Fresh and fun summer nail design ideas to inspire your next manicure. Tips on choosing the perfect style, maintaining your nails, and making your summer look unforgettable.
It’s summer and there’s never been a better time to update your nails with colors and designs that scream bright and sunny.
Think bright neons, tropical florals and whimsical prints in soft pastel hues that reflect a carefree summer spirit.
Whether you’re going on a beach vacation, getting dolled up for backyard parties or simply want to add a touch of sun to your everyday style, the perfect summer manicure can instantly boost your spirits and polish your look.
Minimalist styles with a glint of shimmer, show-stealing statement nails, summer nail trends are all about having fun and showcasing your style.
Ready, set, sail into the prettiest nail ideas for the season.
These summer nail designs will have you longing for those warm breezes, golden sunsets and days filled with endless “good vibes”.
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How to Select Your Summer Nail Design
Consider your summer plans before you choose a design. Will you be swimming a lot? Traveling? Attending special events?
A high-maintenance, daring design might look fabulous but would be less practical if you’re on-the-go or outdoors much of the time.
If you’re in the market for something breezy, opt for straightforward styles that maintain a sense of whimsy and polish.
How to Pick the Best Colors for Your Skin Tone
Sure, summer is the time to play with color, but a shade that complements your skin is always going to look the most effortless.
If your skin tone is deeper, bright neons and strong corals look gorgeous.
Pair with soft peaches, aqua blues, and tropical greens for medium skin tones.
Medium skin tone looks fabulous with soft peaches, aqua blues, and tropical greens.
If your skin is fairer, opt for cool pastels, bright pinks, and beachy whites that help create a glowy look.
Trust your gut! — If a color makes you happy, there you go!
Should You Go Short or Long?
Long nails will look amazing, but also require more maintenance, especially if you’re out and about all summer.
Shorter nails or rounder shapes are generally easier to care for while still looking refined.
Consider what will be best for your lifestyle so that you’re not cursing a few days after having them done.
How to Maintain Your Summer Nails
Before you look at the different styles, you have to know how to maintain them!
All that sun, sand and swimming can be rough on your nails in the summer.
To keep your manicure looking fresh, apply a clear topcoat every couple of days to prevent chips and fading.
If you’re in and out of the pool or ocean, try rinsing your hands with fresh water afterward — chlorine and salt water can be sneakily drying on polish.
Another is keeping your hands and cuticles moist.
To avoid getting dry, peeling skin (which can happen after you’ve been out in the sun), make sure to moisturize your nails daily with a nourishing hand cream or cuticle oil.
And if you do spot a tiny chip, don’t freak out: a small dab of polish or your topcoat can buy you more time between going back to the drawing board.
A little bit of extra effort can keep your summer nails looking fresh from the moment of your first beach trip through your final sunset soiree.
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Stunning Summer Nail Designs to Inspire Your Next Manicure
Take a look at all of these REAL nail design ideas, all great for the summer season!
Iridescent Pink Chrome Almond Nails
Image Source via Pinterest
These iridescent pink nails are a dreamy statement for the sunniest months of the year.
The chrome look is stunning, reflecting light with a marbled illusion that moves between soft pink and subtle purple.
Coupled with a sleek, almond shape, this shiny style is equal parts sophisticated and fashion-forward—perfect for the vacation-minded, to lounge by the poolside, day or night, or to perfect your summer style.
How to Get this Nail Design
Request chrome powder over a soft pink base from your nail tech, or consider press-ons with metallic details.
Almond shaping is flattering for most fingers and will help keep the look girly and clean. Wear with sleek gold rings or bracelets to complement the glistening quality.
Vibrant Summer Nails That Sparkle Like Sunshine
Image Source via Pinterest
These sparkling stiletto nails are a riot of color and shine, bursting with holographic glitter, iridescent flakes, and dreamy summer tones.
Ideal for soaking up every little sunbeam, they can instantly elevate your look to full summer goddess status.
How to Make This Nail Look Yours:
Request frosted stiletto nails dipped in holographic glitter, bright neon splashes, and sparkling decals from your nail tech.
For a DIY version, press iridescent glitters over a clear base and seal it in with a high-gloss top coat to get the most shine.
Bold Pink Chrome Nails That Steal the Spotlight
Image Source via Instagram: @nailsbyzola_
These hot pink chrome nails are attitude in pure form, bouncing rays of light off the mirror sheen that is hard to ignore.
Their slick almond shape adds an edge of chicness, and when paired with a sparkling floral ring, the whole look takes on a status of luxury.
How to Make This Nail Look Yours:
Ask for a high-shine chrome powder finish in a Barbie bright pink on a polished gel background.
Continue to keep your nail shape almond so it elegantly elongates, and don’t be afraid to layer on dainty rings to double up the glam!
Dreamy Pastel Chrome Nails
Image Source via Instagram: @nailsbymei
These almond nails are a pastel lover’s dream come to life; they combine sparkling tones of pink, blue and green, with a chrome finish that refracts light stunningly.
The shiny watercolor effect creates a soft, magical, make-believe vibe that’s all about spring and summer.
How to Make This Nail Design Your Own:
Request a pastel ombré using soft chrome powders or iridescent gel polishes from your nail tech.
Concentrate on making the blend flow and remain delicate on every nail to capture that wispy, light-catching style.
Make it even more you by picking out pastel colors that complement your skin tone — whether you’re subtly leaning toward baby blues, pale lilacs, or mint greens.
Strawberry Drip Nails
Image Source via Pinterest
These juicy nails take center stage thanks to vibrant strawberry art and high-impact electric blues drips. It’s sweet-meets-edgy, with a neon twist on summer.
DIY This Nail Design:
Begin with a hot pink base, then top with hand-painted strawberries in leafy green tops. For that drippy look, opt for an extra fine brush and a high-gloss top coat to lock in that candy gleam.
Tropical Jungle Snake Nails
Image Source via Amaio
This playful jungle-themed mani features a mix of leafy greens, sunny bright, and slithery snake art for a wild but wearable summer creation. It is bold, artistic and strongly individualized.
How to Get This Nail Design:
Apply a sheer nude or soft matte base and then slither between the flow of leafy branches and clunky, hand-drawn snakes in primary hues. Top it off with color-blocked tips to bring all of the elements together with a bang.
Groovy Summer Fruit Nails
Image Source via Pinterest
This fruit salad pick-a-mix mani of retro swirls, gingham tips and juicy summer fruits, such as strawberries and cherries is fun, flirty and radiating sunshine.
How to do This Nail Design:
Choose a sheer pink base and then have fun with varying designs on each nail — strawberries, hearts, checkers and ’70s-inspired waves in orange, pink and red. Keep the vibe fun and let every finger pop.
Floral 3D Sculpted Nail Art
Image Source: Instagram @aashleysnails
This high profile sculpted nail set is all about innovation and precise detail creation.
Incorporating a blend of muted pinks, deep burgundy shades, dainty florals, and bubble patterns, you’d be forgiven for thinking they were in fact museum-worthy art on her nails.
Some nails come with glossy smooth finishes, some of them are designed with raised 3D glitter or patterns for maximum visual drama and luxury.
Ways to Make This Nail Design Yours:
Opt for a soft pink or nude base to make the look subtly flattering. Then you get 3D flower embellishments and the chance to mix gloss and texture.
Color the molded designs however you please—try going richer with deep reds or lighter with pastel pinks!
Colorful Smiley Face Nail Art
Image Source: Instagram @gsbeautybase
This happy nail set is happiness at your fingertips. The bright vertical stripes add a play, retro touch while the black smiley faces make it playful and young.
The glossy finish adds another pop to the color, giving the overall effect an upbeat, feel-good vibe that’s perfect for summer, or really, for any time that you just want to feel a little more cheery.
How to Get This Nail Design:
Alternatively, you could stick with a pastel or neon palette and switch out the smiley faces for other adorable doodles—i.e., hearts or stars!
A glossy topcoat will maintain your party vibe throughout the day.
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Fireworks Glitter Nail Art
Image Source: Instagram @learnahstarbuck_nailartist
This sparkly nail set has all the fun of a fireworks display at your fingertips.
The glittering explosions of blue, green, yellow, red and purple really pop against the inky black base, lending everything a whimsical, starry-night quality.
Great for Fourth of July, or any occasion you want to celebrate something special in style.
How to Get This Nail Design:
Try a base of black with a sprinkle of fine glitter (or a splash of holographic polish) to get the effects of the firework bursts.
Combine colors or use a single color or two to achieve a shimmering effect!
Bright Citrus Nail Art
Image Source: Instagram @learnahstarbuck_nailartist
This juicy, citrus-chic nail set bursts with the warmth and energy of the sun.
Vibrant bursts of orange and red emanate from the middle of each nail, contrasted by cool white lines from the corners that make an amazing 3D orange effect.
The results are an overall fresh, artsy look filled with vibrant personality which can bring a bit of sunshine to your holidays, festivals or, let’s be honest, daily meh moments.
DIY This Nail Design:
Begin with a clear or neutral base to allow the orange slices to take center stage.
Pull out your thin nail art brush to craft some burst juice that scream with oranges and fiery reds, with a dozing slice of crisp white to make them stand out even more.
For a softer take, swap in pastel peaches or corals instead!
Holographic Rainbow Burst Nail Art
Image Source: Instagram @learnahstarbuck_nailartist
These amazing nails are surely a show stopper bringing flashes of every color in the rainbow with holographic shine.
Every nail becomes completely enveloped with multicolor beaming burst of sparkles that sparkle constantly when reflecting light, creating a constantly changing magical, prism-like effect.
How to Get The Look:
Begin with a chrome or holographic base to give your shine maximum intensity.
With brilliant rainbow gels, design spiky bursts, from the center to out. You can wear it ultra-bright like this set – or opt for pastel or neon shades to fit your personal vibe!
Pink Fruit-Themed Nail Art
Image Source: Instagram @nailsbykatiedutra
This juicy and vibrant nail design just screams summer fun! It’s such a fun and playful lived and youthful fruit painting with a candy-pink background and bright and cheerful fruits all around the nails.
People who go wild for princessy nails If you’re obsessed with girly looks and are definitely not afraid of pink.
The wavy lines and small bits of whites makes the entire look even more dreamy and animated, almost like a fruity cartoon world on your finger tips.
How to Make It Yours:
Begin with a soft pink or nude base for an added playful hint. Add wavy pink outlines and tiny decals of fruit or hand-painted fruits.
Make it your own Swap out your favorite fruits, change the background to pastel yellow or mint, or really take things up a notch by making the fruits metallic!
Tropical 3D Floral Nail Art
Image Source: Instagram @nailfrantasy
This tropical delight will instantly transport you to a tropical vacation!
Every nail is a work of art, from the exaggerated hand-painted flowers and wild animal prints to the 3D flowers, which appear to jump out of the nail bed.
Blonde with a Pastel Pop Colored tips and natural base help to keep this look both fun and glamorous all summer long.
To Get This Nail Design:
Begin with a clear or nude base to let the tropical touches pop. Add painted or sculptured flowers in bright, daring hues.
Dress it up with zebra or tiger prints for a fierce take, or switch out your favorite tropical leaves to make it your own.
And don’t forget the glossy top coat to seal in the island dream!
Iridescent Mermaid French Tips
Image Source: Instagram @nails.by.iz_
This dreamy set of comes with all the under-the-sea vibes with a hint of modernization.
The soft and subtle pink base keeps this drip design feeling fresh and sophisticated while the iridescent chromes draw the light just right.
A 3D seashell accent and starfish detail provide a touch of mermaid magic (without disrupting the minimal feel) to make this set whimsical and chic at the same time.
How to Get Nail Art Like This:
Choose a soft pink/nude gel base to maintain the canvas clean. Top it off with holographic chrome tips for a touch of sparkle, and 3D shell or ocean motifs for a fun, but chic, summer twist.
Mix in pearls or tiny crystals if you want a more magical underwater look!
Soft Pink Swirl Almond Nails
Image Source: Instagram @glitterbels and @nails_by_annabel_m
This pretty and feminine mani is all about the subtle movement and softness.
A barely there pink ombre works as the perfect base for the thin and subtle swirls of pink that swirl effortlessly over the nail beds.
The glossy coat adds a clean, chic feel, so these nails are perfect for anyone who’s all about a delicate, romantic look without going full-blown bubblegum.
How to Make This Nail Design Your Own:
Use a baby pink or sheer pink base color to begin with. Paint abstract and fluid swirls on each nails with a slightly darker pink for a lovely flowy illusion.
Thin lines for a more refined look, thicker lines if you want something just a tad more bold and artsy!
Bright Blue and Fruit Art Nails
Image Source: Instagram @cosmobeautybycass
This fun and sweet summer nail design pairs solid shades of thumbnail-popping color with fruity, whimsical art.
Half your nails are splashed with a juicy hit of bright blue polish, and the other half are adorned with tiny, intricate fruits such as watermelons, lemons and blueberries over a muted white base.
It’s the most perfect blend of fresh, summery vibes and playful charm and is just the thing for those who love a pop of personality on their nails.
How to Make This Nail Design Your Own:
Start by picking your bold accent color: cobalt blue, neon pink or lime green. Then, choose a handful of cute fruits you adore and make small designs on a bright white or nude base.
You can put as much detail into this or as little as you’d like coming down to personal style!
Fresh Orange Fruit Nail Art
Image Source: Instagram @_h.collective
This cheerful set of nails is inspired by everything summery and citrusy.
Cheery, shiny orange nails stand out against the muted nude backdrop, and whimsical orange slices rest beside leafy green accents for a fresh and fruity feeling.
It’s the quintessential manicure that is guaranteed to make your day (and your outfit) a little bit brighter.
How to Make This Nail Design Yours:
Choose a juicy orange polish for a couple of nails to feel bold, then rotate between a neutral base to let hand-painted or decal fruit designs catch the eye.
Opt for oranges or lemons, or try a mix of fruits for an all-the-more-sunny atmosphere!
Birthday Cake Nails
Image Source via usamerica.shops
These nails are a party at your fingertips—each features pastel 3D birthday cakes, dotted sprinkles and miniature candles, all laid out against a glossy pink base. A fun, light, sugar-sweet delight.
How to Get the Nail Design:
Opt for a pink gel base, then top with 3D cake shapes in pastel colors. Dot lightly for candy sprinkles and use tiny flames or rhinestones for a bit of charm.
Rainbow Hearts & Clouds Nails
Image Source via Poshmark
Sweet and whimsical, this dreamy design features pearlescent hearts atop cotton-candy clouds and rosaceous rainbows. It’s fairy-tale fantasy at its purest, exactly what you’re in the mood for to brighten your summer mood.
How to Get This Nail Design:
Start with a sheer pink or milky base and build clouds and rainbows above it in gel polish or decals. Jelly hearts, star outlines, and bubble gems are a must for that magical, dimensional effect.
Retro Smiley & Checkered Nails
Image Source via Pinterest
This mani is an ideal mix of retro appeal and kooky vibes—think: yellow smiley faces, big checkers, daisies, cherries—against soft-nude and pastel bases.
How to Get This Nail Design:
Mix it up with contrasting designs: checkered tips in whimsical hues, pop-art stickers in the shape of hearts and smileys, hand-painted flowers. Go for an unassuming canvas, and let every bright detail shine.
Neon Flame French Tips
Image Source via Instagram: @sarahscoop
This high- voltage style is hot with a mix of neon pink and orange swirled into stiletto-tip points. It’s sexy, aggressive and built for a night out in the summer.
How to make this nail design yours:
Opt for a nude base and then use a thin detail brush to blend neon pink and orange into a flame or swoosh design at the tips. Top with a high-shine top coat to seal in all that glimmer.
Colorful Starry Ombre Nails
Image Source via Pinterest
These nails will transport you to a galaxy party on your fingers.
A dreamy ombre base transitions the pinks to blues to greens, covered in scattered stars, baby hearts, and shimmering glitter.
It’s no doubt these cool nails have a magical essence to them but they’re also full of personality, leaving you with fun-loving vibes no matter the outfit.
To Get This Nail Look:
Request a pastel ombre base and choose colorful 3D star embellishments with a dash of glitter to up the shine factor.
You can choose to make the colors work with your favorite palette or opt to change the stars into hearts or moons to get that personal vibe.
Strawberry Delight Nails
Image Source via Pinterest
These fabulous juicy nails feature bold hot pink tips with fun, hand-painted strawberries.
It is a relaxed and easy look that is great for summer days –a sweet, bubbly feeling in each detail.
How to Make This Nail Look Your Own:
Combine bright pinks with adorable fruit art, and you’ll have a vibrant but also cutesy mani, OR switch out the strawberries for a fruity flair that happens to be your favorite.
Summer is all about fun times, freedom and showing off some extra color — and your nails will make a great place to start.
Whether you choose to go bold, subtle, clean, or over-the-top, the best summer nail design is whatever makes you feel like your brightest, happiest self.
So choose the look that speaks to you, care for it well and revel in every sun-soaked minute of it in a manicure that’s every bit as bright and cheerful as the season.
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