Summer is the perfect time to play with colors and experiment with different nail designs. So, I curated the following summer nail ideas that offer a wide range of shades and trendy styles that are as hot as the summer sun!
Whether lounging by the pool or lighting up a summer night out, these summer nail designs are your perfect companions for a stylish season ahead:
1. Summer Stripes
Image and nail art by @taryns.nails
These long, sharp, almond-shaped nails are a vibrant showcase of neon swirls. This manicure blends hot pink, electric yellow, and vivid turquoise in a mesmerizing pattern. Each nail is adorned with a single crystal, adding a touch of glamour and lively summertime energy.
2. Vivid Dots
Image and nail art by @nails_and_beauty_by_daisy
Radiant fuchsia nails mingle with natural nails adorned with a playful perimeter of multicolored dots, creating a festive and fun nail look. The bold pink provides a striking contrast to the multi-color confetti-like pattern.
3. Citrus Chic
Image and nail art by @taryns.nails
These nails are a delightful ode to summer, featuring juicy orange accents and delicate floral patterns set against a soft, peachy backdrop. The playful mix of bright citrus motifs and subtle white daisies brings a fresh, zesty twist to your summer style.
4. Tropical Temptation
Image and nail art by @taryns.nails
These nails whisk you away to a tropical paradise with their vibrant color palette and eclectic designs, including a fiery sunset, aqua blue sparkle, and playful prints that remind me of ocean waves and exotic wildlife.
5. Shark World
Image and nail art by @taryns.nails
Reminiscent of the mystical allure of underwater worlds, these nails display a fluid gradient of marine-inspired colors with playful shark and bubble silhouettes. The iridescent shimmer and delicate dotting details transport you to an ethereal aquatic summer adventure!
6. Natural Blossoms
A little more natural looking, these short nails have clear nail polish serving as the canvas for delicate hand-painted flowers in violet and soft pink hues. Tiny green stems and leaves add a touch of realism, creating a mini garden at your fingertips!
7. Bold Abstracts
Image and nail art by @the_nail_girl_lowestoft_
This vibrant celebration of color and creativity features bold, abstract strokes, including pink, blue, green, orange, yellow, and black on a neutral base. The dynamic pattern is like a painter’s brushwork, making each nail a miniature canvas.
8. Melon Manicure
Image and nail art by @the_nail_girl_lowestoft_
These nails bring a twist to the classic French tip with a juicy watermelon design, featuring a gradient of pink to white and topped with black seeds and a green rind accent.
9. Summer Meadow
Image and nail art by @nails_and_beauty_by_daisy
Alternating between muted yellow, pastel purple, and transparent bases, these nails have a vibrant, hand-painted floral design that brings a summer meadow to life. The colorful blooms and foliage against the clear nails create an enchanting window into a world of perennial beauty.
10. Summer Song
Image and nail art by @taryns.nails
Each nail is a unique chapter of summer, showcasing a playful symphony of designs, including pastel rainbows, a pink flower, and a soft peachy sunrise. This sweet ensemble sings of warm, sunny days!
11. Bright Blossomed Tips
Image and nail art by @jen_nailsaddicted
Delicate petals and vibrant splashes of pink and white, orange, and yellow hues dance across a sheer nude base. Each nail is a canvas showcasing a unique floral burst, perfect for welcoming the warm, sun-kissed days of summer.
12. Smiley Faces
Image and nail art by @the_nail_girl_lowestoft_
These nails have a playful array of pastel spirals on a soft, milky pink base, each swirl with a delightful smiley face in the center.
13. Sweet Scoop
This playful and sweet nail design features a charming ice cream cone illustration on a crisp white base adorned with a sparkling rhinestone. Perfect for summer!
14. Groovy Swirls
Image and nail art by @nails_and_beauty_by_daisy
These nails have a soft pink base accented by bright rainbow stripes and playful daisy designs. The combination of bright, bold patterns celebrates the season’s lush beauty.
15. Rainbow of Swirls
Image and nail art by @nails_and_beauty_by_daisy
These nails feature an array of neon grooves swirling against a white backdrop, creating a vivid marbling effect that’s just like summer’s electric essence.
16. Sunflower Shine
Image and nail art by @the_nail_girl_lowestoft_
Bright, sunny yellow nails alternate with white ones adorned with simple black dots and delicate sunflower accents, bringing a cheerful and playful look ideal for summer.
17. Sunset Swirls
Image and nail art by @jen_nailsaddicted
These nails are a dazzling display of sunset-inspired swirls, with a transparent base that allows the natural beauty of the nails to shine through.
18. Summer Swirls
Image and nail art by @the_nail_girl_lowestoft_
These bright summer nails feature a playful marbling of neon hues, swirling together in a candy-like lollipop fashion. Each nail boasts a unique pattern, combining vibrant pinks, yellows, greens, and oranges to create a bold statement that you can’t miss.
19. Sunset Sparkle
Image and nail art by @taryns.nails
These nails capture the radiant glow of a summer sunset with a gradient from vibrant coral to golden yellow, highlighted by shimmering accents and playful palm tree silhouettes.
20. Neon Flowers
Image and nail art by @lillypalm__
A delicate mix of soft pink hues and subtle neon tips are embellished with charming miniature floral accents in shades of purple, pink, and sunny yellow.
21. Berry Fresh
These vibrant summer nails feature a glossy coral hue, complemented by a singular accent nail with an adorable strawberry design. The perfect design for short summer nails!
22. Rainbow Rings
These oval nails have a playful array of bright colors, creating a pattern of overlapping circles that give off a retro yet whimsical charm.
23. Pink Splash
These square-tipped nails are a playful fusion of abstract art and summer vibes, featuring splashes of neon pink and turquoise with bold, black zebra-like stripes for a touch of wild flair. The matte finish on the pastel base provides a modern contrast.
24. Candy Tipped
A playful parade of candy-inspired shades stretches across each French tip nail, featuring bold, saturated colors from lime green to sunny yellow and sky blue.
25. Serene Swirls
Image and nail art by @lillypalm__
Delicate pastel pink serves as the base for these nails, adorned with a graceful white and tranquil blue swirl design at the tips. The minimalist artistry gives a nod to the warm breezes of summer.
26. Playful Polka-Dots
Image and nail art by @lillypalm__
A medley of candy colors graces these playful nails, featuring a mix of solid pastel pink, vibrant purple, and a refreshing mint green alongside a whimsical polka-dot pattern.
27. Nautical Nails
These nails make a bold statement with a striking combination of red, white, and blue, featuring playful patterns of polka dots, stripes, and nautical symbols.
28. Lemon Blossom
Vibrant lemon-yellow nails paired with delicate white accents create a fresh and zesty spring or summertime look, while intricate green leafy designs add a touch of natural, earthy elegance.
29. Calm Waters
These nails feature a serene, ocean-inspired design with flowing waves of blue and white, like gentle sea foam lapping at the shore.
30. Black Pink
These sophisticated nails have a rich combination of pink and black, accented with gold swirls and dustings of glitter.
I hope these summer nail ideas have inspired you to get colorful with your nails this summer season.
Thanks for reading!
Sarah Roberts is the founder, writer, and photographer behind A Beauty Edit. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, Sarah is an avid skincare and beauty enthusiast who shares the best beauty finds to help you save time and money!