Nail Painting Emoji: What Does 💅 Mean?

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Social media marketer Katelyn Rhoades explains how people use the nail polish emoji

Co-authored by Luke Smith, MFA Reviewed by Katelyn Rhoades

Last Updated: January 12, 2026 Fact Checked

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💅 Meanings

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Using 💅

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Variations

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Similar Emojis

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Q&A

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Tips

Are you wondering what the 💅 (nail polish) emoji means? This unique emoji is taking TikTok, WhatsApp, and other texting apps by storm and popping up in the most unlikely of places. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the 💅 (nail polish) emoji, from its many meanings to how to use it, plus similar emojis that share the same sassy vibe, with professional insights from social media marketer Katelyn Rhoades and social coach Cher Gopman.

What does the nail emoji (💅) mean?

Social media marketer Katelyn Rhoades says the nail polish emoji (💅) is used to convey a sassy or confident tone. It’s the online equivalent of looking at your nails after saying something, just to show you don’t really care, or that you’re not concerned with something others are upset about.

Section 1 of 4:

💅 (Nail Polish) Emoji Meanings

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A 💅 often indicates a confident or sassy tone. Rhoades says the nail polish emoji conveys a sassy, confident, or even slightly boastful tone, kind of like saying, “Yep, I am that girl” or “Oh yeah, I just did the thing.”^{[1]
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Expert Source

Katelyn Rhoades
Social Media Marketer

Expert Interview} People often use a 💅 to show that what they’ve sent is to be read in a bold and cheeky way, similar to “What are you going to do about it?” “I said what I said,” or, “Yeah, what about it?” It’s defiant, confident, unbothered, and too cool.^{[2]
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Research source} This usage is especially popular on TikTok, Twitter/X, and other social media sites, where it can sometimes frustrate other people when they see the user is acting sassy.
- Example: “I’d rather be painting my nails than talking to you 💅”
- Example: “If you don’t accept me at my worst, you don’t deserve me at my best 💅✨”
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Katelyn Rhoades is a social media marketing strategist based in Florida. She’s also the founder of Enfluence Marketing Studio, an award-winning social media marketing agency, and the host of the Call Her Creator podcast.

Cher Gopman is a social and dating coach, as well as the Founder of NYC Wingwoman LLC, a date coaching service based in New York City. Her work has been featured on Inside Edition, Fox, ABC, The New York Post, and VH1.
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A 💅 literally represents nail polish or makeup. Rhoades says she never uses the nail polish emoji to mean she literally got her nails done–she always uses it as more of a humble brag, like, “Yep, I did that.”^{[3]
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Expert Source

Katelyn Rhoades
Social Media Marketer

Expert Interview} That said, the 💅 is an image of someone getting their nails painted, and that’s how people use it sometimes. You may see someone replacing words like “manicure” or “nails” with a 💅, or pairing it with other makeup emojis like the 💄 and 💋.^{[4]
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Research source}
- Example: “We’re going to look absolutely fabulous!! 💅💋”
- Example: “So excited to get my 💅 done! Gonna match them to my 💄!”
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The 💅 radiates self-confidence. Painting your nails can be an instant mood booster, and the 💅 is no different! Someone may use a 💅 to say, “I’m feeling confident,” especially if they’re talking about makeup, beauty, or relationships. Gopman says that using an emoji here and there in your messages, like the nail polish emoji, to show you’re having “lighthearted fun.”^{[5]
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Expert Source

Cher Gopman
Social Coach

Expert Interview}
- Example: “Gotta make sure I look amazing for our date tonight 💅😉”
- Example: “Nothing’s going to stop me! 💅💃🏻”

Section 2 of 4:

How to Use the 💅 (Nail Polish) Emoji

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Feeling sassy? Add a finger-snap to your message with a 💅. The 💅 radiates bold energy most closely related to the 💁, especially when you’re dishing some tea! Try adding this playful emoji to your texts or TikTok captions.^{[6]
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Research source}
- Example: “Honey, he doesn’t know what he has coming 💅”
- Example: “Love me or hate me, I’m still gonna shine 💅💁”
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Feeling confident? Caption a selfie with a 💅 to say, “I’m feeling myself!” A little bit of confidence never hurt anyone, and this sassy emoji can show the world you’re a force to be reckoned with.
- Example: “Like the new cut? I decided to go short, and I’m OBSESSED 😍💅”
- Example: “Tonight’s dinner look 😘💅”
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Totally over it? Tell someone you can’t be bothered with a 💅. This unique emoji can come across as a bit haughty and pretentious, but in a fun, catty way. It’s a simple way of saying, “I couldn’t care less,” without being entirely rude.
- Example: “It’s not like I care what he thinks 💅”
- Example: “You guys are ridiculous 🙄💅”
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Getting glammed up? Pair the 💅 with a pic of your latest mani pedi. Above all else, the 💅 is a super cute representation of a manicure. You can use this emoji to replace the words “manicure,” “nail polish,” “nails,” or even “self-care.”^{[7]
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Research source}
- Example: “Sometimes you and the bestie just need a little TLC 💅💆🏼‍♀️🧘‍♀️”
- Example: “The 💅 are looking good!!”

Section 3 of 4:

💅 (Nail Polish) Emoji Variations

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With various skin tones, there’s a 💅 for everyone! You can pick the emoji that resonates the most with you, or even one representing a friend. Either way, there are five variations you can choose from:
- 💅🏻: Light Skin Tone
- 💅🏼: Medium-Light Skin Tone
- 💅🏽: Medium Skin Tone
- 💅🏾: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
- 💅🏿: Dark Skin Tone

Section 4 of 4:

Similar Emojis

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💁 (person tipping hand) This emoji depicts a person with a raised hand, positioned as if they’re carrying a tray. More and more, though, users online are using it to add sass or flair to a catty response, since it kind of looks like someone flipping their hair, or giving a half-hearted shrug.
- Example: “If you can’t understand my message, that’s a you problem. 💁🏽‍♀️”
- Example: “People hated this movie, but I still really love it. I guess that’s just taste. 💁🏼‍♀️”
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🙄 (face with rolling eyes) This emoji shows a face in the middle of an eye roll. You can probably guess it’s used to give your message a whole lot of attitude or sarcasm, and to show other people that you’re so over it.
- Example: “Yeah, right, as if that will ever work. 🙄”
- Example: “Everything’s just sunshine and rainbows for you, huh? 🙄”
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💆🏼‍♀️ (person getting massage) This emoji shows someone getting their forehead and scalp massaged, and is used to convey relaxation, luxury, or treating yourself, like the nail polish emoji sometimes does.
- Example: “Can’t wait to get out of class and watch my shows.💆🏼‍♀️”
- Example: “Sorry, I can’t come. I’m too busy staying in my lane.💆🏼‍♀️”

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What does medium skin tone mean?

Community Answer

It just means an emoji with a medium skin tone. Because people come in different colors, the emojis are made to reflect that.

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Tips

Sometimes the nail polish 💅 emoji is used to refer to someone in the LGBTQ+ community. For example: “I’m a little 💅 if you know what I mean.” In this case, it’s often humorous and not serious, as an LGBTQ+ in-joke.

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