14 Crocodile Print Nail Designs That Make a Major Statement

By
Danielle Cohen
Danielle Cohen
Danielle Cohen

Danielle is New York-based beauty writer and editor. Her work has been featured in Allure, Elle, InStyle, Well + Good, and more.

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Published on 11/08/23 07:00AM
blue and silver chrome crocodile print nails

@overglowedit /Instagram

Animal print manicures are definitely trending, and lately, we've been gravitating toward a more reptilian take on the trend. We're talking about crocodile print nails. This scaly print is becoming popular amongst nail art aficionados for a few reasons: The print is easy to DIY at home and simple enough to layer alongside other manicure trends like mismatched nails and French tips. It's also endlessly adaptable—a monochromatic moment acts as a pumped-up neutral mani, while a bolder color scheme can make a major statement.

Ready to give the croc mani trend a go? We've rounded up our favorite crocodile nail designs below.

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Monochrome Croc

Light blue and navy croc print nails.

@gotg0ld/Instagram

If you're new to nail art, a monochrome crocodile print is the perfect way to dip your toe in the trend. The cool blue color palette helps give the typically bold look a softer feel.

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Glossy Green

Green realistic croc print nails.

@manicures.as/Instagram

A green-and-black croc print is about as classic as it gets. Add an extra-glossy top coat for an added wow factor, and you're good to go.

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Water Drop Croc

White croc print nails with water drops.

@bhambnails/Instagram

For a more realistic take on the print, add some well-placed shadowing around the scales and top with 3-D water droplets throughout. The result is an optical allusion that's equal parts sleek and sophisticated.

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Mix and Match

Croc print nails in purple and green on one hand and orange and green on the other.

@yo_keshh/Instagram

If you love bold manis, this mismatched, colorful croc print look is a must-try. While the inspiration opted for purple and green on one hand and orange and green on the other, feel free to switch things up as you please.

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Make It Matte

Brown croc print nails with matte scales.

@bhambnails/Instagram

Instead of playing with color, why not switch up the finishes? This brown-on-brown croc mani with matte scales is the perfect example of how beautiful a contrasting texture manicure can look. Achieve the look by carefully swiping a matte top coat onto the scale designs.

06 of 14

Neutrals But Make It Maximalist

croc print nails with different colors on each finger: green on cream, white on pink, brown on nude, orange on nude, and pink on white.

@brushedbyb_/Instagram

Croc print looks good in every color—even neutrals. Switching up shades on each creates the perfect maximal yet minimal mani.

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Croc Tips

Nude nail base with black croc pint on the upper half of the nail.

@swaknails/Instagram

There's so much to love about this manicure: the perfect nude base, the super-thin white space between the scales, and the grayish-black hue. To recreate, start with a nude base color and start your croc scales about halfway up the nail, creating different-sized blobs to give a more realistic look.

08 of 14

Croc French Tips

Pearly pink nails with a light blue and light pink croc print French tip.

@phoebesummernails/Instagram

For a more structured take on croc tips, opt for a classic French shape. Limiting the print to the French tips instead of all over the nail is another way to test the waters with this trend.

09 of 14

Iced Croc

Silver and baby blue crocodile print nails.

@overglowedit/Instagram

This manicure flawlessly combines two of the biggest nail trends of the year—croc print and chrome. Here, this nail look features a decidedly chiller take on croc nails with an ice-cold color palette. Think baby blues, bold silvers, and stark whites.

10 of 14

Crocodile Barbie

nude nails with hot pink crocodile print tips.

@myprettyset/Instagram

A hot pink manicure is stunning on its own. Add croc print into the mix, and it instantly takes your nail look to the next level.

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White Lines

Green and brown crocodile nails with water drops and white fine lines.

@angelsnailz/Instagram

This mani is all about the tiny details. The two-tone green, two-tone brown, ultra-fine white line work, and 3-D dew drops all seem small on their own but come together for the ultimate hyper-realistic look.

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Acid Neon

Acid neon croc print nails.

@imarninails/Instagram

This acid-neon take on the classic croc nails is so fun and fresh. It's edgy, bright, and absolutely mesmerizing.

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3-D Croc

Nude nails with green on green, 3D croc tips.

@angelsnailz/Instagram

For a more tactile take on croc nails, opt for 3-D scale accents. Between the intricate detailing and the green French tip, this manicure is an absolute stunner.

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Avant-Garde Croc

funky crocodile nails.

@manicures.as/Instagram

This is such a mesmerizing maximalist take on croc nails. Each nail features various colors and accents, giving this croc-inspired mani a truly unique feel.

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