8 Summer Nail-Art Ideas to Mix Things Up This Season
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Kids may look forward to summer because it means no school and lots of time off, but we look forward to summer because it means we can finally dig out the summer nail ideas we've been saving over the last few months and get started crossing looks off of our bucket list. Fruit nails? "Digital lavender" hues? "Fishing lure" designs? Check, check, and check.
We love each season and the many beauty trends they bring, but there's something about the warm weather and the summer nail designs that come with it that just make us feel good. The nail-polish shades get brighter; the designs, more creative β supplying us with the best of the best ideas. And something tells us this year is going to be better than ever.
"I love that everyone has been thinking outside the box in terms of inspiration," celebrity manicurist Tammy Taylor says. "Inspiration can come from anywhere: summer clothing, the beach, festivals, makeup, summer holidays, and the list goes on."
So, what summer nail-art designs should you save for your next salon appointment? Keep reading to find out, as some of the industry's top makeup artists share their favorite ideas for inspiration.
Experts Featured in This Article
Tammy Taylor is a celebrity manicurist and brand founder.
Leanne Woodley is a celebrity manicurist.
Molly Runty is a nail artist based in Texas.
Lyssa Moss is a nail technician at Ripe Hair and Beauty.
Kim Truong is a celebrity manicurist.
"Fishing Lure" Nails
Sardine summer is alive and well β just look at the "fishing lure" nail trend. This quirky summer nail idea is perfect for maximalists. The trend is "inspired by real fishing lures, featuring colorful, shiny, iridescent finishes to create an eye-catching appeal," says nail artist Molly Runty.
Fruit Nails
If you're looking for super cute summer nail designs, try fruit nails. It's already proven to be a favorite of celebrities like Saweetie and Kourtney Kardashian. The manicure design is equal parts nostalgic and cutesy, and it offers lots of versatility in terms of overall look.
"Castlecore" Nails
A long list of celebrities, including Megan Fox, Jennifer Lopez, and Cynthia Erivo, are all big fans of "castlecore" nails. The trend is straight out of a fairytale.
"Castlecore nails are a new nail aesthetic inspired by one of Pinterest's biggest trends for 2025," nail technician Lyssa Moss says. "With medieval-inspired fashion on the rise, this manicure style features gothic motifs, antique designs, and regal gemstones."
Flower Nails
The '90s and 2000s aren't the only decades we'll be pulling inspiration from this summer. "I think bright, '70s, groovy-inspired prints heavily influence summer nail art," says celebrity manicurist Leanne Woodley. "Flower power is forever, and for sure always a great summer design."
There are countless different ways you can go with floral nails, but if you're looking for easy summer nail-art ideas, you're bound to find something that fits your style. If you need further proof that this classic summery design is cool again, just look at Dua Lipa's flower nails
.
Classic French Manicure
One of our favorite easy summer nail designs is the classic french manicure. You can customize the look by adding additional nail art and tweaking the colors you use on each finger.
Watercolor Nails
Everything about watercolor nails just screams summer β from the bright color palette to the light and airy diffused finish. Celebrity manicurist Kim Truong says, "These nails were created using an actual airbrush machine to blend the various colors together seamlessly."
Chrome Nails
Chrome nails have popped up on a handful of celebrities at recent red carpet events. The nail design is coming back in a big way, but for summer, you'll want to put a twist on them. "Instead of chroming the entire nail, I've been seeing accents of chrome throughout nail art and absolutely love it," Taylor says. "I think it adds the finishing touch to any nail design."
Woodley agrees: "Chrome abstract details will have their time this summer and through the rest of the year."
"Digital Lavender" Nails
For a simple summer nail design, try "digital lavender," the new neutral. Celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec says that the shade is "cooler-toned and a bit more muted" than your classic lavender and makes for a great understated yet still fun manicure.
Jessica Harrington (she/her) is the senior editor of PS Beauty, where she oversees coverage around makeup, skin care, hair, tattoos, and more. With more than nine years of industry experience, she has interviewed countless celebrities, reported on hundreds of beauty trends, and swatched more lipsticks than she can count. Prior to PS, Jessica worked for publications such as Makeup.com, Skincare.com, and The Zoe Report.