Instead of “Glazed Donut”, People Are Now Asking for “Watermelon Nails” for Summer

Warm weather has finally arrived, and I'm on the lookout for summer nail trends to get some inspiration for my next manicure. Summer is the ideal time to experiment with bright nail colours and summer nail art, and with sandal season now here, I'm ready for 2024 pedicure trends too.

Whilst chrome "glazed donut" nails and the "strawberry girl" aesthetic dominated last summer, this year, there's a new foodie-inspired nail trend that's been trickling into our Instagram feeds and For You pages, and that's watermelon nails.

Watermelon nails are the ideal summer nail design as they provide endless inspiration. You could go for tiny nail art watermelon slices all over a bare nail (so cute) or have a watermelon slice as a colourful French tip. Many of the designs I've seen combine watermelon pink and green colours into an ombré design (complete with watermelon seeds), and I've lost count of the number of watermelon jelly nail designs I've spotted. However, a simple coat of a pinky-red watermelon hue looks great as a block colour all over the nail if you prefer something more simple. They look great if you're headed on holiday, to a festival or just want to give your summer manicure a juicy update.

Ready for some watermelon nail design inspiration? Scroll ahead for the best I've found.

Watermelon Nail Ideas

1. Watermelon Micro Nail Art

Tiny watermelon nail art negative space nails

(Image credit: .@betina_goldstein)

How cute is this tiny watermelon nail art?

2. Watermelon Ombré Chrome

Watermelon ombre chrome nails

(Image credit: .@imarninails)

A fun way to update a chrome manicure for summer 2024.

3. Watermelon Reverse French Manicure

Watermelon reverse French manicure nails

(Image credit: .@nailartbyqueenie)

The half moon at your nail bed is the perfect shape for a watermelon slice. So fun!

4. Watermelon Block Nails

Watermelon colour nails

(Image credit: @themaniclub)

I love a fruity watermelon hue as an all-over nail colour. It's the perfect shade for summer.

5. Watermelon Tutti Frutti Nail Art

Watermelon mixed fruit nail art

(Image credit: @thehangedit)

Can't decide on just one fruit? Go tutti frutti with one on each nail.

6. Watermelon Ombré

Watermelon ombre nails

(Image credit: @imarninails)

This red-to-pink ombré is a subtler nod to the watermelon trend, but you could easily add watermelon seed nail art to this design too.

7. Watermelon Jelly Nails

Watermelon jelly nails

(Image credit: @imarninails)

I'm obsessed with this jelly watermelon manicure.

8. Watermelon Pedicure

Watermelon pedicure

(Image credit: @thehangedit)

Take the trend to your toes with a watermelon pedicure.

9. Watermelon Double-French Manicure

Watermelon red and green double French manicure nails

(Image credit: @hollyfalconenails)

Experiment with the placement of the watermelon colours—this double French is so chic.

10. Watermelon Ombré Accent Nail Art

Watermelon ombre French nails

(Image credit: @buffcs)

The ombré! The chrome! The watermelon nail art! I'm in love.

11. Watermelon Blush Nails

Watermelon blush nails

(Image credit: @buffcs)

A subtle blush of watermelon pink makes for a stylish take on the trend.

12. Watermelon Pink on Short Nails

Watermelon colour on short nails

(Image credit: @buffcs)

There's something about a watermelon pink nail colour that looks particularly punchy on short nails.

13. Pink and Green Watermelon Accents

Watermelon pin and green accent nails

(Image credit: @betina_goldstein)

I love the contrast of these colours together.

14. Red and Pink Manicure

Watermelon red nails with pink reverse French manicure nails

(Image credit: @betina_goldstein)

Another watermelon manicure that isn't too on the nose, but still screams summertime.

15. Sheer Watermelon Nails

Sheer watermelon nails

(Image credit: @betina_goldstein)

A sheer wash of bright pink gives a nod to a juicy slice of watermelon.

16. Pink and Red Watermelon Double-French Manicure

Watermelon nails

(Image credit: .)

I love the white detailing on this double-French design, and you could easily ask your nail tech to add a slither of green to get a watermelon manicure.

Shop the Trend:

Eleanor Vousden
Beauty Editor,Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK

Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman Home and junior beauty editor at beauty website Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections with written and styling work.Working as a beauty journalist since 2015 after graduating in fashion journalism at the London College of Fashion, she has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.Eleanor’s journalistic focus is to provide readers with honest and helpful beauty content. Through words, video and live broadcast, she has interviewed several celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and top dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson. She has a particular interest in finding solutions for acne and eczema, which she has experienced firsthand. She has also amassed a large collection of fragrances and can never say no to a new candle.When she’s not writing or testing Wholesale Replica Bag beauty product or treatments, she’s on the seafront in her hometown of Brighton and Hove, where she lives with her partner and her miniature dachshund.