These Fun Summer Nail Ideas Will Bring the Heat All Season Long
Summer is right around the corner! As you prepare to break out your favorite summer sundresses, flowy blouses, jean shorts, and trusty flip-flops, consider choosing a fun and fresh summer nail design to pull your warm-weather wardrobe together. After all, it’s only fair that you allow your nails to look as hot as the forecast!
As the trees shift from baby pink blooms to leafy green trees, you’ll want to reflect that in your manicure as well, welcoming bright summer shades in place of spring pastels. Dive into manicures featuring fiery reds, gorgeous shimmers, and tranquil teals. And if you're craving more than a solid color, we’ve got you covered. Our curation of summer manicures includes tons of nail art ideas inspired by the season, like whimsical mermaid themes, tropical florals, and fun fruit designs. Whether your style is retro and bright or subtle and chic, there's a summer nail look for everyone and every occasion—from Memorial Day pool parties to Fourth of July cookouts.
The best part? You don't have to settle for just one. Mix and match your favorite summer nail designs, including solids and spiffy patterns, to keep your nails looking red hot all summer long!
Bright Red Nails
Cool, creative designs like the ones on this list are great for when you want to experiment, but you can't go wrong with a classic red manicure in the summer! Opt for a bright red hue with hints of orange for a pop of color while you lounge at the pool or beach.
Colorful Floral French Tips
If you can't decide between summer blooms and rainbows, choose them both with this cute and colorful take on the French manicure! Each nail features a different shade of the rainbow plus delicate flowers for an intricate upgrade to the classic French.
Hot Pink French Tips
Upgrade your typical French manicure with a hot pop of color! This simple and fun nail design swaps the neutral white tip for hot pink—or any bright shade you desire. It's the perfect way to show your love for neon without committing to the color on your entire nail.
Cherry Nails
There's no harm in cherry-picking your summer nails—especially when it comes to this cherry-inspired manicure! Whether you opt for a fun, contrasting French tip or a blank nail as your base, the tiny cherry graphics painted on top are so sweet.
Mermaid Nails
Channel the whimsy and beauty of a summer siren with an iridescent mermaid mani! Simply paint a light teal or green metallic shade on your bare nail, or layer it over a bright purple or blue for a dichromatic design.
Barbie Pink Glitter Nails
Barbie may have premiered last summer, but we're still not over all things Barbie pink! This pretty pink mani features glittery French tips alternated by solid nails of the same hot pink shade for the perfect, girly summer mani.
White Swirl Nails
If you love the neutral look of a classic French manicure but want to add a fun flair to it for summer, try out this whimsical white swirl design! This manicure features the same versatile light pink and white shades you know and love but with a twist, thanks to the abstract swirls covering each nail.
Chrome Nails
If you can't let go of your signature dark mani, even in the summertime, opt for an edgy chrome shade that reflects different colors in the light! This purple chrome coat looks like a dark plum from afar but shimmers green depending on the angle for endless fun and variety.
Nautical French Manicure
Ahoy, matey! Whether or not you expect to sail the seas this summer, there's no harm in taking inspiration from the nautical color palette for your nails. This fun mani alternates orange and navy tips, underscored by a pretty sky-blue line.
Ombré Nails
Summer is the time to show off bright, fun colors like this stunning fuchsia shade! This play on pink features ombré coloring that fades from hot pink to a natural light pink base shade toward the cuticle.
Rainbow Abstract Nails
There's no need to chase summer rainbows when you're wearing them on your nails! These rainbow squiggle nails feature overlapping, abstract shapes in a variety of different shades over a clear base for the perfect summer nail design.
Cow Print Nails
If you're anything like Ree Drummond, cowgirl-chic style is acceptable all year round. This cute cow-print French tip nail design is a fun option that's sure to turn heads this summer.
Summer Sky Nails
If those breezy nights staring at the night sky are your favorite part of summer, why not wear the stunning scene on your nails? Stick iridescent moon and star stickers to your nails before sealing them with a clear coat for a manicure that rivals the beauty of a summer sky by night.
Tropical Nails
Take the tropical vibes beyond the beach with these vacay-inspired nails! Go for a neutral shade or a bright color as the base of this manicure to contrast with the delicate flowers and plant accents.
Leopard Nails
Animal prints are making their rounds once again, and what better way to hop on the trend than by wearing your favorite print on your nails? This fun leopard-print nail design covers only half of the nail while leaving negative space on the other half for the perfect balance of fierce and fresh.
Wavy Nails
The ocean won't be the only thing getting wavy if you rock this retro-inspired nail art this summer! It features monochromatic, abstract swirls that differ in shape and size on each nail.
Grass Green Iridescent Nails
Like a freshly mowed lawn, these glowing, grass-green nails practically scream summer. Add a chrome coat to your ring and pinky fingers for a shimmery summer accent!
Butterfly Nails
Look as fly as a butterfly with these gorgeous blue butterfly-printed nails! Each light pink nail features part of a cobalt blue butterfly that appears to be flying off one nail and onto the next.
Sea Foam Nails
Take a page from the ocean with a sea foam-inspired manicure. Each nail features a gradient shade of light green, going from a foamy white to bright teal. Add a gold shimmer top coat to add even more magic to your mermaid-core mani!
Bronze Nails
Everyone knows a healthy bronze glow is the telltale sign of a summer spent well. Take that concept to your nails with a shimmering, copper nail polish. It'll match your fresh tan, and the gorgeous flecks of glitter will reflect off the sunlight for a stunning summer moment.
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