Summer Pastel Nails: Trendy Designs & DIY Tips for 2024

Have you ever wondered how the subtle hues of a summer sunrise can transform your nails into a canvas of pastel perfection? Are you ready to explore the trendiest summer pastel nails that can add a pop of gentle color to your style? This season, it’s all about expressing your individuality with shades that whisper sweet summer tales. Let’s unlock the secrets to achieving the perfect summer pastel manicure that will have your hands doing the talking!

Embrace the Cotton Candy Sky: Summer Pastel Nails Short

Picture the first blush of a cotton candy sky, where the clouds are just a whisper against a soft blue. This is the essence captured in our summer pastel nails short design. Alternating between a dreamy pale pink and a striking vibrant orange, this manicure sings a duet of subtlety and boldness. The short, square cut offers a practical approach, while the glossy finish speaks of a professional touch that catches the light like the first morning rays.

Materials Required

• Base coat (Preferably a strengthening formula)
• Pale pink polish (Essie’s Ballet Slippers)
• Vibrant orange polish (OPI’s Summer Lovin’ Having a Blast)
• Top coat (Sally Hansen Miracle Gel)

As a professional, I find the juxtaposition of soft and vivid hues thrilling. It’s about balancing the color palette for that perfect summer vibe.

DIY Steps

Starting with clean, buffed nails, apply a base coat to protect your nails. Two coats of the pale pink will set a serene backdrop. For the accent nails, a bright orange applied with steady strokes will pop. Seal with a glossy top coat for durability and shine. It’s a straightforward design that’s both doable and delightful for a home manicure session.

A Dip in the Ocean: Summer Pastel Nails Almond

Dive into the cool hues of ocean-inspired summer pastel nails almond shape. The nails feature an almond shape that naturally elongates the fingers, with each tip dipped in a different pastel shade—lilac, sky blue, and mint green. This design evokes the tranquil colors of sea glass scattered on the beach, offering a serene escape for anyone who glances at them.

Materials Required

• Base coat (I recommend a keratin-rich formula)
• Pastel lilac polish (Try Zoya’s Marley)
• Pastel sky blue polish (CND’s Creekside)
• Pastel mint green polish (Essie’s Mint Candy Apple)
• Top coat (I prefer a fast-drying type)

The almond shape is a perfect canvas for these soft pastels, each shade applied with care to give a crisp, clean edge.

DIY Steps

Post base coat application, paint each nail in one of the three pastel shades, using tape for a crisp edge if needed. Two thin coats usually do the trick. Remember, patience is your friend when it comes to painting your tips. A fast-drying top coat will preserve the tranquility of your beachy nails.

Whimsical Wonders: Summer Pastel Nails Coffin

Step into a fairy tale with these summer pastel nails coffin style. Each nail tells a story, adorned with intricate designs of butterflies, flowers, and delicate swirls. The pastel pink base offers a tender backdrop for the playful designs, while the coffin shape adds a modern twist to the whimsical theme.

Materials Required

• Base coat (Long-lasting is a must)
• Pastel pink polish (OPI’s Mod About You)
• Assorted nail art brushes
• Nail art stickers or decals (butterflies and flowers)
• Rhinestones or studs (for a touch of sparkle)
• Top coat (UV sealant for added protection)

This design is a labor of love, blending artistic expression with a nod to the enchanting vibes of summer.

DIY Steps

With your base laid down, apply the pastel pink polish as the foundation. Once dry, place the nail art stickers with tweezers or create designs with a fine brush. Add any rhinestones with nail glue, then encapsulate everything with a durable top coat. These nails require a steady hand and a sprinkle of creativity, so take your time to enjoy the process.

The Sunset Palette: Summer Pastel Nails Almond

As a manicurist, I often draw inspiration from nature, and this summer pastel nails almond design is reminiscent of a breathtaking sunset. The soft peach base overlaid with contrasting strokes of white and burnt orange creates a delicate yet dynamic look. The pointed almond shape complements the bold strokes, making each nail an abstract masterpiece.

Materials Required

• Peach pastel polish (Try ‘Apricot Nectar’ by Orly)
• White striping polish (Precision is key – I recommend ‘White On’ by Sally Hansen)
• Burnt orange polish (Essie’s ‘Playing Koi’ is perfect)
• Detailing brush (For those intricate lines)
• High-gloss top coat (Seche Vite does wonders)

Each color and stroke plays its part in mimicking the sky’s evening colors, bringing the serenity of dusk to your fingertips.

DIY Steps

Begin with the peach polish as your base. Once dry, dip your detailing brush into the white polish and paint thin lines from the base to the tip. Add a stroke of burnt orange alongside the white for a fiery touch. Finish with a top coat for a smooth, glass-like finish that will last through the longest summer days.

Whispers of Spring: Summer Pastel Nails Coffin

This summer pastel nails coffin design speaks of spring’s tender bloom. The muted background shades serve as the perfect canvas for the delicate line art in white, lavender, and green, invoking thoughts of new leaves and spring buds. The coffin shape provides a modern edge, making this design both timeless and contemporary.

Materials Required

• Pastel base polishes (Lavender, soft green, and baby pink)
• White art polish (A must-have for fine lines)
• Detailing brush (For precision)
• Matte top coat (For a velvety finish)

In creating this look, the choice of a matte top coat is deliberate, lending an understated elegance to the overall design.

DIY Steps

After your base coat, apply two coats of each pastel polish, alternating colors per finger. Using your detailing brush, draw soft, winding botanical designs. The key here is to be as light-handed as possible – think of it as sketching on your nails. A matte top coat will give an unexpectedly modern finish to your pastel spring narrative.

Neon Glow: Summer Pastel Nails Square

Brighten up with these summer pastel nails square shaped, where a pale pink base is brought to life with vibrant neon streaks. The look combines the classic sweetness of pastel with the unexpected zest of neon for a design that’s both charming and electrifying.

Materials Required

• Pale pink polish (Consider ‘Muchi, Muchi’ by Essie)
• Neon polishes (Go wild with Color Club’s neons)
• Fine-tipped brush (For those neon flames)
• High-shine top coat (To lock in the color)

The square shape is a modern nod, perfect for showcasing the pop of neon on each nail.

DIY Steps

Lay down your pale pink base, and let it set. Then, with a fine brush, draw thin, flame-like streaks with your chosen neon colors. Here’s a tip: practice the streaks on paper first to get your hand steady. Finish with a glossy top coat for a shine that complements the summer sun.

Petal Soft: Summer Pastel Nails Square

For those who favor a soft touch, these summer pastel nails square shaped are a dream. The nails are adorned with the gentlest touch of pale pink and tipped with a creamy yellow reminiscent of the inner part of a daisy petal. The accent nails are decorated with simple daisy designs, adding a dash of innocence and charm to the overall aesthetic.

Materials Required

• Pale pink polish (Something like ‘Pale Peony’ by Essie)
• Yellow polish for the tips (Bright yet soft, such as ‘Sunshine State of Mind’ by Essie)
• White polish for daisy petals (‘Blanc’ by Essie is my go-to)
• Dotting tool (For those perfect daisy centers)
• Glossy top coat (To make each design petal-soft to the eye)

This look brings a touch of spring’s freshness to the height of summer.

DIY Steps

Begin with a pale pink base on all nails. For the tips, gently sweep on the yellow polish in a straight line across each nail’s edge. Using the dotting tool and white polish, create small daisies on the accent nails. A small dot in the center completes each flower. A top coat will ensure your nails look freshly picked for days.

Summer Fiesta: Summer Pastel Nails Coffin

This summer pastel nails coffin design is a celebration on your fingertips. A gradient of sunset colors creates a backdrop for playful floral patterns and festive butterflies. The coffin shape lends an edgy contrast to the softness of the pastel colors, making this a bold statement for the summer season.

Materials Required

• Gradient pastel polishes (Choose a spectrum from soft pink to lavender)
• Nail art stickers or freehand with a fine brush
• Protective base coat (I suggest a rubberized base for longevity)
• UV top coat (For that lasting shine)

The intricate patterns require a steady hand or the ease of pre-designed stickers for DIYers.

DIY Steps

Paint a pale gradient as your base, blending the colors gently from one to the next. Once dry, apply nail art stickers or hand-paint the floral and butterfly designs. A UV top coat cures to a hard, protective finish, safeguarding your summer fiesta nails.

Chic in Pink: Summer Pastel Nails Almond

Sophistication meets whimsy in these summer pastel nails almond shaped. A rich, pastel pink lays the foundation for a playful scattering of darker pink polka dots and the occasional crystal embellishment. The almond shape is ever flattering, giving an elongated, feminine silhouette to the hands.

Materials Required

• Pastel pink polish (Opt for ‘Mademoiselle’ by Essie)
• Darker pink polish for dots (‘Bachelorette Bash’ by Essie for contrast)
• Rhinestones or tiny crystals (For that subtle sparkle)
• Nail glue (To secure the embellishments)
• Semi-matte top coat (For a modern finish)

This design balances simplicity with luxury, making it versatile for any summer occasion.

DIY Steps

After your base color sets, dip a dotting tool into the darker pink and dot away—keep it random for a playful look. Apply a small dab of nail glue where you want your crystals, and place them gently. A semi-matte top coat delivers an understated sheen that lets the color and texture shine without overt gloss.

Garden Whimsy: Summer Pastel Nails Short

Welcome to the garden of whimsy where summer pastel nails short meet playful charm. A sheer pink base becomes a canvas for splashes of neon pink and lively green, reminiscent of blooming flowers and fluttering butterflies. This design is perfect for those who carry spring’s exuberance into the heat of summer.

Materials Required

• Sheer pink polish (Something like ‘Ballet Slippers’ by Essie)
• Neon pink polish (Electric and vivid – ‘Fluorescent Fuchsia’ by China Glaze)
• Lime green polish (Bright and bold – ‘I’m Sooo Swamped!’ by OPI)
• Nail art stickers or a fine brush for freehand butterflies
• Fast-drying top coat (For a quick set and shine)

This manicure is a delightful nod to those carefree summer days.

DIY Steps

Begin with a sheer pink polish for a clean, natural look. Dab neon pink at the base and tips, and add a touch of lime green for a fresh burst. Apply nail stickers or hand-paint butterflies for that touch of magic. Seal with a top coat for a durable, glossy finish.

Sweet Stripes: Summer Pastel Nails Coffin

Imagine a world where candy stripes blend seamlessly with the softness of a summer cloud. That’s what you get with these summer pastel nails coffin shaped. The pink base accented with layers of sunny yellow and cool white stripes exudes a playful yet sophisticated vibe, making it the perfect accessory for any summer outing.

Materials Required

• Pastel pink polish (A creamy base like ‘Mod About You’ by OPI)
• Sunny yellow polish (Think ‘Sunrise, Sunset’ by Sally Hansen)
• White polish for the stripes (‘White Out’ by ORLY)
• Striping tape or a steady hand for freehand precision
• High-gloss top coat (For the finishing candy-like sheen)

The coffin shape elevates the fun design to chic heights.

DIY Steps

After a pastel pink base, use striping tape to section off areas for your yellow and white stripes. Carefully fill in with the respective colors and remove the tape while the polish is still wet. A top coat adds gloss and ensures your stripes stay crisp and clear.

Daisy Dots: Summer Pastel Nails Square

The summer pastel nails square shape offers a canvas for designs as cute as a button, like this one with its soft pink backdrop and playful dotted flowers. With accents of baby blue, lemon yellow, and white, these nails are like wearing a summer meadow on your fingertips.

Materials Required

• Soft pink polish (‘Muchi, Muchi’ by Essie is perfect)
• White polish for flower centers (‘Blanc’ by Essie)
• Baby blue and lemon yellow polish for petals (Suggest ‘Bikini So Teeny’ by Essie and ‘Lemon Fizz’ by China Glaze)
• Dotting tools in various sizes
• Protective top coat (Prefer a non-yellowing formula)

Every dot and petal is a promise of summer’s joy.

DIY Steps

Paint your nails with the soft pink polish as a delicate foundation. Use a dotting tool to create a ring of dots for the flower petals in blue and yellow. Add a white dot in the center to complete each daisy. A protective top coat keeps your daisies fresh all day.

Pink Marble Elegance: Summer Pastel Nails Coffin

Elegance is redefined with these summer pastel nails coffin style. The milky pink base marbled with gentle swirls of white creates an ethereal look, resembling natural marble stone. The minimalist design exudes a sophisticated air, perfect for those summer nights where fashion meets the art of subtlety.

Materials Required

• Milky pink polish (Try ‘Fiji’ by Essie for that creamy base)
• White polish for marbling (Pure ‘Alpine Snow’ by OPI is ideal)
• A small dotting tool or toothpick to create the marble effect
• A glossy top coat for a smooth finish

Each nail is a piece of art with unique swirls and whorls.

DIY Steps

After your base color, add drops of white polish and use the dotting tool to swirl patterns into the pink base while still wet. Work quickly to allow the colors to blend softly. Once dry, apply a glossy top coat to enhance the marble’s sheen and protect your design.

Candy Drop Dream: Summer Pastel Nails Almond

This summer pastel nails almond shape design is like a handful of sweet delights. The pastel gradient creates a soft background for the playful candy drop gems that adorn each nail. It’s a design that brings the fun of a summer fair right to your fingertips.

Materials Required

• Pastel gradient polishes (Soft shades of pink, blue, and yellow)
• Small rhinestones or nail gems in various colors
• Nail glue to secure the candy drop gems
• A high-shine top coat to encapsulate the design

This look is whimsical yet refined, perfect for those who enjoy a touch of playfulness.

DIY Steps

Apply a pastel gradient to each nail, blending the colors to mimic a summer’s sunrise. Once dry, use nail glue to place the rhinestones in a pleasing pattern. Seal with a top coat not just to add shine, but also to secure the gems in place for long-lasting wear.

Floral Wisp: Summer Pastel Nails Oval

The summer pastel nails oval shape provides a classic canvas for this timeless design. The whisper-soft pink hue serves as a backdrop for delicate floral accents. Tiny clusters of flowers in a deeper shade of pink give a nod to the hidden nooks of a summer garden in full bloom.

Materials Required

• Soft pink polish (‘Romper Room’ by Essie is just right)
• A darker pink polish for floral details (‘Watermelon’ by Essie)
• A thin brush or dotting tool for precise flower creation
• A quick-dry top coat to protect the floral artwork

Each nail is a testament to the delicate beauty of summer blooms.

DIY Steps

Begin with a base of soft pink polish. Dip your brush or dotting tool into the darker pink polish and paint small flowers, adding a few dots to form petals. A few strategic strokes are all you need for this botanical design. Once dry, a quick-dry top coat adds durability and a professional finish.

Sunset Bloom: Summer Pastel Nails Oval

Imagine the soft glow of a sunset captured on your nails. These summer pastel nails oval shaped feature a peachy base that radiates warmth. The accent nails are blossoming with vibrant orange and soft pink floral designs, sprinkled with tiny dots that mimic delicate pollen.

Materials Required

• Peach base polish (‘Peach Side Babe’ by Essie)
• Vibrant orange polish for petals (‘Tasmanian Devil Made Me Do It’ by OPI)
• Soft pink polish for floral details (‘Pink-a-Boo’ by Essie)
• A fine-tip brush or dotting tool for detailed work
• A glossy top coat to seal in the design

The oval shape adds to the nails’ feminine charm, like petals in the golden hour.

DIY Steps

Apply the peach polish as your base. Then, with the vibrant orange, paint petal shapes on your accent nails, filling in with soft pink for a gradient effect. Dot the center of each flower with the fine-tip brush. Finish with a glossy top coat for a lasting summer bloom.

Geometric Chic: Summer Pastel Nails Short

These summer pastel nails short combine the softness of pastel pink with the crisp lines of geometric art. The design features clean, angular lines in black, accented with pops of yellow and pink, creating a striking contrast on a nude base.

Materials Required

• Nude base polish (‘Topless & Barefoot’ by Essie)
• Black polish for geometric lines (‘Licorice’ by Essie)
• Pastel yellow and pink for accents (‘Chillato’ by Essie and ‘Mod About You’ by OPI)
• Striping tape for precision
• A semi-matte top coat for a contemporary finish

The combination of soft colors and bold lines is perfect for those who love modern art with a twist.

DIY Steps

Start with the nude base. Once dry, place striping tape to outline your geometric shapes. Fill in the shapes with black, yellow, and pink polishes. Carefully remove the tape and let the design dry completely. Finish with a semi-matte top coat to enhance the modern vibe.

Pastel Pet: Summer Pastel Nails Almond

Who says pets can’t inspire our style? These summer pastel nails almond shaped are a tribute to our furry friends. The lavender base serves as a backdrop for adorable paw print designs, accented with golden paw pads that add a touch of luxury.

Materials Required

• Lavender base polish (‘Go Ginza’ by Essie)
• White polish for paw prints (‘Blanc’ by Essie)
• Gold polish for accents (‘Good as Gold’ by Essie)
• A dotting tool for the paw prints
• A fast-drying top coat to keep everything in place

These nails are perfect for animal lovers looking to wear their hearts on their hands.

DIY Steps

Paint your nails with the lavender polish as a calm base. Use the dotting tool to create paw prints in white. Add a small gold dot to the center of each print for a hint of glam. Once dry, apply a fast-drying top coat for a polished look that’s playful yet chic.

Confetti Joy: Summer Pastel Nails Almond

These summer pastel nails almond shaped are a celebration on your fingertips! The light pink base is uplifted with a sprinkling of colorful polka dots, creating a playful confetti effect that’s both sweet and sassy.

Materials Required

• Light pink base polish (‘Pale to the Chief’ by OPI)
• A variety of bright polishes for dots (pick your favorite rainbow shades)
• A dotting tool for perfect polka dots
• A glossy top coat for a vibrant finish

The almond shape provides a sophisticated backdrop for the fun pops of color.

DIY Steps

Start with a couple of coats of your light pink polish for a delicate base. Once that’s set, take your dotting tool and dot away with your chosen bright shades. The key here is randomness—the more spontaneous, the better. Seal your festive design with a glossy top coat for a dazzling finish.

Elegant Flair: Summer Pastel Nails Coffin

When elegance meets trend, you get these chic summer pastel nails coffin shaped. The uniform peachy-pink base is enhanced with intricate 3D floral art, creating a tactile experience that’s as luxurious as it is stylish.

Materials Required

• Peachy-pink polish for the base (‘Cantelope’ by Essie)
• Clear gel or acrylic to sculpt 3D flowers
• A small brush and a 3D nail art tool to shape the flowers
• A matte top coat for a contemporary look

The coffin shape adds a dash of drama to the sophisticated design.

DIY Steps

Paint a peachy-pink polish as the base on each nail. Use clear gel to create small 3D flowers on the accent nails, curing or letting them set as needed. Use a matte top coat over the nails for an understated elegance that lets the 3D art shine.