Summer is the best time to spice up your nails with bright colours, fun designs, and fresh prints that reflect the exuberance of the season. If you’re going to the beach, having a summer getaway, or just wanting to throw some colour on your everyday styles, these 15 fun summer nail ideas will help. Ranging from tropical vibes to pastel fun, you’ll find something you like! Be ready to screenshot all of your faves because these summer nails are incredible!
1. Minimalist Leafy Nude Nails
This trendy summer nail style features a soft, nude-pink colour and two minimal green leaves on the middle and ring fingers. The natural colours and subtle botanical details produce an earthy feeling that is perfect for those who appreciate minimalism. You can wear this look with gold rings or soft pastels while layering for a fresh and laid-back summer vibe.
2. Sage Green Nails With Gold Foil Leaf
The sage-green colour of these gorgeous nails is perfect for summer, and the shiny foil design on the accent nails adds to the luxurious vibe! The intense green of the leaves enhances the overall design’s integrity, and the almond-shaped nails themselves are very chic, which keeps the overall vibe sleek and polished. It is very easy to wear these nails with casual summer outfits, gold jewellery, or just a day relaxing in the sun. This look would be perfect for garden parties, beach days, or anyone just looking to add a bright pop of colour while still looking refined.
3. Pastel Lavender & Pink Matte Nails with Sugar Accent
Soft, dreamy, and completely Pinterest-worthy, this pastel nail look features a beautiful combination of matte lavender and blush pink shades. For added emphasis, this look even boasts a textured “sugar” accent nail that adds sparkle and dimension without taking away from the chic minimalism. This pastel manicure is perfect for summer brunches, weddings, or just any day you want your nails to look just as sweet as you feel. Elegant, playful, and perfectly flattering.
4. Botanical Nude Nails with Gold Accent
This nail design is simple yet stunning! The sheer nude base has hand-painted green leaf designs on each nail. There is also one standout accent nail that is delicately topped with gold foil detailing, creating a beautiful mix of earthy and luxe. This shape is short and natural, making it great for anyone who loves a clean, breathable summer look with a touch of flair. This nail design is perfect for nature lovers, minimalists, or just someone who wants fresh and polished nails.
5. Tropical Floral Nails with Rhinestones
Let paradise be at your fingertips with this bright summer nail using handpainted tropical flowers in hot pink, orange, and lime green colours. On a light nude base, each flower is outlined in fine black linework, and the centre of each flower features a rhinestone. The bold orange on the thumb creates a cute contrast, and the whole look is sure to get you in a vacation mood. These nails are great for a beach vacation, a pool day, or simply for when you want to carry the sun with you!
6. Coral & Aqua Tropical Nails with Hibiscus Design
This whimsical summer manicure is rich in tropical floral elements, combining shiny coral and aqua colours with handpainted discus flowers on a white background. The flowers add femininity, while the changing colour bases keep it new and fun! The tiny white dot pattern details on the coral ensure there are little details that combine everything without being distracting. It is ideal for beach vacations, summer festivals, or all summer long if you’re feeling like you want your nails to shine like a sunny island!
7. French Style with Mint Green Heart Accents
This fun-meets-classic look puts a playful spin on the classic French manicure. Clean white tips with bold mint green accent nails adorned with cute 3D heart shapes and bright white stripes for contrast. The square nail shape enhances the structured look, while the hearts lend an extra touch of fun and whimsy—a perfect look for summer flirtatious dates, casual days out, or anyone who loves to sport cute along with chic!
8. Bright Daisy Nails with Gold Wave Detail
Celebrate your joyfulness of summer with this cute nail design featuring daisies! With a combination of glossy yellow and soft nude bases, these nails feature handpainted white daisies and gold waves for a playful, chic effect. The combination of floral art and subtle shimmer creates the perfect balance of fun and chic—ideal for picnic-ing, festival-ing, or just being in the sun!
9. High-gloss Pink Modern French
While many modern French looks feature classic white tips, this clean and chic version is trendy due to its glossy, colourful tips. The sleek nails are shaped into a contemporary almond-in hue, with tips that transition from a soft, bubblegum pink to a bright, neon pink. The glossy effect enhances the look of the smooth ombre gradient, creating a fresh and flirty summer vibe. The nails are simultaneously clean, chic and very attractive for summer, especially for the days when you want to look stylish but may not have time to go all glam for a classy night out. If you want to colour your nails but don’t go over the top, small and chic designs are your best bet, creating a perfect modern French-type look.
10. Traditional French Almond Nails
A classic that never goes out of style, a classic French manicure showcases perfectly formed almond-shaped nails, crisp white tips, and a shiny nude base. The all-white design is simple yet perfectly unique, with its immaculate finish and soft curves—a classic French look that’s great for everyday wear or a specific occasion. Style with gold jewellery and denim for a summer-inspired Parisian look. A classic never goes out of style.
11. Neon Green French Tips
Bright, fun, and refreshingly simple, this modern summer manicure features clean, short nails with pastel lime French tips next to a clear pink base. A couple of full-colour lime accent nails add an extra punch of freshness. This look is perfect for a minimalist lover with a dash of seasonal enthusiasm. Just throw it on, look on-trend, and off to the picnic or pool you go.
12. Sweet Daisy Nails on Naked Base
This cute summer mani is as fresh as a field of flowers! Each nail features fun, bright flowers with bold white petals and bright yellow centres on a nude base. Filled flower designs are sweet and cover the whole nail plate to create a cheerful look that is sure to make anyone smile. Short, rounded nails keep it fun and chic, which is ideal for any life activity – from everyday garden parties to sunshine and simplicity with every movement.
13. Rainbow Pastel Short Nails
We’ve made it to summer, and it’s time to colour up your lifestyle! This rainbow pastel nail manicure will brighten your spirits and celebrate the colours of summer. We love this cheerful look with short, round nails featuring the un-polished soft shades of summer—think cotton candy pink, mint green, baby blue, lavender, and butter yellow. This look is a fun, coordinated ensemble that is both playful and polished. You’ll want to wear this look with all of your summer outfits, whether it’s a day at the beach or an evening dinner with friends. It has youth, joy, and Instagram written all over it!
14. Fuchsia Daisy Nails with Speckles
This bold and blooming summer nail design complements glossy fuchsia pink nails with accent nails featuring whimsical details of white daisies and little yellow flowers on a transparent nude base. Speckles of black paint add a trendy and imaginative touch for added visual interest. The combo of bright colour and floral charm means this manicure is perfect for sunny weekends, music festivals, or whenever you want your nails to send a playful yet pretty message.
15. Soft Yellow Daisy Nails
Clean, fresh, and full of summer energy, this fun mani has sunny yellow polish on nearly all the nails, paired with adorable daisy art painted on two accent fingers over a nude base. The look is clean, fresh, and full of summer energy—perfect for brightening your day or pairing with a floral dress. It feels simple, happy, and easy to wear—great for anyone who enjoys soft nail art with a happy feel.
