The sunny days of summer are finally here!
It’s time to soak up the sun, head to the beach, and show off those fresh summertime manicures.
This season is all about bold, vibrant nail colors and designs that pop against suntanned skin.
So get ready to take your nails to the next level with these radiant nail ideas you’ll want to wear all summer long:
Trendy & Simple Summer Nails: Gallery
Neon Pink and Orange Nails
Nothing says summer quite like bold neon nails.
For this lively look, start with a bright neon pink base color. Paint on large orange triangular shapes starting at the top of the nail and pointing downwards towards the tip.
The opposite neon shades play off each other for an electrifying effect.
Recreate this neon design by following these steps:
Apply a base coat on each nail to protect them and help the neon shades last longer.
Paint your nails with 2-3 coats of a bright neon pink nail polish for full, even coverage. Let dry fully.
Use nail tape to mark off a triangle shape starting at the top of your nail.
The triangle should take up about half of the nail.
Fill in the triangle with a bright neon orange nail polish.
Apply 2-3 thin coats and let dry after each.
Once dry, carefully peel off the nail tape to reveal the sharp edges of the orange triangle against the pink background.
Finish with a layer of quick-dry top coat to seal in the design.
The contrast of these two bold neon shades makes for an eye-catching summer manicure!
Sunset Ombre Nails
Nothing quite captures the essence of summer like a beautiful sunset.
The gradient of warm hues fading into one another is both soothing and inspiring.
Bring these sunset vibes to your nails with a fun ombre design! Ombre nails involve a seamless fade between two or more colors. When done in sunset-inspired shades, they offer a relaxed yet artistic look.
Start with a base coat to protect your nails.
Paint your nails a soft peach or melon hue first. Make sure to apply two thin, even coats and let them dry completely before moving on. Next, choose a brighter orange or coral and apply it to the bottom half of the nail, leaving a gap between the two colors.
Take a makeup sponge and use it to lightly blend the two polishes together in the center for a diffused effect. The ombre should transition smoothly from peach to coral.
If you want to kick the look up a notch, add in a pop of color! A vibrant pink, red, or yellow polish applied as an accent nail or tip can really make the whole manicure pop.
Just paint it on the top half of the accent nail so the ombre still shows through on the bottom. A glittery gold or copper shimmer shade also works nicely as an accent over the ombreblend.
Don’t forget to finish it off with a fast-drying clear topcoat.
This will help blend the colors further and make the manicure last. Make sure to wrap the tips too for maximum wear time. Consider adding a coat of ridge-filling base to smooth out any roughness beforehand as well.
Ombre sunset nails are a breeze to achieve at home with a little makeup sponge blending. The look perfectly encapsulates the rich hues of a sinking sunset.
It manages to be artistic and chic, yet still wearable for everyday. For beach vacations, pool parties, or just relaxing summer days, this gradient nail idea is a must try.
The warm peaches and oranges evoke images of shimmering ocean horizons. A pop of coral or red can make these sunset nails really pop against a tan.
This ombre manicure may just have you looking forward to sundown each day! Transition your tips into vacation mode with this creative and colorful nail idea.
Mint Green Holographic Nails
Beat the summer heat with a fresh mint green manicure made dazzling with holographic nail polish. Holographic polish contains ultra-reflective particles that create a brilliant shimmering effect in the sunlight.
Here are some tips for getting this cool mint look:
Start with a base of classic mint green nail polish. Apply 2-3 even coats and let dry fully.
Paint on 1-2 coats of a holographic nail polish like China Glaze’s Unpredictable in a overlapping X pattern over the mint base.
Use a detail brush dipped in black polish to hand paint abstract squiggly lines for added flair.
Finish with a layer of quick dry top coat to smooth everything out and amp up the holo shine.
This design is fresh, fun and full of flash! The minty color and holographic effect give off chill summer vibes.
Lemonade Marble Nails
These lively lemonade marble nails are sweet enough to drink! The bright yellow and pastel pink swirled design looks just like a glass of fizzy lemonade. Recreating this nail look is simple with some nail polish, a bowl of room temperature water, and these steps:
Paint your nails with a base coat to protect, then apply 2 coats of pastel pink nail polish.
While the pink nail polish is still wet, drop a few drops of yellow polish into a bowl of room temperature water.
Drag the pink nails through the yellow polish in the water in a zig-zag pattern to create marble swirls.
Apply a fast drying top coat like Seche Vite to seal in the design before it spreads further.
Let dry fully before adding lemon slice nail art if desired using yellow and white polish.
This refreshing marbled look is sweet handmade style for summer! You’ll want to sip on lemonade every time you look down at your cool nails.
Tropical Fruit Nails
What better way to celebrate summer than with some juicy, tropical fruit nail art? Pineapples, coconuts, watermelon, and more – vividly capture the flavors of the season with these playful designs.
Fruit-inspired nails are a fresh and mouthwatering manicure idea.
Start by painting your nails a solid base color like yellow, green, pink, or blue.
These will act as the background for your fruit art. If feeling creative, opt for a gradient background using multiple colors to mimic the look of a fruit salad.
Once dry, use a small nail art brush and white acrylic paint to add details. Outline pineapple shapes and add triangles for the exterior. An oval nail decal near the base can create a coconut, while short curved lines make watermelon slices. Get creative with the shapes and sizes!
Take it up a notch by adding glossy fruit accents. Small circular rhinestones or glitter dots make juicy pineapple eyes, while metallic studs can be slices of kiwi.
For a real showstopper, attach a tiny plastic fruit charm on an accent nail. Mini pineapples, cherries, and watermelon slices take these summer nails to the next level. You can find an assortment of 3D fruit charms online or at your local craft store.
Don’t stop at just pineapples and watermelon either. There are so many vibrant tropical fruits to recreate. Try painting carved out avocado halves, oval papaya slices, or bunches of grapes. Passionfruit and mangoes also make fun nail art with their unique shapes and colors. You can paint them on a clear base for a glossy fruit salad effect.
Fruit nail designs are fresh, fruity and the perfect summer mani. The juicy bright colors and fun shapes epitomize tropical vacations and poolside relaxation.
They manage to be cute, yummy looking, and beachy chic all at once. With so many possible fruit combinations, you could rock fruit nails all summer and never repeat!
What better way to give yourself a daily dose of vitamins and smiles? These playful designs will having you looking and feeling oh-so summery.
Watermelon Nail Art
Juicy, sweet watermelon is the perfect fruit to translate into summery nail art! With its iconic green rind and pinkish-red interior, a watermelon manicure screams fun in the sun.
There are so many creative ways to mimic this refreshing fruit on your nails.
Go for a realistic looking sculpted watermelon or abstract color-blocked design. Either way, people will be drooling over your succulent melon nails!
For a life-like 3D watermelon manicure, start with a white base.
Then use acrylic paint or nail striper to outline a watermelon slice shape, complete with little triangle rind markings.
Fill in the rind with forest green polish and the interior with bright pink. Add some black or dark green details for seeds. Take it up a notch by attaching a tiny melon slice charm!
The plastic 3D add-ons you can find online give major fruit vibes.
For a more graphic look, paint alternating nails green and pink. Sponge on some white tips to resemble the watermelon’s pulp.
Add small triangular water droplets in black for a drippy juicy effect. You can also paint the pinky and ring fingers green and the middle and index pink for a color-block watermelon mani.
Get creative with the color combinations too!
Do red and orange slices or try a pastel green and peach design. Metallic gold flecks could stand for juicy watermelon seeds. For an abstract twist, paint stripes or geometric watermelon wedge shapes. There are so many fun ways to stylize this summer fruit.
Tie in additional watery elements to really drive home the refreshing watermelon vibe. Add tiny rhinestone droplets, shimmery pearlized polish, or chrome strips for drips. Even layering sheer blue jelly polish over the pink watermelon interiors makes them look soaked and extra juicy!
Watermelon nail designs are playful, tasty looking summertime manicures. They transport you poolside with icy cold fruit and drinks in hand. The succulent melon slices feel fresh and thirst-quenching, even if it’s just paint on your nails. Beat the summer heat with these deliciously cute watermelon nails!
Chrome Orange Peel Nails
Make your manicure shine bright like a summer citrus with chrome orange peel nails! This mesmerizing nail idea combines glossy chrome with a trompe l’oeil orange peel effect for an ultra-vibrant look. It’s halfway between a juicy fruit manicure and a sci-fi robotic claw—the best of both worlds!
Start by painting your nails with two coats of a creamy white or bare nude shade. This neutral base allows the chrome and details to really pop. Once dry, paint on your “peels” with a neon orange polish. Use the brush to flick downward strokes that mimic orange peel drips and texture. Concentrate the most details near the tips and avoid the base for a realistic effect.
Next comes the fun part – chrome! Use a crumpled up ball of foil to dab silver chrome powder or chrome nail polish onto your nails. Focus on the bases and use a light hand so the orange peel effect shows through. The foil technique helps create that amazing high-shine finish chrome is known for.
To finish, go back in with more bright orange polish and draw on fine details. Add some jagged lines and dots to represent crevices, pits, and imperfections on the peels. You can also take an orange striper brush and draw on some ultra-fine net-like lines for extra texture.
Top it off with a layer of quick dry topcoat to smooth everything and lock in the chrome shine. Orange peel nails allow you to look fruit fresh with an intergalactic twist!
For some added flair, sprinkle tiny iridescent orange glitter over the chrome base. The sparkle enhances the metallic effect even more. Or attach an orange rhinestone near the base of accent nails for extra juicy vibes.
Chrome orange peel nails are one of the coolest ways to rock neon for summer. The combo of fruity and futuristic is bold and unique. Let these metallic works of art be the highlight of your sunny pedicures and manicures all season long. They’re bright, sculptural and simply peel-tastic!
Lemon Drizzle Nails
Brighten up your summer manicure with some sweet and tangy lemon drizzle nails! This sunny design bursts with citrus flavor using cheerful yellows, creamy whites, and glossy drips.
It’s a fresh twist on basic yellow nails – perfect for tropical getaways or simply dreaming of vacation from your desk.
Start with a rich, opaque yellow as the base color. Two coats ensures a vivid lemon shade. Once dry, paint on some white tip shapes using the brush handle or makeup sponge.
Keep them irregular with uneven peaks for a frothy look.
Next, take a small dotting tool or toothpick and dot on some white acrylic paint. Concentrate near the cuticles and tips to mimic lemon juice dripping down.
You can also do a couple of random dots on the yellow base for a fun splatter effect.
Now for the drizzle detail! Using a thin nail art brush, draw on some curved white lines from top to bottom. Follow the imaginary drips down the nails, varying the sizes for realism. Aim for around 5-10 drips per nail.
Once finished, neatly outline the white drips in black to make them pop. Choose a thin brush and lightly trace over the edges. Outline any splatter dots too. The dark contrast takes this mani to the next level!
Don’t forget cute accents either.
Tiny plastic lemon charms or rhinestone decals add a splash of lemonade charm! For extra juiciness, glue on sugar crystals near the drips to mimic pulp and seeds.
Seal it all in with a shiny topcoat for a glossy just-squeezed effect. Lemon drizzle nails are the ideal way to stir up some summertime fun.
The vibrant lemony shades evoke images of backyard barbeques, beach picnics, and sun-kissed afternoons. They’re sweet, tangy and oh so refreshing!
Fiery Sunrise Nails
Greet the morning sun in style with fiery sunrise nails!
Vibrant ombres in pink, orange, and yellow capture the warm hues of daybreak over the horizon. This tropical manicure brilliance will have you looking forward to each new dawn.
A classic sunrise nail starts with ballet slipper pink as the base color.
Paint two smooth coats to ensure even coverage. While still slightly wet on the last coat, use a makeup sponge to dab on a bright coral or orange. Blend it upwards from the tip while the pink is still malleable for a seamless ombre effect.
Next, repeat with a vibrant yellow starting right at the tip and sponging up towards the orange. The glossy transition from pink to orange to yellow mimics a stunning Pacific sunrise.
Take it up a notch by painting on symbolic silhouettes.
Use a small brush and black polish to draw palms trees, waves, or hibiscus flowers against the fiery gradient background. This gives a lively tropical vibe to the manicure.
For a magical touch, use a thin brush to add shimmery white acrylic paint. Dot on specks of white above the yellow tips to create a starry night sky fading into daybreak. You can also paint crescent moon shapes to enhance the night-to-morning effect.
Don’t forget the sun itself! Add a bright yellow circle or fiery orange rhinestone near the base of an accent nail to signify the rising sun. For extra drama, glue on a dazzling red glitter ombre nail tip on your ring finger to depict the blazing sunrise.
Seal it all in with a fast-drying topcoat for sunrise nails that really last. Recreate the awe-inspiring colors of daybreak from the comfort of your own home. With fiery ombres, silhouettes, and celestial accents, these nails shine as bright as the morning sun itself. It’s the perfect summertime manicure for early birds and vacationers alike!
Sunflower Nails
Radiant as the summer sun, sunflower nails are the epitome of sunshine in a manicure!
Cheerful yellow petals, warm brown centers, and leafy green stems capture the vibrant essence of these beloved blooms.
Paired with azure blue skies, there are so many charming ways to recreate sunflowers on your nails!
Start with a bright golden yellow base to represent the sunflower petals. Use at least two coats for solid, opaque coverage.
Once dry, switch to a deep chocolate brown polish and paint small circles in the lower third of each nail. Vary the sizes for dimension – these are the centers!
Next, take a small thin brush and green acrylic paint to add little stems. Draw a short vertical line down from each brown circle, then have it trail off horizontally along the tip of the nail. Finish by using white acrylic to dot on miniature white floral florets inside each brown center.
For extra realism, drag the green stem polish downwards while still wet to create tiny leaf shapes. Outline the leaves in black polish for definition. Add as many mini leaves and delicate white dots as you’d like for lush happy sunflower nails!
Don’t forget to paint accent nails sky blue with fluffy white clouds for the sunflower field backdrop! Overlap the yellow and blue nails for a seamless sunflower design on all ten fingers.
Take it up a notch with 3D details like pressing tiny yellow rhinestone petals into the base polish for texture. Taper the sides for lifelike ruffled edges. Green glitter represents leaves, while pearls can be morning dewdrops. The options are endless with these summery blooms!
Sunflower nails embody the essence of summer in a manicure. Bursting with happiness and sunshine, they’re sure to instantly lift your mood! Your nails will remind you of carefree days and endless blue skies.
Seashell Nails
Bring the tranquil essence of the ocean to your nails with gorgeous seashell manicures! These beachy designs capture the natural beauty of shells with colors like seafoam, peach, and salmon. Recreate abstract shells or opt for realistically sculpted 3D shells – either way, seashell nails are a must for summer!
Start with a shimmery turquoise or aqua base to represent the sea. Once dry, use a tiny brush and white acrylic paint to outline abstract seashell shapes randomly placed across the nails. Fill them in with nude, peach, and pearly pink polishes layered together for dimension. Using a toothpick, add some black striped detailing to mimic shell textures.
For added ocean vibes, sponge on metallic seafoam and turquoise in uneven patterns across the nails. This looks like sunlight dancing across the seafloor. Add scattered iridescent glitter for sand and bubbles too.
Seaside charms like starfish, sand dollars, coral and seaweed make these nails extra cute. Place them strategically near the cuticles or tips of accent nails. The 3D details anchor the whole beachy theme together.
For a more lifelike seashell mani, fully sculpt out 3D shells using nail forms. Apply layers of nude, peach and pink acrylic powders to build up natural swirled shell shapes. Once hardened, file and shape to perfection. Buff lightly and seal with glossy top coat for smooth worn shell replicas that seem plucked right from the shoreline!
Seashell nails are the epitome of ocean-inspired beauty and relaxation. Listening to the tide roll in, beachcombing for treasures – this manicure evokes it all. Slip into vacation mode with seaside shells on your nails!
Unicorn Nails
Indulge your whimsical side with dazzling unicorn nails! These multicolored manicures capture all the magic and wonder of the mythical creature. Iridescent chrome, cotton candy shadows, pearlescent horn accents – let your imagination run wild with unicorn-inspired nail art.
A popular design starts with a pale purple, pink or blue base to represent the unicorn’s coat. Sponge on iridescent shades like oil slick chrome or aurora shimmers for an ethereal, dreamy look. Use a makeup sponge, starting heavier at the tips and lightening as you blend upwards.
Once the ombre shading is complete, take a thin brush and white acrylic paint to add details like dots, hearts, stars and abstract shapes. These adorable patterns enhance the unicorn vibe. Outline them with a fine glitter polish for extra pop.
Paint an accent nail on the ring finger in sheer sparkly white and attach a plastic unicorn horn for magical impact. You can find these 3D charms online or in craft stores. For added flair, paint on wispy rainbows and clouds with acrylic art paint.
Finish with a super shiny topcoat for a wet, glassy look. The possibilities are endless when channeling the mystical unicorn world through your nails! Let your imagination run wild with glitter, pearls, chrome, confetti and 3D charms to create your own unique unicorn paradise.
Neon Tie Dye Nails
Embrace your inner groovy flower child with far-out neon tie dye nails! These ’60s and ’70s inspired manicures swirl vivid rainbow shades into kaleidoscopic designs. The clash of electric, psychedelic colors makes a bold summer statement.
Start with a white base polish to let the neons really pop. Once dry, place different sized dots of pure neon shades like pink, orange, green and yellow randomly across each nail. Then use a brush dipped in clear polish to swirl and blend the dots together. As the neons bleed into one another, a groovy tie dye effect emerges.
Up the trippy factor with metallic chromes! Incorporate shimmery blue, purple and silver in with the bright neons. This adds gorgeous dimension and makes the manicure futuristic. Finish by outlining the color bursts with thin black polish for definition.
Don’t forget 3D details like rainbow glitter and retro plastic charms! Attach peace signs, flowers and swirls for a tactile accent. Top with glossy top coat to smooth and seal the kaleidoscopic neon swirls.
Channel your inner hippie and get psychedelic with these far-out nail designs. Bold neon tie dye and chrome create trippy optical illusions. Your mani will be a swirling color extravaganza!
With sunny skies and warmer weather ahead, it’s time to give your nails a fresh, bright makeover for summer. This season is all about embracing color, tropical fun, and a general sense of sunshine in your manicure.
Get inspired by natural wonders like juicy fruit, fiery sunrises, and blooming flowers. Vibrant citrus drips, ombre skylines, and sunny florals exude the essence of summer.
For beach vacations and poolside lounging, recreate the ocean with seashell designs and sea life charms.
Amp up the playfulness with watermelon slices, unicorn magic, and tie dye swirls too.
Bring a sense of whimsy and delight to your tips. And don’t forget the shimmer – metallics, glitters, pearls and chrome add a mesmerizing sculptural touch.
With so many gorgeous nail art options, you’ll be ready to soak up all the adventure summer has to offer.
Let these radiant manicures reflect the joy in your heart as warmer days arrive.
So get ready to bare your tips and nails these 13 sun-kissed ideas. Your hands will be a vision of vibrant vacation-mode beauty all season long!
