20 Nail Ideas for May You'll Want to Wear Well Into Summer

May marks the unofficial start of summer, so naturally, the month ushers in tons of good vibes. The return of warmer weather, blooming flowers, and fun outdoor festivities always sparks joy and inspires us to get creative. This attitude, of course, extends to our beauty routines. Our manicures, to be specific.

May's summery vibes make it the perfect time to lean into pretty pastel nail looks (think: butter yellow or peach polishes) or incredibly bold designs (like bright florals). Whatever you choose, we're here to help inspire you. Ahead, find 20 nail ideas to flaunt this May (and beyond).

Neon Skittle Nails

No time for nail art? Keep it simple with a solid neon mani. Create this one using OPI Nail Lacquer ($12) in Makeout-Side, Skate to the Party, Flex on the Beach, Stay Out All Bright, Summer Monday-Fridays, I’m Yacht Leaving, and Charge It to Their Room.

Blue Minimalist Nails

For a striking minimalist mani, opt for cool blue designs against a clear base. Use OPI Nail Lacquer ($12) in Mali-blue Shore and Shore is Something to create these baby French tips and ombré stripes.

May Flowers Nails

As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers. So, a floral manicure is always a great choice during this time of year. We especially love that this one features a wavy grid background. It gives the mani a trendy, mod appeal.

Rainbow Zebra Nails

Neon zebra stripes? Yes, please. The design's rainbow ombré effect gives it a Lisa Frank vibe.

Fruit Salad Jelly Nails

May kicks off BBQ season and what's a mainstay at backyard shin-digs? Fruit salad, of course. This fruity nail look was created with Cirque Colors Nail Polish ($13) in Blurple Jelly, Star Fruit Jelly, Mango Jelly, Poppy Jelly, Pink Lady Jelly, and Carpe Diem.

Cobalt and Coral Swirl Nails

Coral and cobalt are two of the season's most popular colors, so this swirled manicure is a solid pick for May. Get the look using Lights Lacquer Nail Polish ($11) inPorter, Hide the Rum, and Coralcabana.

Short Watermelon Nails

Watermelon is synonymous with the warmer months. To DIY this nail look, start with a shimmery red base. Use a thin nail art brush to create the white, green, and black details.

Purple and Blue Checker Nails

Not quite ready to fully embrace bright summery hues? Consider this checkerboard nail look. Pair a cornflower blue base with rich cobalt blue for the perfect transitional manicure.

Neon Swirl Nails

Here's another cobalt nail look we'd wear in May (and June and July, for that matter). The highlighter yellow accents make the deep blue designs really pop.

Memorial Day Nails

Looking for a Memorial Day nail look? Check out this Stars and Stripes mani. It was created using Holo Taco Nail Polish ($12) in Hot Take, Cold Slate, Too Good to be Blue and Scorched Earth.

Vibrant Green Nails

May is when the grass starts to look as plush and green as it can be. To embrace the fresh aesthetic, opt for a mismatched green manicure. This one features abstract flames and shapes, making for a creative nail look.

Coral Negative Space Nails

Coral and white pair beautifully here, creating a simple manicure with a bold impact. This look is also quite easy to recreate. Just use a fine-lining nail art brush to bring your abstract nail art to life.

Tangerine Accent Nails

Bright orange nail polish works well for May, too. If you'd like to add a bit more color into the mix, consider opting for chevron accent nails. By adding black and white outlines, you can give the designs a pop art feel.

Space Doodle Neon French Tips

Switch up your French manicure this month by opting for neon polish. To give the nails a playful allure, add white space-themed nail art.

Tiger Nails

An animal print manicure is always a winner—take this tiger stripe design, for example. The contrast between the orange base and the black lines gives the nail look a cool, edgy aesthetic.

Rainbow Yin-Yang Nails

We're suckers for skittle manicures, and this one incorporates a two-tone yin-yang design on each nail. The unique approach makes the mani feel fun and fresh. You can DIY this nail look using a nail art brush and the Mooncat Technicolor Dreams Set ($110).

Hibiscus French Nails

If you're looking for a vacation mani, look no further. This floral French nail look is a show-stopper. To recreate this gorgeous design, you'll want to use all the colors in the Cirque Colors Surfer's Crush Collection.

Fiery Ombré Nails

For a fiery nail look, opt for an ombré red, orange, and yellow design like this. If you're into the lengthy nail look, you'll want to use the Aprés Gel X Natural Long Stiletto Tips ($30).

Neon Tie-Dye Nails

Tie-dye is a signature print of spring and summer. This neon manicure is a very cheery, bright take on the pattern. Add a few French tips to the mix to add variety to the mani.

Pink and Purple Ombre Chrome Nails with Matte Swirls

A dual-finish manicure is always mesmerizing. This one features matte and metallic finishes, creating an instantly eye-catching mani. If you look closely, you'll notice the swirls almost look textured.

Read the original article on Byrdie.