When the sun’s out and the days get longer, it’s only right that our nails join the party too. Cute summer nails are the ultimate way to celebrate the season — from fruity patterns to vibrant tips and everything in between. Whether you’re heading to the beach, planning a weekend getaway, or just want to bring those warm, carefree vibes to your everyday life, the right manicure can set the tone.
In this post, you’ll find cute summer nail designs that range from subtle pastels to playful brights, abstract swirls to dainty florals — basically, all the cute summer nail art that’s begging to be shown off with a pair of sunglasses and an iced drink in hand.
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Soft florals
Colorful and simple flower nail art designs on a natural short nail is the way to go for those early summer vibes when you feel cute and simple would be the perfect mix.
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Hot pink and chrome
Pink summer nails covered in a chrome powder with gold highlights and some flowers that can be overlooked if the design already seems like a handful for you. The hotness and boldness of this manicure will make it perfect for those times when you want to show off.
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Cute summer nails
Light blue is such a soothing color! If you’re going for calm, simple, and cute summer nail art, this combo of blue and milky white can be one of those go-to ideas for when you want your manicure to look pretty and combine well with lots of outfits.
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Ocean meets land
This soft look is suggestive enough to induce that summer vacation mood every time your nails enter your visual range. We have the shimmer, the 3D nail art elements that are gathered from both the sea and the land, like shells, flowers, and starfish, and also the pretty light colors in interesting textures.
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Colorful Frenchies
This season is all about mixing elegance with fun and color to achieve those cute summer nails that can get you out of the ordinary and boring. Pick your favorite colors and recreate this unusual French manicure for the vibe to follow you.
Similar to this, you could also love these 32+ Colorful French Tip Nails That Add a Fun Twist to Elegance
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Ending the night
You can use this manicure as a metaphor to mark the good days ahead of you or simply because it is that pretty. The dark pink-to-orange ombre perfectly pictures the colors of the early morning, while the clouds, stars, and moon are the nail art elements that complete this image and make it feel more cut out of reality.
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Cute summer nail art
Here’s an unexpected combination of elements that, just as unexpectedly, makes a summer nail inspo that transforms the clean nude base into the perfect canvas for the fun that follows. We have aura nail art, animal print, a cherry, blueberries, and even green olives, the martini kind.
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Summer prints and textures
From the blushing effect of a soft aura nail art to the rather daring zebra print French, these summer nails are here to make a statement. Save the design for later!
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Cute summer nails design
If you’re looking for an idea that will be just perfect for your vacation nails, these cuties come to your rescue. Underwater animals and flowers go very well together if the color palette is similar.
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Fresh Mediterranean vibes
Three types of citrus fruits and a Mediterranean white and blue pattern induce that urge to book a Greece vacation for this summer, like ASAP. This idea will fight that hot sun alongside you!
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Colorful shapes
Is bright, colorful, and fun the vibe you’re going for this summer? There are so many ways to fight back the boredom, but here’s one idea that will help you do so literally. DIY this inspo with your own tools, at home!
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Blue ocean nails
There wouldn’t be a summer nail inspo list without at least one simple blue design that reminds you of the color of the ocean. Top it with a matching chrome powder, and love the look!
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Hot orange and blue
A pretty combination of colors, perfect for capturing the spirit of summer, and cute nail art with patterns for that extra touch of sass. Of course, your nail artist can personalize it so it feels even more yours.
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Cute French nails
If classy is always your go-to when it comes to nails, no matter the season, this cute summer nails design with pastel yellow French tips and minimalistic blueberry nail art would be a great option.
Similar to this, you could also love these 26+ Yellow Nail Art Inspos for a Sunkissed and Confident Look
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Blue aura
Aura nail art is a trend that’s here to stay, and we love it! Use an oceanic blue for the dark hue and a light shade for the base of the gradient, and you’ve got yourself a stylish manicure that’s in tune with the season, too!
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Short purple nails
If purple is your favorite color, you’ll definitely find a way to integrate it into your summer manicure, no matter what. This multiple shades combo balances very well elegance with fun.
Similar to this, you could also love these 23+ Stunning Purple Nails Idea You’ll Want to Try Today
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Fruity nails
We can’t ignore fruit nail art in the cute summer nails department. If you wanna keep things more on the pretty cuteness rather than childish cuteness side, this combo of red cat eye, soft pink shades, and matching nail art will elevate the look.
Similar to this, you could also love these 27+ Cherry Nail Art Designs That Are Chic, Sweet and Juicy
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Hot red and pink
Easy and pretty cute summer nail art, with colors that can’t be overlooked and a vibe that says “I’m here for the fun stuff”. Pick bright pink and red or any other two-color combo if you don’t get the trills for this one.
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Beach vacation nails
At the crossroads between pastel and colorful, we have this pretty manicure idea that will be just in tune with the vision of this year’s beach vacation. Not too bright, not too easy to pass by and ignore.
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Bright blue
Put your nail art skills to the test with this simple cherry nail art design on a bright blue base and pretty flowers for the complete image.
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Pink animal print
If wild and bold is the vibe you’re going for, nothing will beat these pink summer nails in a hot shade, with zebra and leopard print nail art. Dare to be different, and instead of the plain hot pink nails that are already unmissable, add some patterns too.
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Blue from the sky
Take the serenity and pureness of the clouds and add them to your blue sky nails. The inspo will have you in tune with the season while providing the perfect reminder for you to go outside and enjoy a walk.
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Pink and orange nail art
Pink and orange is a color combo widely used in the summer season, and rightly so. It can offer a fun twist to any manicure, keeping things interesting and eye-catching.
Similar to this, you could also love these 27+ Pink and Orange Nail Ideas for a Vibrant, Summer-Ready Look
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Blue stained glass
If you wanna keep things simple but not boring, this stained glass nail art on a natural nude base adds just that out-of-the-books uniqueness and elegance that you’re looking for to your day-to-day look.
Whether you’re packing for a summer escape or just want your nails to feel like a mini vacation, these cute summer nails have you covered. Pick your favorite design, book that nail appointment (or get creative at home), and let your hands do all the seasonal talking.