Summer Nail Trends: Chic Almond, Coffin & Short Gel Manicures

Step into summer with refined nail choices. Our tips on coffin shapes and almond accents offer a graceful touch to your seasonal style ensemble.

The Sun-Kissed Almond Breeze

As the mercury rises and the days stretch out, your nails deserve a touch of summer’s carefree spirit. Take the simple summer nails almond style as your starting point. The fusion of soft pastel pink with a vibrant splash of cherry design whispers of picnics under the sun and strolls along the beach.

What I Love About This Design:

The almond-shaped nails present a canvas that’s both playful and elegant. The sheer base coat mimics a natural, healthy nail, while the cherries are not just a cute addition but a statement of summer’s bounty.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Base Coat: Sally Hansen Hard as Nails
• Pink Polish: Essie’s Ballet Slippers
• Red and Green Detailing Polish: OPI’s Big Apple Red and Green-wich Village
• Top Coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast

Each product is chosen for its lasting quality and color intensity, perfect for a manicure that needs to stand the heat.

DIY Tips:

Start with a clean, buffed nail. Apply the base coat followed by two coats of the pink polish. For the cherries, use a dotting tool or the head of a pin for precision. Seal it with a top coat, and you’re ready to flaunt your simple summer nails designs classy.

The Playful Short Gel Splash

When the summer vibe calls for a bright and bold statement, simple summer nails short gel delivers. This design features an exuberant mix of hot pink and a speckled party on the ring finger—a look that’s both energetic and easy to wear.

What I Love About This Design:

The gel polish provides a durability that’s essential for summer adventures. The hot pink is unapologetically vibrant, demanding attention, while the confetti-like feature on the ring finger adds a touch of fun.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Gel Base Coat: Gelish Foundation Base Coat
• Hot Pink Gel Polish: Gelish – Shake It Till You Samba
• Glitter Polish for Accent Nail: China Glaze – Point Me to the Party
• Gel Top Coat: Gelish Top It Off Sealer

I recommend these for their long-lasting formulas and rich pigmentation—crucial for a lasting summer look.

DIY Tips:

Prep your nails with a gel base coat, then apply two coats of the hot pink gel polish, curing under a UV lamp. For the accent nail, after the pink base, dab the glitter polish on a sponge and press onto the nail for a dense finish. Cure it and seal with a top coat.

The Citrus Twist on Classics

A delightful take on the simple summer nails square, this design melds the freshness of citrus hues with the classic square nail, creating a playful yet polished look.

What I Love About This Design:

The square shape is timeless and provides a perfect backdrop for the tangy orange base, accented with playful dots and flowers that resonate with summer’s joy.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Base Coat: OPI Natural Nail Base Coat
• Orange Polish: Essie’s Tart Deco
• Dot and Flower Accents: Acrylic Paints in White, Green, and Purple
• Top Coat: INM Out The Door

The acrylic paints are great for intricate designs and sit well on the nails when sealed with a quality top coat.

DIY Tips:

Apply your base coat and two coats of the orange polish. Use a fine brush for the dots and flowers, then apply a top coat for a shiny, enduring finish. Perfect for a simple summer nails short casual look.

The Pastel Party Coffin

When the summer festivities call for a bit of flair, simple summer nails coffin shapes are your best bet. The long, tapered design adorned with a playful pastel palette and delicate polka dots strikes the perfect balance between statement and subtlety.

What I Love About This Design:

Coffin nails are all the rage for their edgy yet sophisticated silhouette. This particular set, with its soft hues and whimsical spots, brings a youthful exuberance to any ensemble.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Pastel Polishes: CND Vinylux in pastel shades
• White Polish for Dots: Sally Hansen White On
• Matte Top Coat: OPI Matte Top Coat

These polishes are my go-to for their excellent coverage and the matte finish, which gives a contemporary twist to the look.

DIY Tips:

After shaping your nails into the desired coffin form, apply the pastel base colors. Once dry, dot with white using the back end of a brush for uniformity. A matte top coat will provide the trendy finish you’re after.

The Chic Short Gel French

French manicure, a timeless classic, gets a summer makeover perfect for those who prefer simple summer nails short gel french. This interpretation brings together a blush base with delicate blue floral accents, elevating the conventional French tip to a piece of art.

What I Love About This Design:

This design is effortlessly elegant. The soft pink base gives the illusion of healthy, natural nails, while the blue flowers add a touch of sophistication without overpowering the simplicity.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Pink Gel Polish: Gelish – Light Pink
• Blue and White Accent Polishes: Gelish – Caution and Arctic Freeze
• Gel Top Coat: CND Shellac Top Coat

Chosen for their gel formulation, these polishes promise longevity even on the tips where chips commonly occur.

DIY Tips:

Apply a light pink gel as the base, cure it, then paint your French tips freehand or with guides. Use a fine brush to add the blue floral details. Cure between each step and seal with a top coat.

The Daisy Daze Almond Acrylic

Daisies are the quintessence of summer, and they make a charming appearance in this simple summer nails almond design. The almond shape is versatile and feminine, providing the perfect canvas for the daisy chain that adorns the tips and sides.

What I Love About This Design:

The combination of the fresh turquoise and the daisy motifs against a nude background is a breath of fresh air. It’s a design that says summer without saying a word.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Nude Acrylic Powder: Young Nails Acrylic in Natural
• Turquoise Acrylic Powder: Mia Secret in Turquoise
• Acrylic Liquid Monomer: Mia Secret Professional Acrylic Nail System

The acrylic system is perfect for sculpting and offers the durability needed for intricate designs like this one.

DIY Tips:

Create your acrylic base with the nude powder. Once set, use the turquoise powder to detail the tips. Then, with a fine brush, paint the daisy designs. Finish with a glossy top coat for a lasting shine.

The Opalescent Swirl

The allure of opal, with its dance of colors and mesmerizing patterns, is captured in these simple summer nails designs classy. The almond shape is enhanced with a marbled effect, creating a look that is as dreamy as a summer’s dusk.

What I Love About This Design:

The blend of white and lilac swirls over a pearlescent base evokes the whimsical beauty of a summer’s sky. It’s a sophisticated twist to the classic French manicure, perfect for weddings or evening events.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Pearlescent Base: Essie’s Buy Me a Cameo
• White and Lilac Polishes for Swirls: OPI’s Alpine Snow and Do You Lilac It?
• High-Gloss Top Coat: INM Out The Door Top Coat

I suggest these for their superior consistency and color payoff, ensuring your swirls come out as delicate and ethereal as intended.

DIY Tips:

Apply the pearlescent base and let it dry. Then, with a fine brush, swirl together the white and lilac polishes directly on the nail. Work quickly before they dry, and once satisfied, seal with a high-gloss top coat for durability and shine.

The Celestial Blue Tips

Skyward gazes inspire these simple summer nails blue with delicate celestial patterns. The soft pink base is a canvas for the sky blue French tips, while tiny star-like flowers dot the nail beds as if plucked from a clear summer night.

What I Love About This Design:

This look combines the timeless elegance of French tips with the enchantment of a starry sky. The subtle play of colors is gentle yet striking—a tribute to summer’s serene nights.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Soft Pink Polish: Zoya’s Bela
• Sky Blue Polish for Tips: China Glaze’s Secret Peri-wink-le
• Fine Detailing Brush and Dotting Tool

The chosen polishes offer just the right shade depth, and the tools are essential for creating those petite, precise details.

DIY Tips:

After the pink base, use tape or a steady hand to paint the blue tips. Dip the dotting tool in white polish to form the flowers, and use a fine brush for small dots to complete the celestial theme. Finish with a clear top coat for lasting wear.

The Floral Accented French

When simple summer nails pink meets a breath of floral air, the result is this exquisitely detailed design. Combining the crisp lines of a French manicure with a tapestry of flowers, this look brings the garden party to your fingertips.

What I Love About This Design:

The French manicure’s strict formality is softened by the floral accents, making each nail a delicate artwork. The use of pastel colors maintains a light, airy feel ideal for daytime events or a casual brunch.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Nude Polish: OPI’s Bubble Bath
• Pastel Polishes for Flowers: A mix of OPI and Essie shades in pastel
• Thin Nail Art Brush for Details

The nude polish provides a subtle base, while the pastel shades create a soft, romantic bloom on your nails.

DIY Tips:

Begin with a nude base, then carefully paint the French tip. Using the thin brush, paint the floral patterns, allowing each color to dry slightly before introducing the next. A clear top coat will add gloss and protect your design.

The Confetti Sprinkle

Embracing the joy of summer festivities, these nails are like a confetti-filled celebration on your fingertips. Simple summer nails acrylic with a translucent pink base are sprinkled with colorful, glittery accents, creating a playful and joyous effect.

What I Love About This Design:

It’s a party in a manicure! The sheer pink is light and breezy for hot summer days, while the sparkles hint at fun-filled summer nights.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Sheer Pink Acrylic Powder: Kiara Sky in Pink Powderpuff
• Glitter Accents: A variety of fine glitter from Martha Stewart Crafts
• Acrylic Liquid Monomer: Mia Secret Professional Acrylic Nail System

I pick these for their ability to create a smooth, glass-like finish and for the glitter’s lasting sparkle.

DIY Tips:

Create a thin, natural-looking acrylic base, then while still tacky, sprinkle your choice of glitter over the nail. Encapsulate with a clear acrylic layer to seal in the confetti look, then finish with a top coat for extra shine.

The Modern Art Minimalist

For those who love a minimalist approach, these simple summer nails short casual make a statement with just a few strokes of color. Clean, nude nails are accented with abstract shapes and lines, evoking the feel of modern art.

What I Love About This Design:

The beauty of this design lies in its simplicity and the playful use of negative space. It’s an understated yet bold look that’s versatile for any summer occasion.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Nude Polish: OPI’s Samoan Sand
• Colorful Polishes for Accents: A selection of bright polishes from the OPI Neon Collection
• Top Coat: Essie Good To Go

I recommend these products for their reliability and the vibrant pop of color that OPI’s Neon Collection provides.

DIY Tips:

Start with a clean, nude base. Then, with a thin brush, create your abstract designs. Don’t overthink it—the more spontaneous, the better. Seal with a fast-drying top coat to protect your miniature canvases.

The Splash of Pink

Simple summer nails pink doesn’t get any more vivid than this. The vibrant pink tips seem to splash across the nail, with a scattering of glitter to mimic droplets of water—an ideal choice for those hot and sunny days.

What I Love About This Design:

The dynamic splash of pink gives a feeling of movement and excitement, while the glitter adds an element of playfulness. It’s a fresh and lively look perfect for a summer beach party.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Vivid Pink Polish: China Glaze’s Shocking Pink
• Glitter Accents: Sally Hansen’s Set in Stones
• Nude Polish for Base: OPI’s Be There in a Prosecco

These products are chosen for their high-quality formula and the stark contrast they provide when paired together.

DIY Tips:

Apply the nude polish as a base. Then, take the pink and, with a quick flick of the brush, create the splash effect from the tips inward. Sprinkle glitter while the pink is still tacky. Finish with a clear top coat to seal in the design.

The Petal-Soft French Twist

A French manicure is reinvented with a touch of floral softness in these simple summer nails coffin style. The white tips are classic, but it’s the delicate petal designs that give it a fresh, summery spin.

What I Love About This Design:

It’s like wearing a bouquet on your nails—feminine, with a hint of romance. The white tips keep it crisp and versatile, while the flowers add a charming narrative.

Essential Products for This Look:

• White Polish for Tips: Essie’s Blanc
• Assorted Polishes for Petal Art: OPI’s pastel collection
• Thin Detailing Brush for Petal Art

These products are known for their lasting formulas and intense pigments, crucial for nail art that stays as fresh as a daisy through summer days and nights.

DIY Tips:

Start with a sheer pink base, apply the white tips, and let them dry. Then with a fine brush, gently paint the petal designs. Use light strokes to mimic the softness of real petals. Seal with a glossy top coat for a finish as smooth as petals themselves.

The Neon Geometry

Bold and eye-catching, these simple summer nails almond shape feature geometric designs in a neon palette that screams summer fun.

What I Love About This Design:

The sharp geometric shapes in neon colors are a nod to the ‘80s retro vibes. They’re energetic, they’re fun, and they’re perfect for summer concerts or beach parties.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Neon Polishes: A selection from the China Glaze Neon Collection
• Clear Base Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails
• Glossy Top Coat: INM Out The Door Top Coat

Selected for their neon brightness and longevity, these polishes will keep your nails in the summer groove.

DIY Tips:

After a clear base coat, plot out your geometric shapes with thin tape or stencils. Fill in with your chosen neons, peel away the tape carefully, and finish with a clear top coat for a vibrant, lasting look.

The Fiery Waves

For those who want to wear their heat on their hands, these simple summer nails acrylic designs look like flames licking at each nail, blending hot pink and fiery orange for a look that’s both hot and cool.

What I Love About This Design:

It’s dramatic and full of motion. Each nail is a flicker of fire, a blend of warm colors that’s perfect for sizzling summer days by the pool or barbecues as the sun sets.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Hot Pink and Orange Polishes: Essie’s Bachelorette Bash and Braziliant
• Detailing Brush for the Flame Design

These polishes are my favorites for their vibrant hues that mimic the very essence of a flame.

DIY Tips:

Start with a clear base coat, then use a fine brush to paint the flame designs with the pink and orange polishes. The trick is to layer the colors while they’re still wet to get that seamless blend. Finish with a top coat to lock in the design.

The Sunny Tip Blossom

Imagine a day filled with sunlight and blooms; that’s what these simple summer nails almond shape reflect. The bright yellow tips bring the sunshine, while the delicate white flowers are like daisies basking in its glow.

What I Love About This Design:

It’s a summer’s day at your fingertips. The sunny yellow exudes positivity, and the floral art adds a touch of nature’s own design.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Yellow Polish for Tips: China Glaze’s Sun Upon My Skin
• White Polish for Flowers: Essie’s Blanc
• Top Coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

These products stand out for their vibrant color and lasting finish, ensuring your nails stay sunny all day long.

DIY Tips:

Paint a neutral base, then carefully apply the yellow polish to the tips. Using a dotting tool or a thin brush, add the white flowers. A glossy top coat will keep your nails as fresh as a daisy.

The Pink Ombre Radiance

Capturing the gradient of a summer sunset, these simple summer nails coffin nails transition from a soft peach to a vibrant pink, complete with golden charms for a touch of elegance.

What I Love About This Design:

The gradient effect is reminiscent of a sky painted with sunset hues, and the charms add a unique touch of sophistication.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Peach and Pink Polishes for Ombre: OPI’s Freedom of Peach and Kiss Me I’m Brazilian
• Gold Charms: Small nail art charms from Born Pretty
• Top Coat: Glisten & Glow Top Coat

These polishes blend beautifully for a smooth ombre, and the top coat seals in the charms for long-lasting wear.

DIY Tips:

Apply a peach base, then while still wet, blend in the pink polish from the tip to the middle of the nail for the ombre effect. Once dry, adhere the charms with a drop of top coat.

The Blueberry French Twist

Fresh like a bowl of summer berries, these simple summer nails almond are a modern twist on the French manicure. Blue tips are paired with a sprinkling of blueberry-like dots for a design that’s both fresh and fun.

What I Love About This Design:

Blue is a cool reprieve from the summer heat, and the dotted design adds a playful, unexpected twist to a classic style.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Blue Polish for Tips and Dots: Essie’s Butler Please
• Dotting Tool: For perfect dots every time
• Top Coat: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip

Essie’s blue is bold and beautiful, and the fast-drying top coat keeps your design smudge-free.

DIY Tips:

After your base coat, apply the blue polish to the tips. Then dip your dotting tool into the same polish to create the berry dots along the base of the nail. Seal with a top coat for a shiny, enduring finish.

The Aqua Waves

Surf’s up with these simple summer nails short gel designs! They feature waves of aqua and blue that evoke the ocean’s rhythmic beauty. It’s a design that’s as calming as it is invigorating, perfect for days spent by the sea.

What I Love About This Design:

The fluidity of the wave patterns is mesmerizing, and the cool tones of blue and green are like a refreshing dip in the ocean.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Aqua and Blue Gel Polishes: Gelish’s Arctic Freeze and OPI Gel Color in Can’t Find My Czechbook
• Detailing Brush for Wave Patterns

These gel polishes are my top picks for their lasting wear and vibrant color that won’t fade, even under the summer sun.

DIY Tips:

After a clear base coat, alternate stripes of blue and aqua on the nail. Use a fine detailing brush to swirl the colors together in a wave pattern before curing. Finish with a top coat for a glossy, ocean-like sheen.

The Aegean Blue

Inspired by the stunning vistas of the Aegean Sea, these simple summer nails coffin nails boast a deep blue hue that’s both bold and elegant. Adorned with minimalist dots, they reflect the simplistic beauty of the Greek islands.

What I Love About This Design:

It’s the combination of the Mediterranean’s timeless blue with the modern simplicity of dot art. This look is versatile enough for a casual day out or an elegant evening affair.

Essential Products for This Look:

• Deep Blue Polish: Essie’s Butler Please
• Dotting Tool for Minimalist Art
• Top Coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Essie’s deep blue polish is the perfect shade for this look, and the Seche Vite top coat is renowned for its quick-drying and long-lasting finish.

DIY Tips:

Apply the blue polish as your base. Once dry, use a dotting tool to carefully place white dots in a symmetrical pattern. A clear top coat will ensure your nails are as enduring as the ancient beauty of the Aegean.

FAQ

Q: Can I achieve these designs with regular polish if I don’t have gel? A: Absolutely! While gel has its longevity perks, regular polish can also work beautifully for these designs. Just make sure to use a good top coat to extend the wear.

Q: Are these designs suitable for all nail shapes? A: Yes, these ideas can be adapted for any nail shape. Adjust the size of the designs to fit your nail’s real estate.

Q: How long should I expect my nail art to last? A: With proper application and a top-quality top coat, your nail art can last from one to two weeks.