22 Ideas Summer 2024’s Trending Nail Colors: Unveiling the Season’s Chicest Manicure Inspirations

As the summer breeze brings in the warm hues of 2024, are your nails ready to dazzle with the season’s vibrancy? Which popular nail colors will your fingers flaunt as you clasp your cold lemonade? Will the nail colors summer toes twinkle in the sunlight on sandy beaches? Let’s unveil the most popular nail colors right now summer and find your next polish love!

Ethereal Opalescence:

There’s something almost otherworldly about the nails in photo. The subtle iridescence captures the light and radiates back a spectrum of delicate colors, reminiscent of a summer morning dew. This look screams elegance and would be the perfect complement to any sun-kissed skin.

Consumables:

• Base coat: OPI Natural Nail Base Coat
• Iridescent polish: Essie’s ‘Opal Hues’
• Top coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Begin with a solid base coat to protect your natural nail. Apply two coats of Essie’s ‘Opal Hues’, allowing each coat to dry. Finish with a glossy top coat for durability and shine.

Confetti Playfulness:

In image the nails are a playground of fun with a white creamy base and playful multicolored dots. It’s a popular end of summer nail colors choice that transitions smoothly from a carefree summer day to a lively night out.

Consumables:

• Base color: Sally Hansen White On
• Dot colors: Various shades from the OPI Color Paints Collection
• Dotting tool

After your white base is dry, use a dotting tool to create the confetti effect with your chosen OPI Color Paints. Seal with a top coat for a long-lasting finish.

Serene Blue Skies:

Photo showcases a serene nail colors summer blue that’s both deep and calming, echoing the clear summer skies. It’s a Shellac finish that promises longevity even when you’re diving into your summer adventures.

Consumables:

• Base coat: CND Shellac Base Coat
• Blue polish: CND Shellac in ‘Azure Wish’
• Top coat: CND Shellac Top Coat

Prep your nails with the Shellac Base Coat, then apply two coats of ‘Azure Wish’ for full coverage. Cure under a UV lamp and finish with the Shellac Top Coat for a chip-free manicure that lasts weeks.

Golden Glamour:

The image nails are a quintessence of refined luxury. The delicate transition from the creamy base to the gold-speckled tips evokes images of warm summer evenings and the gentle glow of sunset. This design is particularly flattering for those with nail colors summer brown skin, creating a sophisticated and harmonious look.

Consumables:

• Base coat: OPI Natural Nail Base Coat
• Nude polish: Essie’s ‘Ballet Slippers’
• Gold leaf flakes: Ciate London Gilded Gold Leaf Topper
• Top coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat

Start with the OPI base coat for a smooth canvas. Follow with two coats of ‘Ballet Slippers’, and while the second coat is still tacky, carefully place gold leaf flakes on the tips. Seal your design with a top coat to ensure the golden shimmer lasts as long as the summer days.

Pink Sparkle French Tip:

Image brings a modern twist to the classic French tip with a vivid nail colors summer pink base and a sparkling white tip. This gel design is perfect for those who love a pop of color and a bit of sparkle. It’s a design that carries the fun and freedom of summer right on your fingertips.

Consumables:

• Pink gel polish: Gelish ‘Manga-round With Me’
• White gel polish: Gelish ‘Arctic Freeze’
• Glitter: Fine white glitter powder
• Top coat: Gelish Top It Off Sealer

After prepping your nails, apply Gelish ‘Manga-round With Me’ as the base. Once cured, use Gelish ‘Arctic Freeze’ for the tips, adding a sprinkle of fine glitter while still uncured. Finish with a gel top coat and cure for a glossy, enduring finish.

Subtle Chic:

The understated elegance in photo features a nail colors summer opi favorite – a muted brown with a marble accent for an air of artistic sophistication. It’s a versatile design that complements any summer outfit and is especially becoming on shorter nails for that nail colors summer short neat look.

Consumables:

• Base color: OPI ‘Over the Taupe’
• Marble accent: OPI ‘Alpine Snow’ and ‘Black Onyx’
• Detailing brush
• Top coat: OPI Top Coat

After the base coat, apply ‘Over the Taupe’ on all fingers. For the marble effect, dot ‘Alpine Snow’ and ‘Black Onyx’ on the accent nail and use a detail brush to swirl the colors together. Finish with a top coat to seal the deal.

Vibrant Summer Sunset:

Photo is a love letter to the summer’s fiery sunsets with its gradient of nail colors summer red to yellow. It’s a bold choice that stands out, perfect for making a statement at any summer soiree or a beach party. It radiates the heat and passion of the season, truly a popular nail colors for summer.

Consumables:

• Base colors: Yellow and red gel polishes
• Sponge for gradient
• Top coat: Glossy gel top coat

Start with a base of yellow gel polish. Then, using a sponge, dab on the red gel polish from the tip, blending it toward the middle to create the gradient sunset effect. Cure it and finish with a glossy top coat.

Classic Pink Sheer:

The manicure in image exemplifies timeless grace with a sheer pink that whispers of elegance. This hue is a perfect pick for those who prefer a minimalist approach to their summer style, ensuring their hands look impeccably maintained without the fuss. A subtle sheen adds depth to the simplicity, making it a staple for nail colors summer gel polish.

Consumables:

• Base coat: Essie Here to Stay Base Coat
• Pink sheer polish: OPI GelColor in ‘Bubble Bath’
• Top coat: Essie Gel Setter Top Coat

Begin with the Essie base coat to ensure your nails are primed for perfection. Apply two thin layers of ‘Bubble Bath’ for that classic pink sheer look, and finish with a top coat for a gel-like shine and longevity.

Speckled Sophistication:

In photo the nails are adorned with a translucent pink base speckled with delicate black dots. It’s playful yet refined, ideal for those seeking a dash of whimsy in their nail colors summer wardrobe. This look could easily transition from a casual day look to a chic evening affair.

Consumables:

• Base coat: Deborah Lippmann All About That Base
• Pink polish: China Glaze ‘Pink of Hearts’
• Black nail art pen: Sally Hansen I Heart Nail Art Pen
• Top coat: INM Out the Door Top Coat

Start with a good base coat. Once that’s set, apply a pale pink polish as your canvas. Then, get creative with the black nail art pen, adding dots sporadically for that speckled elegance. Finish with a fast-drying top coat for a quick and easy manicure that looks professionally done.

Soft Pink Splatter:

The photo nail design brings a frothy, soft pink base alive with a splatter of darker specks, giving the impression of a strawberry milkshake with a twist. It’s a charming choice for those sunny summer picnics or a day out in the park. A truly playful take on nail colors summer pink.

Consumables:

• Base color: Zoya in ‘Bela’
• Splatter color: Zoya in ‘Tara’
• Thin brush or toothbrush for splatter effect
• Top coat: Zoya Armor Top Coat

Paint your nails with ‘Bela’ for that soft pink backdrop. Dip your thin brush or toothbrush in ‘Tara’ and gently flick it over your nails for that splatter effect. It’s a bit messy but oh-so-worth-it. Cap it off with a top coat for a durable and glossy finish.

Pink Nude Fusion:

The manicure showcased in image is an exercise in subtlety, blending the natural tones of nude with hints of pink. It’s an effortlessly chic look that’s perfect for all occasions, be it a business meeting or a barefoot walk on the beach. The fusion of nail colors summer opi in a nude palette is a must-try for those who prefer understated elegance.

Consumables:

• Base coat: OPI Natural Nail Base Coat
• Nude pink polish: OPI ‘Put it in Neutral’
• Top coat: OPI Glossy Top Coat

After applying the OPI base coat, layer on ‘Put it in Neutral’ for that perfect pinkish-nude. Two coats should do the trick for opacity and color richness. Finish with the OPI glossy top coat for a smooth, protective seal that brings out the best in this demure hue.

Glittering Gradient:

The nails in photo are a masterpiece of gradient artistry, with a milky base that seamlessly melts into a bedazzling silver glitter. It’s the epitome of nail colors summer gel polish, ideal for nights when you want to shine as bright as the stars above.

Consumables:

• Base coat: ORLY Bonder Rubberized Basecoat
• Milky white gel polish: Gelish ‘Sheek White’
• Silver glitter polish: Gelish ‘Water Field’
• Top coat: Gelish Top It Off Sealer

Prep with ORLY base coat for longevity. Apply ‘Sheek White’ as the base, then while still tacky, sprinkle ‘Water Field’ starting from the tip and fading towards the middle. Cure and seal with a top coat for a glistening finish.

Oceanic Treasures:

Image depicts a bold nail colors summer blue evocative of ocean depths, accented with gold flecks that resemble treasures hidden beneath the sea. It’s a Shellac-style manicure for those who dare to make a statement with their nails.

Consumables:

• Blue gel polish: CND Shellac in ‘Water Park’
• Gold leaf: Loose gold leaf sheets
• Top coat: CND Shellac Top Coat

Apply ‘Water Park’ for that deep sea hue. Place small pieces of gold leaf for a luxe treasure effect. Cure under a lamp and apply the Shellac top coat for a lasting, glossy sheen.

Abstract Elegance:

The nail design in image is a stylish concoction of nude and black with gold streaks, creating an abstract motif that’s nothing short of a walking piece of art. This design would complement nail colors summer brown skin tones exceptionally well.

Consumables:

• Base color: Essie ‘Topless and Barefoot’
• Black gel polish: Gelish ‘Black Shadow’
• Gold striping tape
• Top coat: Essie Gel Couture Top Coat

Begin with ‘Topless and Barefoot’ as your nude canvas. Once dry, use ‘Black Shadow’ to paint abstract designs. Adorn with gold striping tape for a hint of glam, and finish with Essie’s Gel Couture top coat for a durable, high-shine.

Starry Night Sparkle:

The nails in photo seem to have captured a slice of the night sky, twinkling with a mix of fine and chunky silver glitters. This nail design is perfect for those looking for a nail colors summer short option that still packs a punch.

Consumables:

• Base coat: Butter London Nail Foundation Priming Basecoat
• Navy glitter polish: Deborah Lippmann ‘Rolling in the Deep’
• Top coat: Butter London Hardwear Shine UV Topcoat

Layer on Butter London’s basecoat, followed by ‘Rolling in the Deep’ for that rich, glittering look. Finish with a UV topcoat to encapsulate the glitter, ensuring a smooth and durable finish.

Modern French Elegance:

The manicure in image brings a modern twist to the French tip, incorporating a bare nail bed with a crisp white edge. This design is a breath of fresh air and aligns with a nail colors summer short philosophy, bringing a clean and understated elegance to the fingertips.

Consumables:

• Base coat: ORLY Breathable Treatment + Color
• White tip polish: China Glaze ‘White on White’
• Top coat: Essie Good To Go Top Coat

Apply the ORLY breathable base coat to nourish your nails. Carefully paint the tips with ‘White on White’ to achieve the French tip look. Finish with Essie’s top coat for a durable, glossy shine.

Abstract Marble Art:

Photo showcases an abstract marble design, blending white, black, and natural nail hues to mimic the artful swirls found in natural stone. This choice is for those who enjoy a touch of the avant-garde on their nails, making a unique statement in the summer season.

Consumables:

• Base color: Sally Hansen ‘Sheer Ecstasy’
• Black and white polish: Sinful Colors ‘Black on Black’ and ‘Snow Me White’
• Detailing tool or toothpick
• Top coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Start with a base of ‘Sheer Ecstasy’. Dab on ‘Black on Black’ and ‘Snow Me White’, and use a toothpick to swirl the colors gently. Seal the design with Seche Vite’s fast-drying top coat.

Sleek Noir Edges:

In image the nails are a canvas for bold expression, framed with deep black edges that contour the natural nail shape. It’s a popular nail colors summer choice for an individual looking to combine classic elegance with contemporary flair.

Consumables:

• Base color: OPI ‘Bubble Bath’
• Black edge polish: OPI ‘Black Onyx’
• Top coat: OPI Top Coat

After your base of ‘Bubble Bath’, use ‘Black Onyx’ to carefully outline the edges. It requires a steady hand or adhesive stencils for precision. Finish with OPI’s top coat for a sleek look.

Gothic Gradient Drama:

Photo nails command attention with a striking gradient from a ghostly white to an intense black. It’s a dramatic nail colors summer blue alternative that would resonate with the more daring fashion-forward individual this summer.

Consumables:

• Base coat: Essie Millionails Treatment
• Black polish: Essie ‘Licorice’
• White polish: Essie ‘Blanc’
• Makeup sponge for gradient
• Top coat: Essie Gel Setter Top Coat

Apply a fortifying base coat like Essie’s Millionails. Then, sponge on ‘Licorice’ and ‘Blanc’ to create the gradient effect, blending the two for a seamless transition. Finish with Essie’s Gel Setter for a glossy, lasting impression.

Sparkling Magenta:

The image manicure sparkles with the vibrancy of a summer festival. These nails are drenched in a magenta glitter that’s playful and brimming with personality, making them a hot choice for those seeking a popular nail colors summer pink look that’s both bold and fun.

Consumables:

• Base coat: Essie Strong Start Base Coat
• Magenta glitter polish: China Glaze ‘Let’s Jam’
• Top coat: Essie Gel.Setter Top Coat

Apply the Essie base coat to protect your natural nails. Next, layer on ‘Let’s Jam’ to achieve maximum sparkle. Seal with Essie’s Gel.Setter for a high-gloss finish that lasts.

Vivid Violet:

In photo the nails are coated with a rich, violet hue that screams summer fun. It’s the perfect nail colors summer blue alternative for someone who loves to stand out with a color that’s both deep and dazzling.

Consumables:

• Base coat: OPI Natural Nail Base Coat
• Violet polish: OPI ‘Do You Have this Color in Stock-holm?’
• Top coat: OPI Glossy Top Coat

Start with OPI’s base coat for a strong foundation. Apply two coats of ‘Do You Have this Color in Stock-holm?’ for that vivid violet impact. Finish with OPI’s glossy top coat for long-lasting shine.

Soft Ombré:

Image displays a masterful ombré transition from a delicate nude to a transparent tip, offering a fresh take on the popular nail colors summer palette. It’s an understated approach that pairs well with any outfit, making it a versatile choice for summer events.

Consumables:

• Base coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Cure
• Nude polish: Essie ‘Lady Like’
• Top coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat

Use the Miracle Cure as a base to strengthen your nails. Paint the nails with ‘Lady Like’, then, before the final coat dries, gently blend it towards the tip to create the ombré effect. Cap it off with the Miracle Gel Top Coat for a glossy, gel-like finish without the need for a lamp.