When it gets hotter and the days get longer, it’s a great time to change your nail look. Top Nail Colors for Summer 2025 aren’t just about trends — they’re about expressing your mood, matching your vibe, and adding that perfect pop to your look whether you’re lounging poolside, road-tripping with friends, or just scrolling Pinterest for your next mani obsession. This season, you’ll find bold, bright colors, soft pastels and fun designs and all of it feels as refreshing as an iced drink on a rooftop patio — so which summer shade will you choose?
Neon Swirl Meets Citrus Pop
That combination of violet and lime green just makes me think of listening to music by the pool. The set’s almond shape brings together bold purple blocks, bright green bases and playful pink swirls. It feels retro-futuristic and very Y2K girl-meets-2025 runway. If you want summer green or summer pink nail colors that are both wearable and original, this is the perfect example.
I would use DND Dip Powder in 734 Violet Gem and Dip n Duo in Green Apple Pop to get this look. The swirls? Paint the line with a striping brush and Bio Seaweed Gel in Flamingo which is a bright candy pink color. A matte top coat might suit a different style, but I always like the glossy finish for the best effect.
Apply a base coat first, then apply two coats of the main color. If you use gel, let the nails cure completely under an LED lamp. You can make the swirls by hand or use nail vinyls to help you. End the process by applying two layers of hard gel top coat for a professional-looking shine. Professional advice from OPI: always add top coat to the edges of your nails to protect them from chipping in warm and humid weather.
Bold nails always give me confidence, especially on days when I’m literally just in a tank and cutoffs. Even if I’m just going to Target, the combination of these two pieces seems to show that I put some effort in. Hot girl summer but make it nail art.
Tropical Teal with a Pop of Raspberry
This is the minimalist’s answer to bright summer color. Short, strong, oval nails in teal and a single accent nail in raspberry pink? Yes, please. These colors are inspired by summer and they give you the shiny, smooth finish of gel nail polish on your hands. I like how this color story is both refreshing and warm, so it looks good on people with tan or brown hands.
Use nail polishes that are highly pigmented — Olive & June’s Honest & True for the main color and Lights Lacquer in Cherry Jelly for the accent. Top your manicure with OPI GelColor Stay Shiny gel top coat for lasting shine.
I usually start by filing my nails into a soft rounded shape because it suits everyone and isn’t as likely to break. Paint one layer of color, let it dry and then add another layer. If you’re doing gel, cure each round. The focus is on simplicity, so there is no art used, only color blocking. Make sure your cuticles are clean and moisturized to maintain the look for a longer time.
Whenever I want to be put together without much effort, I usually pick a color combo like this. Such a manicure goes well with denim shorts and a sun hat or a linen jumpsuit during a weekend at the beach.
Baby Blue Blossoms on Milky Base
This choice is gentle, peaceful and represents the baby boomer look, but in a modern way. The transition from nude to baby blue is so soft and lovely, it looks just like the clouds on a summer morning. Those delicate floral embellishments? Absolutely timeless. This style is all about elegant toe energy, but you play it with your fingers. It can be worn at work or on a date by the ocean.
You’ll need a Babyboom Builder Gel set (try Rosalind’s two-step kit) plus dried or sticker florals — or dotting tools and blue gel polish if you’re painting them yourself. Apply a pale pink base, for example CND Shellac in Bare Chemise and then lightly blend in Essie Gel Couture in Pre-Show Jitters for the translucent tip.
Use a sponge to blend the milky pink into the blue, so the line between them is soft. Apply your flowers either with a fine detail brush or stickers before curing the top layer. End the process by applying a builder gel overlay for stability and a long-lasting shine. When you’re done, you’ll feel like a nail tech and in a good way.
I choose this when I want something gentle and still want to be creative. It helps me believe I am organized, even when I’m running around with coffee and packages.
Orange Creamsicle with a Stripe Twist
Nail colors summer orange? Always trending. Still, this approach of mixing tangerine blocks with white stripes is not only summer, but also sherbet sunset chic. The structure comes from the squares and the pattern brings in some fun. It’s giving fun toe, but all grown up. It looks amazing on warm skin or when you have brown undertones.
Pick out a warm orange shade such as OPI Silicon Valley Girl and a striping white, for example Orly Instant Artist in White Tips. Get a thin striping brush for perfect lines and finish by sealing with DND Dip Powder clear sealer.
If you’re working at home, you can mark the lines with nail striping tape. If you can keep your wrist steady, you can draw without a template. First, put on your orange base, let it dry or cure and then paint the stripes over it. Hard gel should be used to finish the nails if you want them to look sculpted.
It makes me think of the fun and exciting ads for soda from the 90s. The design is fun, but it’s also neat and tidy, so your hands become the main attraction.
Taxi Cab Glam in Black & Yellow
It’s bringing in checkerboard, it’s bringing in alt-cool girl and it’s giving confidence. The bold almond with black and yellow squares is meant for people who like to make a strong statement. The colors are distinct, but not too strong and the patterns are neat — there are no gradients or floral prints, just bright nail colors.
If you want a strong color, go for Gelish in Black Shadow and Beetles Yellow Bikini. Use nail vinyls or stencil tape for perfect squares. A shiny hard gel top coat will make your nails look like they have fresh, glossy paint on them.
You need to be patient, but it’s possible to do at home. After the base coat is dry, tape or brush squares on the canvas. Finish one color, let it dry and then start on the next color. Precision is key, but the payoff? Major.
At a rooftop party, I wore something similar and people paid more attention to my nails than to what I was wearing. It’s a way to express yourself and that’s sometimes all you need in the summer.
Royal Blue Florals with a Twist
The combination of cobalt and baby blue nails with flowers looks like a scene from a Mediterranean holiday. The style mixes smooth surfaces with 3D decals to give each nail a different look. The combination of gold petals with blue makes the design feel elegant, slightly vintage and it’s just right for a bold but classy look. Summer blue – statement making but refined – is made for you.
I’d personally reach for Zoya’s Mallory for that vivid blue, and for the floral nails, start with OPI’s GelColor in Suzi Without a Paddle as a pastel base. The flowers can be painted by hand with a dotting tool and Essie’s Go Overboard and DND Dip Powder in Soft Gold. Add gems in the center of the flowers to make them shine more.
The thing I like most is that the design appears very detailed, even though it’s not too hard to make. Paint the base color on twice, let it dry or cure and then use a fine-tipped brush or toothpick to dot the petals in a circle. Put a small crystal in the center before the paint dries completely. Seal with hard gel for that glassy finish.
It gives me the feeling of pressed flowers found in old journals, but the look is updated for summer. I’d pick this for a picnic, a brunch outside or any time I wanted my hands to be a little more comfortable.
Color Pop Candy-Coated Tips
This manicure looks like a walking rainbow and I can’t get enough of it. The combination of hot pink, lavender, lime green and electric blue is both striking and practical. It’s like the spirit of summer carnival in nail form. Because the colors are so clear and solid, every shade stands out, making it a great choice for those who want several nail colors such as summer green, pink or blue.
I’d go with Lights Lacquer in 1-800-Lucky (pink), ILNP’s Pool Party (blue), Sundays No.13 (green), and Olive & June’s Fierce & Loving (lavender). These are all popular shellac-style formulas that last for days, even when you’re at the beach.
Whenever I do this at home, I paint each nail one at a time and cure them between coats if I’m using gel. Applying a base coat and a high-gloss topcoat will help the candy finish shine. Sometimes I use clear DND dip to make the nails more durable.
What sets this mani apart is how you can be as creative as you like, since there are no rules. Seeing my nails always makes me feel better. A great choice for summer festivals, pool parties or whenever you want your hands to be noticed before your outfit.
Sunset Skies and Pastel Dreams
It seems to have been created in a lavender field at sunset. The way the soft pink fades into light blue makes it seem like a cotton candy sky, adding that special, dreamy feeling we want in July. It’s soft, relaxing and a great way to bring back the ombré trend from the babyboomer era, but updated for 2025. If you’re into pastel toe looks or something delicate for your fingertips, this one hits the mark.
You could do this by using OPI Infinite Shine in Bubble Bath for the pink and Beetles Gel Polish in Sea Breeze for the blue tip. Blend with a sponge or an ombré brush. If you’re a bit more practiced, you can fade the gel with a flat synthetic brush and light tapping.
This is my usual way: I apply two layers of pink as the base. When the blue is cured, start blending it from the tip, adding more color as you go down the nail. Wait for the paint to dry in between coats and finish with a clear top coat that doesn’t need to be wiped. Many nail techs like to add a milky white layer between each coat to give nails a soft-focus look.
It reminds me of those relaxing walks on the beach at sunset which make you take deep breaths. I really enjoy wearing it, especially at weddings, on holiday or with a summer dress for dining outdoors.
Shimmered Pink Gradient with a Rhinestone Crown
People who can’t resist summer pink tones should go with this nail color and add a subtle change. Ballet pink, fuchsia and other shades of pink are featured in this manicure, with a shimmery silver accent and a few rhinestones by the cuticle. It’s elegant and stylish, just like a fancy pedicure, but made for having fun. The overall vibe? Barbiecore meets grown-up elegance.
A pink trio can be achieved with Essie’s Ballet Slippers, OPI Strawberry Margarita and CND Vinylux in Wildfire. For the sparkle, try ILNP in Tinsel. You can apply the rhinestones with nail glue or stick them into the gel layers.
Almond-shaped nails look great with this set because it lengthens the fingers. I generally begin with the lightest pink and slowly go darker, finishing with the hot pink. The rhinestones? After the top coat dries a bit, brush on more top coat and finish with a second sealing.
This manicure feels extra without being loud. I was in Miami on vacation and wore something like this and three people I didn’t know stopped me just to ask about my nails. That kind of impact? Worth every second of the DIY effort.
Starlit Sky with Retro Blue Blooms
The combination of ice blue and white is reminding us of the 60s mod era and a touch of the future. The gold stars add a touch of the sky and the neat lines and flowers give a light and fun feeling. It’s the kind of nail look that plays well with nail colors summer short or long shapes, depending on your mood. I like that it uses the summer nail colors in a fun and different way.
Bio Seaweed Gel in Sky’s The Limit will give you the pastel blue shade and DND Dip Powder in French White is perfect for the white base. You can buy stars from any nail supply store by looking for metallic nail art studs or embellishments.
To nail this design (pun intended), apply your base shades in clean diagonal segments, then add floral decals or paint flowers using a dotting tool. Place the gold stars with tweezers while the top coat is still wet or before the final curing step. Lock everything in with a builder gel for security.
I like that this manicure looks vintage without being out of date. It feels sweet, nostalgic and bold, so I’d wear it to a Fourth of July rooftop party. If you want to make a statement without talking, this color will be one of the best for summer 2025.
Classic Baby Pink Goes Short & Sweet
There are some classics and soft baby pink on short, rounded nails is definitely one of them. This shade whispers sophistication — it’s soft, clean, and universally flattering. This color is ideal for daily wear because it is not flashy, yet it still looks neat, well-coordinated and quietly elegant. It looks great on brown hands, tan hands and every shade in between, so it’s one of the best summer nail colors for a simple, not-boring look.
Try Essie’s Mademoiselle or DND Dip Powder in Pink Lemonade for a pretty pastel with a little bit of shine. If you have thin nails, a hard gel top coat will help them look plump and stay put for a long time.
I like to file my nails so they are square but with a little rounding on the edges. After painting the object twice, I add a thin layer of builder gel to make the surface really smooth. It’s a manicure that doesn’t try to stand out, but people notice it anyway.
To me, this is a “back to basics” summer mani. It’s what I wear when I’m not trying too hard — but still want to look like I have my life together. Even if I’m just grabbing iced coffee in leggings.
Sunset Palms & Vacation Skies
This is the mani that says Beach toe, but it’s for your hands instead. The combination of baby pink, turquoise blue and gentle ombré skies with palm silhouettes brings the beach right to your hands. It’s playful, lighthearted, and absolutely made for vacay mode. Imagine the look of summer pink and summer blue nails, all dressed up in a picture from a tropical paradise.
You can use OPI’s It’s a Girl!, China Glaze Too Yacht to Handle, and Zoya’s Blu as your base shades. Applying palm silhouettes is easy with palm decals or stamping plates or you can paint them by hand with black gel paint.
I’ve done this look before trips — it’s surprisingly doable at home with a bit of blending practice. First, use baby pink as your base, sponge in a light ombré to blue and when it’s dry, add the palm tree design. A gel top coat will seal your nail art and give it a beautiful golden shine.
I reach for this mani when I want to feel like I’m on a long weekend or just want to act like I am. It makes me feel happy right away, as if I should grab my sunglasses and go out.
Playful Pastel Plaid with a Pop of Mint
Baby pink, minty aqua, creamy beige and gold plaid together create a modern twist on a pastel playground. It’s soft and detailed, youthful but still fits any occasion and is one of the top nail colors for summer 2025. It’s a good pick if you want different exercises but don’t want to do too much. You can wear them every day, but they’re also pretty enough to get a compliment or two at brunch.
The pink I chose is CND Vinylux in Cake Pop and the mint is Color Club’s Blue-Ming. To get a clean result, use a striping brush and metallic gold liner polish or foil tape to draw the plaid.
I usually apply a solid base color to each nail at the start. The striping tape or detail brush with metallic polish is the simplest way to do the plaid design. It takes patience, but it’s worth it. I use a high-gloss gel top coat to seal everything and make it last longer.
It reminds me of something I’d wear with a pastel two-piece or sundress. It’s sweet and elegant and the gold lines add a subtle sparkle that shines best during golden hour.
Long & Luxe Cotton Candy Pink
Since both your nails and your manicure are so gorgeous, pick a color that highlights the look but isn’t screaming “Look at me!” This is a classic summer pink, but with the long, sharp shape, it looks like a real statement. It’s a good choice if you need a bag that fits your glam nights as well as your everyday routine.
You’ll get a lovely soft pink with DND Dip Powder in Sweet Romance or Gelish in Light Elegant. If you’re going extra long, consider hard gel for strength and structure.
A base coat, two thin layers of color and a thick gel top coat are needed to finish these nails and keep the high arch in place. When you use Dip n Duo, you’ll find that the keys last longer which is important for cats who type with their claws.
I often use this color because it goes with every style I have. It’s clean, timeless, and looks like you know exactly what you’re doing. Even when you don’t.
Ocean Blues for Bold Summer Moods
Blue nails are always popular in summer, but this year the combination of deep navy and light sky blue is becoming the trend. The straightforward two-tone gradient on square nails is easy, looks great and suits brown skin and tan hands well. It has a modern take on nautical, but not the usual clichés.
You’ll want Zoya’s Ryan (navy) and Olive & June’s Yes Please (sky blue). Pick a different color for each nail or blend two colors at the middle of your nail with a sponge.
It’s super easy to DIY. I paint two nails navy and the others in blue and then sometimes add a glossy shellac top coat for maximum shine. If you prefer short nails, square tips are the best choice because they are neat, don’t chip easily and give you a professional look.
Whenever I put on this look, I feel both strong and at ease. Ideal for a workday in the summer, a wedding or making your Monday look great with neat nails.
Neon Pop Meets Wild Safari
If your summer plans include standing out (and I mean, really standing out), this electric neon yellow paired with abstract zebra stripes will be your moment. High-gloss highlighter yellow, soft blush pink and edgy black striping make this set look like something a main character would wear. You could wear this mani to the beach or to a music festival without a problem. It makes summer yellow nail colors stand out in the brightest way.
Choose Orly’s Glowstick for the bright yellow and CND Shellac in Blush Teddy for the base. Zebra lines can be hand-drawn with black gel liner or applied with nail stickers if you’re not confident with freehand work. The top coat of hard gel adds extra strength to the whole manicure.
Applying stripes with a fan brush gives the outfit a natural-looking effect. Paint the first coat of yellow on the plain nails and the base coat of pink on the art nails, let them dry and then add your striping. Cure and finish with gloss.
I call this my power set and I wear it when I want to feel extra confident. It’s espresso, but with a fashion twist.
Iridescent Shell-Pink Glow
This manicure practically glows. The combination of soft blush pink with pearly turquoise and an opalescent finish looks like something from a mermaid’s world. It is straightforward, but it also has a lot of depth and the chrome-like surface reflects light beautifully. It’s a top summer nail color because it isn’t loud, yet still catches attention with its soft glow.
A good pearlescent chrome powder such as Born Pretty’s Mermaid Aurora Dust, should be used over Essie’s Eternal Optimist. Mix in a small amount of mint chrome pigment for the blue flash and finish with a no-wipe gel top coat to keep the shine.
For application, apply your pink polish and cure. Apply the chrome powder to the cured part with a silicone sponge, blend and then do the same with the turquoise. The secret is not to put on too much powder so you get a subtle, blurred effect. Use a strong gel overlay to keep the nails looking good.
Whenever I wear this, people always ask me what it is. It’s as if I have a special beauty trick people want to copy, but I always share it because it’s fair to share cute nail ideas.
Sunset Sorbet Mix
Is it a manicure or a scoop of rainbow sherbet? Honestly, both. These gentle pinks, peaches and soft oranges instantly make me feel better. All the fingers have a unique color, ranging from soft melon to fuchsia, so the nails look like colorful blocks. Ideal for people looking for nail colors in summer pink, orange or the trending creamy shades that are popular this season.
To replicate it, use Olive & June’s Sweet & Gracious (pink), Essie’s Peach Side Babe (orange), and OPI’s Tagus in That Selfie (coral pink). They are all available in long-lasting formulas that work well in hot weather.
I usually paint each finger a different color but make sure they are all in the same color family. It’s important that the game feels like one whole thing, but it’s also enjoyable. You can do nail art with just some confidence and a sense of color, without any special tools.
If I want my hands to feel cheerful and fresh, I love this nail art. It’s the ultimate “beach picnic in a mani” kind of vibe.
Retro Pastel Swirl Art
The swirled pattern in muted blue, dusty rose and coral reminds me of a summer movie from the 70s. The lines are artistic and expressive, but not messy and the colors are soft enough to be worn every day. You’ll see a lot of these designs this year — they are detailed but go for a summer feel by pairing them with trendy nail colors.
You’ll need Zoya’s Abby (lavender pink), OPI’s Can’t Find My Czechbook (blue), and Lights Lacquer in Slice of Life (coral). Make wavy lines running up the canvas with a striping brush; it’s best if the lines are not perfectly straight.
I normally begin with a pale base and then add the stripes on top. Cure between colors if you’re using gel. A top coat with a glossy finish gives everything a beautiful shine.
I pick this outfit when I want to be both creative and relaxed. It feels like something you’d wear to a museum date, or just while journaling by the window with an iced matcha.
Daisy Dreams in Sunny Yellow
Nothing says July joy like a yellow floral mani. This design shows solid yellow on some nails and whimsical daisies on the others. The combination of the green stems and the yellow background gives it a feeling of wildflowers appearing on your hands. This is a favorite for those who love yellow nails and people who want a natural look that’s not too dull.
Paint the daisies with China Glaze in Happy Go Lucky and Essie’s Blanc. Apply the paint for the stems and petals with a very fine brush. If drawing by hand is a bit scary, you can use decals instead — I’ve done that more than a few times.
I first use two coats of creamy yellow and then I add the flower art while the base is still a bit sticky. Use a builder gel or shellac top coat to protect the nails and help them last longer.
With this mani, I feel like I am walking through a garden party. It’s the atmosphere that can make shopping for groceries fun and makes you want to dance in your dress, even without shoes.
