25+ Cool Summer Nails to Inspire your Next Manicure

When you think of summer, you think of summer nails. And, when you think of summer nails, you think of vibrant colors. The best summer nails are colorful and bold and are perfect for the season. While you may be tempted to go for a bright, saturated color, just think twice. Because neon colors can make your fingers look shorter. But too much color can distract from the nails themselves. As a general rule, longer nails look best with one or two colors. While shorter nails look better with three or more colors.

Summer is coming! So, we here at summer nail colors wanted to write a post about some of our favorite trends and summer nail art styles. Pick up the best styles and try them out for this summer. Of course, this is a helpful guide for those who plan to vacation on hot days. Furthermore, it gives our readers a look at some easy, and relaxed summer nail looks to try out right now.

1. Summer Nails with Cloud Nail Art

Summer Nails 2021 with Cloud nail Art over light blue ombre style!
Credit: Instagram@matuszewsk.a

Summer is finally here! And that means it’s time to show off your nails. The hottest nail trend of the season is cloud nail art. It’s a look that manages to look both ethereal and edgy at the same time. Clouds appear as a base for the other nail colors in these looks, and you can easily do this look with fake nails.

Cloud nail art is a type of nail art that I have seen popping up everywhere lately. It usually involves a turquoise blue or green base with accent white, pink, or yellow nails.

Some people even add a different kind of accent to give it a 3D look. First, I saw it on Instagram, and I noticed that people were going crazy about it. As a result, I wanted to know what exactly it was and why it was so popular. I love it and will try it out.

Rose Gold Glitter Cloud Summer Nails

Rose Gold Glitter coffin shaped Cloud Nails 2021 for summer occasions
Credit: Instagram@nails_by_terri_louise

Light Blue Coffin Shaped Summer Nails with Cloud Nail Art

Light blue coffin shaped cloud nails for summer 2021
Credit: Instagram@nailshighlights

Glossy Pink Press-on Nails

Glossy pink cloud press on nails 2021 coffin shaped for summer time
Credit: Instagram@bossybutterflyco

Mixed Colored Short French Tip Nails

Mixed Colored Short French Tip Nails 2021 with Cloud Nail Art for summer time!
Credit: Instagram@nailnerdchallenge

Clear Acrylic Summer Nails with Cloud Nail Art

Clear Acrylic Nails 2021 with Cloud Nail Art for summer time!
Credit: Instagram@nailfix.byvic

Stunning Purple Ombre Cloud Nails

Stunning Purple Ombre Cloud Nails 2021 for summer season
Credit: Instagram@paradix.nails

Sunshine, Rainbow, and Cloud Nail Art Design

Sunshine, Rainbow, and Cloud Nail Art Design for summer time
Credit: Instagram@tessa.lyn.nails

Of course, this is a wonderful and cool design that combines sunshine, rainbows, and cloud nail art together. Also, this is a simple nail art you can DIY at home on a nude base color.

2. Palm Summer Nails

Ombre almond-shaped Yellow neon summer nails 2021 with palm nail art
Credit: Instagram@olcixixnails

If you’re sick of the same old nail designs but not ready to take things to the next level with full-on summer nail art, we have the solution for you! The palm nail art trend is perfect for anyone looking for a change without venturing too far from the classic French manicure.

It involves a single swipe of nail polish across the middle of your nails and into the center of your cuticle area. This nail art is a great way to add a little extra to your hands without going bankrupt on new summer nail colors.

Ombre Palm Nail Art Design

Ombre Palm Nail Art Design for summer 2021
Credit: Instagram@md_ongles

Indeed, the pink, yellow, and light blue ingredients are so cute, especially when blended with palm nail art. So, if you like pastel colors then this nail art above suits you.

Orange Nails with Flamingo and Palm Nail Art

Orange Nails 2021 with Flamingo and Palm Nail Art for summer season
Credit: Instagram@nailsroomnataliapodolska

Another, cute summer nail design that blends almond orange nails with accent orange French tip nails. Besides, the accent nail uses flamingo and palm nail art in a stunning themed idea.

Pink Palm Nail Art Design

Pink nails 2021 with two accent Palm Nails for summer days
Credit: Instagram@puro.nails

I really love this color shade and the two accent palm nails are gorgeous. So, this nail art design is a perfect choice for summer.

Decorative Palm Nail Art Design

Decorative Almond Palm Nail Art Design for summer 2021
@nailsby_jukus

Of course, most women love almond nails, pink shades, and palm nail art designs. Additionally, the decorative palm accents level up this subtle design. So, try to recreate this masterpiece.

Cute Beach Nails with Leaf and Palm Nail Art

Cute Beach Nails with Leaf and Palm Nail Art for summer 2021
@lori_nails

3. Summer Nails with Mixed checkerboards

Almond shaped Summer Nails 2021 with Mixed checkerboards
Credit: Instagram@yeswhatnails

It’s no secret that summer is a perfect time to experiment with daring colors. From neon brights to hot-hot-hot (literally) hues, the hot summer temperatures make for the ideal setting to show off your bright and bold nail art. But, while we’re always for subtle, understated nail colors, summer isn’t the time for subtlety.

Indeed, Nail art that always a trend during summer: mixed patterns, bright shiny colors, and other crazy designs.

Various Checkered French Tip Nails with A Twist

Various Checkered French Tip Nails with A Twist
@laurenladnier

Another is mixed checkered nails with French nail tips. Trying this modern and chic nail art will be a good choice.

Cute Colorful Checkered Summer Nails

Cute Colorful almond shaped Checkered nails 2021 for summer time
@coats.of.colour

Indeed, this set of colors is amazing to apply a cute checkered nail art design. But you can choose your favorite colors to apply.

Short Checkered Nails

Short Checkered Nails 2021 for summer season
@nailxpolishxobsessed

Of course, most women love short nails because of the simplicity and ease of using fingernails in everyday activities. So, this nail art design above is worth a try.

4. Rainbow nails

Long coffin shaped rainbow nails 2021 for summer time
Credit: Instagram@tonysnail

Rainbow nail art isn’t just a way to express your inner unicorn. It also looks fabulous on your fingers. For the best results, use a base coat, like OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener, before applying your nail polish. It has all the vitamins and nutrients your nails need to stay strong and healthy.

Once your polish is dry, use a nail art brush dipped in the primary color of your choice to create a half-moon shape. Then, using a dotting tool, pick up little bits of the secondary color and apply them to the inside of your half-moon.

This approach will create a gradient effect that will transition from the color of your nail to the color of your base coat.

Stiletto Rainbow Summer Nails

Gorgeous stiletto rainbow nails 2021 with rhinestones for summer days!
Credit: Instagram@tonysnail

Rainbow Ring Summer Nails

Rainbow Ring Nail Art with nude base color for summer 2021
Credit: Instagram@amyle.nails

Silver Chrome Summer Nails with Rainbow Nail Art

Another amazing rainbow nail uses the silver mirror as a base color in addition to, overlay rainbow colors which, makes this design so attractive.

Silver Chrome Summer Nails with Rainbow Nail Art
Credit: Instagram@chellys_nails

5. Confetti Summer Nails

Almond shaped Confetti Rainbow Summer Nails 2021 for best look ever!
Credit: Instagram@tonysnail

You know when you’re at a wedding, party, or other special event and you see someone with the most stunning manicure? As you move in for a closer look, you notice tiny confetti pieces on their nails, and it’s just perfect. If you’re still looking for that perfect nail polish color for your next party, consider trying a confetti design on your next manicure.

While confetti-inspired nail art has been a favorite of the—ahem—less cultured among us, it’s still fun to see the trend taking off in nail art circles. We’ve seen everything from green, red, and white dots and stripes to metallic gold, silver, and even black confetti.

And while it would be the nail art of choice for the kind of person who doesn’t mind wearing the same dress to a party as her dog. Also, it’s still fun to see these manicures becoming more mainstream among professionals.

6. Pretty Summer Smiley Face Nails

In latest trends for the summer of 2022 are adorable smiley nail designs! No matter if they’re tiny smiley faces layered on top of negative space, nude color nails, larger smiles on solid nails, or smiling inside flowers, there’s something timeless and fun about smileys.

Long neon smiley face nails 2022 with strawberry, flowers, and abstract nail art
Credit: Instagram@nailsbyanalilia

Another is smiley face nails but in a short length and colorful style. Also, this nail art features checkered, flower, and swirl accents. So, it’s a perfect idea to copy this fun nail design.

Short almond shaped colorful smiley face nails 2022 with checkered, flower, and swirl accents
Credit: Instagram@zoeyglee_nails

7. Colorful French Neon Summer Nails

If you’ve been wanting to try out colorful French nails, these cute summer nails are for you. Indeed, colorful French nail polish is an easy way to add a splash of neon to your manicure. Using multiple shades such as yellow, orange, and pink, you can create stunning nail art of vibrant colors without any special tools.

Colorful French Neon Summer Nails - Cute Summer Nails Almond Shaped with Center-line Dots
Credit: Instagram@lapremierka

8. Seaside-Inspired Summer Nails

Seaside-inspired nail art designs are a popular choice for those who love to showcase their love for the ocean and beach. These mermaid nails coffin shaped incorporate the calming colors of the sea to create a beautiful and stylish look.

Coffin-Shaped Seaside-Inspired Summer Nails
Credit: Instagram@magpie_beauty

To Conclude

At last, summer is almost here, and you know what that means: it’s time to paint your nails! While we all love a good classic red or a shiny gold polish, it’s the unique colors that excite us. The nail arts featured in our list are perfect for summer — bright, cheerful, and guaranteed to turn heads. So, whether you’re at a backyard barbecue or a pool party, you’re going to be the envy of all your friends!

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