After a long winter, there's no better way to wake up your look than with a fresh and fun mani for summer. This season's nail trends are all about vibrant hues, playful textures, and eye-catching embellishments that radiate warm-weather joy. From sheer jellies to dazzling 3D details, get ready to have some serious fun with these must-try summer 2024 nail vibes.
2023's milky, opalescent nail obsession is morphing into an even more carefree, nostalgic jelly texture for summer. These thick, squishy-looking lacquers provide the perfect sheer tint in fun fruity shades like watermelon and pink lemonade. Our top jelly pick is BornPretty polishes, which come in sets with any color combination imaginable.
What could be more timelessly summery than rich, buttery yellow polishes that remind you of warm sunshine? This season's butter nail shades are giving cottage core vibes, from soft, creamy finishes to brighter sunflower yellows. Dazzle Dry's Space Lemon has the perfect balance of chic and cheerful. Or try Olive & June's JLR for a more pastel buttercup twist.
On the flip side of the color wheel, earthy green lacquers are having a major moment, helping nails channel botanicals and verdant landscapes. Olive hues like Nails Inc's Hyde Park Court are an ultra-wearable way to tap into this trend, or you can really make a leafy statement with something bolder like OPI's Pricele$$.
For those craving more of a summertime statement, look no further than cherry red lacquers that pack just as much punch as a bold red lip. We love Essie's Rock The Runway for its perfectly blue-toned crimson that complements any skin tone. Or opt for more of an orangey red like OPI's I Eat Mainely Lobster.
Want nails that look like they were dripped in crushed opals? Ethereal aura and iridescent finishes are having a major moment this summer as a dreamier alternative to holographic glitters. These wildly shifting, opalescent polishes give the illusion of being surrounded by a glowing aura in a wide spectrum of hues. ILNP's holographic nail polish in Emma captures this cloudlike look with a hypnotizing peacock-inspired shift.
In a similar vein, shimmering metallics are bringing all the shine to summer nails in unexpected shades. Whether you opt for a sleek chrome silver, coppery penny glaze, or antique gold finish, these high-impact polishes make nails look amazing. The Cirque Colors has jaw-dropping metallics in shades like Cultured, a pearlescent pink loaded with diamond-like sparkle.
Why stick to a simple creme polish when you can dial up the glam with dazzling, crystal-studded nails? Edgy yet opulent, 3D-embellished nail art featuring crystals, pearls, and intricate motifs is a must-try this season. Sistaco’s press-on jewel sets make it easy to bling out your fingertips at home.
A little bit of childlike whimsy is always welcome come summer. One of the biggest revisited trends we're seeing? Rainbow nail art done in thin, groovy stripes or swirled French tips. Holo Taco’s The Rainbow Bundle offers a spectrum of bright, creamy shades to DIY this eye-catching '70s nail art throwback at home.
In the mood for a cooler pop of color? Sky blue has emerged as a hit shade of the season. With luxe lacquers like Olive & June's Megababe Blue or Essie’s You Do Blue, a vibrant azure blue that screams lazy poolside days soaking up the sun.
Can't pick just one color or nail moment? Well, you're in luck because this summer is all about free-spirited, mix-and-match mani vibes. Try different colors and textures on each nail, experiment with graphic alternating patterns, or combine a bold hue with negative space or chic neutrals for a stunning look.
Whatever design or palette you choose, summer nail trends are all about unabashed self-expression and having fun. The overarching summer 2024 nail trend is individuality and breaking all the conventional "rules." Clashing shades, mismatched designs, eclectic combos of mattes and metallics — it's all fair game right now. So, get experimental and go bold with your manis this summer.
