunshine with solar designs in vibrant warm colors. Finish the look with 3d nail charms for the ultimate, statement-making manicure.

One of the worst things about manicures is that we only have 10 fingers. Instead of settling for one design, make the most of every nail you have by giving each one its own story to create a whole party in Leo's honor. The maximalist look is everything the fire sign is all about. Choose a bright eye-catching color, sparkles, a sweet treat of your choice, images that scream Leo, and you've created a chaotic masterpiece that's a little of this and a little of that. 

If you want to keep it low key, but also stick to the high energy of Leo season, then go for the modern French manicure. This is an easy way to breathe new life into the traditional French mani and it gives you far more color options. Once that step is decided upon and settled, choose how you'll add Leo components. As we've seen, the trendy chrome nail aesthetic is still popular, so consider how you can work that in to add some pizzazz to your whole look.

Sometimes the best way to showcase your Leo-ness is to straight-up spell it all out. Then, because that's probably not enough for most Leos, combine it with the Leo symbol and toss in some angel numbers as well for good measure. Naturally, being so bold and over-the-top belongs to Leos, but that doesn't mean the rest of the zodiacs can't give it a try. 

But no matter your zodiac sign, just know if you go super big in your manicure look, you will, undoubtedly, find yourself at the center of everyone's attention. Not exactly the best thing if you happen to be a Cancer or Aquarius, so those two signs may want to consider other nail looks this Leo season.