The 20 Best Summer Nail Ideas for Your Vacation Mood Board

Elle

8 hours ago

Now that the gloominess of the winter season has finally passed, there are a few moments we can look forward to this summer. Rooftops, happy hours, beach vacations, and, best of all, trading in your minimalist manicures for vibrant, colorful designs to match all of your OOO outings. In keeping with the experimental theme of this year's top makeup trends, there's been a huge emphasis on bold colors and playful techniques for nail designs. This season, prints and textures rule as we lean into the lively spirit of the summer while popular trends from previous seasons evolve into fresher, more unique styles.
As the temperature rises, the season offers an exciting chance to explore an array of vivid nail colors we'd usually shy away from during other seasons. But with so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to choose just one style to last you until your next nail appointment. So, to make the process a bit easier for you, we scoured the internet to find 20 of the most exciting and fun nail designs to try this summer. See our selections below.
When you think of summer, the first image that comes to mind is the beach. Well, why not always have a little piece of the beach with you? This manicure features a starfish, sandy accents, and ocean blue hues that feel like a mini getaway.
If you find it difficult to move away from natural nail colors, a good way to add a bit of intrigue is with 3D appliqués. Use a neutral base color and colorful florals to draw some extra attention to your nails.
Walking into a nail salon and trying to decide what color or design to get for your manicure can be overwhelming. With so many options, it's hard to choose just one. But what if you didn't have to? This manicure is proof that combining all of the hottest nail trends into one manicure can create a masterpiece. It has a mix of all of the designs we know and love, from French tips and chrome lines to patterns and stripes.
It's official: Another summer has come, and the strawberry girl trend continues to evolve. This simple and chic interpretation of strawberry nails takes a classic natural nail color to the next level. Small 3D red berries add a pop of color, while the other nails are designed to mimic the texture of the fruit with gold specs for an extra sparkle.
If you consider yourself a bit of a maximalist, then this manicure is perfect for you. The 3D stripes and polka dots bring this intricate color block manicure to life for a unique and playful look for the summer.
This manicure is exactly what I imagine a mermaid's nails would look like, and that is reason enough to add it to your mood board. The shimmering aqua shade resembles the glimmer of clear water washing up on the shore of a tropical beach.
Prints are having a major moment this summer, and leopard print, in particular, is at the top of everyone's list. From clothing to accessories and now to your manicure, this leopard print French manicure is a great way to dress up your French tips and try out a new style.
A simple all-white manicure is a go-to color for the summertime. An easy way to jazz up this classic style is to add a bit of texture with builder gel, and finishing with another coat of polish. This mani demonstrates how you can keep the simplicity of the neutral tone, but your nails will be far from boring.
Glazed nails have been one of the most popular nail trends for the past few seasons. This summer, the trend is evolving. Instead of using a solid color as the base of your chrome, opt for a colorful French design and follow up with a shimmery chrome to complete the manicure.
If you can't seem to escape the hold of dark nail polish, we're happy to tell you that there are many ways to incorporate darker shades into your summer manicures. This manicure uses colorful tropical flowers to brighten up a black French manicure.
This manicure captures the essence of the summer season with vibrant shades of yellow and orange and hints of a calming blue shade airbrushed onto a neutral base. Topped with golden accents and water droplet designs, this is the manicure you need to prep for your vacation.
Once the weather permits, the first place I hope to be is by a pool. Laying out poolside all day is a prime summer experience, and as much as we wish it could last forever, it can't. But luckily, with a manicure like this, you can take the poolside vibe with you wherever you go. Use an iridescent blue shade with a matte top coat, then use clear builder gel to get a raindrop design.
Even though many may think that pastel tones are reserved for the spring, adding some lighter shades to your nails can help create a bit of depth when layered on top of deeper, contrasting colors.
Don't hurt your eyes trying to catch a glimpse of the summer sun—just get your nails done instead. This yellow airbrush design utilizes the popular aura nail trend to bring a bit of sunshine to your next nail set.
If you are looking for something cute and sweet, this manicure delivers. The cherry girl trend has been floating around TikTok for a while now, depicting deep cherry red tones and sultry romantic vibes that carry you through the cooler months. But now that warm weather is upon us, the cherry trend has taken on a new form. Cherry designs add an adorable pop of color to any manicure. This baby blue shade is the perfect base for adding tiny red rhinestones and thin green lines to mimic the fruit.
If you are looking for a unique way to add florals to your manicure, this orchid design is exactly what you should show your nail technician. This design gives you all of the floral feels without being too on the nose for a manicure you'll want to keep forever.
It is clear that chrome is quickly becoming a staple for cool girl manicures. While the trend has gone through many phases over the years, this season, the best way to incorporate chrome is through simple accents like the 3D stripes that resemble metal bars. Try either a color blocking or gradient design as the base to make the manicure a bit more interesting.
If you're looking for a manicure to heat up your summer, this orange and yellow airbrushed design mimics the sun's rays.
By now, I think we've reached the conclusion that French tips aren't going anywhere any time soon. So why not have a bit of fun with them? Swapping out the classic white for vibrant colors is an easy way to update the style.
Adding texture is a fool-proof way to make any manicure more exciting and intricate. The 3D dots are a simple design that instantly elevates your nails to the next level.