Summer is here and it’s time to switch up your nail design to reflect the seasonal fun! Whether you like a simple look or want to keep up with the current nail trends (like jelly, chrome, aura nails, or velvet cat eye designs), we’ve got lots of summer nail design inspo to keep your eye-catching manicure looking fresh from the pool to the beach.
Whether you prefer long nails or short nails, there are so many ways to add some spring inspiration to your nail game—from dainty looks perfect for summer weddings, bright neon colors, twists on a classic French tip, tie-dye, or summertime beach-inspired designs, you can request your favorite idea to do in gel polish at your local salon or find the perfect press-on nail to DIY your mani at home.
At home summer nails vs. salon nails:
While you can do so many manicure looks at home now with gel manicure kits, it can be a little intimidating to some who are not as steady with their hands or just generally prefer the pampered experience at their local nail salon.
While gel polish manicures will generally last longer than traditional polish (usually 2-3 weeks for a gel manicure), there are traditional polish brands that boast several weeks of wear from their products and you don’t have the longer gel removal process at home if you choose to take off your own polish.
Some of the trickier techniques like chrome or magnetic polish also might be a little easier in the hands of a professional, but if you have a gel nail kit at home, they are looks that are fun to try and master.
Of course, doing a press-on nail is the easiest way to get your perfect summer style at home by yourself, so there’s no shame in finding your favorite look and grabbing your nail glue.
Pool Blue
These pool nails look refreshing enough to jump into on a hot summer day. Just add a translucent white over a blue shade and dot some clear topcoat dots overtop with a dotting tool to create this look.
Tie-Dye Swirl
What’s more summer than a bright orange and pink tie-dye look?
Chrome Waves
Make your summer mani look like the ocean with this aqua chrome 3D design.
Cherry Pie
What’s cuter than summer cherry nails with French tip accents?
Pink Aura
The trendy aura nails are ready for summer with this pink and orange color combo.
Butterfly Fields
These pink and purple butterfly nails look so pretty with the waves and French tip accents.
Rainbow Tie-Dye
Make your nails feel like summer camp with this rainbow tie-dye set.
Ocean Cat Eye
This ombre blue cat eye matches the shimmering turquoise waters of your vacation.
Stay Glassy
These glass cat eye nails in a pretty pink are the manicure that will make all your gal pals jealous.
Rainbow Love
Chrome rainbow hearts and French tips are a match made in heaven with this colorful look.
Beach Babe
Add some starfish accent nails with a French manicure and you have the perfect beach look.
Lavender Check
Accent your nails with lavender and white checkered designs for a look that will stand out all season.
Lemonade Stand
Bring the tart-yet-sweet look of lemon to your manicure with this sweet accent design.
Gold Star Summer
Add some chrome to your summer nail art with these chrome gold stars for starry summer nights.
Rose Garden
These nails have a raised rose design to add texture to the flowery look.
Butterfly Halves
Add a glittery butterfly to two of your nails to make this fun look for the next music festival.
Snakeskin Summer
This texture and bright colors remind you of snakeskin without the creepy crawly feeling.
Halftone Butterflies
These pretty rainbow butterflies look so cute perched upon a half white half yellow nail.
Sweet and Simple
Daisy accents on a pink mani are pretty and subtle all summer long.
Color Block Barbie
This two-tone abstract design with a dash of glitter will brighten up any summer activity.
Tip the Scales
Bring the mermaid vibes to your mani with this colorful foil pattern on your accent nails.
Galaxy Pearl
These pearlized nails create a galaxy feeling and really shimmer in the summer sun.
Marbled Tips
Pink and orange make a pretty summer combo with these marbled French tips.
Shimmer Station
This magnetized polish looks stunning as the light hits your nails poolside.
Mermaid Tails
Add some fins to your fin-gers with this purple mermaid tail theme.
Iridescent Iris
This purple and blue combo are the perfect level of chrome iridescent shine.
What’s Butter Than Summer?
These butter nails are a trendy shade for summer and can go from beach to poolside easily.
Shell Shocked
Find some nail inspiration from the sea with these mermaid shells on top of a light pink cat eye—pretty for all summer occasions.
Preppy Pink
Get on the pink and green train with accent nails of checkered, French tip, and heart and flower designs.
Strawberry Sundae
Add some ice cream drips with sprinkles to your mani to keep you cool during hot summer days.
Warm Tips
These gradient French tips are a colorful twist on a classic French tip look perfect for summer into fall.
Watermelon Sugar
Show off these fruity tips at your next summer picnic or BBQ.
Summer Smiles
These checkered and smiley face nails are a fun maximalist look for spring and summer.
Starry Night
These star nails are perfect for the 4th of July or any summer starry night and are cute in long or short versions (you could also just do the stars on top of natural nails).
Hot Pink Crackle
These hot pink nails have a crackle look that’s part snakeskin and part tie-dye—perfect for spring and summer.
Green Gal
This green on green look is fun with the floral pattern and accent nails.
Minty Waves
These mint colored waves will look amazing by the ocean this summer.
Daisy Dukes
These 3D flowers added to a pink ombre base will bloom all summer long (and would be so pretty at a summer wedding!).
Bubblegum Velvet
These cat eye velvet nails are a favorite way to wear a trendy pink mani and are perfect for any time of year.
Sunny Side
Add some sun to your summer vibes with this cheerful yellow design.
Checkered Craze
Bring on the checkered pattern with these red and pink nails.
French Barbie
Go for the Barbie trend with a chrome pink French tip look.
Sky Blue Daisies
This sky blue mani features friendly daisies and chrome accent nails.
Pretty in Pink
These pink swirl nails will go great with your strawberry ice cream cone.
Lavender Chrome
This short iridescent chrome look is pretty for any season.
Iridescent Barbie
These hot pink iridescent nails are a Barbie lovers dream.
Wavy Checkerboard
Get into the checkered trend with this wavy design.
Spring Barbie
Try the hot trend of a reverse optical illusion French manicure in the perfect pink and purple pastels.
Bee Yourself
Bee excited for your summer vacay with these pretty pollinators.
Sherbet Tie-Dye
Remind yourself of a summer sunset with this pastel tie-dye color combo.
Overlapping Hearts
Whether you want this as a Valentine’s Day look or just feel pretty in pink, these overlapping hearts are just too cute.
Strawberry Patch
Wear these to the strawberry patch and the berries won’t be the only thing looking fresh.
Pastel Yin Yang
This purple and pink yin yang design is fun poolside or beachside.
Pink Hologram
Take advantage of the summer sunshine and show off your hologram mani in a bright pink shade.
Summer Waves
This pink mani with orange accents are just the right amount of pattern to add a pop to your summer.
Color Blocked Tips
Color block your French tip nails with your favorite mint and green hues for a fresh look.
Grape Gemstones
These pastel purple jelly nails look so cute with a rhinestone accent.
Green Grass Cat Eye
Welcome all the summer grass with this green cat eye effect.
Sunny Daze
These happy bright yellow-tipped nails will bring in the summer sunshine.
Mirror Ball
These short silver chrome nails are the ultimate in trendy nails.
Pink Jelly Sparkle
These petal pink jelly nails have just the right amount of sparkle to be fun but not too over the top.
Mint and Gold
Try a mint green base with a gold and sage green side accent.
Purple Half Moons
These contrasting shades of purple make the half moon look like a pastel dream.
Glazed French Tips
A twist on a classic, the glazed French tip look is light and fresh all year round.
Checkered Pastel Chrome
Get in on the checkered and chrome trend with these pastel checkerboard nails.
Bubblegum Butterfly
This bubblegum hue is just right for summer with some 3D gold butterflies added for a little extra fun.
Lavender Swirl
Add some pastel pink and purple abstract swirls to your mani for summer.
’70s Floral
Break out some updated Flower Child vibes with a glitter outlined ’70s floral look for spring or summer.
Floral Color Block
Add a flower outline to the color blocked look for a summer twist.
Pink Pearls
This pearl look manicure is a nail trend we love and can be done in your favorite shades (make sure to add some pearl accents!).
Lace and Pearls
Add the look of lace and pearls to an all-white summer outfit for a fun yet sophisticated look. Perfect for a bridal look for summer weddings!
Field of Tulips
Picnic, anyone? Add a touch of buffalo check to your manicure with this design.
Pastel Chrome
These pastel chrome nails bring just the right amount of pastel power to your summer manicure.
Pink Marble
Add some marble details to your mani for a sweet summer look.
Sunshine Bows
Add a little sunshine to your summer day with these yellow glitter tipped nails with tiny bows.
Purple Haze
These purple tipped nails are a cute way to bring some lavender hues to your manicure.
Pink Color Blocked Tips
Color block your French tip nails with your favorite neon hues for a fresh look.
Glitter Lined
For a twist on the classic French manicure design, try this doubled lined glitter option to add a little ooh la la.
Coral Cat Eye
This coral cat eye effect is so pretty with a double French tip.
Sweet Swirl
Try a nude translucent shade with a simple abstract line swirl for an understated pattern.
Barbie Waves
These neon pink and red gradient waves bring a pop of color to any Valentine’s Day or spring and summer look.
Icy White
These short hologram nails are the perfect festival nails for summer.
Nude Velvet
The velvet cat eye effect of these nude nails is stunning and matches any outfit all year long.
Happy Nails
These nails have such a happy vibe when you make every nail an accent nail!
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