Summer is the perfect time to experiment with vibrant and playful nail art. Whether you’re a nail art newbie or a seasoned pro, these eight cute summer nail art trends are sure to inspire your next manicure. From glittery stars to blooming flowers, let’s dive into the must-try designs for 2024!
Glitter Stars
Sparkle and shine with these glossy, glittery stars. This design is perfect for adding a touch of magic to your summer nails. If you’re new to drawing designs with paint, you’ll want to create small triangles and connect them to form stars. This method is straightforward and delivers stunning results.
To achieve this look, start with a clear or light-colored base coat. Then, using a fine brush, draw small triangles with glitter polish and connect them to form stars. Finish with a top coat to seal in the sparkle.
Flame Tips
A fresh take on a French tip, flame tips incorporate lively flames that are perfect for summer. This design can be tried out in white for a subtle look or mixed up with neon or primary colors for a bold statement.
Begin with a base coat of your choice. Using a nail art brush, draw flame shapes starting from the tip of the nail and extending towards the middle. Experiment with different colors to find your perfect summer flame.
Pastel Hearts
This sweet design may remind you of a popular Valentine’s Day candy, but it’s perfect for summer too. Take a break from your typical red and hot pink hearts and opt for pastel tones instead.
To create pastel hearts, start with a pastel base coat. Use a dotting tool to place two dots side by side, then drag the polish down to form a heart shape. Repeat this process on each nail, varying the colors for a fun and cohesive look.
Green and Gold Accents
Not quite a French tip, these elegant gold and green accents on the tip of the nail make for an interesting negative space nail design. This sophisticated look is perfect for those who want a chic yet understated manicure.
Apply a clear base coat, then use tape or a stencil to create a negative space at the tips of your nails. Paint the tips with gold and green polish, and remove the tape to reveal clean lines. Finish with a top coat for extra shine.
Yellow Half Moons
Add a pop of color to an otherwise subtle manicure by filling in half moons at the base of your nail. Yellow is the star here, but feel free to explore other shades as well. This design is simple yet eye-catching, perfect for brightening up your summer look.
Start with a clear or nude base coat. Using a small brush or a dotting tool, paint half moons at the base of each nail with yellow polish. Seal the design with a top coat to ensure longevity.
Bejeweled
If you ask us, these nails have the perfect amount of bling. The heart-shaped jewels at the center of the nail and golden starburst surrounding it are both eye-catching and easy to execute.
Begin with your favorite base color. Apply a small amount of nail glue where you want to place the jewel. Carefully place the heart-shaped jewel and press it gently into the glue. Use a fine brush to add the golden starburst around the jewel. Finish with a top coat to keep everything in place.
Blooming Flowers
Bold colors make this design a fun option, but the blooming gel base is the true star. When you arrange five dots of your favorite color polish on top of the base, watch it “bloom” on its own as the colored dots spread out to form flower petals.
Apply a blooming gel base coat and cure it under a UV lamp. Place five dots of colored polish in a circle and watch as they spread to form a flower. Repeat this process on each nail and finish with a top coat for a beautiful summer bloom.
Gel Fruit
Little beads of nearly translucent gel hues are turned into the most adorable fruits with just a few flicks of green polish. Add them to a neutral base as seen here or paint them onto a bright color of your choice.
Start with a neutral or bright base coat. Use a dotting tool to create small beads with translucent gel polish. Once cured, add tiny green leaves with a fine brush to turn the beads into fruits. Seal with a top coat for a fun and fruity summer manicure.
