Summer is the perfect excuse to switch up your manicure and try something fresh, colorful, and playful. Whether you’re into minimal designs or bold nail designs, there’s something magical about a good summer manicure that makes every iced coffee selfie or beach day pic feel complete. Here are 12 summer nail ideas you need to try this year. Scroll through and get ready to screenshot your next nail inspo!
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Butter Yellow Nails
This soft, creamy shade feels fresh without being too loud, making it a perfect pick for summer. It’s perfect if you want something light and happy on your nails that still feels chic and wearable with every outfit. You can go for a full set or even pair it with simple nail art like tiny white daisies for the ultimate summer vibes.
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Gold Foil
A little sparkle goes a long way, and gold foil details are proof. Whether you add just a few flecks to a nude base or press larger pieces onto colorful polish, the end result is always effortlessly luxurious. Gold foil nails catch the light beautifully, making them the perfect choice for weddings, vacations, or whenever you just want to feel a little extra.
This type of style is better when visiting a salon; however, if you prefer doing your nails at home, you can purchase gold foil for nails.
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Gradient French Tips
French tips are forever classic, but a gradient twist makes them feel fresh & new! Instead of crisp white edges, think dreamy ombré tips that melt from one color into another, like sunset hues, beachy pastels, or even neon. This style is subtle yet so unique, and it looks extra gorgeous on almond-shaped nails.
Neon Tips on Pastel
If you want to go bold yet keep it minimal, neon tips are the move. Swap out classic white French tips for electric pink, bright green, or highlighter orange edges. It’s a small pop of color that instantly feels youthful, fun, and totally summer-approved.
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Seashell Nails
Seashell nails are having a moment, and honestly, we’re here for it. With pearly finishes and soft pastel colors, these nails are giving mermaid energy. This is the perfect manicure for your dreamy beachy vacation.
Tropical Paradise Nails
These nails are a mini tropical vacation on your fingertips. The mix of abstract designs and floral art keeps the look fresh, modern, and colorful. Perfect for anyone dreaming of sunshine, sandy beaches, and fruity drinks.
Bright Sunset Nails
There’s nothing like a summer sunset, and these nails capture that magic perfectly. Bright sunset nails blend fiery shades like orange, pink, and red to mimic the dreamy colors of golden hour.
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White & Blue Porcelain Nails
This trend takes inspiration from delicate Chinese porcelain with its intricate blue patterns against a crisp white background. Think floral motifs, swirling designs, and tiny, detailed accents. It’s the perfect option if you want something timeless and artistic.
Iridiscent Nails
Glazed donut nails had their moment. Iridescent nails are their cooler, mermaid-core cousin. These nails shift and shimmer under different lighting, giving off soft flashes of pink, blue, green, or lavender depending on how you move your hands. They’re elegant but still playful, and they pair beautifully with flowy summer dresses and sun-kissed skin.
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Pastel French Tips with Fruit Designs
How cute are these? Instead of classic French tips, this look features different fruity designs layered over colorful French tips. The background stays soft and neutral, which makes the playful fruit art really pop. It’s the perfect manicure if you want something colorful, detailed, and totally summer-coded without being over the top.
Sorbet-Inspired Nails
Sorbet-inspired nails are sweet, colorful, and make you smile every time you look at them. You can go for a different shade on each nail for that effortless, playful vibe, or do abstract swirls and blobs if you’re feeling extra artsy.
Fruit Doodle Nails
Tiny hand-painted fruits like cherries, blueberries, peaches, and strawberries pop against a clean, glossy nude base, giving your manicure a fresh, minimalist feel with just the right amount of color.
No matter which style you go for, summer is the best time to have fun with your nails and let your creativity shine. From bright sunset gradients to tiny fruit doodles, these summer nail ideas are all about celebrating color, playfulness, and good vibes. Save your favorites, book that nail appointment, or try a DIY mani at home.
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