FAQs – Everything You Need To Know About Cherry Manicures

photo: @samrosenails

A manicure that looks good enough to eat? Say less! To help you get your daily dose of fruit this year, we’re sharing everything you need to know about cherry nail art — from the ideas behind the trend to our tips for creating your own cute design at home. Let’s get into it!

What We Love About the Cherry Nail Design Trend

photo: @han.polished

Cherry nails are officially one of the sweetest nail trends for 2025, and we couldn’t be more obsessed! Unlike some of the more minimalist nail designs that have been trending recently (milky nails, we’re looking at you), cherry nail ideas are bright, fun, and totally drool-worthy. It’s like having a taste of summer at your fingertips…talk about the ultimate mood booster!

And we’re not the only ones who are loving this trend. We’ve seen cute cherry nail art all over our social media lately — even Hailey Bieber has rocked a cherry manicure! With the classic red color palette and nostalgic Y2K vibes, it’s no wonder everyone is embracing their cherry era right now.

Looking for more ideas for your summer mani? We’ve rounded up the hottest nail designs for the season!

Items You’ll Need To Draw Cherries On Your Nails

photo: @phoebesummernails

Not only is cherry nail art super adorable, but DIYing cute cherries on your nails is actually way easier than it looks! If you want to try out this juicy nail trend at home, here are the essential items you’ll need to get the look.

Dotting tools

To DIY a cherry nail design, you first need to create two red dots (aka, the cherries). And with nail dotting tools, you can achieve a perfectly round dot every time! Just dip the end of the dotting pen in the red polish, press it onto your nails, and voilá: a perfect cherry.

Nail art brushes

The other essential element of a cherry nail design? A bright green stem. If you’re DIYing your cherries, you’ll need small nail art brushes to create these fine lines — as well as other cute nail designs, like French tips or dainty leaves!

Nail stickers or decals

Not a nail art pro? No prob! You can also create stunning cherry nail ideas at home using fruity nail stickers or decals. Just stick them on your nails (you may have to soak them in water first, depending on the type), seal them with a top coat, and you’re pretty much golden!

A strong top coat

Speaking of a top coat, this layer is a must-have for protecting your cherry nail art and giving your manicure a long-lasting finish. Opt for a clear top coat for a glossy shine, or mix it up with an iridescent top coat for a dreamy shimmer!

Bright nail polish

And last but certainly not least, you can’t DIY cherries on your nails without the right nail polish. For a classic cherry design, you’ll need red and green polish — and any other fun hues you want to add to the mix!

How To Do Cherry Nail Art – Step By Step DIY Design Tutorial

photo: @_i.b.beauty_

Ready to start DIYing? Dip your fingers into the trend with this step-by-step tutorial for how to create cute cherry nail ideas at home!

1. Apply your base coat

This base layer protects your bare nails and gives your design a professional look. Choose a clear or nude base coat for a classic cherry manicure, or go bold with a bright color like pink or blue.

2. Add your cherries

Use a nail dotting pen and red polish to add two red dots side by side on your nails. Space them far enough apart that the nail polish won’t bleed together, but close enough that they look like two cherries from the same stem. These can be as small or as large as you’d like — different sized pens will give you a different sized dot!

3. Draw a stem

To achieve that identifiable cherry look, use a small nail art brush and bright green nail polish to draw two thin lines from the top of each red dot, connecting them together at the other end. This should create a triangular shape above the cherries….just like a little stem!

4. Add some finishing touches

While you can stop DIYing after the last step, there are a few ways to make your cherries look even more realistic (and adorable). Add a curved white line on top of each red dot to give your cherries a realistic shine, or draw a dainty leaf at the top of the stem for a cute finishing touch. It’s the little details that make your cherry design pop!

5. Finish with a top coat

To seal your cherry nail art, don’t forget to add a layer of top coat over your design. This will help you avoid any chips or scratches as you show off your cute cherries, while also giving your manicure a glossy finish!

The Cutest Cherry Nails Inspo To Inspire Your Next Manicure

photo: @napaznokciach

Get ready for your sweetest manicure yet with these cute cherry nail design ideas! We’ve rounded up all our favorite maraschino inspired manis, from bright fruity ideas to short + simple styles (and even one design inspired by Harry Styles). They give the term “finger food” a whole new meaning!

Plus, we’re also sharing a few tips, tricks, and must-have products to help you DIY this cherry nail art at home. Keep scrolling for our faves!

1. Cute 3D Cherry Nails

photos: @peachinails

Is anyone else getting hungry?? These fruit themed nails truly look good enough to eat, with 3D cherries that seem to pop right off the nude base coat. YUM! To get the 3D look, add a dot of sculpting gel on top of the red dot designs — or enlist the help of a nail art pro to serve up this drool-worthy manicure.

2. Pink Cherry French Manicure

photo: @monika_nails

This manicure is giving us major Y2K vibes, and we are HERE for it! Lean into the nostalgia by combining itty bitty cherry nail art with a hot pink French tip design. It’s fun, it’s bold, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Best paired with butterfly clips and a bedazzled flip phone!

3. Mismatched Cherry Nail Art

photo: @peachinails

Can’t decide on just one nail art design for your next mani? Then don’t! For indecisive nail lovers (hi, it’s me), get the best of ALL the worlds with this cute mismatched design, featuring neon swirls, trendy checkerboards, and cherry nail art.

4. Pearlescent Cherry Nail Design

photo: @simlynail

Add a dose of glamour to your cherry nail art with this dreamy pearlescent design. To get the whimsical look, this nail artist used a dotting tool to add swirls to the iridescent pearl nail polish. Complete with two cherry designs (which you can recreate with these nail decals), it’s a glamorous take on the cutesy trend.

5. Trendy Black + White Cherry Manicure

photo: @nailartbychlo

Ready to embrace your cherry era? This cute nail design makes cherries the star of the show, with the adorable fruit sitting front and center on each nail. For a chic and trendy touch, use a small dotting tool to add a black and white frame around each design. Like little pieces of artwork for your fingers!

6. Coquette Themed Cherry Nail Design

photo: @tamaminails

If you love the coquette aesthetic as much as we do, then you’ll definitely want to screenshot this nail design for your next salon appointment! From the adorable bow details to the cute cherries to the pink + red color palette, we. are. obsessed.

7. Cute Coffin Shaped Cherry Nails

photo: @napaznokciach

This one’s for the coffin nail girlies! If you’re looking for cute cherry nail ideas with a coffin shape, it doesn’t get much sweeter than this design. We love the cherry nail art combined with the cute white swirls — almost like maraschino cherries on top of whipped cream!

8. Red Heart Cherry Nail Art

photo: @maisiejacksonbeauty

These cute cherry nails will have everyone doing a double-take! Instead of traditional cherries, they feature dainty red hearts at the end of each stem. Such a cute idea for your next date night or romantic getaway!

9. Blue French Tip Nails With Cherries

photo: @phoebesummernails

These nails have us dreaming of sunny days, blue skies, and picnics in the park. SWOON! If you want to upgrade your go-to French manicure for the warmer months, it doesn’t get better than this cute design, complete with baby blue tips and tiny cherry nail art.

10. Cute Fruit Inspired Manicure

photo: @the_nail_girl_lowestoft_

When it comes to cute nail ideas, in Hailey Bieber we trust — and her latest manicure looks a lot like this fruit snack design! It’s like a farmer’s market stand in nail form, with all our seasonal faves, from cherries to lemons to blueberries.

11. Bejeweled Cherry French Manicure

photo: @pop_polished

Prepare to make the whole place ~shimmer~ with this bejeweled cherry nail design! If you want to add a little sparkle to your mani, swap your red nail polish for these glittering nail rhinestones. Paired with shimmery rosy-hued French tips, these dazzling nails are the MOMENT.

12. Romantic Red Cherry Nail Design

photo: @heluviee

We had to include another bedazzled cherry design — because there’s no such thing as TOO much sparkle for our nail ideas, amiright?! This one channels a sultry and romantic vibe, with a deep cherry red hue and dainty crystal rhinestones. And don’t even get us started on that cute bow detail!

13. Picnic Themed Cherry Nail Art

photo: @lolo.nailedit

It’s officially picnic szn, and this cute nail design is the perfect way to celebrate. We love how the red cherries pop against the blue + white gingham pattern, which you can recreate using a small nail art brush. They’re the yummiest side dish for your next outdoor spread!

14. Bright Pink and Green Cherry Manicure

photo: @phoebesummernails

Alexa, play “Cherry” by Harry Styles! This cherry nail design is inspired by Harry’s Love on Tour, featuring colors from his brand of chic and biodegradable nail polish called Pleasing. Such a cute manicure for all our fellow Harry Styles stans out there!

15. Short Cherry + Cheetah Print Nails

photo: @safinailstudio

Cherries and cheetah print? It’s the nail combo we didn’t know we needed! Add a ~wild~ touch to your cherry manicure with these leopard print nail wraps. It’s the perfect way to make your fruit themed nails stand out from the crowd this year.

16. Minimalist Cherry Accent Nails

photo: @learnahstarbuck_nailartist

We’re obsessing over this understated take on cherry nail art that proves sometimes less really is more! The soft pink base gives major “your nails but better” vibes, while those tiny black cherry details on just a few accent nails add the perfect pop of whimsy without going overboard.

17. Cherry Blossom Meets Cherrycore Nails

photo: @pearliepressed

This dreamy mani is giving us major spring vibes with its soft blue base and adorable cherry motifs scattered like confetti! We’re totally obsessed with how this design combines the classic cherry trend with delicate floral vibes — it’s like cherry blossoms and actual cherries had the cutest nail art baby.

18. Cherry Red French Tips with 3D Cherry Art

photo: @kuypernailart

Now THIS is how you do cherry nails with maximum impact! We’re absolutely living for this bold take that combines classic cherry red French tips with those adorable 3D cherry details and tiny gems on the accent nails. The contrast between the glossy red tips and the soft pink base is chef’s kiss.

Our Favorite Nail Art Inspo For Your Next Manicure

photo: @nailsbyalsn

Need more inspo for your next mani? We have the perfect nail guides for the job, with unique ideas for every style and occasion — from the latest trends (like these cherry designs) to cute seasonal manicures. Check out all our nail guides and ideas here!

By Hannah McKennett, Kelsey Klos, Jen Campbell