22 Chic Summer Blue Nails: Trendy Acrylic & Gel Designs for 2024
Are your nails summer-ready? What shades speak of azure skies and sapphire seas better than blue? As the mercury rises, let’s dive into a sea of blue summer nails ideas that are making waves in 2024. From the refreshing splash of turquoise to the depth of the midnight ocean, blue is the hue of the season. Are you looking for a bold royal statement or a subtle nautical vibe? Wondering how to sport these shades on your tips? Get ready to find out!
Elegant Azure Almond
As a manicurist, I’ve seen trends come and go, but the elegance of blue summer nails ideas never fades. The first design is an exquisite example of light and simple sophistication. The almond-shaped nails are coated with a light blue polish that has a delicate, marble-like finish, reminiscent of gentle waves lapping at the shore.
Photo credit by: @sansungnails
- Essie Polish in “Bikini So Teeny”
- CND Vinylux Long Wear Top Coat
- A fine detailing brush for marbling
To recreate this design, start with a clean, prepped nail and apply a base coat. Then, layer on your light blue polish, allowing each coat to dry. For the marbling, gently swirl two shades of blue with a fine brush while the polish is still wet, and seal with a long-wearing top coat for a glossy finish.
Royal Blue Coffin Glamour
The boldness of a royal blue can transform any nail into a statement piece, especially when paired with a coffin shape. This design showcases an indulgent deep blue with a high-gloss finish, giving a nod to summer blue gel nails ideas short but with the length that demands attention.
Photo credit by: @heygreatnails
- OPI Gel Color in “Russian Navy”
- Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
- Swarovski crystals for accent
Begin by applying a gel base coat and curing under a UV lamp. Sweep on two coats of your royal blue gel, curing after each. Adorn with Swarovski crystals for a luxurious look. Finish with a top coat and cure for lasting shine.
Turquoise and Turtles
Nothing says summer quite like the vibrant hues of turquoise. These nails are a playful take on nails ideas summer blue white, featuring a tropical turtle design that’s sure to turn heads.
Photo credit by: @cristinainisro
- China Glaze in “For Audrey”
- White nail art pen
- Decals or stencils for turtle design
- A matte top coat for contrast
Paint your nails with a base of turquoise. Once dry, use the white pen to add small details or apply your turtle decals. Complete the design with a matte top coat for a modern touch.
Oceanic Abstract Stiletto
Dive into the depths of the ocean with these blue summer nails ideas 2024, perfect for anyone craving a bold, artistic touch. The stiletto shape serves as a canvas for an abstract design that flows like water, with varying shades of navy and light blue intertwining in a dance reminiscent of the ocean waves.
Photo credit by: @nailzbycasi
- OPI Nail Lacquer in “Miss Piggy’s Big Number”
- Thin detail brushes for precision artwork
- A glossy top coat for a wet-look finish
For the artists at heart, start with a navy base and layer lighter blues with a detail brush to mimic the natural fluidity of water. Each stroke should be as unique as the tides. Seal your masterpiece with a glossy top coat for that fresh-out-of-the-water gleam.
Frosty Tips with a Twist
These blue acrylic nails ideas short summer are like a breath of fresh air, combining a subtle white base with frosted blue tips. It’s a chic play on the classic French manicure, perfect for those who prefer elegance with a hint of playfulness.
Photo credit by: @_nailsmade
- LeChat Perfect Match in “Frosted Blueberry”
- Acrylic powder for structure
- A fine-tipped brush for clean edges
Apply a clear acrylic base, then dip the tips in blue powder, brushing off the excess for a clean line. Use the fine brush to touch up the edges, and finish with a top coat for durability. These frosty tips will carry you through summer days and nights with ease.
Vivid Cobalt Squares
Bold and bright, this cobalt blue is a summer favorite for those who like to make a statement with their nails. The squared shape offers a modern take on nails ideas blue for summer, providing a perfect backdrop for this vibrant hue.
Photo credit by: @metdaan.nails
- Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in “Co-Bolt Blue”
- A square nail file for shaping
- A fast-drying top coat to seal in color
Paint your nails with two coats of the vivid cobalt, allowing them to dry quickly between layers. File your nails into a square shape for a contemporary edge, and finish with a quick-dry top coat to keep your nails chip-free while you enjoy the sunshine.
Wave-Inspired Stilettos
Ride the wave of creativity with these stiletto nails, evoking the very essence of nail ideas for short nails summer blue. Each nail is a canvas of sky blue, with darker blue waves cresting along the tips—a playful yet chic tribute to summer’s endless blue seas.
Photo credit by: @nailedby_mynaillab
- Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish in “Sea Foam”
- Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish in “Midnight Caller”
- Striping tape for precision lines
To achieve this look, apply a sky blue gel as the base, followed by dark blue waves at the tips using striping tape for sharp lines. Cure under UV light to set, and finish with a top coat for a glistening sea-like effect.
Swirls of Sky and Sea
Abstract swirls of sky and marine blues create a mesmerizing effect on these summer nails ideas dark blue. The clever use of negative space adds a modern twist, making each nail a unique piece of art that’s as free-flowing as a summer breeze.
Photo credit by: @thenaillologist
- Essie Nail Lacquer in “Butler Please”
- Clear nail base
- Detail brush for intricate designs
Begin with a clear base, then use a fine brush to paint on swirls of blue. It’s about freedom and fluidity—let your hand be light. Once dry, seal your design with a top coat for a smooth, enduring finish.
Classic Blue French with a Twist
These nails redefine the French manicure with a blue summer gel nails ideas twist, perfect for those who favor simple, short styles. The clean, white arcs paired with translucent blue tips breathe new life into a timeless classic, making them suitable for both a day at the beach and a night under the stars.
Photo credit by: @nailsbynicole.__
- OPI Gel Color in “Alpine Snow” for the white tips
- CND Shellac in “Creekside” for the blue hue
- A fine-tipped brush for the smile line
Start by defining the white tips, then add a soft blue gel, carefully tracing along the smile line for precision. Cure each layer and finish with a glossy top coat to capture the essence of summer skies.
Serene Sky Gradient
The gradient from soft light blue to nude on these nails brings the serenity of a summer sky at dawn to mind. They’re a perfect match for blue dipped nails ideas summer, blending effortlessly into a pale sky blue, ideal for those who seek a gradient with a cute twist.
Photo credit by: @iliriananails_
- OPI Nail Lacquer in “It’s a Boy!”
- Nude polish for the perfect blend
- A sponge for the gradient effect
Paint your nails with the nude polish as a base. Then dab on the blue polish with a sponge, working your way up from the tip to create that soft gradient. It’s a whisper of color, like the first light of daybreak.
Playful Blue Blooms
For a summer blue gel nails ideas short, these nails are a canvas of cute botanical art. The playful blue flowers over a transparent base suggest a frolic through a summer garden, a nod to nails ideas summer blue white.
Photo credit by: @thegelhouse
- Gelish Soak-Off Gel in “Clear”
- Acrylic paints in blue and white for the flowers
- A dotting tool and a fine brush for detail work
Start with a clear gel coat. Once cured, hand-paint your blue blooms, using a dotting tool to dot in the white centers. Cure again and finish with a glossy top coat for a long-lasting, garden-fresh look.
Bold Blue French Redux
Here’s a vibrant take on the French manicure for those seeking a summer nails ideas dark blue edge. The brilliant navy blue tips paired with a clean natural base make for a striking contrast, perfect for the daring fashionista.
Photo credit by: @lyz.paradise
- Essie Nail Polish in “After School Boy Blazer”
- A striping brush for precise tips
- A matte top coat for a modern touch
Apply a natural base color and use the striping brush to add navy blue tips, making sure each one is sharp and even. For a contemporary feel, go over with a matte top coat to juxtapose the bright blue gloss.
Marble Blue Elegance
Capture the sophisticated essence of marbled stone with these blue summer gel nails ideas. Swirling tones of light and dark blue mimic the natural veining of marble, creating a stunning visual effect that’s both royal and acrylic in its appearance.
Photo credit by: @gelpolish_bar
- Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish in “Arctic Freeze” and “My Nightly Craving”
- A dotting tool to blend the colors
- A no-wipe gel top coat for a lasting sheen
Paint the nails with a white gel polish as your canvas. Drop in dabs of light and dark blue, and use a dotting tool to swirl the colors into a marble pattern. Cure and seal with a top coat for a glossy finish that lasts.
Cloudy Skies Almond Nails
These nails ideas blue for summer feature a dreamy interpretation of cloudy skies. The simple, yet cute design with different shades of blue overlaid on a clear base, offer a light touch to your summer aesthetic.
Photo credit by: @thats.handy
- OPI Nail Lacquer in “Can’t Find My Czechbook”
- Clear acrylic base coat
- A fine brush for delicate detail
Start with a clear acrylic base. Once set, apply washes of your chosen blues with a fine brush to create cloud-like wisps. Finish with a high-shine top coat to ensure your personal sky stays perfect, come rain or shine.
Bold Blue Frames
Revel in the drama of summer nails ideas dark blue with these bold, framed nails. The vibrant royal blue edging around a light blue center makes for a visually striking contrast, perfect for those who like their manicure to stand out.
Photo credit by: @miaminailstudio
- Essie Nail Polish in “Mesmerize” for the frame
- Sally Hansen “Breeze Blue” for the center
- A steady hand and patience for precision
Apply the lighter blue polish as a base. Once dry, carefully outline the edges with your darker shade to create the frame effect. Keep a steady hand and take your time for clean lines. Finish with a top coat to seal in your design.
Summer Night’s Dream
As the twilight brushes the sky, these nails capture the allure of a summer night with their playful patterns. Cute crescents and dainty dots in dark and light blue hues dance on a pale pink base, creating a manicure that’s both whimsical and sophisticated—a true nod to nails ideas for short nails summer blue.
Photo credit by: @beautybyaimeeb_
- Baby pink gel polish for the base
- Royal blue and sky blue nail paints for the designs
- A dotting tool and a detail brush to draw the moons and stars
Begin with a soft pink base. Then, with a detail brush, create the night sky motifs using your blue paints. Use a dotting tool for precision dots, and let your design be as free as the night sky.
Tropical Blue Scales
Dive into the summer blue gel nails ideas short trend with these tropical blue scales that mimic the ocean’s mysteries. Perfect for those who want to carry the essence of the sea on their fingertips, this design combines the coolness of bright blue with the depth of navy.
Photo credit by: @samrosenails
- A bright turquoise nail lacquer
- Navy polish for the scale outlines
- A small dotting tool to create the scale pattern
Apply the turquoise as your base color. Once dry, use the navy polish with a dotting tool to draw scale outlines. The result? A manicure that’s as enchanting as mermaid tales.
Modern Art Deco
Channel the bold lines and geometric shapes of Art Deco with this blue summer nails ideas design. Stark navy lines curve around a pale backdrop, creating an effortlessly chic and simple look that’s reminiscent of the architectural wonders of the roaring twenties.
Photo credit by: @pressedbycharlotte_
- Pale blue polish for the base
- Dark blue for the Art Deco-inspired lines
- A steady hand or tape for precise lines
Paint your nails with the pale blue polish. Once it’s dry, use tape to map out your design or freehand the navy lines for those with a steady hand. Top it all off with a matte finish to capture the essence of this timeless art style.
Blue Lace and Grace
The intricate blue lace patterns on a nude base are the epitome of nails acrylic ideas summer blue. They offer a delicate balance between cute sophistication and artistic flair, perfect for those balmy summer evenings or casual brunches.
Photo credit by: @bryndoesnails
- Nude acrylic base coat for a natural look
- Royal blue nail polish for the lace design
- A fine detail brush or lace stencil for precision
Start with a flawless nude acrylic base. Once dry, hand-paint the lace design with royal blue polish using a fine brush or use a stencil for consistency. Finish with a clear top coat to protect the delicate work.
Abstract Blue Strokes
These summer nails ideas dark blue with abstract strokes are a celebration of modern art on your fingertips. The varied shades of blue against a pale pink base are reminiscent of the ocean’s different depths, making each nail a simple yet captivating masterpiece.
Photo credit by: @209nails_rebecavazquez
- Pale pink gel polish for the base
- A range of blue polishes for the abstract strokes
- A thin brush to create the fine lines and waves
Apply a pale pink base, and once set, unleash your inner artist with strokes of blue. Let the lines flow organically, with each nail featuring its unique pattern. Seal with a gel top coat for a glossy, durable finish.
Galactic Shine
Dive into the cosmos with these stiletto nails that feature a bright blue shine, resembling a galaxy. It’s a bold look that’s sure to turn heads, ideal for those who love to make a statement with their blue summer nails ideas 2024.
Photo credit by: @thenailbabeuk
- Electric blue glitter polish for the galactic effect
- A dark blue base coat to enhance the glitter
- A high-gloss top coat to seal in the sparkle
Paint your nails with a dark blue base to set the stage for the galaxy. Sprinkle on the electric blue glitter, concentrating more in certain areas to mimic the clusters of stars. Finish with a top coat for a smooth and shiny surface that’s out of this world.
Denim Matte Stilettos
Embrace the denim trend with these dipped nails ideas powder summer blue that have a matte finish, giving the impression of denim fabric on your nails. This look combines casual with chic and works perfectly with your favorite pair of jeans or a summer dress.
Photo credit by: @prettyinpolish
- Matte blue polish to mimic the denim texture
- A glossy top coat applied selectively for varied texture
- A matte top coat to finish the overall look
Start with a base of matte blue polish. Once dry, use a glossy top coat and apply it to select areas if you wish to add some variation to the texture. Finish with a matte top coat to enhance the denim-like feel.
FAQ
- Q: Can these designs be adapted for shorter nails?
- A: Absolutely! While certain designs like the royal blue may look more dramatic on longer nails, they can be modified to suit shorter lengths as well.
- Q: How long does a gel manicure last?
- A: With proper application and aftercare, a gel manicure can last up to two weeks.
