Summer’s calling, and your nails? They’re coming with.
This season’s vibes are all about color that pops, textures that play and designs that lowkey say “I’ve got my life together” (even if you’re three iced lattes deep and still haven’t booked that flight).
Here’s what’s trending… and by trending, I mean these will have strangers complimenting you in line at the smoothie bar:
- Pastel Ombre With Gold Tips go with everything and still manage to feel special.
- Minimalist White and Silver Stripes offer an understated aesthetic suitable for both casual and formal-ish summer events.
- Sunset Gradient With Glitter is a little chaotic in the best way. These are the nails you wanna have wrapped around a frozen drink or flashing in the group chat.
- Floral Watercolor Design are the nail version of that flowy dress you always get compliments on.
- Beachy Sand Texture are like you’ve been at the beach all day… minus the sunburn and sand in weird places. Shimmery and soft, these are the sleeper hit of the season.
Elegant Summer Nails You Need To See
Your nails deserve better than another round of basic nude polish.
Summer is serving looks that are fresh, fun and way less try-hard than what’s clogging your explore page. These are the nail trends that’ll make your iced latte hand flex totally worth it.
Pastel Ombre With Gold Tips
Baby Pink Nail Polish | Mint Green Nail Polish | Makeup Sponge | Gold Foil Nail Polish | Top Coat
Dreamy pastel fade with a boujee gold edge… basically the mani version of sipping matcha in a silk robe.
How To Create This Look:
- Apply a sheer nude or light pink as your base
- Dab pink and mint polish onto a sponge and gently press onto nails for the ombré
- Let dry then add gold foil polish just on the tips (freehand or with nail guides)
- Lock it all in with a top coat
Floral Watercolor Design
Off-White Nail Polish | Light Pink Nail Polish | Lilac Nail Polish | Green Nail Polish
Looks like someone spent the afternoon in a French garden… it’s soft, artsy and full of main character energy.
How To Create This Look:
- Paint your nails with two coats of off-white polish
- Use a dotting tool or tiny brush to make irregular flower shapes in pink, lilac and orange
- Add green dots and dashes for leaves around the petals
- Top coat everything so it lasts past your third Aperol spritz
Geometric Shapes With Neon Accents
Pastel Blue Nail Polish | Peach Nail Polish | Neon Green Nail Polish | Hot Pink Nail Polish
Y2K meets summer festival vibes…
How To Create This Look:
- Paint each nail with a different pastel color as your base
- Grab a nail art brush or toothpick to paint bold neon and navy lines randomly across nails
- Let it dry fully so the colors don’t smear
- Finish with a top coat to make it pop
Tropical Leaf Patterns
Cream Nail Polish | Deep Green Nail Polish | Yellow Nail Polish | Top Coat
Fresh, breezy and just tropical enough… like vacation nails without the actual vacation.
How To Create This Look:
- Paint your nails with a creamy white or light beige polish
- Use a thin brush or stamping tool to add green leaf shapes (think palms or ferns)
- Add tiny dots or accents of yellow for that lemon-lime mood
- Seal with a shiny top coat and start planning your poolside outfit
Ocean Wave Swirl Design
White Nail Polish | Dusty Blue Nail Polish | Light Teal Nail Polish | Thin Brush | Top Coat
This one’s giving ocean waves in motion… calm, cool and lowkey hypnotizing.
How To Create This Look:
- Paint your base white and let it dry
- Dip a thin brush in blue and teal polish to swirl soft curves and loops across the nail
- Blend slightly for a marbled look — don’t overthink it, messy is cute here
- Finish with top coat once it’s totally dry
Minimalist White and Silver Stripes
White Nail Polish | Silver Chrome Nail Polish | Striping Brush or Nail Tape | Top Coat
Minimal and clean with just enough sparkle… perfect for weddings, interviews or that one ex’s party.
How To Create This Look:
- Start with two coats of crisp white polish
- Use a striping brush or nail tape to create a line of silver down the center
- Make sure it’s dry before peeling off tape (if using)
- Add top coat and pretend you’ve always been this put together
Sunset Gradient With Glitter
Orange Nail Polish | Pink Nail Polish | Yellow Nail Polish | Glitter Nail Polish
If golden hour was a manicure… this is it. Warm, glowy and a little sparkly because why not.
How To Create This Look:
- Start with yellow polish at the cuticle, then sponge on pink and orange going toward the tip
- Blend lightly so it looks like a smooth gradient
- Dab glitter polish over the fade for sparkle
- Top coat to seal it in and keep the shine going
Pastel Rainbow Swirl Design
Lavender Nail Polish | Mint Nail Polish | Baby Blue Nail Polish
These swirls are the serotonin boost you didn’t know you needed… playful but still pretty.
How To Create This Look:
- Paint nails with a neutral or soft pink base
- Use a thin brush to paint swooping lines in different pastel shades across each nail
- Layer lightly and let each color dry before adding the next
- Finish with a glossy top coat to bring it all together
Iridescent Pearl Finish
Sheer Pink Nail Polish | Chrome Powder or Iridescent Polish | No-Wipe Top Coat
This look whispers rich and unbothered… like your nails have a trust fund.
How To Create This Look:
- Apply two coats of sheer pink polish and cure (if using gel)
- Rub chrome or pearl powder over the nail once it’s dry or use an iridescent polish for the same look
- Seal with a no-wipe top coat for that glassy finish
Lemonade Yellow With Sparkle
Lemon Yellow Nail Polish | Silver Glitter Nail Polish | Top Coat
Bright, fresh and a little fizzy… this mani is basically a summer drink for your hands.
How To Create This Look:
- Paint nails with two coats of lemon yellow polish
- Add a coat of fine silver glitter polish (or dab it just on the tips)
- Finish with a shiny top coat so it looks extra juicy
Coral Reef Inspired Design
Coral Nail Polish | Teal Nail Polish | Nail Art Brush | Top Coat
This one’s bold in the best way, the coral base with teal flames looks like summer’s on fire… in a cute, ocean-y kinda way.
How To Create This Look:
- Start with two coats of coral polish
- Use a fine nail brush to paint abstract flame shapes in teal (just go wavy and random)
- Let it dry fully so the texture doesn’t smudge
- Add a layer of top coat to seal and shine
Soft Floral On Nude Pink
Nude Pink Nail Polish | White Nail Polish | Green Nail Polish | Top Coat
A clean base with tiny white florals keeps it cute but grown…
How To Create This Look:
- Start with two coats of nude pink polish and let it dry
- Use a dotting tool or bobby pin to place small white dots (flowers) randomly
- Add green lines or dots for leaves using a thin nail art brush or toothpick
- Seal everything in with a glossy top coat
Your Nails Are Officially Invited To Summer
That’s the vibe. These elegant summer nail looks aren’t just cute — they’re a whole energy.
So try one. Try three. Just promise you’ll have fun with it. You deserve main character nails this summer.
