The Coolest Summer Nails to Try in 2023

Western Flare:-

If Yellowstone has as much of a grasp on you as it does on us, this mani just makes sense. And it’s not that hard to DIY! All you need is a dotting tool and a steady hand to create the cow-print design.

                            

Rainbow Angles:-

For a different take on a rainbow French manicure, we’re loving this diagonal double line take on the trend.

                            

Bejeweled Nails:-

Taylor Swift isn’t the only one who gets to be bejeweled– these super-easy-to-apply press-on nails dial up any look instantly.

                            

Mermaid Chrome:-

Thanks to the Little Mermaid movie, the mermaidcore trend is going strong, plus chrome hasn’t gone anywhere since glazed donut nails hit the scene. This teal and purple metallic combo is the best of both worlds.

                             

Heart Nails:-

These heart beam nails—inspired by the Powerpuff Girls and Gen Z’s fave phone case—have been popping up everywhere. In bold red and pink, they feel particularly summer-ready.

                            

Cartoon Clouds:-

Cloud nails may have been trending this winter, but they give us total summer vibes. Unlike the more stylized clouds that were popping off, these cartoony clouds are totally DIY-able. All you need is a good art brush and the perfect opaque white (try Orly French Tips).

                             

American Manicure:-

For Nicola Peltz’s wedding to Brooklyn Beckham, manicurist Tom Bachik decked Peltz’s nails with a ’90s-inspired American manicure—think of it as a French manicure, but with less definition where the tips start and end. We’re expecting to see the softer style everywhere this summer.

                             

Bright Stars:-

A cluster of neon stars will make you feel beach-ready in seconds. If the thought of free-handing stars with a nail brush stresses you out, just glue a sprinkling of star sequins by your cuticles for the same effect. 

                             

Mixed Checkerboards:-

ICYMI, checkered nails are a major front-runner as the coolest summer nail designs this year. We’re particularly into this mix-and-match set.

                             

Butterflies:- 

These dainty butterflies will remind you of sunny days ahead. (If you can’t DIY them, try these stickers instead.)

                             

70s Swirls:- 

Graphic yet simple nail art will be your best friend this summer. Give it a retro vibe with earthy, mustard-toned neutrals like Paintbox’s Like Lush + Like Flora Power Couple.

                             

Rainbow French:-

Put a cute twist on a classic French mani with tiny rainbow tips, complete with cloud details.

                             

Smiley Nails:- 

If you’re in the market for cute summer nails, look no further than these rainbow happy faces. They’re a fun twist on the classic yellow smiley-face nails that have been spotted on Harry Styles and Dua Lipa.

                             

Monotone Matte:- 

Love mismatched nails but want something a little more sophisticated? Go for different shades of the same color and add a matte topcoat for a luxe velvet feel.

                             

Sunny Swiggles:-

For some easy art, pick your favorite nail polish color and artfully swirl it over a white base. Doing a different shade on each hand only ups the coolness.

                              

Slime Green:-

Our Nickelodeon days might be over, but our love for slime lives on with these bright summer nails. Copy nail artist Betina Goldstein, and use two coats of Essie Nail Polish in Blanc and one coat of Stencil Me In to really make the green pop. Or, head to your salon and get gel nails for that super-shiny effect.

                              

Shimmering Swirls:- 

Negative space and holographic polish are a truly magical combination.

                             

Mismatched Hands:-

Want something fun but can’t wield an art brush? Try one vivid color on your right hand and a different color on your left. The hearts are cute too, but not necessary to make this look.

                             

Rainbow Mani:-

A gradient of summer nail colors is never a bad idea. 

                              

Color Melt:-

Feels so hot you could melt? Take that vibe to your mani with melting, swirly tips.

                              

Sweet Cherries:-

These sweet little cherries look way more complicated than they actually are; just follow nail artist Natalie Pavloski’s lead for the ultimate DIY nails.

                              

Tiny Butterflies:-

How cute are these itty-bitty butterflies? Pastels with a pop of bright pink transition perfectly from spring into true summer.

                              

All That Glitters:- 

The easiest high-impact, low-effort manicure? A full-on glitter (Paintbox makes some of our favorites).

                              

Rainbow French:-

The best part of this bright French manicure? It’s actually press-ons.

                             

Starburst Mani:-

This eye-catching nail design is so cute and nostalgic.

                               

Strawberry Nails:- 

Have you seen anything sweeter? Try Essie in Rock the Runway and Watermelon for the berries and Off Tropic for the leaves.

                               

Negative-Space Hearts:-

Negative-space hearts in sunny yellow are one of the best summer nail ideas we can think of. For this look, nail artist Kim Truong used OPI’s nail color in I Just Can’t Cope-acabana.

                                

The New French:-

It’s back, baby. While there are tons of cool variations on French manis now—rainbow, glitter, negative space—we’re a sucker for the classic early-aughts throwback. Almond tips look so pretty on both natural and acrylic nails.

                                 

Mixed Mani:-

Here’s another great option for the indecisive! Try a different summer nail design, like flowers and bright checks, on each nail for an unforgettable mani.

                                

Checkerboard Tips:-

Channel your favorite Lisa Says Gah top with these groovy checkered tips.

                                

Sticker-Book Nails:-

Remember your favorite sticker book in elementary school? Treat your nails the same way for the cutest throwback mani around. While you can easily DIY with a smattering of stickers, you can buy this set of sparkly press-ons from Color Camp. 

                               

Dainty Florals:-

You don’t need to have a green thumb to appreciate these tiny daisies. Use a toothpick or the end of a bobby pin for perfectly symmetrical dots. Easy. 

 

                               

Iridescent Ombré:-

Make an opalescent polish even more magical by graduating the intensity. Nail artist Betina Goldstein used the discontinued Essie in Tiers of Joy to get the look above. Try Essie You Do Blue for a similar effect.

                               

Emoji Hearts:-

Take your favorite emoji from your screen to your nails with some simple sequins. Amazon is full of specialty shapes.

                               

Daisy French:- 

Cartoony daisies add a fun touch to black French tips, and are easy enough to DIY with the end of a bobby pin.

                               

Drop of Gold:-

Spice up your go-to bright with a subtle gold stud. 

                               

Mismatched Moons:-

Ease your way into a full rainbow by stacking colors just at the base of your nails. 

                               

Double French:-

These stacked French tips have twice the impact. To get a similar look, apply a base of Orly Morning Mantra, then layer a thin stripe of Orly Love My Nails on top. 

                               

Hint of Neon:-

Afraid of full-on neon? This subtle neon stripe is the perfect way to ease into the trend.

                               

Confetti Nails:- 

For a party on your nails, accent your middle three fingers with bright dots. Try Olive & June Nail Polish in Grateful & Kind for your base, and Jin Soon Daisy for confetti made easy. 

                               

Floating Hearts:-

Crisp black-and-white and negative space keeps tiny hearts from being too sweet. 

                               

Orange Dream:-

This bright orange shade on Addison Rae makes for the perfect nails for summer. Since the shade is so vibrant (try Essie Expressie in Bearer of Rad News), you don’t even need to add art.

                               

Summer Flowers:-

April showers bring May flowers, and you can bring those flowers into summer with a bright color palette like this one. 

                               

Summer Flowers:-

April showers bring May flowers, and you can bring those flowers into summer with a bright color palette like this one. 

                               

Neon Splashes;- 

A drizzle of neon polish across bare nails is a cool take on the brights trend. 

                               

Blue Tips:- 

Up the contrast of a classic French with bright blue tips and an off-white base. Shorter nails make the whole thing look even cooler. 

                               

Cute Stickers:- 

Spice up your mani with cute stickers like these lemonade ones. We love Olive & June and Deco Miami for the coolest stickers.

                               

Cotton Candy Clouds:-

Like a dreamy summer sunset, this set incorporates pastel colors and fluffy clouds in the perfect way.

                               

Celestial Skies:-

These star stickers on top of sparkly blue ombré are for the zodiac lovers out there.

                               

Groovy Barbie:-

A hot pink mani is fun, but it’s made even better with some ’70s swirl accent nails.

                               

Lovely Lemons:-

Fruits are a total vibe this summer, and buttercup yellow happens to be trending too—so lemons it is!

                               

Aura Nails:-

Make any color mani look way cooler by getting an airbrush aura design.

                               

Evil Eye:-

Whether your summer plans take you to the Greek islands or not, evil eyes make for fun nail art.