35+ Black and White Smiley Face Nail Designs

As a nail art lover, you’ve probably experimented with many designs.

There’s something uniquely alluring about having your nails painted stark white and black, with the happiness of a smiley face for good measure—a combination both timeless and trendy!

However, how difficult would it be to take this style to new heights? How can tricks be devised to achieve seamless perfection every single time?

Join us as we highlight more than 35 black and white smiley face nail designs to inspire your next nail art endeavor.

Stay here – here’s the scoop on these secrets about nail art!

Understanding Nail Art Basics

However, you must understand the basics before you get into black-and-white nail art. 

Think of nail art tools as brushes to your imagination, with items such as a dotting tool, a striper, and a detail brush. It’s important to know what each tool is used for and how to use it to make your design as precise as possible.

Then, find some inspiration. Design inspiration can come from magazines, Pinterest, and the world around you. 

Maybe it’s the bold combination of black and white in a zebra’s stripes, the magic of a spider’s web, or the simplicity of a chessboard.

Let your creativity run wild and consider the vast range of nail art possibilities. This isn’t a place for restraint.

Prepping Nails for Design

By now, you have learned the basics of nail art and collected a healthy amount of inspiration from the world, so it’s time to get your nails prepped for its black and white makeover! 

Step one is cuticle care, so ensure your cuticles are soft and well-hydrated. Apply a cuticle oil and then push it back with a cuticle pusher.

Now for the shaping. File your nails to a square, rounded, or oval shape so they’re even, and use a fine-grit nail file for a pristine finish.

File in the same direction, lest you split your nails or leave a sandpapery rim. This creates a blank canvas.

Simple Smiley Face Design

Let’s start with our simplest little design, the smiley face. It’s a simple character-recognition investment and a bold nod to the Emoticon Evolution that any nail artist novice should be able to pull off.

• First, you create a simple base, perhaps a white color.
• Second, paint a coat of the color you want. This design benefits from a contrast between black and white.
• Then, color in the smile with a fine brush. Keep it plain and simple.

• Then, add the eyes and the iconic smile. Remember, it’s all about expression!
• When it is complete, you can seal your creation with a resin top coat. This product ensures that your artwork is glossy and safe from the elements.

Classic Black and White Stripes

Step into the world of classic black-and-white stripes and experience classic, polished style.

These monochrome nail trends hit that sweet spot between sophistication and edginess, offering polished perfection as a minimalist statement.

To achieve this look, you need to master applying the stripes.

So, paint all your nails white, grab a thin brush dipped in black polish, and draw a complete straight line of length on each nail in the desired order and content.

You can also vary the shape of your stripes to give them a dynamic touch.

If you need a kick, add a swipe of the most glittery stripe or a splash of color. 

Polka Dots and Smiley Faces

Moving away from the pointy precision of the stripes to the fluffiness of polka dots and smiley faces — pop culture peeks out of your fingertips, ready for mischief, fun, and fashion. 

To get you started, here are some ideas:

• Go large and garish with the polka dots and the smiley: a double fun look. 
• If subtlety is your style, try tiny dots and a miniature, discreet smiley.
• Mix and match sizes of both dots and smileys for an eclectic vibe.
• Experiment with black dots on a white base or vice versa.
• Incorporate other symbols from pop culture for a design that’s uniquely you.

Polka dots and smiley faces are in the spirit of our digital realm but with a sophisticated edge. 

Abstract Smiley Face Art

Now, on for Abstract Smiley Face Art for those times when you want to retain your happiness narrative but extend beyond the classic smiley.

This design is a sophisticated reinterpretation of the smiley face, combining the medium’s understated minimalism with the ebullient, flat colors of the Pop Art technique.

Your smiley doesn’t have to be simple and basic—play with geometric shapes, curved lines, or broken images. You can also draw inspiration from other abstract art on nail designs.

In essence, you’re creating a fashion statement and a conversation piece.

Smiley Face French Manicure

Having learned to appreciate these abstract smiley faces, apply this creative sense when reinventing a classic French manicure with your twist.

Each brush stroke would captivate your Emotional Impact of Smiles right at your fingertips.

To achieve this, consider the following steps:

• Start with a clean, well-prepped nail base.
• Apply a nude or pale pink polish all over your nails.
• Paint the tips white, creating the classic French manicure look.
• You have to use a small brush to create this little smiley face with the black dots on the white end. 
• Seal your design with a good-quality top coat.

Embrace this modern twist on the French manicure, and let your nails flaunt their tales of the joy of dressing up. 

Mixed Patterns With Smiley Accent

Dive headfirst into mixed patterns and smiley accent nails, and you will transform every nail into a realm of glorious patterns and pop-art glory. 

Now, paint it out in chic black and white: stripes, polka dots, or checks – you name it. It’s your canvas, your world.

Then, add the fun with the smiley gradient that might turn your manicure into an edible delight, moving from a tender sunny yellow into a fire engine red and topped with a cheerful smiley face.

This is ‘emoji on nails’ with a twist! Who could ignore this beautiful and colorful display of unique personality? 

Negative Space Smiley Design

For the minimalist ‘less-is-more’ look, consider a negative space smiley face manicure where the negative space of the empty nail is part of the design, anchoring bold, black smiley faces. 

This style combines smiley symbolism and emotional representation, creating a playful yet chic vibe.

Here are some ideas on how to achieve this:

• Start with clean, well-shaped nails for the best foundation.
• Use a thin brush to draw the smiley faces, ensuring neat lines.
• Experiment with different Smiley expressions to vary emotional representation.
• Apply a top coat to seal in the design and add shine.
• Finally, remember to have fun and let your creativity run wild.

This design is all about embracing simplicity while still making a statement.

Smiley Face Nail Stickers

And even though drawing Smiley faces by hand might be stylishly minimalist, Smiley Face Nail Stickers are a quick, easy, and mobile way of showing your artistry.

Not only are these stickers easy to apply, but they also make Smiley decal stickiness last longer.

Stickers are just as easy to apply. Put on your base coat, let it dry, attach the sticker to your nail, and press it lightly and firmly down. 

When it’s stuck, dab on the topcoat to seal your Smiley and keep it there for days. 

Your hand-drawing skills no longer limit you, as you can now effortlessly achieve professional-looking manicures at home. All it takes is your imagination to be truly innovative! 

Matte Black and White Smiley

Trend-forward matte black or white smiley faces take monochrome looks to another level of fun. Nail art with smiley symbolism is adorable, optimistic, and happy.

The contrast of matte and gloss can achieve a high visual effect, which is why monochrome designs are now a big trend. 

Here are some ideas to help you customize this trend:

• Add sparkles to the smiley for a fun twist
• Try a negative space design for minimalist appeal
• Incorporate geometric patterns for a modern look
• Opt for a glossy top coat for added sophistication
• Mix matte and glossy finishes for a unique texture

This is an ideal marriage of flirty and sophisticated, and it will certainly become a conversation piece for your nails.

Do your nails a favor and let their work speak for itself! 

Glitter Smiley Nail Art

Take your smiley nail art to the next level and add a glittery core to create dazzle and sparkle. Not only that, but once you master the techniques of glitter placements, you can achieve stunning effects. 

First, brush on clear polish with a sponge brush, ensuring the polish is a bit tacky before pressing the glitter pieces on top.

Use a toothpick or very small brush to place the glitter exactly how you want it. Use glitter of different sizes, shapes, and colors to create inventive designs.

Add another, more recent, holographic smiley trend to the mix: holographic glitter! The holographic glittering glow makes your smiley faces vivid and 3D.

When light hits your nails, you’ll see the glittery holographic rainbow color reflected on your nails.

It’s a fun, trendy approach to smiley nail art that will turn heads.

3D Smiley Face Design

3D Smiley Face Design brings your sweet smiles to a new level with its fun take on classic smiley nail art. It adds an extra three-dimensional layer to your cute little nails.

This design is a creative blend of pop art influences and emoji nail design trends.

To achieve this look:

• Start with a clean, primed nail canvas
• Apply a bold, monochrome base color
• Paint a three-dimensional ‘D’ shaped smiley face
• Use a fine brush for detailing
• Seal with a top coat for a lasting finish

You’ll be sparking the trend, having fun, and drawing attention! It’s a perfect representation of your fun-loving personality and artistic flair.

Smiley Face Nail Stamps

Next, Smiley Face Nail Stamps add a wow factor to your nail designs without needing steady hand painting.

Adding the stamping technique and creating your DIY nail stamps could reflect your moods and styles.

Here is how to do it: You paint the nail stamp with nail polish, scrape off the rest, and stamp it onto your nail.

The coolest thing of all? It’s up to you. Try different designs or stamp a combination of black and white marks to make a high-contrast, bold design.

You could also find or make your smiley face stamp. This innovative nail art technique opens up a world of creative possibilities!

Mixing Colors With Black and White

Play around with black and white, and you will find an endless palette of shades you can create, each offering a different mood and style for your nail art.

Opposites attract, meaning that colors like black and white create a beautiful spectrum of greyscale gradients when mixed in what’s known as Contrasting Color Theory.

Here’s how to play around with these two colors:

• Start applying a white base, then slowly add black to create different shades.
• Try layering black and white polishes for a textured look.
• Use a sponge to create a smooth transition between the colors.
• Experiment with adding glitter or shimmer to your black-and-white designs.
• Create a monochrome French manicure, alternating between black and white.

With these tricks, your nails are your canvas, always pushing your creative boundaries. 

Black and White Smiley Face Nail Ideas

You have examined over 35 black and white nail art with happy smiley faces. Plenty of options are out there, from simple art to 3D and glitter smiles on nail art. 

Mixing colors with black and white while maintaining the smiley theme is a bold way to switch things up.

So don’t hold back: be creative. Be an artist with your nails. You’re ready to go—with the steps to prep your nails and start doing nail art. 

Happy designing!

Get the scoop on more like this:

• 55+ Black and White Christmas Nail Designs for the Holidays
• 95+ Spooky Black and White Halloween Nail Designs to Try
• 35+ Best Groovy Nail Designs to try
• 35+ Shiny Nail Designs