Gone are the dark, gloomy days of winter and truth be told— we’re craving some cheery summer hues on our fingertips. This summer, it’s all about different shades garnishing your hands after staying indoors for over a year. What colours you ask? Fruity, flowery, pastel sorbets that will remind you of canopy trees and cool evening walks in gardens with popsicles in hand. Looking for fun summer nail ideas? We have some cool trending nail art ideas that you can choose from, to pep up your look.
Go on, dip your fingertips in gorgeous hues every other day for the rest of the season!
1 Classic French with a Pastel Twist
French manicures are chic. Period. But people all over the world are swapping the classic white ends into something more summer-y. Lavenders, mints and strawberry pinks are our favourites, followed by cute yet dark olives, light greys and cooling aquas.
How to: Paint your base with a clear or translucent pink coat. Softly add the French tips with your favourite colours. Finish with a topcoat.
Nykaa recommends: Faces Canada Splash Nail Enamel - Linty 45, Lakme True Wear Color Crush - CG012
2 Negative Space Alert
If you’re obsessed with designs, you’d love this trend. Just dab your colour at the sides or at the bottom, keeping most of your nail blank (clear coated). The negative space makes your natural pink pop out like a sunny primrose.
How to: Paint your base with a clear or translucent nude. Add your favourite colour at the root of your nail in a swoosh or vertically paint a quarter of your nail. Add a second coat and finish with a topcoat.
Nykaa recommends: Masaba by Nykaa Nail Enamel - You Croc My World 278, Kiko Milano Smart Nail Lacquer - 01 Clear
3 Hearts, Polka Dots & Triangles
Tiny shapes that make the base colours pop is the cutest trend. Try a pastel nude with a gorgeous red heart in the centre. If you’re good with a brush, you can go with a freehand design, or just invest in adorable mini stamps for your nail art.
How to: Paint your base with a pastel colour of your choice. Pick a contrasting colour to add the shapes on your nail, preferably make these shapes tiny. Finish with a topcoat.
Nykaa recommends: O.P.I Nail Lacquer - Bubble Bath, O.P.I Nail Lacquer - Color So Hot It Berns, Dazller Eterna Precious Nail Glitter - 25 Clear
4 Waves & Lines
This trend became extremely popular over the lockdown. While taped lines and waves look fabulous, you can try your hand at asymmetrical hand-drawn waves over nudes or translucent pinks. Add a little shimmer with some miniscule rhinestones if you wish.
How to: Paint your base with a clear or translucent pink. Use your brush to create freehand waves, (maximum two to keep it subtle). Use a second coat if necessary and finish with a topcoat.
Nykaa recommends: Colorbar Nail Lacquer - Light Fawn, Colorbar Nail Lacquer - Affection, Bella Voste Top Coat
5 Velvet Nails, but in Ice-cream Shades
Think vanilla, pista, berry burst, candy floss, cookie dough, mango sorbet and so much more—but all in velvet tips. This one’s a little hard to achieve at home, but it is money well spent on a professional manicurist.
How to: For an easy nail-artist-recommended velvety look, try a combination of high-shine metallic paint with an added coat of a matte shade. If it doesn’t work, try a matte eye shadow powdered onto your first coat. DO NOT finish with a clear, glossy topcoat.
Nykaa recommends: Kiko Milano Smart Nail Lacquer - 08 Rosy Peach, Kiko Milano Smart Nail Lacquer - 27 Pearly Light Blue, Kiko Milano Smart Nail Lacquer - 42 Pearly Golden White
6 Gems Nails
No, not ‘gemstones’, but Cadbury Gems! One of the cutest trends on Instagram, just cover your nails with a different, contrasting shade on each finger. We’re thinking – purple/mauve, yellow/mustard, baby pink, deep red and an olive/mint.
How to: This one’s as easy as it gets. Keep the similar colours apart so it looks like you chose the colors at random. Quick tip: Use a different sequence of colours in both hands.
Nykaa recommends: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel - 754 Prince Char-Mint, Sally Hansen Miracle Gel - 359 Pretty Piggy, Sally Hansen Miracle Gel - Malibu Peach
7 Summer Jungle
Think wildflowers, animal prints and leaves on your nails. Restrict to a minimum of two colours as the pattern would be loud. You can create the shapes with either nail art stamps or tape. We’re confused between maple leaf and a cheetah print.
How to: Get the look with two complimenting colours like a nude & brown or a mustard & deep orange. Coat your nails with the darker shade and place the stamp/try your freehand of the pattern in the lighter hue.
Nykaa recommends: Nykaa Breathable Nail Enamel - Stay Zen - 309, Swiss Beauty Super Shine Nail Polish - 22, Pippin Paris Nail Plate (COOI 021)
8 Sombre Ombre
This one’s for the cool, yet sunny look. Choose sombre pastels that are contrasting but not too warm nor vibrant. This usually takes a bit of extra time, but trust us when we say, it’s worth the wait. It’s a great look for parties and chill days alike!
How to: You need an eye shadow sponge for this. Coat your nails with the lighter color and let it dry. Apply the darker shade on the sponge and dab on the ends of your nails. Flip the sponge and apply the lighter hue again, patting as you go up. Repeat this 2-3 times. Finish with a clear topcoat.
Nykaa recommends: Kay Beauty Nail Nourish Nail Enamel Polish - Sun Baked 17, Nutty 21, Lakme 9 to 5 Primer + Gloss Nail Color - Top Coat
