What does summer 2025 feel like? Imagine feeling the sun on your skin, drinking something cold and your nails speaking for you. The main idea during summer is showing your personal style, whether you’re at the beach, in the city or going on a surprise trip. These summer nail ideas for 2025 feature juicy fruit prints, bold colors, funky swirls and almond shapes and they are the kind of energy we want to bring into the season. Ready to find your next mani obsession? Let’s dive in.
Periwinkle Dreams on Almond Tips
There’s something quietly powerful about a plain, high-shine manicure in a color that whispers “cool girl” without saying a word. This light blue which is somewhere between lavender and faded denim, looks like a summer sky on your nails. It’s versatile, polished, and right in step with nail inspo summer simple lovers who crave something chic without the extra noise. I can see this set being worn with silver jewelry and a big button-up shirt at a relaxed holiday dinner by the sea.
To recreate this look, you’d want a gel polish like OPI’s “You’re Such a BudaPest” or Zoya’s “Jo.” I choose to use a high-gloss gel topcoat from Gelish or DND to get the shiny, mirror-like look that doesn’t fade away after a day of beach fun or long hours at the desk.
The first step is to make your nails an almond shape by filing the sides inward rather than making them flat. Paint a first layer, allow it to dry a little, then apply more, curing between each application. The secret to making it pop? Smooth your nail beds before applying the base coat so your polish goes on evenly. It’s minimal effort, but the pay-off feels luxuriously understated.
This shade’s subtlety is its superpower. I’ve worn variations of this color multiple summers now, and every time I do, strangers ask what polish I’m wearing. It shows that someone is confident and organized, but in a subtle way and that’s the kind of confidence I want in 2025.
Floral Pop Art on Pink Almonds
This is what I think of as sunshine captured in a manicure. Soft pink, almond-shaped nails are decorated with purple and yellow flowers that make them look funky, fun and very fresh this summer for nail lovers. Because the colors are both warm and cool, you can match your dresses and swimsuits to this bag all summer long. There’s an effortless elegance to how playful it feels.
To pull this off at home, you’ll need a matte pink gel base (think: Essie Gel Couture in “Sheer Fantasy”), plus ultra-fine nail art brushes and gel paints in violet, lemon yellow, and a touch of black for stems. Don’t skip the detail brush—flower petals love precision.
I make the base in two parts, cure it and then draw the flowers in freehand. If you are a beginner, use a dotting tool to put on the petals and then use a toothpick to shape them. The most important thing? Wait for every area to dry before covering it with a different color.
This is a manicure that makes people feel happy. I wore the same outfit when I visited Santa Barbara and a barista said I looked like a mini Monet. Micro florals have a special charm—they are soft and still very fashionable.
Neon Ombré Meets Botanical Glow
This one is pure nail inspo summer magic. A tropical look that mixes neon yellow and pink in an ombré style and is made more attractive by adding tiny dried 3D flowers sealed with gel. It’s playful and new, the kind of manicure that stands out at brunch or makes your beach photos look amazing.
I would apply The Gel Bottle’s “Daisy” and “Cosmo” colors for the fade and then use dried flowers or decals sealed with a builder gel. A nail sponge or ombré brush can help blend the colors and the key is to be patient.
Blend the shades one by one and let each transition plan set before adding the next. Press flowers into uncured builder gel, add a crystal if you’re feeling extra, then cure and top it all off with a strong topcoat. Celeb tech @nailartbyqueenie taught me that curing each layer fast and then going bold prevents bleeding and keeps the details clear.
The way the design feels like summer time in my hands is totally addicting. It’s artsy without trying too hard. And the neon glow under bar lighting? Let’s just say… unforgettable.
Pastel Garden on Medium Square Tips
These soft colors are inspiring the best simple manicure looks for 2025. Every square nail becomes a small canvas for a group of matte daisies and butterflies in soft pinks, blues and lilacs. It feels like walking through a garden made of ice cream colors and the happiness here is really strong.
You don’t have to use all the tools for stamping; just keep it easy. A pastel palette from Beetles Gel Polish (they have the cutest “Macaron” collection) and some dotting tools are enough to DIY it. Peel-off decals from Olive & June have worked well for me when I’m not feeling very precise.
What I enjoy the most about using squares is how tidy they make the design appear. They make the pastel look more structured without losing its softness. Don’t over-file—keep the edges gently eckig (angular), not sharp.
It’s a very cozy manicure; it makes me think of when I used to draw flowers on my school notebooks. It’s a nod to carefree creativity, dressed up in 2025 color trends.
Lemonade Stand Realness
Let’s discuss the best summer beach vibes nail look! The design looks very holiday-like, with bright yellow lemons on top of hot pink and black seeds, like a colorful pop-art print. Add a bright ombré from lime to teal and a yellow matte accent nail and your hands become the most exciting part of your look.
No lie, this one takes patience. You might want to use full-coverage press-ons if you aren’t interested in sculpting. You can find that punchy color mix with Orly’s “Lemonade” and Essie’s “Mod Square” for your polish. The lemons? Apply leaves and peel texture with a thin brush and dotting tools.
Paint every design piece by itself and add them one by one, just as you would with a collage. Allow each little section to cure or dry before you proceed. Using a sealing topcoat like Seche Vite will keep your nails looking juicy and prevent chipping for a long time.
I loved how much fun this mani was and I couldn’t take my eyes off my hands at the pool party last year. Even strangers commented. One even asked if I was a nail artist—which I definitely took as a high compliment!
Safari Brights on Super Short Nails
This design is both eye-catching, fun and impossible to ignore, especially for those who love color and animal prints. The nails are super short and rounded, with leopard spots in a mix of neon green, purple and orange that stands out. The summer spirit is at its best here and shows that short can still be exciting. To be honest, these nails could go to a beach bar before you and get served before you.
Matte or glossy are both options and I usually choose matte for a pop-art look. I would apply Lights Lacquer’s “Now & Later” for green and “Dream Street” for purple and then add a matte top coat from Essie. An artist can use a fine brush and black gel liner to paint the spots on the butterfly freehand.
The process is easier than it looks. Paint every base color, allow it to cure and then tap irregular black shapes over the surface. The fact that it’s not perfect makes it look just like animal fur. I put on a matte top coat to add a velvety finish. It’s a 20-minute process that gives you Instagram-ready fingertips.
Wearing this mani just feels empowering. When someone wears loud prints on a small canvas, they are saying, “I am proud of who I am and I’m not afraid to show it, even when I’m barefoot and sunburned.”
Fruit Salad Fantasy with Beach Vibes
This one captures the perfect summer beach nail look. The tiny pineapples and starfruit on pink and yellow bases taste juicy and fresh, much like drinking a cold smoothie on a flamingo float. Its square shape makes this mani a mix of graphic art and tropical kitsch and it looks both cute and cool. Bonus: the white base really makes the fruits pop, like they’re practically edible.
You should use a clear white gel base such as Apres “White Out” and small detailing brushes for the fruit shapes. The palette is finished with gel paints in fuchsia, lime, mustard and green. If painting your nails is not your strength, MoYou London’s fruity nail decals are a great alternative.
I generally draw the outlines with a detail liner and then add color inside. It’s a bit of work, but very meditative. You should let each step cure completely before doing the next one. Take your time, just like making a fruit salad, putting in each flavor one after another.
These nails instantly spark joy. I wore something like a beach wedding last year and it got more compliments than what I was wearing. They’re that good. Also, pineapples on nails? Always in season.
Blue Pop Dots on Classic Square
It looks like a classic retro swimwear pattern, but made into nail art. The mix of navy and powder blue squares with bright polka dots is just the right amount of simple and stylish. A person who wants to try out colorful styles but still keep it stylish and neat may choose this look.
Start with colors like OPI’s “My Car Has Navy-gation” and “It’s a Boy!” for the solids. I usually use dotting tools and gel polish in coral, yellow and aqua for the dot details. If you’re doing it at home, seal it with a strong gloss top coat like Seche Vite to preserve that contrast.
I generally begin by pouring the solid bases and waiting for them to dry or cure completely. The final step is to add dotted nails and you can do this by hand or with a tiny dotting tool. Making the dots different sizes creates the classic retro style.
For me, this style is what I call a simple summer remix. It’s nostalgic, but clean. When you want a bright design without the pool floaties, this one will do the job perfectly.
Jungle Glam with a Twist
There’s a soft and strong feeling to a ballerina-length almond nail that is matte olive green and pink with abstract zebra patterns. It has a strong side and a gentle side, much like cargo pants worn with heels. This style mixes natural shades with bold patterns which is perfect for summer almond lovers who want something new. It’s a safari gone runway.
What makes it special is the matte texture and the sharp lines. I’d try Bio Seaweed Gel “Olive Tree” and “Bubblegum” as the solid products. The zebra stripes? Use a thin brush and Gelish black liner to paint over the cured base.
Betina Goldstein has taught me that zebra stripes should be drawn in one go, not by filling your brush too much. That’s what gives them edge and energy.
This look is a mood all on its own. I brought it along on a weekend trip to Palm Springs and a woman who looked just like a Saint Laurent model told me how much she liked it. High praise.
Watermelon Sugar Almond
These almond nails in watermelon pink and black are fresh, fun and impossible to miss—exactly what you need to feel good in 2025. The shiny surface makes them look like candy and the green tips give them a real rind appearance. They’re perfect for a hot day and a hot outfit and they’re always fun.
Apply Orly’s “Strawberry Milk,” which is a bubblegum pink and Essie’s “Mojito Madness,” a deep kelly green. A fine liner or dotting tool will help you easily drop the seeds where you want them. Apply a thick, gel topcoat to get a shiny finish that looks like melon.
I paint the whole pink nail, cover the green part with tape or a curved brush and then add the dots when the first layer is dry. A single nail is a simple way to match with all-pink accessories.
This one just screams holiday manicure to me. You feel it when you’re wearing cutoffs, cat-eye sunglasses and have juice from watermelon on your fingers. Or margaritas.
Olive Marble Chic in Matte Square
This medium square style is for people who want their nails to have a subtle touch of drama. The combination of matte olive green and glossy white marble gives a sense of earthiness and luxury. It’s a subtle way to express yourself and it gives you that “I’m on Pinterest” feeling.
To recreate the marble, you’ll need a white gel base (try “Blanc” by Madame Glam), a thin liner brush, and an olive green like DND’s “Green Moss.” The green swirls are blurred out using isopropyl alcohol which gives the painting its lovely natural ripple.
Apply two layers of matte olive on the nails you want to be solid. To make the marble effect, put green squiggles over white and use a brush dipped in alcohol to lightly dab them. Apply a cure, seal with gloss for a different look and leave the olive in its natural matte finish.
I usually pick this for rooftop dinners and dress it up with linen. It’s simple in a good way—thoughtful, tidy and can be worn for both casual brunches and parties.
Postcard Palms and Yellow Sunshine
This nail design is summer at the beach, turned into a beautiful sunset daydream. With pink skies, silhouetted palms, seafoam waves and bright yellow and white, the scene looks like a mini postcard. It reminds me of summer in a bottle and each time I see this style, I hear steel drums in my mind.
Apply Essie “Vanity Fairest” and “Coconut Cove” as the base color. You might want to use gel art pens or stamping plates that have palm silhouettes for the details. The brightest yellow accent nails are made with “Bee-ing Honest” from Orosa.
Use the sunset gradient first, then add ocean blue stripes and palm tree outlines. Finish each step to ensure all the detail is there and end with a high-gloss top coat for a gleaming poolside look.
These nails have vacation written all over them. I wore something similar in Turks and Caicos and I didn’t even need jewelry because these were so eye-catching. The ultimate urlaub look.
Retro Pop Swirls on Short Nails
Let’s talk funky meets chic. They come as a set of three: fuchsia, hunter green and a swirly retro accent that looks like an art print from the 1970s. There’s attitude here—bold but approachable, graphic but playful.
Polishes I’d recommend? Paint your nails with “Magenta Jelly” and “Green Taffy” from Holo Taco and then swirl white and black gel liner on your nails freehand. The secret to a great manicure is very thin lines and a topcoat that holds the gloss.
Swirls look tricky, but they’re super forgiving. I draw the overall outline with a pencil on the nail mat and then repeat it with a brush. Cure the ink on the paper after each line to keep it from smudging and to gradually increase the contrast.
I go for this style when I want to hear compliments. It’s both artistic and bold which makes it perfect for when you want to make a statement with little work.
Ocean Tips for Soft Summer Waves
The combination of a soft pink base and blue French tips looks just like summer nail inspiration. A cool, light and airy manicure, it’s like taking a dip in the ocean on a sunny afternoon. It’s a light and fun style that shows you’re enjoying your time off and loving it.
You’ll need a jelly pink like “Mademoiselle” by Essie, and a sheer blue for the tips—try OPI’s “Kanpai OPI!” Either use a striping guide or draw the French curve freehand for a soft curve around the mouth.
I paint a base of pink and, when that is dry, I gently touch the blue brush to the tip to avoid making streaks. Seal it all with a plumping topcoat. The translucent look really lets the design breathe.
If you love nail inspo summer square but want a subtle look, this is the one for you. Think poolside rosé and dainty gold rings. Always appropriate, never boring.
Lemon Gloss on Perfect Square
Sometimes the best move is the simplest one. These square nails in a bright lemon yellow are the best kind of simple magic for 2025. The gloss? Glassy. The shape? Sharp but wearable. The vibe? Happy, confident, and made for golden hour selfies.
You can get this style by using ILNP’s “Sundance” or OPI’s “Exotic Birds Do Not Tweet.” Smooth your nails, then cover them with two thick layers and finish with a glass-like Zoya “Armor” top coat.
No tricks here—just precise filing and flawless polish placement. The square tips give a neat appearance and the yellow makes your nails look highlighted.
I always find that this style works for me. If I am buying groceries or packing for a trip, I always feel like this yellow is sunshine whenever I want it.
Berry Sweet Almond Delight
Summer is here when you start to see strawberries on your food, in your drinks and on your nails. This manicure has a playful almond shape and it’s filled with pink shades that fade into each other and a single nail decorated with cute strawberries. It’s giving berry season but make it glam, and it hits just right for nail inspo summer pink lovers who want something juicy but polished.
Use OPI “Strawberry Margarita” and Essie “Fiji” to get the same pink color. To do the berry accent, use a white gel base and either a dotting tool or strawberry decals. I prefer the gel art pens from The Gel Bottle to draw the little fruit details.
Paint your base coats and cure them and then add the strawberry art. I normally draw the leaves first and then I add the berries and dots over them. Finish everything by applying a topcoat to give them a delicious-looking shine.
They create a feeling of sweetness, nostalgia and playfulness. I put them on for a brunch meeting and everyone started talking about them. Who doesn’t want to talk about strawberries?
Orange Crush with Sunshine Spark
This bright orange manicure is so fun, just like a bottle of Fanta and the daisy accent makes it even better! The squared edges give it a simple and strong look, great for those who like a bold splash of color but not an artistic design.
Choose a strong color like DND’s “Tangerine Dream” and a bright white for the flowers. Paint the petals with a dotting tool and use a sunny yellow such as Orosa “Lemon Bloom.”
I first draw the flower design on a press-on to see how it will look and then I use fine brushes to paint it on my nails. This is a basic technique that can have a major effect when used correctly.
It reminds me of lemons, it reminds me of summer festivals and it truly cheers me up every time I see it. If you’re looking for basic but bold, this one’s a hit.
Beach Bride Blue with Crystal Accents
This summer blue design is elegant, using soft ombré, bright turquoise tips and rhinestones that look like jewelry. The setting is dreamy, glamorous and perfect for either a simple beach wedding or a fancy dinner.
Apply sheer pink builder gel for the base and use a pop of turquoise like Essie “In The Cab-ana” at the tips. Nail gems should be applied with glue or resin and then a thick top coat should be used to seal them.
I put the gems on after the ombré is fully cured and I use a fine brush to seal them for extra durability. Pre-buff the nails under the gems, so the gems stay in place longer.
The nails made me feel like I was a mermaid at my cousin’s beach vow renewal. The shimmer, the blue, the sparkle—it all just worked. This one is for dreamers.
Retro Daisy Mix on Summer Almonds
It’s a retro style, with lots of flowers and it gives off that flower-power vibe that’s everywhere in the summer 2025 trends. A mix of blue, teal, pink and orange, plus big daisies, gives this almond-shaped ring a fun look for pool parties or rooftop brunches with friends.
You should have polish shades like ILNP “Peachy Keen,” Sally Hansen “Teal Good,” and white and yellow gel paints for putting flowers on your nails. Decals or stamping plates are handy if you don’t want to draw the design yourself.
Paint the nails in different colors, let them dry and then put on the flower decorations last. I prefer to start with flat petals and then add dots to the centers so it looks 3D. Finish with gloss or matte—both versions look amazing.
Having this outfit is like having a sunny day with you all the time. It’s vibrant, it’s nostalgic, and it’s absolutely nail inspo summer funky approved.
Juicy Citrus Swirl on Square Tips
These square nails mix bright orange and zesty yellow and the swirl of red and yellow in the design adds a trendy twist to citrusy nail art. It’s not easy to define, it’s fun and it gives off a hot, polish vibe.
Choose OPI “Juice Bar Hopping” for the orange and Essie “Hay There” for the yellow. The swirl can be created with a nail art brush or stamping tool and some confidence—it’s easier than it looks.
I usually put on a neutral or sheer base first and then add swirls in different directions. Wait a little while for each layer to dry before adding the next, so you don’t pull the paint.
I dressed the same way for a music festival and felt like I was a walking piña colada. With the color combination, it becomes a bold, simple and easy-to-wear outfit for those who like to stand out.
Midnight Sea and White Waves
The design uses deep blue from the ocean with bright white and is wrapped in clean lines and wave art that looks editorial and cool. A few stripes of silver make the design stand out and it looks great at the beach or in the city.
Choose “Butler Please” by Essie for the colors and any opaque white gel as well. Striping tape or silver foil stickers work well for the accents and a fine brush is useful for painting the waves.
I begin with a base of deep blue, let it dry and then add both wave lines and metallic strips afterward. A topcoat with shine helps hold everything together and makes your nails shine.
These nails are meant for those who are daring, artistic and eager for nail ideas in blue with a hint of mystery. They’re elegant, artsy, and totally unforgettable.
