22 Ideas Hottest Summer Nail Trends: Bold Colors & Chic Designs

Ever caught yourself dreaming about the perfect summer look? What if I told you that your dream could start at your fingertips? As we dive into summer 2024, we’re not just talking about any summer palette – it’s a kaleidoscope of trending summer nails solid colors that capture the season’s essence. Are you ready to be on-trend with the hues that will dominate this sunny season?

Trending Summer Nails Solid Colors

Behold the regal simplicity of deep violet – a trend for summer nails dark colors that defies the usual light palette expectation of the season. This manicure exudes elegance with its sleek, glossy finish and the single white dot accentuating the sophistication.

• • OPI Violet Visionary Gel Color

• CND Vinylux Long Wear Top Coat
• Essie White Nail Lacquer for the dot accent

To recreate this look, start with a base coat, followed by two coats of the violet gel color. Cure under a lamp, then apply the white dot using a dotting tool or the end of a bobby pin. Finish with a long-wear top coat for extra shine and durability.

Glittering lilac

Glittering lilac whispers tales of summer twilights with trending summer nails bright colors. This sparkling stunner pairs perfectly with sun-kissed skin and summer evenings. It’s playful, it’s enchanting, and it’s totally in vogue.

• • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Lilac Insomniac
  • China Glaze Fairy Dust for that extra twinkle

• Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

After a clear base coat, apply two layers of the lilac gel. While the second coat is tacky, sprinkle on the glitter. Seal the deal with a fast-drying top coat to keep the sparkle from fading.

Inspiration from nature

Soft pink meets leafy designs, combining trends short nails with intricate art. It’s a nature-inspired look that feels fresh and perfect for those who like a narrative in their nail art – playful yet polished.

• • Essie Gel Couture in Blush Worthy
  • Green and White Acrylic Paint for leaf art
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat

Once your blush base is dry, use a fine brush to paint on your leafy design. Don’t rush; let your inner artist flourish. A top coat will preserve your masterpiece.

Trending Summer Nails Bright Colors

Savor the subtle playfulness with an almond milk base sprinkled with confetti-like glitter, an ode to trending summer nails different colors. This single accented nail becomes the life of the party, surrounded by the serene sophistication of its neighbors.

• • Essie ‘Tuck it in My Tux’ as the creamy base

• Deborah Lippmann ‘Happy Birthday’ glitter polish for the accent
• ORLY Glosser Top Coat for a long-lasting finish

Paint all nails with two coats of your almond milk hue, letting each layer dry thoroughly. For the accent, apply a generous amount of glitter polish, concentrating the flecks towards the tip for a gradient effect. Seal with a high-gloss top coat.

Innovative Twist: Lemon-Tipped French Manicure

This manicure epitomizes trends short with an innovative twist on the French manicure, employing trending summer nails bright colors. The crisp lemon tips on a clear base are a refreshing take, evoking the zesty spirit of summer.

• • OPI ‘Alpine Snow’ for the white base
  • CND Vinylux in ‘Banana Clips’ for the vibrant tips

• Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat for a pristine finish

After a base coat, apply a thin stripe of white polish to the tip. Once dry, carefully overlay it with your bright yellow polish. A steady hand and patience are key to achieving these sunny tips.

Neon Wave: Electric Pink with Neon Green Outline

Dive into the neon wave with trending summer nails two colors that pack a punch. The neon green outlining on a soft pink base is like the electric buzz of a neon light in a dusky evening sky, perfect for summer nights out.

• • Essie ‘Muchi, Muchi’ for the pink base
  • China Glaze ‘I’m With the Lifeguard’ for the neon green outline
  • Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat for a quick-drying finish

First, lay down your pink base and let it dry. Then, using a striping brush, carefully apply the neon polish around the edges. It’s like drawing the outline of your nail – steady hands or a friend’s help can make this easier.

Summer Sophistication: Pink Wave with Gold Accents

This design breathes life into trending summer nails colors with its soft pink wave-like swishes and gold accents, giving an air of luxury and trendsetting flair. The blend of curves and metallic touches screams summer sophistication.

• • ORLY ‘Kiss the Bride’ for the soft pink base

• Gold leaf flakes for the gilded detail
• Essie Gel Setter Top Coat for a lasting glossy effect

Apply your pink polish as the base. Then, use a fine brush to create the white waves. Gently place gold leaf flakes where desired for a ritzy touch. Finish with a gel-setter top coat to encapsulate the artistry.

Trending Summer Nails Two Colors

A bold statement in trending summer nails solid colors, this design juxtaposes a radiant neon pink against a subdued nude in a geometric dance. It’s a modern take that speaks to the fearless and the fashion-forward.

• • Essie ‘Mod Square’ for the neon pink

• Zoya ‘Belinda’ for the subtle nude
• Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat for quick sealing

After a nude base, tape off geometric shapes and fill in with the neon polish. Patience is your friend here – wait for it to dry completely before removing the tape to reveal clean, sharp lines.

Golden Rivers: Luxurious Red with Glitter Paths

Classic red is given a luxurious twist with trends gel glitter paths, winding like rivers of gold through a lush, scarlet field. It’s a timeless color with a touch of opulence that’s perfect for any summer soirée.

• • OPI ‘Big Apple Red’ for the deep red

• Loose gold glitter for the accent
• Gelish Top It Off Gel Sealer for a glossy, cured finish

Start with two coats of red. Then, using a fine brush, draw the glitter paths. Sprinkle loose glitter over the wet paths, press gently, and seal with a top coat.

Playful Twist: Matte Lavender French Tips

These nails celebrate trending summer nails colors with a playful twist on the French tip. The matte lavender paired with glossy white tips creates a tactile experience as pleasing as it is visual.

• • OPI ‘Do You Lilac It?’ as the base
  • Orly ‘White Tips’ for the French tips

• Essie Matte About You Finisher for the matte effect

Apply your lavender polish, let it dry, then apply the white tips with a steady hand or tip guides. Once dry, apply a matte top coat over the entire nail, avoiding the tips.

Mauve Narrative: Abstract Art with Maroon Outlines

This design redefines trending summer nails bright colors by blending soft mauve with dramatic maroon outlines and a splash of abstract art. It’s a narrative in color and creativity, ideal for those who express their stories through their style.

• • OPI ‘Tickle My France-y’ for the soft mauve
  • CND Vinylux ‘Crimson Sash’ for the bold outlines
  • Thin brush for the abstract art

• Quick-dry glossy top coat for protection and shine

Apply the mauve as the base. With a thin brush, outline the edges of your nails with the maroon polish. Use the same brush to freely create the abstract design on the accent nail. Finish with a glossy top coat.

Trending Summer Nails Dark Colors

This design is an enchanting journey through a minimalist’s dream. The translucent milky white base adorned with fine black speckles and a single dragonfly is a testament to trending summer nails different colors meeting artistry.

• • Essie ‘Marshmallow’ for the soft white base
  • Black acrylic paint for the speckles and dragonfly
  • OPI Top Coat for a durable finish

Paint your nails with the white polish, then flick the black paint with a fine brush for speckles. For the dragonfly, use a detail brush to carefully draw on the accent nail, and seal with a clear top coat.

Tranquil Garden: Sage Green with Leaf Designs

In a refreshing burst of trending summer nails colors, this soft sage green with freehand leaf designs embodies the growth and tranquility of a garden in full bloom.

• • Zoya ‘Tilda’ for the sage green color

• Black nail art pen for the leaf designs
• Quick-dry glossy top coat for protection and shine

Apply two coats of the sage polish. Once dry, use the nail art pen to draw leaf designs. Let it set, then apply a top coat for a glossy finish and protection.

Chic Elegance: White Canvas with Beige Strokes and Glitter Lace

Here’s an elegant twist on trends gel polish that seamlessly integrates chic and charm. The nails are a canvas of white with strokes of sheer beige, crowned by ornate lace-like detailing in glitter.

• • CND Shellac ‘Cream Puff’ for the white canvas
  • CND Shellac ‘Satin Pajamas’ for the beige strokes

• Gold glitter gel for the detailing
• CND Shellac Top Coat for a glossy, long-lasting finish

Start with a white base, add a few strokes of beige, and then apply gold glitter gel to create lace patterns. Finish with a top coat for durability and shine.

Dual Harmony: Matte Lilac and Glossy Black with Botanical Illustration

This design is an exploration of contrasts with trending summer nails two colors, juxtaposing a matte lilac against a lustrous black, united by a delicate botanical illustration. It’s a story of duality, perfect for those who walk the line between the ethereal and the grounded.

• • OPI ‘Do You Lilac It?’ for the matte lilac base
  • OPI ‘Black Onyx’ for the glossy black

• White acrylic paint for the botanical illustration
• Matte top coat for the lilac base

Paint all but one finger in lilac, then apply a matte top coat. Use glossy black on the accent nail and let it dry. Then, with a fine brush, create the botanical design.

Trending Summer Nails Bright Colors

Ethereal clouds of baby blue are adorned with serpentine silver glitter, capturing the trending summer nails colors of clear skies and glistening waters. It’s a daydream set upon fingertips, perfect for those endless summer days.

• • OPI ‘It’s a Boy!’ for the baby blue clouds
  • Silver glitter polish for the swirling designs

• A glossy top coat to seal in the sparkle

Start with a soft blue base, then dab on white to create a marbled cloud effect. While wet, trail the silver glitter in dreamy curls, finishing with a clear top coat for lasting shine.

Abstract Expression: Black and Blush Artistry

Modern art meets manicure with abstract black and blush, a trend for summer nails two colors. These nails are a canvas for expression, boldly outlined yet delicate, reflecting the contemporary soul of the summer season.

• • Essie ‘Ballet Slippers’ for the blush base
  • Black nail art pen for the abstract designs
  • A high-gloss top coat for a gallery-worthy finish

Lay down a base of soft pink, then, with a nail art pen, let your creativity flow in abstract forms. Think of it as sketching on a miniature canvas. Complete the look with a top coat for sheen and durability.

Lavender Sunset: Matte to Sparkle Gradient with Gemstone Accent

Lavender fields and summer sunsets inspire this manicure, with a gradient from matte to sparkle, reflecting the trending summer nails bright colors of the season. A single purple gemstone adds a pop of glamor to the minimalist elegance.

• • Zoya ‘Abby’ for the lavender base

• Matte top coat for the soft texture
• Purple rhinestones for a touch of bling

Apply two coats of lavender polish, then add a matte top coat for a velvet-like finish. Adhere a rhinestone to accent nails for a playful but sophisticated look.

Fierce Nude: Leopard Print Design with Natural Tones

Nude nails get a fierce upgrade with a leopard print design, embodying the trending summer nails different colors theme. It’s a walk on the wild side, blending natural tones with a pattern that’s always in vogue.

• • OPI ‘Samoan Sand’ for the nude base
  • Brown and black polishes for the leopard spots

• A clear top coat to protect the design

Begin with a nude polish as your canvas. For leopard spots, create irregular blobs with brown polish, then loosely outline them with black. Finish with a clear top coat to seal in your safari-inspired style.

Cherry Blossom Drama

The stark contrast of delicate pink cherry blossoms on a deep black base is a bold statement, merging the traditional with a modern twist, perfect for those who seek a dramatic yet feminine look.

• • OPI ‘Black Onyx’ for the base
  • Acrylic paint in shades of pink for the cherry blossoms
  • Fine-tip brush for detailed petal work

• High-gloss top coat to enhance the contrast

Apply a solid black base, then use a fine brush to paint cherry blossoms. Add small dots for the center of each blossom, and once dry, apply a top coat for a glossy finish.

Summer Sunrise Ombre

This nail design’s soft ombre transitions from baby pink to sky blue, reflecting the trending summer nails bright colors and evoking the gentle hues of a summer sunrise. It’s whimsical and fresh, ideal for sunny days and breezy nights.

• • Essie ‘Muchi, Muchi’ for the pink
  • Essie ‘Bikini So Teeny’ for the blue
  • Makeup sponge for the ombre effect

• Top coat for a smooth transition and finish

After applying a light base color, dab a makeup sponge with pink and blue polish, then gently pat onto the nail to create an ombre effect. Finish with a top coat to blend and seal the design.

Botanical Whimsy

Here’s a playful and sentimental design with trends short nails in mind. The muted pink provides a neutral canvas for intricate black-and-white botanical illustrations, coupled with inspirational script, embodying the season’s joy and whimsy.

• • CND Vinylux ‘Be Demure’ for the base
  • Black and white nail art pens for the illustrations and script
  • A sealing top coat to protect the fine details

Start with a soft pink base, and once dry, use nail art pens to create delicate floral art and script. Apply a top coat to prevent smudging and add durability to the design.