If you’re on the hunt for summer nail inspo that actually feels like you, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re dreaming of ocean hues, craving a bit of glitter, or leaning into soft pastels and playful details, this collection has a little bit of everything to match your summer mood.
From beach-ready looks to subtle shimmer and vacation-perfect nail art, these 32 designs are curated to help you find the one that feels just right—whether you’re packing for a trip or simply manifesting sunshine from your desk. Let’s dive into the looks that scream summer without saying a word.
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Soft summer glow
Yellow and pink in a pretty combo set the mood for summer in easy strokes and pastel shades. This design is fresh and soft and can even pass for elegant due to the color choice, the aura, and the nail art.
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Colorful corners
If you’re thinking of a classy summer nail inspo with a bit of color, this clean nude base with corners in your favorite shades will touch both. The beautiful part is that the nail art is so easy that I have no doubt you could perfectly recreate it at home.
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Fruity corners
Another replica of the design above, a little bit more challenging this time, is this fruity nail art placed in the upper corner of each nail as well. You can keep the inspo as is or choose other fruits to make it feel more personal.
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Blue chrome
These ocean nails in a gorgeous turquoise covered in chrome are the perfect summer nail idea if you’re preparing for a vacation with lots of sunbathing and diving under the water.
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Cute summer nails inspiration
A color combo that can never be overused around this time of year is pink and orange. These two mix so well together that the nail art choices become endless. Look at these patterns, for example.
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Flowers and patterns
If you love fun nail art designs that let your personality shine through, these picnic blanket-inspired patterns and floral nail art with an interesting and kind of vintage color palette choice will feel very unique on your manicure.
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Summer nail inspo
Or, on the other hand, you can switch the flowers for the fruits and try this delicious summer nail art with dragonfruit, banana, strawberry, cherries, and other elements suggestive of the season.
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Floral vs. plain
If you can’t decide between a plain color for your nails and a cute summer nails design, you can always opt for both. Choose two of your favorite shades for the season and do a hand simple with a shiny finish and the other floral with a matte finish.
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Fresh vibes
Warm and fresh, these mint green and yellow beauties will be so hard to ignore on your nails! Besides the flawless color choice, I also love the slim line nail art, which completes the look so well.
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Ombre summer nails
Another pink and orange nail idea with an ombre effect that reminds us of a summer sunset on the beach. You’ll love this design on long stiletto or almond nails, where the shape enhances the manicure even more.
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Pretty summer nail inspo
If you want your designs to be one of a kind, at least in your friend group, here’s a cute summer idea with colors that complement each other and form a clean-looking design and creative nail art that gives fun vibes.
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Orange aura
Aura nail designs are a trend that is going strong this summer as well. Start from a light yellow base and build up a center aura or focus on the tips gradient either with an airbrushing tool or a pigment palette.
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Neon green
Balance the boldness of these neon bright summer nails with a clean nude base and take things one step further with some gold accents that will definitely make this manicure hard to pass by unnoticed.
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Pink summer nail inspo
A pink manicure is never a bad idea, no matter the season. Put your girliness into the spotlight with these pretty summer nails with 3D flowers, gold framing, and lines. You’ll adore the look!
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Stiletto beach nail art
A green tortoise shell and seashell nail art on a stiletto shape, starting from a milky white base color and building up a design that will be perfect for your future vacation manicure.
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Classy summer nail idea
Go for classy and seasonal with this mix of colors and nail art that keeps things simple and stylish without overdoing it. The white shell nail art, purple chrome nail, white tip French, and gold accents create a beautiful inspo for this summer.
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Beach nail art inspo
Another version of the design above, with a little bit more color and suss, is this variation of green smarald-like foil placed on the tips, which gives a precious effect to the manicure.
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Blue ocean nails cateye
This gorgeous blue summer nail inspo will be such a hit among your friends. If you’re manifesting a dream beach vacation or, even better, are some days away from your airplane departure on a dreamy island, this is the idea for you, girl.
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Beach nail art
Colorful and fun, those gradient nails with seashells nail art and clear 3D water ripples need to get on your summer inspo Pinterest board, like ASAP. They will be such a nice look for your vacation plans!
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Orange nail art
If pretty and simple are your vibes in terms of nail art, this orange nail inspo will be an excellent choice for your manicure. Pretty flowers, a 3D worm-like figure, and an imperfectly drawn square pattern that reminds you about the fun things in life.
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Red tips and cherries
Going with the elegant flow, we have these cherry red tips with matching cherry nail art with crystals replacing the fruit and cute little green tails. This design will also be perfect for transitioning between seasons.
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Neon green tips
French and neon green don’t seem like a good pair, just thinking about it, but with the visuals in front of you, it kind of starts to make sense. Begin with a soft, glittery nude base for that clean look, and build up with the bold color for that adventurous spirit of yours to shine through.
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Pretty summer nail inspo
Cute summer nails have a way of inducing you into a world of fun and color that sets up the mood for at least the next two weeks while your manicure still looks fresh. Try this pretty and minimalistic nail art on a clean base to add class into the mix as well.
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Elagant neon shades
Here’s an association that you wouldn’t have thought would look this classy—neon bright summer nails with milky white, nude, and some gold accents. This needs to make it to your short nails inspo.
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Blue sky and flowers
Nothing compares to the serenity-inducing color of the summer sky. Transfer the vibe onto your nails with a light shade of blue and some floral nail art designs that enhance the feel even more.
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Marble green nail art
Another classy option that won’t go unnoticed is this marble emerald green design on a milky white base and a stiletto shape that completes the idea of elongating nails even more.
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Blue summer nail inspiration
A simple light blue nail art design that you can opt for this summer for those serene seaside vibes, but elegantly coded. A little bit of nude, a little bit of blue, a little bit of chrome, a cute flower, and the manicure is ready to slay.
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Sunflower nail art
I’ll say this from the start: you’d better save this idea for the summer-to-fall season now. The slim French and the sunflower yellow nail art will be the perfect mix of elegance and seasonal style.
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Blue and berries
A slim shape that is simple and dainty, a color that enhances the vibe, and cute and minimalistic blueberry nail art that follows the set pattern. This design is one of those summer nail ideas that go well with countless seasonal outfits.
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Fun summer nail inspo
Even though the color may not be the most nature-inducing one, the nail art gathers patterns that remind you of summer moments in a design that feels playful and fun.
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Purple bliss
This mesmerizing purple design will definitely make heads turn. Use a glittery purple nail polish, the kind that is used for cat eye designs, and swirl your nail art tool around to create this gorgeous effect.
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Swirly cat eye
The same technique as above applies here as well. This summer nail inspiration will make your vacation look unmissable, your dinners feel more special, and your time under the hot sun more radiant.
No matter what kind of summer you’re dreaming up—laid-back, adventure-filled, or just full of tiny joyful moments—your nails can be a fun way to express it. These designs are here to inspire, not overwhelm, and remind you that even the smallest details (like your mani) can spark a little seasonal magic.
