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Fun summer nails are playful designs that match the sunny, carefree vibe of the summer season. They include bold colors like neon pink, electric blue, or sunny yellow, literally the shades that pop and make you feel happy.
Many people choose tropical themes, like palm trees, flamingos, or juicy watermelons painted on their nails. Glitter is a summer favorite, too, adding sparkle to beach days or pool parties.
Here’s the tea, though: Summer nails can be high-maintenance. Sand, sunscreen, and saltwater are the enemies of longevity. I learned this the hard way during a beach shoot when my bedazzled seashell nails started peeling after 10 minutes. Now, I swear by gel top coats and cuticle oil. Also, hydration is for you and your nails.
1. SPONGEBOB SWIRLS
Start with a nude pink base coat and use matte colours. Use a thin nail art brush or a dotting tool to create swirling patterns in contrasting shades like ocean blue, pink, and neon green.
Styling Tips: Pair these nails with casual summer outfits like denim shorts, graphic tees, or a beachy sundress. They’re perfect for pool parties or theme parks and accessorize with colorful bracelets or SpongeBob-themed jewelry. Keep Makeup simple with dewy skin and a coral lip to let the nails steal the show.
2. RETRO LEMONS
Paint nails a pastel yellow or creamy off-white as a base. Use a small brush to draw retro-style lemons with thick black outlines and tiny green leaves. Finally, seal the nail with a matte top coat to enhance the vintage feel.
Styling Tips: For a retro look, style these nails with high-waisted denim, crochet tops, or oversized sunglasses. They’re ideal for picnics or flea markets and pair with a wicker bag and strappy sandals. Keep hair tousled and makeup warm-toned (think bronzer and peachy blush) to match the nostalgic vibe.
3. FUNKY NAILS
Go wild with neon colors like electric pink, lime green, and cobalt blue. Create geometric shapes or freehand zigzags and squiggles using striping tapes.
Styling Tips: wear edgy outfits like leather shorts, band tees, or neon bike shorts. Pair them with chunky sneakers and holographic accessories, perfect for festivals or clubbing. Keep hair bold (space buns, colored streaks) and makeup neon (pink eyeliner, blue mascara) to match the chaotic energy.
4. DATE YOUR WIFE
Opt for a soft, romantic palette: dusty rose, mauve, or champagne. Paint delicate designs like Dark purple dots, white stars, and legs. Use a fine brush for precision and seal it with a matte top coat.
Styling Tips: Pair these nails with outfits like a slip dress, tailored blazers, or silk camisoles. Ideal for dinners or sunset walks, accessorize with dainty gold jewelry and a clutch. Keep Makeup soft—rosy cheeks, nude lips—and hairstyles sleek (low bun, loose waves) to complement the romantic vibe.
5. SMILEY FACES
Start with a nude pink base and create yellow smiley faces on each nail. Add black dots for eyes and a curved line for the grin.
Styling Tips: Style it with graphic sweatshirts, overalls, or tie-dye shirts. Pair with colorful scrunchies and sneakers for ice cream dates or park hangouts. Keep Makeup playful: freckles, glossy lips, and blush-heavy cheeks to mirror the whimsical nails.
6. HAPPY SUMMER FLOWER
Paint nails a crisp white or pastel base. Use manicure tools to create flower petals in mint green. Create pastel-colored French tips on each finger. For a bolder look, create a graph pattern on one finger.
Styling Tips: Pair these nails with floral dresses, linen sets, or straw hats. Perfect for brunch or garden parties, pair with woven bags and sandals. Opt for natural Makeup, such as tinted moisturizer, pink lips, and loose, beachy waves, to match the breezy floral theme.
7. SELF OBSESSED ME
Choose a nude pink base. Add self-love motifs, “ME” in golden color, resembling confidence. Finish it with glitter blue French tips.
Styling Tips: Pair these nails with power outfits like blazers, leather pants, or bold prints. Ideal for selfie moments or family outings, accessorize with chunky rings and hoop earrings. Go all-out with Makeup: bold eyeliner, highlighted cheekbones, and a dark lip to match the fearless vibe.
8. GIANT CATERPILLAR & MUSHROOM
Paint a chubby green caterpillar and a mushroom with a 3D effect. Use glossy polish for the best results. Keep the design cartoony and playful.
Styling Tips: These quirky nails pair well with whimsical outfits like striped tees or tutu skirts. Perfect for fairs or comic cons, add mismatched socks and colorful hair clips. Keep makeup light like rosy cheeks, glitter eyelids, and a clear gloss for a storybook charm.
9. PATRICK IS HERE
Paint nails a soft pink base to resemble Patrick’s color. Keep the design simple and cartoonish, and seal it with a glossy top coat.
Styling Tips: Pair these with tie-dye shirts, denim skirts, or beach cover-ups. Great for pool days or casual hangs, accessorize with star-shaped jewelry and flip-flops. Keep hair messy (braids, ponytail) and Makeup minimal, i.e., sunscreen glow and lip balm for a carefree vibe.
10. MATTE LEMONS
Use a muted yellow or cream base. Paint whole lemons and lemon slices as well. Skip the gloss—opt for a matte top coat to give it a modern, understated look. Add tiny green leaves for contrast.
Styling Tips: Style with neutral outfits like beige linen pants, white button-ups, or slip dresses. Ideal for coffee runs or art galleries, pair with minimalist jewelry and structured bags. Keep Makeup clean: nude lips, groomed brows, and a hint of highlighter.
11. SUMMER FUNNY SWIRLS
Start with a nude or pastel base. Use neon polishes (orange, pink, teal) to create swirly, abstract patterns. Finish with a glossy top coat.
Styling Tips: Wear them with cutoff jeans, crop tops, or neon clothes. These nails are perfect for festivals or beach parties. For Makeup, choose rainbow eyeshadow or glitter tears to match the vibrant swirls.
12. COLORFUL POLKA DOTS
Pick a nude base and use a dotting tool to create polka dots in contrasting shades (yellow on red, hot pink on blue). You can vary dot sizes for a dynamic look. Seal it with a glossy top coat for extra shine.
Styling Tips: Pair these with playful outfits: polka-dot dresses, striped shirts, or colorful skirts. Ideal for picnics or birthdays, accessorize with bright hair bows and statement earrings. Keep Makeup retro: winged eyeliner and red lips to match the fun, retro vibe.
13. FLAME NAILS
Create pastel flames using a thin brush to give a fiery flame effect. Seal with a glossy top coat to mimic blazing heat.
Styling Tips: These edgy nails pair with rocker-chic outfits: leather jackets, ripped jeans, or band tees. Perfect for bonfires. You can accessorize it with studded belts and combat boots. Go for Smoky eyes and dark lips to complete the fiery look.
14. DRAGON, SUN & VARIOUS SUMMER ELEMENTS
Start with a nude pink base. Paint a cartoon dragon in green and a glowing sun with black rays. For an extra element, use stars, planets, clouds, cats, hearts, etc. Use fine brushes for details and metallic polish for scales or sunbeams. Seal with gloss for a magical finish.
Styling Tips: These detailed nails suit boho outfits like flowy maxi dresses, fringe vests, or embroidered tops. Ideal for festivals or vacations, pair with beaded jewelry and gladiator sandals. Opt for earthy Makeup: bronzed skin, gold eyeshadow, and nude lips.
15. POPCORN FOR HOLIDAYS
Create popcorn container (red stripes) and add creamy popcorns in 3d details.
Styling Tips: Wear these nails to movie marathons or carnivals. Pair with comfy outfits: hoodies, leggings, or graphic pajamas. Add retro snacks (gummy bears, soda) as props. Create a no-makeup makeup and a messy bun.
16. KIWI FRUIT NAILS
Start with a green base. Use black polish to create kiwi seeds with tiny dots and a white halo around them. Seal it with a glossy top coat.
Styling Tips: These fresh nails pair with tropical prints like palm-tree shirts, pineapple skirts, or green bikinis. Perfect for brunch or tropical trips, accessorize with bamboo earrings and flip-flops. Keep Makeup fresh with dewy skin, peach blush, and clear gloss.
This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through links. Learn more on my Private Policy page.
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