Summer Nail Inspiration 2024: Trendy Designs & DIY Tips

Whether you opt for simple elegance, vibrant gradients, or the depth of the night sky, let your nails be an extension of your creativity. With a little practice and patience, you can bring these summer nail inspiration looks to life

Embracing Elegance with Bejeweled Pastels

When the balmy breezes of summer roll in, your nails deserve to don a look that’s just as fresh and vibrant. Take, for instance, this exquisite marriage of soft pastels and gemstone accents—a summer nail inspiration that exudes understated glamour.

Professional Opinion: The harmony of baby pink and periwinkle blue nails is pure enchantment, each adorned with a pop of crimson jewels that capture the joyous spirit of summer. The nails alternate between solid colors and playful patterns, with one fingernail on each hand showcasing a delightful array of pastel beads, reminiscent of a bracelet from the Y2K era.

Consumables:

• Baby pink and periwinkle blue polish
• Crimson red rhinestones
• Pastel-colored beads
• Top coat for sealing From a professional’s toolkit, I’d suggest using OPI’s Soft Shades for the pastel base and Swarovski crystals for that sparkle.

DIY Guide: To recreate this at home, start with a careful application of your pastel polish. Once dry, use a dab of nail glue to fix each rhinestone and bead in place. Remember to seal the deal with a reliable top coat for a lasting finish.

A Serene Summer Sky on Your Fingertips

Nothing whispers summer nail inspiration simple long quite like nails that mirror the tranquil hues of a summer sky.

Professional Opinion: This design captivates with a transition from a creamy baby blue to a holographic shimmer that mimics sunlight dancing on water. Each nail is a canvas displaying a unique take on the serene theme, some with cloud-like wisps, others gleaming with iridescence.

Consumables:

• Baby blue cream polish
• Holographic top coat
• Detailing brush for marbling I recommend Essie’s serene blues and ILNP holographic top coat for that mesmerizing sheen.

DIY Guide: Start with a base of baby blue. For the marbled nails, use a small brush to swirl in a lighter shade while the base is still tacky. Finish off with a swipe of holographic top coat for a sun-catching effect.

Vivid Summer Vibes with Bold Pink and Gold

A summer nail inspiration acrylic almond that’s fearless and fabulous—vibrant pink paired with white and speckled gold.

Professional Opinion: The bold pink nails make a statement while the almond shape keeps the look sophisticated. The contrasting white nails with gold foil speckles act as a spotlight, drawing the eye and accentuating the vivid pink.

Consumables:

• Vibrant pink acrylic
• White polish
• Gold foil
• Dotticure tool for speckles For vibrant color, Young Nails’ Acrylic in hot pink is unmatched, and Minx Gold Foil creates those luxurious speckles.

DIY Guide: After applying your acrylic base, use the dotticure tool to place gold foil on the accent nails. Layer with white polish and use a sponge to dab the foil into place, then finish with a glossy top coat.

Lavender Whirls on a Pink Sunset

For a summer nail inspiration acrylic almond that’s as serene as the twilight hour, look no further than these almond-shaped beauties.

Professional Opinion: Soft pink meets swirling lavender in an artful dance that’s whimsical and sophisticated. The almond shape offers a natural elegance, while the purple marble effect adds an artistic touch. It’s a manicure that whispers of summer evenings and blooming lavender fields.

Consumables:

• Soft pink gel polish
• Lavender and white polish for marbling
• Fine-tip brush for detail work Try Gelish’s Soak-Off Gel Polish in light pink and CND Shellac in lilac for quality that lasts.

DIY Guide: Begin with a light pink base. For the marble effect, drop lavender and white polish onto a clean surface, swirl with a toothpick, and gently press your nail into the pattern. Finish with a top coat for protection.

Groovy Swirls for a Bold Summer Statement

Dive into a summer nail inspiration acrylic square with a riot of color that’s all about fun and flair.

Professional Opinion: The square acrylics present a bold canvas for the swirls of neon pink, vibrant orange, and lime green. It’s an audacious choice that pays homage to the psychedelic ’60s while being firmly rooted in contemporary trends.

Consumables:

• Neon pink, orange, and green polish
• Square nail tips
• Acrylic powder and liquid Opt for Young Nails Acrylic System for the nails and China Glaze’s Neon Collection for those punchy colors.

DIY Guide: Attach square tips to your nails and coat with clear acrylic. Once set, paint your groovy design using bright neons. For precision, use a detail brush and work with a steady hand. Seal with a top coat.

Minimalist Chic in Dusty Rose

Step into the understated elegance of summer nail inspiration simple gel with these exquisite dusty rose nails.

Professional Opinion: The allure lies in their simplicity; a flawless blend of sheer and opaque, the nails speak volumes with their square-cut tips and clean finish. A single stroke of gel polish in a soft, dusky pink encapsulates the grace of a summer’s twilight.

Consumables:

• Dusty rose gel polish
• Square tips
• Top coat for a glossy finish I’d recommend Essie Gel Couture for a chip-free, long-lasting sheen.

DIY Guide: After fitting the square tips, apply two coats of your dusty rose polish. Allow each coat to cure under a gel lamp, then finish with a top coat for that glass-like sheen.

A Summer Sunset Gradient with a Sparkle

For those seeking a bold and bright summer nail inspiration acrylic long, these gradient nails with golden accents are a masterpiece.

Professional Opinion: Each nail offers a sunset palette, flowing seamlessly from a delicate pink to a warm, sunny orange. The use of translucent tips enhances the gradient effect, and the strategic placement of golden embellishments adds a touch of whimsy.

Consumables:

• Pink and orange gel polish
• Translucent tips
• Gold nail art stickers The vibrant shades from LeChat Perfect Match gel collection work wonders for such gradients, and the stickers can be found in Daily Charme’s vast nail art collection.

DIY Guide: Apply the translucent tips, then sponge on the pink and orange polish to create a smooth gradient. Once dry, add the gold stickers and seal everything with a top coat.

Midnight Blue with Gilded Accents

Embrace the summer nail inspiration acrylic square that mirrors the night sky sprinkled with stardust.

Professional Opinion: The deep blue polish, speckled with fine glitter, creates a celestial backdrop for the golden, wave-like patterns that adorn select fingers. This design captures the mystery and beauty of a starry summer night.

Consumables:

• Midnight blue glitter polish
• Gold leaf or gold foil for the accent
• Square tips For the base, OPI’s Midnight in Moscow is perfect, and for the gold, Star Nail’s Gold Leaf will give you the intricate detail you need.

DIY Guide: Begin by applying the blue glitter polish over your square tips. For the gold patterns, use a fine brush or a stencil with gold leaf adhesive, and then carefully place the gold leaf on top. Finish with a top coat to seal the design.

Whispers of Winter in Summer

Even in the heart of summer, we can hint at the coolness of winter with this summer nail inspiration simple long that brings a touch of frost to your fingertips.

Professional Opinion: The baby blue tips fade into the natural nail in a delicate ombré, reminiscent of a winter morning sky. Each nail is kissed with a snowflake design, making this a perfect crossover between the seasons.

Consumables:

• Baby blue nail polish
• White polish for the snowflake design
• A thin brush or dotting tool for precision OPI’s Alpine Snow is ideal for the white detailing, and their sheer tints will give you that perfect ombré.

DIY Guide: Start with a clear base coat, then sponge the baby blue on the tips, blending downwards. Use a thin brush to draw the snowflakes. Seal it all with a glossy top coat.

Emerald Elegance

Here’s a bold summer nail inspiration acrylic almond choice that commands attention with its deep, rich tones.

Professional Opinion: These almond-shaped nails are painted in a luscious emerald green, glossy and deep as a forest. The uniform color is a statement of sophistication and a nod to the natural world during the summertime.

Consumables:

• Emerald green nail polish
• Almond-shaped tips
• High-gloss top coat For a lush emerald shade, Essie’s Off Tropic is a top choice, providing that deep, glossy finish.

DIY Guide: Shape the nails into a soft almond form. Apply two even coats of the emerald polish, allowing each to dry fully. Finish with a top coat for that glass-like gleam.

Soft Florals for a Romantic Summer

Embrace a summer nail inspiration simple gel with these charmingly sweet floral accents on a soft pink base.

Professional Opinion: These round-tipped nails are the epitome of romance with their baby pink base and delicate floral designs. Subtle white outlines define the petals, while golden centers add just the right amount of sparkle.

Consumables:

• Baby pink gel polish
• White and golden polish for the floral details
• Thin detail brush Gelish’s Pink Smoothie gel polish is perfect for the base, and their Artistic Nail Design line has the precise colors for your floral art.

DIY Guide: Apply the baby pink polish as a base. With a fine brush, paint the white floral outlines, and dot in the golden centers. Cure under a gel lamp, and seal with a top coat.

Petite Florals for the Playful Spirit

In this summer nail inspiration simple almond, we find whimsy in minimalism, perfect for the one who carries the joy of summer in their heart.

Professional Opinion: The clear base of these nails becomes the canvas for playful, tiny floral designs that seem to dance across each fingertip. The restrained use of color ensures that each flower—a tiny burst of blues, purples, and greens—stands out, telling its own little story of summer.

Consumables:

• Clear nail polish
• Colored polish for florals in blue, purple, and green
• A fine detail brush For the floral art, Sally Hansen’s microfine brushes are perfect for achieving those delicate strokes.

DIY Guide: Apply a clear base coat and let it dry. Dip your fine brush in the colored polishes and gently create the tiny floral patterns. Let each nail set before sealing with a clear top coat for durability.

Summer Skies and Butterfly Kisses

Capturing the essence of a sunny day, this design is a summer nail inspiration acrylic simple that’s both light-hearted and stylish.

Professional Opinion: Baby blue waves crest along the tips of these nails, conjuring up images of clear skies and gentle waves. A solitary butterfly on the ring finger is a delightful nod to the beauty of nature, its delicate wings painted with the precision of a master.

Consumables:

• Baby blue polish
• Yellow and black polish for the butterfly
• A fine-tip brush for detail I would turn to CND’s Vinylux for long-lasting color, especially for the fine details of the butterfly.

DIY Guide: After the base coat, use baby blue polish to create a wavy tip. Paint the butterfly on the ring finger with a fine brush, using yellow and black for the details. Seal the art with a high-gloss top coat.

Fields of Gold: Blooms and Sheer Beauty

Here’s a summer nail inspiration simple gel that brings the splendor of sunlit fields to your very fingertips.

Professional Opinion: A sheer pink base offers a whisper of color, setting the stage for splashes of golden blooms and greenery. This nail art evokes a wildflower meadow at dusk, delicate and brimming with life.

Consumables:

• Sheer pink gel polish
• Green and yellow polish for the floral accents
• A very fine brush for intricate patterns For gel polish that gives a flawless sheer look, OPI GelColor in a light pink is my go-to choice.

DIY Guide: Begin with the sheer pink base and cure under a lamp. Then, with steady hands, use the fine brush to add your floral designs. A final top coat will ensure that your personal meadow lasts as long as summer itself.

Playful Retro Vibes

Dialing back to the funky days of retro fashion, this summer nail inspiration acrylic long is a burst of nostalgia and fun.

Professional Opinion: The nude base sets a calm stage for the pop of green and pink waves that hark back to the groovy ’70s. Accents of dainty gems add a modern twist, making each nail a statement piece.

Consumables:

• Nude acrylic base
• Green and pink polish for waves
• Small rhinestones
• Nail glue For the green and pink accents, I’d recommend vibrant polishes from China Glaze, while Swarovski provides the perfect tiny gems to adorn these waves.

DIY Guide: Apply the nude acrylic as your base. Once set, use a thin brush to paint the green and pink waves. Attach the rhinestones with a dab of nail glue. Finish with a clear top coat to protect your art.

Zipping Through Summer

This quirky design is a playful summer nail inspiration acrylic square with a twist that will surely spark conversations.

Professional Opinion: The translucence of the tips gives the illusion of glass, while the colorful zippers seem to unzip to reveal the natural beauty of the nails. It’s an artistic take on the traditional French tip, perfect for those looking to make a splash at summer events.

Consumables:

• Clear acrylic for the base
• Colored polish for zipper details
• Square tips Consider OPI’s Clear Acrylic for the base and a range of Essie’s bold shades for those zippers.

DIY Guide: Start by applying the square tips and clear acrylic. Paint your zippers using a steady hand, alternating colors for each nail. Seal with a glossy top coat for a striking finish.

Blossoming Almond Elegance

Indulge in summer nail inspiration simple almond with this delicate floral pattern that’s as elegant as a walk through a blooming garden.

Professional Opinion: The almond shape lends a classic sophistication, while the soft pink base provides a feminine touch. The white botanical accents, reminiscent of cherry blossoms, add a graceful and romantic flair.

Consumables:

• Soft pink gel polish
• White polish for floral design
• A fine brush for delicate petals I’d suggest Gelish’s soft pinks for a dreamy base and Sally Hansen’s white for crisp petal designs.

DIY Guide: Coat the nails with the soft pink gel polish and cure. Use a fine brush to gently add the white botanical designs. Cure again and apply a top coat for a long-lasting finish.

Dewy Freshness on a Summer Morning

This summer nail inspiration simple gel encapsulates the fresh dew of a lush summer morning on a beautifully executed ombre background.

Professional Opinion: The nude to lime green gradient is the embodiment of a fresh summer day, with dewdrop accents adding an intriguing 3D effect. The varying sizes of the water droplet designs create a tactile experience that invites touch and draws the eye.

Consumables:

• Nude and lime green gel polish for the gradient
• Clear builder gel for dewdrops
• Gel top coat for shine and protection I recommend Gelish’s Dynamic Duo top and base coat for the perfect finish, with their range providing the soft nude and vibrant green shades.

DIY Guide: After applying the base coat, blend your nude and lime green polishes to create the gradient effect. Use a small bead of clear builder gel placed with a dotting tool to create each dewdrop. Cure under a UV lamp and then apply a gel top coat to seal the design.

Olive Grooves with a Gilded Touch

For those who prefer a more summer nail inspiration acrylic almond look, these olive green nails with golden outlines are a modern twist on classic elegance.

Professional Opinion: The almond shape is forever chic, and the deep olive green adds a touch of mystery. The gold striping gives a luxurious feel, tracing the curves of the nail with the precision of a jeweler.

Consumables:

• Olive green acrylic
• Gold striping tape or gold nail polish
• Fine brush for metallic details Kiara Sky’s range of acrylics would offer a lush olive base, while Minx’s gold striping tape creates those perfect golden lines without the need for a steady hand.

DIY Guide: Mold the almond shape with the olive acrylic. Once set, use the gold striping tape or a fine brush with gold polish to outline the nail edges. Apply an acrylic top coat to finish the look with a gleaming shine.

FAQ

Q: Can these designs be adapted for short nails? A: Absolutely! While some designs may seem tailored for longer nails, they can be scaled down to suit a shorter, more natural length. It’s all about the artistry, not the canvas size.

Q: How do I prevent my nail art from chipping in the summer heat? A: A high-quality top coat is your best defense against the summer elements. Reapply every couple of days to maintain the shine and protection.