Bright Summer Nails Are This Season’s Juiciest Trend: Here Are 30+ Examples of the Very Best

With the warm months now with us, it’s time for you to experiment with some different bright summer nails to celebrate all things summer and all things color! We’re not sure what it is about this year but we have seen more wild nail art throughout this year than almost any other. Our Instagram feeds are filled with bright summer nails and it seems like absolutely no one is afraid that their designs are going to be “too loud.” We love to see such self-expression through nail art!

We wanted to get a better sense of the different bright summer nails and designs that are super hot right now and trending across social media. So we explored a variety of hashtags on social media to get a better understanding of what’s popping. We encountered some truly wild and innovative styles that we think will appeal to anyone who loves color and isn’t afraid to show it! Check out these bright summer nails to get those claws right this season.

Discover Bright Summer Nails That Celebrate the Colors of the Season Below:

Mangonada Checkers

Have you ever had the Mexican sweet treat Mangonada? It’s a frozen mango beverage with a sweet and spice syrup that delivers the sweet heat we all crave on summer days. These nails look like a celebration of the beverage that is colored bright orange and red. For your bright summer nails, turn to sweet treats like ice cream and snow cones for nail inspiration!

Lime Time

We were not kidding when we told you bright summer nails are all about the sweetness of summer. In this example, we find lime-inspired nails with lime wedges and rounds painted in electric, lime green. Turn to citrus for inspiration and you will not regret it. Oh, so juicy!

I Scream, You Scream

We promise we’re not trolling you with food-inspired bright summer nails. It’s just the thing to do this summer. How fun are these little popsicles done in orange, pink, and green? The sweet colors really pop on that matte, lilac background. There’s a little sparkle here for good measure and we’re all for it.

Pastel Melon

How darling are these bright summer nails that look like tiny little watermelons? Going pastel with the pale green and pink really works well for this design. If you’re looking for an easy nail look to pull off at home, only two of the ten nails have detail on them. The rest are just painted a single shade. How delicious!

Golden Hour

If you’re looking for a way to go monochromatic with your bright summer nails, we urge you to consider gold. We find a buttery lemon color next to some golden, glittery nails that offer a slight contrast while still reading warm and sunny for both. If you don’t want your bright summer nails to upstage you, something similar would be the way to go.

Mix and Match That Set

Do you want your bright summer nails to look like a collage of warm weather delights? Mix it up a bit! By choosing contrasting colors and unique designs for each nail, you can create a one-of-a-kind set that celebrates summer in a style that’s totally your own. Throw caution to the wind and get creative for a fun and youthful look like this.

Be a Pastel Punk

Similar to the last set of bright summer nails we shared with you are these even wilder mix and match nails that look like punk rock with a playful twist. Smiley faces, neon flames, a monster eye, and some sparkle all come together thanks to a purple, pink, and green color scheme that makes each nail look singular while also acting in harmony.

Abstract Art

Dancing brushstrokes of vibrant color grace these nails and contrast with elegant black elements that really make those bright hues pop. For understated yet fun bright summer nails, consider an abstract scheme that finds colors that look great with each other and you could end up with a little masterpiece on each nail.

Intentional Flower Power

Take a close look at those nails with little white flowers on them. Now, zoom out and look at the color on the other nails. Only three colors (red, green, and yellow) and white have been used to create these bright summer nails. The same colors used to compose the flowers are also featured on the less-busy nails for a look that’s very put together.

Pink Sunset

These bright summer nails look like the evening sky as it transforms from pale blue to pink as the sun sets. What a dreamy ombré effect on those center nails that also contain a very subtle sparkle. Little white hearts are the icing on the cake with these beautiful babies.

Get On This Wavelength

A mellow orange and a coral pink marvelously marry in these bright summer nails. Organic wave shapes course through these nails with the colors flipped for contrast on each hand. If your looking for nails that make an impact but don’t take your spotlight, something with just two colors like this is going to look fun and youthful but also chill and cool.

Neon Marble Nails

If, however, you are looking for bright summer nails that make the biggest impact possible, consider going neon with your colors and to use a whole bunch of them to create a marble effect. Thes nails are turned all the way up to a 10 and we’re sure you can spot them from across a room. For statement nails, you could find no better way to make those claws glow.

Spin Art Bright Summer Nails

Have you ever seen anything like these nails? We’re not sure how the artist pulled this off but we imagine a needle raked through wet nail polish was how it was achieved. At any rate, these bright summer nails are truly a marvel. Each nail looks like a mini piece of spin art. We’re obsessed!

RELATED: 30 Different Coloured Nails That Are Perfect for the End of Summer

The Brights Next to Black

We know the topic of this list is bright summer nails but we can’t help to gawk at these nails that use black to contrast with the bright colors for a superior pop of brightness. High contrast nails are such a good idea and a great way to create drama with your nail designs with minimal effort.

Technicolor Tiger Stripes

How about some tiger stripes for those bright summer nails? We find a myriad of colors here with some fun accent nails that look like they’ve been painted with rainbow tiger stripes. It’s a very cool concept that’s worth exploring if you’re feeling a little wild this summer. Gow wild with them!

Make a Splash

These bright summer nails are a rainbow splash of color and energy. This sort of scheme results in designs that read as full of movement. The “drips” draw the eye up the nails and each color here is electric which just gives the whole look plenty of happy vibes.

Cherry Bomb

Where are the girls (and boys) who love pink? These bright summer nails are a celebration of the sweet fruit and this person has gone above and beyond with the pale pink base. They also didn’t go overboard with the little cherries and instead serve just a hint of them on two nails for each hand. What a sweet, summery treat!

Pink Lemonade

We’re sticking with pink with this next set of bright summer nails, electric pink that is. It totally radiates on top of a bright yellow color which reads like the classic colors for pink lemonade. Although there are only two main colors in play, each nail has painted differently and offers plenty of variety. So switch it up for a more playful and flirty look or keep things uniform for something that’s less busy but equally as energetic.

Blue Lagoon Nails

If summer means time spent on the beach or out on the ocean, bright summer nails inspired by the seas could be the perfect option for you. We find a palm tree at night, the bubbles of the ocean, an areal beach scene, and a nail that is scalloped with fish scales. Blue and green are not as popular as you might think among bright summer nails but it’s clear they really should be.

Double French

How about these double French bright summer nails? The color combinations here are truly excellent and this person has not been fearful of trying unconventional pairings. The end result is a classic yet distinct look that looks clean and measured. If you like your nails timeless and tidy, feel free to go in this direction.

Colorful Geometric Shapes

Similar to the abstract bright summer nails we shared with you earlier, these nails play with shape and color in such a visually interesting and inspired way. Pops of color are tempered and contrasted with bold black lines that run through each nail. If you want nails that read as pure summer but don’t like cutesy fruits and the like, an abstract look would be the best option for you.

Rainbow Twist

How about these rainbow tips? We understand that rainbow colors are nothing new among bright summer nails but we do really like the way these tips turned out. If you’re looking to show your pride or just have an affinity for rainbows, something similar could be the cheerful vibe for you.

Anchors Away!

Here’s another set of bright summer nails that’s all about the sea. We’re treated to a nautical theme here with red, white, blue, and shimmering gold colors. These nails look so whimsical and inspired without being over-the-top or kitsch. If you plan on spending some time on a boat this summer, you know what to do.

Aloha!

These bright summer nails look like a slice of paradise. Wow! We find different shades of pink, with varying degrees of sparkle and some botanical elements that should remind you of paradise. If you’ve got a Hawaiian vacation planned, we can think of no better way to get into the spirit than with cheerful nails like these.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: How to Elevate Your Old Manicure to Look New Without Removing or Repainting Your Nails

Bandana Nails

We’re living for these bright summer nails decorated with some thrilling paisley patterns. They look so joyful, playful, and unique. We can see something similar working in a variety of colors but we must admit that completing these will likely be a challenge. If you’ve got no fear (or no fear of asking your manicurist), you should most definitely give this look a shot.

There you go! We hope you feel inspired by these bright summer nails and will use some of these looks as inspiration this season. Summer is a time for fun in the sun and to celebrate all the vivid colors that make the season so electric. If you liked these bright summer nails, take a look at our other favorite nail looks for summer. If you did not find the right nail design in the above examples, we’re certain you’ll find the right look. Just keep scrolling for more!

Smile

Are you after a coloured nails look that will make anyone smile? Try some smiley faces on your nails! We love the way a darker shade of the same color has been used for each smiley. What a fresh, happy look.

Pretty Pastels

It feels like pastels for coloured nails are really having a moment. We stumbled across so many claws painted in baby blues, light pinks, and gentle yellows! Here’s just one example but there will be more on this list!

Do It with Daisies

How cute are these little daisies? We feel like these coloured nails just scream summer. They make us think of lazy afternoons and tart lemonade. Sign us up!

Understated Drama

You can choose a color combination that does not look like a pack of highlighters and still be extremely happy with the outcome. Don’t these rich, understated colors look so perfectly matched? We’re here for it.

Embrace the Waves

We will share with you some patterned nail designs on this list but we wanted to show you how pleasing the organic shapes of these wavy lines look. By using a darker shade of the same color you really do get a gorgeous effect.

Contrasting Patterns

Here are some proper patterns! Do you think this is too busy or just right? We find these whimsical coloured nails to be rather adventurous and ultimately well done. Get weird, and live a little bit with nails like these!

Complementary Narratives

How sweet are these coloured nails? Notice how each finger has a corresponding finger on the opposite hand to match. This is such a fresh look that doesn’t overpower everything else which is nice for the right digits.

Just the Tips

These tips strike a perfect balance. On one hand you find a warm color palette and on the other a cool one. If you’re looking for a good way to balance the colors on each hand, you could do something similar!

Rainbow Bright

If you want straight up rainbow coloured nails, you can go this route which finds mostly primary colors employed for that classic rainbow look. If you’ve got time to coordinate your toes too, why not?

Variations on a Theme

We’ve some very bright coloured nails on this list, but you can still pull off the multi coloured look with more muted tones. We find black, gray, and light pink here for a nice, refined look.

Keep It Humble

Here’s another example that does not take things way over the top. Nice, muted colors that pair well together are going to be perfect for someone who doesn’t want their nails to be the focal point of their whole look.

Cover the Bases

The nice, nude base color looks marvelous here but it’s taken to the next level with these little bands of color near the nailbed. It’s still bright and playful but it does show some restraint.

Get Swirly, Girly

Here’s another way to give your coloured nails some wavy lines that look so cool. These nails look like they’ve been candy-striped which is always a good thing in our opinion.

Dot Girl Summer

You can get a cute coloured nails look by just applying many multi-coloured dots. Don’t they look so fun? They almost look like eggshells or candy.

Express Yourself

If you’ve got an afternoon set aside for your coloured nails project, you can really go to town. These nails are works of art, right? This person has chosen a summer theme and ran with it which we feel will work out beautifully for others who want to pull this off.

Lemon-Lime

A lemon-lime color theme along with a sherbert cloud of both really works well. You can go with any two colors and do a cool blending effect on your nails to make this look all your own!

Weightless Impression

These coloured nails look as if they’ve been airbrushed on. Just a touch of color on those nails can really make a haunting impression. These are a blast!

RELATED: 50 Really Coloured Nails Designs

Get Lit

The person who shared this image explained that they were inspired by “smoke.” We love their take on smoke with each nail showcasing it in a different color. What a witchy, wonderful triumph!

Butterfly Kisses

If the color is not enough for you, take it one step further by employing a recurring shape like the butterfly on these nails. They make for the perfect little detail that makes these nails look extra special.

Some Sparkle Never Hurts

If coloured nails aren’t giving you that spark that you’re after, you better sparkle, girl! These different coloured sparkle polishes look so fantastic next to one another.

Make a Scene

If you can really paint, you can showcase your skills with a calm beach scene as you’ll find on these nails. Cute silhouettes of palm trees or birds, and even clouds would like great done in a similar style.

Pink & Then Some

The hot pink polish is carried through on every nail but a different, contrasting color has been added to each nail for even more visual interest. You could do this with only pastel polishes and also be very happy with it as well.

Get Groovy

Are you feeling the flower power this summer? Be a little flower child and go full hippy with some groovy coloured nails like these. We find pastels again but they look so sweet and feminine in this application that you can’t even be mad about it.

Let’s Play

How do you feel about these checkerboard nails? We like how playful they are but we admit the execution is a little lacking. You could do something similar and carry that pattern over to all of your fingers for a very playful look.

Okay! You’ve seen over five dozen bright summer nails looks and we hope you’ve found the best options to try all summer long. If you’re really looking to “nail it” this summer, you could do no better than any of the inspired looks we shared with you. Now, go get some paint and get to work, mama!