Summer! The season of lounging by the pool, epic vacays, and dipping your toes into the sand. And if you ask us, nothing goes better with a spicy marg and a flowy sundress than bright, beautiful nails. This year’s summer nail trends are full of fun colors and unique textures (chrome nails, anyone?), and if you’re looking for inspo for your next mani appointment, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re looking to branch out from your minimalist style or simply want to try something new for the season, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite summer nail trends below.
Butter Yellow
We’re calling it, butter yellow is the color of 2024. It’s been popping up on runways and fashion TikTok all year, including Sandy Liang’s fall 2024 runway show and Selena Gomez’s now-viral manicure shared on Tom Bachik’s (her manicurist) Instagram. This creamy shade falls between bright yellow and beige, and it’s the perfect, on-trend mani for summer. A butter yellow mani will add just the right amount of warmth and cheeriness to your summer outfits, and it’s a great choice if your warm-weather wardrobe consists of other soft, pretty pastels.
Polka Dots
Polka dots are popping up everywhere this summer and are perfect for a playful, retro vibe. Summer is an excellent time to play with adding colors and patterns into the mix. You can experiment with a monochrome color palette or try a rainbow of delicate pastels. If you’re looking for something more traditional, you could opt for a white manicure with black polka dots or vice versa. The possibilities are endless! Mix and match sizes and colors for a quirky feel, or keep it simple with a neutral base.
Crystal Embellishments
Crystal embellishments bring the glam to summer nails, adding a touch of luxury and sparkle to any manicure. Picking a nude color and adding a subtle shimmer will be sure to turn heads wherever you go. Our friend, Emily, picked this manicure, and it instantly gave her a glitzy, chic look. A neutral mani paired with a single crystal is the perfect mani that says, “I’m low-key, but I also like to indulge a little bit.” It’s a great choice if you have lots of formal events to attend this summer or if you’re lounging the afternoon away poolside with a cocktail in hand. Either way, Leo season is around the corner, and crystals on your nails are a perfect visual expression of this bold sign. This mani will have you shining bright like a diamond in true Leo fashion!
Metallic French Tips
Chrome and metallic nails have been having a moment all of 2024, and there’s no sign of the trend slowing down. Sadie and I love this one because it can be embraced by both minimalist and maximalist aesthetics—it truly is for everyone! Chrome and metallic finishes are perfect for silver or gold manis, but you can add them to colored manis, too, if you’re itching to lean into bright and bold hues for the season. Summer is definitely the time to experiment with color if you’re game, but if not, try a metallic or chrome French manicure. I’m a minimalist nail girlie at heart, and I’m in love with my gold metallic French tips!
Neon
If you’re looking for a bold statement to express the vibrant spirit of summer, try a neon color. It’s super playful and is the perfect vibe to ring in summer. By incorporating bright neon colors, this trend adds a pop of fun to your fingertips, mirroring the lively energy of the season that will look great with your summer tan. From electric pink to highlighter orange, neon hues add instant bright energy to any look. Whether you opt for a full set of neon nails or add a small pop of color with a neon accent nail, you’re guaranteed to stand out from the crowd. I decided to go for a neon orange, and I am so pleased with how it immediately put me in the summer mindset. I look instantly more tan, and it pairs perfectly with my bright, colorful summer clothes.
