Call Your Manicurist—These Are the Only Nail Designs That Matter This Summer

I'll be honest: I don't do my nails often. I usually keep them bare and add nail polish here and there, but my nails stay simple for the better part of the year. But when summer rolls around, I'm immediately in the mood to get playful and start to save a plethora of bright and fun manicure designs, summer nail art and summer nail trends to my Instagram Saved folder.

I'm already starting to think about which designs or summer nail colours I may want to try out. There are so many options out there—just a scroll on Instagram (and TikTok, with the nail transition videos) can lead to endless possibilities. For inspiration, I tapped through some of my favourite nail accounts and pinpointed the designs that I think will be perfect for the season ahead. Hint: They're all very fun, so be prepared to smile. Take a look below, and start envisioning these on your nails. You know I've already done it for all of the options.

Bright blue French tips nails

(Image credit: @harrietwestmoreland)

A colourful French manicure screams summer, and I love this bright blue design.

Negative space lilac nails with white swirls

(Image credit: @nailartbyqueenie)

I love this abstract take on a French manicure with negative space nail art.

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(Image credit: @imarninails)

I've seen so much fun YK2 jewellery trending. Why not take the same kitschy designs to your nails? 

Multicoloured chrome nails

(Image credit: @nailsbyzola)

Chrome nails aren't going anywhere this summer, but if you're over the classic glazed pink and white versions, why not try a multicoloured look?

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(Image credit: @imarninails)

These punchy coloured tips are perfect.

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(Image credit: @evemeetsnails)

Another nail-meets-fashion trend: checkerboard. Opt for the print in black and white for a more versatile look, or feel free to play around with colour. Lilac or green are great options.

Almond nails with green French tips

(Image credit: @harrietwestmoreland)

There's something about this almond nail shape and matcha green nail colour combo that feels so chic.

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

This floral design is absolutely adorable.

Purple aura nails

(Image credit: @buffcs)

This aura manicure is giving us great vibes for our next salon appointment.

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(Image credit: @celmatique)

Prints and colours galore! If colourful is your vibe this summer, these are the nails to match. Choose your own colour combos, and save this for your next manicure appointment.

Bright green short nails

(Image credit: @paintedbyjools)

Summer is the season to go bold, like this bright apple green hue.

Hot pink French manicure

(Image credit: @harrietwestmoreland)

Neon tips are so fun for summer.

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

Cobalt blue is a timeless hue for summer.

Tiny flower nail art

(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

Two words: how cute. Tiny flower nail art will always be winning summer nail design.

Almond nails with pastel yellow French tips

(Image credit: @iramshelton)

In case you haven't heard, butter yellow nails are a huge nail trend right now.

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(Image credit: @betina_goldstein)

I don't always want all my nails to be brightly coloured, so this subtle daisy detail on two is perfect if you're in the same boat. Just pick a colour of your choice along with a subtle design on the other nails.

Colourful French manicure with daisies

(Image credit: @leatngu)

Daisy nail art pairs so well with colourful French tips, am I right?

Mint green nails

(Image credit: @paintedbyjools)

Mint green is back, and it's the perfect hue for summer.

Multicoloured French tips

(Image credit: @raelondonnails)

if you face colour indecisiveness in the salon chair, then why not pick a couple of shades for a multi-coloured French mani?

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(Image credit: @nailartbyqueenie)

Even looking at this set reminds me of hitting the beach.

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(Image credit: @imarninails)

The prettiest chrome manicure I've seen.

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(Image credit: @nails_of_la)

I'm not usually one for French tips, but seeing colourful tips on the rise is making me think otherwise.

White nails

(Image credit: @iramshelton)

If you consider yourself a bright colour-phobe, then white nails are a great choice for those who are exclusively minimalists.

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

You'll have seen the Y2K trend of butterflies have making a comeback. f you're not willing to add the fun detail into clothes or accessories, I think it would make a solid addition to your summer manicure.

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

Who said pastels had to be for spring only? If muted tones are your vibe, mix and match your favourites on each nail to create a colourful but calming scene.

Can't make it to the salon? Shop our favorite press-ons:

This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated.

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew thatBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing Wholesale Replica Bag thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of Wholesale Replica Bag Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading Wholesale Replica Bag Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.
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