Summer 2024’s Biggest Nail Trends are Inspired by Retro Pool Furniture and Britney Spears

We have all the inspo.

Manicure inspiration is everywhere, especially in the summertime. It’s a season of big, bold, bright color: vibrant sunsets, electric green grass, swimming pool blue, icy frosé at a rooftop bar. Even just a coat of bright cherry red on your tips or toes can convey the spirit of summer, reminiscent of cherry flavored popsicles or Pamela Anderson in her iconic Baywatch one-piece. This year, nail pros are looking to retro Floridian pool furniture, sweet summer treats, and shimmery lip gloss for 2024 trend predictions.

Your summer schedule is probably pretty packed with weekend trips to the beach, bachelorette parties and weddings, half-day Fridays at work where you can wander the city or relax in the backyard, and everything in between. Your nails should be ready for anything, and with summer 2024's biggest nail trends, they will be! Ahead, the experts fill us in.

Glassy Sheer

After Pat McGrath’s porcelain doll makeup for Maison Margiela went ultra-, ultra-viral, it was only natural that nails would follow suit. According to editorial nail artist Jin Soon Choi, we’ll be seeing equally glassy textures on our nails this summer. These aren’t pearlescent glazed donut nails, but rather reflective, mirror-like finishes. “The glossy, glazed effect is perfect for the season, excluding a fresh, modern vibe,” she says. Try JINsoon’s Whisper, a jelly rose; Pixie, a sheer lip gloss pink; or Dew, a sheer white. According to Choi, she used Whisper on models’ nails at the Michael Kors S/S 2024 show and it earned “rave reviews,” including from the designer himself.

Bedazzled Nudes

Neutral doesn’t have to mean basic or blah. Rita Remark, nail artist and Essie global lead educator, recommends upgrading your favorite nude shades with crystals and gems. Think Britney Spears in her dazzling nude-and-diamond catsuit in the “Toxic” video for inspo. “Nail gems are a perfect way to dress up the most versatile of nail shades,” she explains. Remark recommends starting with a sheer nude tone like Essie’s Sheer Fantasy or Of Corset, then applying a topcoat. Let it dry completely, then adhere gems or studs to each nail in the pattern of your choice.

Colorful Ombré

Bright, sunshiney yellow is having a moment in our closets and our manis. “An It Girl neon yellow ombré manicure just screams summer,” says V Beauty Pure educator and manicurist Alison Martinez. “It’s perfect for that classy, yet fun summer nail. Yellow + summer = confidence!” Martinez loves a cheerful yellow on a short square nail, especially with a gradient ombré finish; her picks are V Beauty Pure’s Gel Polish in 039, a vibrant lemon, faded into 162, a pinky neutral.

Summer Florals

Everything is in full bloom, including your nails. “Summer floral nail designs are all about vibrant colors and playful patterns,” says celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec. “You can go for a minimalist look with teeny buds adorning just a couple of nails, or you can go all out with sculpted 3D flowers that practically leap off your fingertips.” Kandalec recommends investing in some specialized tools to craft your blossoms, like Lights Lacquer Dotting Tool Kit and Attention to Detail Duo Nail Brush Kit. “They offer precision and control for creating intricate floral patterns,” she explains. To create a longer canvas for your mini-masterworks, apply an at-home extension like Kiss Salon x-tend LED Soft Gel Kits.

Popsicle Shades

One of the best, most nostalgic colors of summer is that “just ate a popsicle” stain, whether it’s on your lips or your nails. Choi loves a “hot orange-red shade with a translucent finish,” reminiscent of enjoying an icy cold orange or cherry popsicle or slushie on a hot day. “It’s vibrant and lively, capturing the essence of summer unlike anything else,” she says. It’s also a fun change from the usual orange or red cream polishes that are so prevalent in the summer months. Choi’s pick is JINsoon Crush, a jelly orange-red she used at the Brandon Maxwell S/S 2024 show.

Boca Raton Brights

Channel the bright, preppy colors of vintage Florida hotspots with your mani, no ticket required. “Think of the shades of retro pool furniture: coral, dusty cherry, sunset orange, sunny yellow and, yes, peach fuzz,” says Remark, who likes Essie’s muted red Frilly Lillies for its ‘70s vibes. For a chic splurge, try Gucci’s Glossy Nail Polish in Peggy Sunburn; the bottle would be right at home on a vanity in Palm Beach circa 1972.

Dreamy Pastels

Pastels—you really can’t do summer without ‘em! “Soft, feminine, and reminiscent of delicate flowers, pastels offer a romantic and whimsical vibe,” Choi says. Choi loves a jelly finish pastel for a unique spin on the classic cream. Otherwise, try a more muted, faded tone with a drop of gray or chalk white to modernize the candy-coated hues.

Glitter Lip Gloss Nails

Instead of layering sparkly topcoats and special effects polishes with full-coverage colorful or neutral shades, wear them alone or with an equally sheer base, says Remark. “Forget the full coverage base color and go in on effects,” she explains. “Start with a jelly, sheer color and then add a chrome or iridescent topper.” She calls it “Y2K lipgloss on your nails,” almost like you transported the MAC counter circa 2004 to your mani. Remark’s picks include Essie’s Cactus Jelly, a sheer green; and Orchid Jelly, a jelly purple, under a layer of the shimmery Mystic Marine and Astral Aura.

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