21 Trendy Nail Ideas for Summer 2024: Colors, Designs, Manicure Tips

As we embrace the warmth and vibrancy of summer 2024, are your nails singing the same sunny tune? What shades are igniting the world of manicures and pedicures with their popular nail colors? Are the most popular nail colors right now summer echoes of the ocean, or are they blossoming with the fresh blooms of the season? From the subtle chic to the boldly expressive, this season’s palette is a symphony of colors that promises something for every style maven. In this article, we’ll explore the trendsetting tones that will have your hands and feet making waves this summer.

Lavender Lines and Pearly Pastels

The interplay of delicate lavender with a sheer pearly base evokes a breezy, summery feel that is both sophisticated and playful. This design is a testament to the popular nail colors 2024 summer, marrying the tranquil hues of twilight skies with the freshness of morning dew. The clean lines and geometric precision add a modern twist, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a design that’s as current as it is classic.

Consumables:

• • Base: Essie Gel Couture in ‘Sheer Fantasy’
  • Lavender Lines: OPI Infinite Shine in ‘You’re Such a BudaPest’
  • Top Coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

• Detailing Tool: Winstonia Fine Line Nail Art Brush

Use a high-quality top coat like Seche Vite to ensure the manicure’s longevity, and invest in a precise detailing brush to achieve those crisp lines.

To recreate this look at home, start with a clean, pale base coat. Once dry, use the detailing brush dipped in lavender polish to gently draw the lines. A steady hand is crucial, so take your time. Seal it with a top coat for a glossy, enduring finish.

Bold Pink Tips on Nude

These popular summer nail polish colors play on the timeless French manicure with a zesty twist of hot pink. This look is perfect for those who adore a classic with a pop of color, encapsulating the fun-loving spirit of the season while maintaining an air of elegance.

Consumables:

• • Base: OPI Nail Lacquer in ‘Bubble Bath’

• • Pink Tips: Essie Nail Lacquer in ‘Watermelon’
  • Top Coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat
  • Tip Guides: French Manicure Tape Strips

Opt for a bolder hue like Essie’s ‘Watermelon’ to add a contemporary edge to your French manicure. It’s a perfect summer splash that suits all skin tones.

Apply a nude polish as the base. Once it’s dry, place the French manicure strips where you’d like the color to end, and apply the pink polish. Peel off the strips while the polish is still wet for a crisp edge, and finish with a gel top coat for that salon-like shine.

Oceanic Opulence

This stunning design evokes the mesmerizing depths of the ocean—a standout in most popular summer nail colors. The marble effect is rich with shades of blue, reminiscent of sea swirls and wave crests. This manicure is a bold statement, perfect for those looking to make a splash.

Consumables:

• • Base: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in ‘Invisible’
  • Blue Palette: A mix of CND Vinylux in ‘Cerulean Sea’ and ‘Indigo Frock’

• Marbling Tool: Dotting tool or toothpick
• Top Coat: OPI Top Coat

Experiment with layering different blues to achieve depth. Vinylux polishes have excellent durability, ensuring your oceanic creation stays flawless longer.Start with a clear base coat. While wet, add drops of the blue polishes and use a marbling tool to swirl the colors together. Work quickly before the base dries. When satisfied, let it set and apply a glossy top coat to give the appearance of sun-glistening water.

Twilight Shimmer

Dark and mysterious, these nails bring the night sky to your fingertips. A single glittered nail adds a touch of glamour, making this design a sophisticated choice for evening events. It’s a nod to the popular toe nail colors summer, showing that dark hues have their place even in the sunniest seasons.

Consumables:

• • Base: Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in ‘Profondeur’
  • Glitter Accent: Deborah Lippmann Glitter Nail Polish in ‘Midnight Blue’
  • Top Coat: CND Vinylux Long Wear Top Coat

• Glitter Application Tool: Sponge applicator

The contrast between the matte and glitter textures really makes this design pop. For the glitter nail, use a sponge applicator to pack on the sparkle without the bulk.Paint all but one nail with the deep blue polish. For the glitter nail, apply a layer of base color, then dab the glitter polish with a sponge for a dense, even coat. Seal it with a top coat for durability and shine.

Icy Gradient

This ombre look, reminiscent of a winter sky meeting the summer horizon, is a refreshing blend of blues. It’s perfect for those looking for a cool, popular nail colors for spring transition into summer with a hint of sparkle.

Consumables:

• • Base: Essie Nail Polish in ‘Find Me An Oasis’

• • Gradient Colors: ‘Bikini So Teeny’ by Essie and ‘Alpine Snow’ by OPI
  • Glitter: OPI Nail Lacquer in ‘Kyoto Pearl’
  • Top Coat: Butter LONDON Hardwear Shine UV Topcoat

• Makeup Sponge for Gradient

Layering these colors using a makeup sponge creates a smooth transition effect. The OPI ‘Kyoto Pearl’ adds just the right amount of frost to the tips.Apply the lightest blue as the base. Then, sponge on a blend of the two blues and white to create a gradient. Tap lightly with the sponge coated with ‘Kyoto Pearl’ for the icy sparkle. Finish with a durable UV top coat.

Cosmic Glow

Capturing the ethereal beauty of a starlit galaxy, this nail design is a bold fusion of black and teal with a mesmerizing glow. It’s a standout choice for those who gravitate towards popular nail colors that tell a story of cosmic wonder.

Consumables:

• • Base: Sally Hansen Color Therapy in ‘Steely Serene’

• • Glow Effect: ILNP Ultra Chrome Flakies in ‘Atlantis’
  • Top Coat: INM Out The Door Top Coat
  • Smudging Tool: Small piece of cling film

The ILNP flakies provide an incredible depth and celestial glow. Smudging with cling film creates the nebula-like effect seamlessly.Start with the steely base. Then, dab on the flakies using a smudging tool to create the cosmic effect. Once dry, finish with a quick-dry top coat to lock in the design and add a high-gloss finish.

Spring Blossoms on Azure

As delicate as spring’s first blooms, this design combines soft floral art over a calming blue. It’s reflective of the popular nail colors for spring but with a distinct summer vibe, making it a versatile look that transcends seasons.

Consumables:

• • Base: OPI Nail Lacquer in ‘It’s a Boy!’
  • Accent Art: White and pink nail art pens

• Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter Top Coat
• Dotting Tools for Detailing

Use nail art pens for precision in your designs. The Gel Setter top coat by Essie will provide a glossy, plump finish that enhances the detailed artwork.Paint a pastel blue base and let it dry. Use dotting tools to place the floral designs, switching between white and pink pens. Apply a gel-like top coat to seal in the art for a long-lasting manicure.

Velvet Plum Illusion

A luxurious combination of deep plum and black, adorned with glitter, creates a tantalizing velvet illusion. It’s a color story that embodies the night’s mystery and the evening’s allure, perfectly fitting as one of the most popular summer nail colors.

Consumables:

• • Base: OPI Nail Lacquer in ‘Lincoln Park After Dark’
  • Plum Accent: Essie in ‘Bahama Mama’

• • Glitter: Zoya PixieDust in ‘Carter’
  • Top Coat: Revlon Extra Life No Chip Top Coat
  • Glitter Application Tool: Flat brush for precise placement

The Zoya PixieDust adds the right amount of sparkle for a textured effect. Pairing it with a chip-resistant top coat ensures the look lasts through all your summer adventures.Apply the dark base coat, then a layer of plum on select nails. Use the flat brush to press the glitter onto the accent nails. Complete with a top coat for a long-lasting, high-gloss finish.

Enchanted Emerald

These nails feature a bewitching emerald green, combined with a white marble accent, edged in gold. This set is a clear favorite among popular nail colors, with a sophisticated touch that’s versatile enough for both day and night during the summer months.

Consumables:

• • Base: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in ‘Jealous Boyfriend’
  • Marble Accent: Sinful Colors in ‘Snow Me White’

• • Gold Detailing: OPI in ‘All Sparkly and Gold’
  • Top Coat: OPI GelColor Top Coat
  • Detailing Tool: Fine-tip brush

A gel top coat will add depth and enhance the detail of the gold accents. The OPI gold polish offers a rich luster that’s hard to miss.Paint your nails with the emerald gel polish. For the marble accent, add drops of white and swirl with a toothpick. Outline the shapes with gold using a fine brush, and seal with a gel top coat for a glass-like finish.

Green with Envy

These nails exhibit a fresh take on the French manicure, utilizing a vibrant green that speaks to the heart of summer. It’s a fun twist on popular nail colors for spring, easily transitioning into the summer vibe with its natural and earthy tones.

Consumables:

• • Base: Essie Gel Couture in ‘Pre-show Jitters’
  • Green Tips: China Glaze in ‘In The Limelight’

• Top Coat: Essie Good To Go Top Coat
• Striping Tape for Clean Lines

Using striping tape ensures a crisp line between the base color and the green tips. The ‘In The Limelight’ hue from China Glaze brings an electric summer energy to the nails.After applying your base, place striping tape where you want the color to start. Paint the tips with the green polish, and immediately remove the tape. Finish with a fast-drying top coat for a smooth, protective layer.

Avant-Garde Red and White

This bold and artistic take on the French tip infuses classic red with an abstract twist. Strikingly minimalist, it stands out as one of the popular nail colors of the season, embodying a modern art gallery’s spirit.

Consumables:

• • Base: OPI Nail Lacquer in ‘Alpine Snow’
  • Red Accents: Essie in ‘Really Red’
  • Top Coat: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat

• Detailing Brush for Precision

The bright ‘Really Red’ from Essie gives a punchy contrast against the white base. Sally Hansen’s Insta-Dri will provide a rapid seal, keeping the artwork impeccable.Start with two coats of ‘Alpine Snow’. Using a detailing brush, paint the red accents with a steady hand. The trick is in the pause—allow the design to dry completely before applying the top coat to prevent smudging.

Contrast Couture

This design is a testament to the enduring appeal of contrasts. Featuring deep plum and muted lilac, it’s a sophisticated yet edgy style that fits right into the palette of popular nail colors for any fashion-forward individual this summer.

Consumables:

• • Base Plum: Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro in ‘Love Hangover’

• • Base Lilac: OPI Infinite Shine in ‘Do You Lilac It?’
  • Top Coat: GLOSSLAB Ultra Shine Top Coat
  • Cleanup Brush for Edges

A high-gloss top coat like GLOSSLAB’s will amplify the colors’ depth and provide a smooth finish that lasts. Remember to use a cleanup brush for the sharpest lines between the hues.Paint alternating nails with plum and lilac shades. For a clean line of separation on the feature nails, apply masking tape before painting, and carefully remove it while the polish is still wet. Finish with a protective layer of top coat.

Pastel Sunset

Reminiscent of a serene sunset, these nails bring together a soft, pastel yellow and a subtle fade to transparent, exemplifying one of the most popular nail colors right now summer. It’s a light, airy design that breathes simplicity and elegance.

Consumables:

• • Base: Essie in ‘Blanc’
  • Pastel Yellow: China Glaze in ‘Lemon Fizz’

• Top Coat: INM Out The Door Topcoat
• Sponge for Ombre Effect

For a smooth gradient, China Glaze’s ‘Lemon Fizz’ offers the perfect opacity. Pair it with a quick-dry top coat to retain the ombre’s delicate transition.Start with a white base to make the yellow pop. Then, use a sponge to apply ‘Lemon Fizz’ towards the nail’s tip, gradually fading into the base. A top coat will meld the layers for a seamless finish.

Dalmatian Delight

Channeling the playful energy of summer, these nails boast a dalmatian-like spotted design over a clean, pale pink base—a whimsical twist among popular summer nail polish colors. It’s bold, it’s fun, and it’s utterly on-trend.

Consumables:

• • Base: OPI in ‘Mod About You’
  • Spots: Sally Hansen in ‘Black Out’
  • Top Coat: Chanel Le Gel Coat

• Dotting Tool for Spots

Utilize a small dotting tool to create varied sizes of spots for an authentic dalmatian effect. Chanel’s Le Gel Coat will ensure a lasting, chip-resistant finish.After the pale pink base, dip a dotting tool into black polish and gently dot onto the nail. Don’t overcrowd the spots; allow each to stand out. Finish with a gel-like top coat for durability and gloss.

Citrus French

Bright, bold, and refreshingly modern, this design takes the classic French manicure and infuses it with a vibrant citrus twist. The popular toe nail colors summer have nothing on this zesty, eye-catching look for the fingers.

Consumables:

• • Base: Dior Vernis in ‘Charnelle’

• • French Tip: Essie in ‘Tart Deco’
  • Top Coat: Smith & Cult Above it All Top Coat
  • Guiding Stickers for French Tip

The contrast of ‘Tart Deco’ against a nude base is striking—ideal for summer. A high-performance top coat like Smith & Cult’s ensures a glossy and enduring finish.Apply a nude base and allow it to dry. Position the guiding stickers where the natural white of the nail begins, and apply the orange polish for the tips. Remove the stickers promptly and seal with a top coat.

Neon Waves

Vibrant and playful, these nails embody the bright spirit of summer with neon hues that are bound to make a statement. It’s a daring mix that lands right on the pulse of popular nail colors.

Consumables:

• • Neon Pink: Essie Nail Lacquer in ‘Bachelorette Bash’
  • Neon Green: ORLY in ‘Glowstick’

• • Base for Design: OPI in ‘Alpine Snow’
  • Top Coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
  • Detailing Brushes for Precision

The high-pigment neon polishes from Essie and ORLY ensure your nails won’t be missed. Use Seche Vite for a top coat to enhance the colors and longevity.Alternate between neon pink and white for base colors. With a fine brush, paint freehand waves or use a stencil for neon green accents. Finish with a fast-drying top coat for a sleek look.

Porcelain Florals

This design takes inspiration from traditional porcelain patterns, with a refreshing touch of citrus orange. It’s a cultural nod that stands out among popular summer nail polish colors.

Consumables:

• • Base: Essie in ‘Marshmallow’
  • Blue Details: OPI in ‘Tile Art to Warm Your Heart’

• • Orange Accent: China Glaze in ‘Sun Worshiper’
  • Top Coat: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat
  • Fine Detailing Brush

Choose a soft base like Essie’s ‘Marshmallow’ to allow the detailed patterns to pop. The China Glaze ‘Sun Worshiper’ brings a sunny highlight to the intricate design.After the base, use a fine brush to create blue floral patterns. Add a pop of orange for a bold, summery feel. Finish with a top coat to protect the detailed artistry.

Marble Elegance

The sophistication of marble meets the classic beauty of nudes and blacks in this elegant design. This luxurious style suits the summer’s most popular nail colors for a polished and chic look.

Consumables:

• • Base Nudes: CND Vinylux in ‘Uncovered’
  • Black Accent: Essie in ‘Licorice’

• Marble Effect: OPI in ‘Alpine Snow’ and ‘Funny Bunny’
• Gold Stripe: Sally Hansen Color Foil in ‘Liquid Gold’
• Top Coat: OPI Gloss

The CND Vinylux polishes wear like gel and are perfect for creating a durable, lasting base. Adding metallic accents with Sally Hansen’s Color Foil adds an opulent touch.Apply your nude base. For the marble nail, swirl white and grey on a wet base with a needle. Add thin gold stripes for a luxe finish. Use a high-gloss top coat to seal and shine.

Pastel Daydream

Soft lilac paired with delicate daisy accents offers a dreamy, pastel experience perfect for the light-hearted days of summer. This design is a sweet representation of popular nail colors for spring carrying into the summer season.

Consumables:

• Base: Essie in ‘Go Ginza’
• Daisy Accents: Acrylic paint in white and yellow
• Top Coat: China Glaze Fast Forward Top Coat
• Dotting Tools for Daisy Application

Acrylic paints are excellent for nail art as they don’t spread and provide solid coverage. China Glaze’s top coat ensures a fast drying time and a glossy finish.Paint a pale lilac base, then use a dotting tool to form the petals with white acrylic paint. Add a yellow center. Finish with a quick-dry top coat to encapsulate the serene design.

Playful Popsicle

Ignite the essence of summer fun with this bold, popsicle orange and playful dalmatian pattern. It’s a refreshing take on popular nail colors, perfect for those sunny beach days or lively summer nights.

Consumables:

• Vibrant Orange Base: Essie in ‘Saturday Disco Fever’
• Black for Spots: China Glaze in ‘Liquid Leather’
• White Base for Accent Nail: Sally Hansen in ‘White On’
• Top Coat: OPI Top Coat
• Dotting Tool for Spots

Pair the boldness of Essie’s vibrant orange with the classic black of China Glaze for a playful yet polished look. A strong top coat from OPI will ensure your design stays chip-free through all summer festivities.After applying a vibrant orange base, use the dotting tool to create a dalmatian effect on one accent nail. Paint the rest of the nails with the same bright orange, and finish with a clear top coat for a glossy effect that lasts.

Tropical Lines

This striking design featuring sunny yellow and tropical palm accents captures the vibrant energy of summer. It’s a creative twist on popular summer nail polish colors, evoking the feelings of an exotic getaway.

Consumables:

• Sunny Yellow: ORLY in ‘Melt Your Popsicle’
• White for Accents: OPI in ‘Alpine Snow’
• Green for Leaves: Essie in ‘Off Tropic’
• Top Coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
• Striping Tape and Detailing Brush for Lines

Using ORLY’s electric yellow as a base, contrasted with precise white lines and green palm details, provides a tropical explosion of color. Seche Vite’s top coat is perfect for a long-lasting, high-shine finish.Begin with a bright yellow base. Use striping tape for thin white lines, and a fine brush for the palm leaf accents. Finish with a fast-drying top coat to capture the vibrancy of the design and protect it from the elements.