Over the past couple of weeks, you’ve probably been preoccupied with stocking up for summer. Selecting the perfect crop tops for showing off some skin, the ideal swimsuit you feel great in and anti-chafing products that actually prevent irritation before it starts. But even with all that preparation, we’re betting you haven’t given much thought to how you’re going to wear your nails this season.
Summer nail art designs should be fun, colorful and eye-catching without going overboard. That means favoring rounded tips instead of stiletto-like claws. Avoid any glitzy accents like glitter or diamantés because the next few months are all about taking it easy. Negative space manis have become year-round staples, but summer is a great time to keep it minimal. When it comes to shades, blues, yellows and pastels prove popular, but don’t be afraid to step outside the color wheel. Experiment with red, white and black for nail art with a seasonal twist.
Here are 20 nail art designs guaranteed to make a splash this summer.
[ Next: 15 Nail Colors Everyone Will Be Wearing This Spring ]
Summer 2018 Manis
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Summer 2018 Manis #1
At Alice + Olivia’s Spring 2018 show, the French manis were topped with an unexpected splice of teal.
Image: Imaxtree
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Summer 2018 Manis #2
Highlight a lavender shade by swiping red streaks on each side.
Image: @jinsoonchoi
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Summer 2018 Manis #3
Complement your white jeans and summery crop top with a white hot nail shade.
Image: @deborahlippmann
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Summer 2018 Manis #4
Nothing could be simpler for summer than painting pale yellow moons at the base of nails.
Image: @shutthekaleup
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Summer 2018 Manis #5
Give the traditional French mani a holographic spin by painting your tips pastel ombre.
Image: @ritaremark
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Summer 2018 Manis #6
Take a break from all the primary colors and pastels by favoring a slime-inspired green shade to top off your digits.
Image: @maybe.martin
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Summer 2018 Manis #7
Who says hands have to match? Go nude on one hand, teal on the other.
Image: @jinsoon
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Summer 2018 Manis #8
Summer is all about taking it easy, so look like you haven’t bothered to retouch your mani by painting your nails orange, but leave open space at the cuticle a la the Marc Jacobs Spring 2018 show.
Image: @jinsoonchoi
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Summer 2018 Manis #9
Negative space is still trending and these lilac lines alternating between going vertical and horizontal are the epitome of the technique.
Image: @aliciatnails
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Summer 2018 Manis #10
Show your cuticles some love by intersecting black and white shades.
Image: @mpnails
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Summer 2018 Manis #11
Instead of restraining the cobalt to just your tips, let the color slide down one side of each nail.
Image: @paintboxnails
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Summer 2018 Manis #12
Play up the pastels with mint sideways triangles teamed with ballet pink slants.
Image: @paintboxnails
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Summer 2018 Manis #13
Take a cue from the manis at the Zang Toi Spring 2018 show and mimic a blue sky with fluffy clouds by surrounding a pretty turquoise with white trim.
Image: @sundays_studio
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Summer 2018 Manis #14
Colorblocking isn’t just for clothing. Try the technique on your nails by painting them lavender and white.
Image: @purplenailbox
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Summer 2018 Manis #15
Make a rich red summer-ready by adding aqua rectangles to each nail.
Image: @nataliepavloskinails
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Summer 2018 Manis #16
A vibrant yellow is a must-try this season, but flip the script by using the shade to make reverse Vs starting at the tips.
Image: Pinterest via PopSugar Beauty
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Summer 2018 Manis #17
While this nail art took three shades to produce, the star is definitely the migrating orange accents.
Image: @opi_professionals
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Summer 2018 Manis #18
Accent a teal base by swiping navy swoops around opposite corners of each nail.
Image: @jinsoon
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Summer 2018 Manis #19
Switch out your swatches on each nail by combining bright shades of pink, red and orange.
Image: @orlynails
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Summer 2018 Manis #20
Paint pink and lilac swoops up top for a cotton candy vibe that screams summer.
Image: @aliciatnails
