Summer is OFFICIALLY HERE here and that means longer days, warmer weather, colorful flowers and of course bright cute Summer nails! Of course I’m all for cute nails all year round, but there’s just something about that Summer nail designs that get me extra excited!
Even those of us that keep their nails on the more neutral side tend to feel more adventurous with their nail colors during the summertime! It’s the best time to experiment with bright colorful nails, new textures, daring patterns and more!
No matter if you have long nails, short nails, acrylic nails, gel nails, WHATEVER kind of nails I’ve got you covered with over 40 bright nail ideas to inspire you!
40 Bright Cute Summer Nails
Jelly Neon Star Nails
I can’t get enough of neon nails during the summer and these semi-transparent jelly nails are my current obsession!
Rainbow Tie Dye Nails
These rainbow tie dye nails might just be my favorite summer nail design of all time and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to top them, but I’ll keep trying!
Neon Yellow Flame Nails
Flame nails have been on my radar for about 2 years, but I never committed to them and I finally got them done last month and to say I was obsessed is an understatement! I got so many compliments on these, even from people that usually like more neutral nails, so if you’re on the fence with these definitely take the plunge and get these bright summer nails this year!
Colorful Tie Dye Nails
These colorful tie-dye nails combine elements from a ton of my favorite manicures of Summers past and I couldn’t be more obsessed with how they turned out!
Neon Green Dot Nails
These neon green dot nails almost look 3-D thanks to the florescent color and design! This particular design would look great on both long and short nails too!
Blue Marble Nails
Once you get marble nails for the first time it’s hard to get anything else because the design always comes out SO good! I love the idea of a cool blue marble for summer because it’s reminiscent of water!
Black, White, Pink & Green Funky Nails
If you can never make a decision on a design like me, then these summer colorful (but also black and white) manicure may be perfect for you! When I had this manicure earlier this season people literally were stopping me on the street asking to see my nails!
Pink & Glitter Evil Eye Nails
I’m a HUGE fan of evil eye nails (see here) and I wanted to summerfy them with a little bit of sparkle! Evil eye designs are one of those nails trends that will never go away so you just have to keep reinventing them!
Pink Abstract Nail Art
This bright nail art has got to be one of my favorites EVER! They’re weird, but summery and there’s truly nothing better than hot pink polish in the summer!
Blue Wave Nail Design
This squiggly design (or blue wave nail design like I call it here) has been a popular nail trend for a few years now and I don’t see it going out of style anytime soon. It works well with any nail shape or length and depending on the colors you use it can be pretty subtle.
Easy Blue Ombre Nails
Are gel nails not really your thing, but still want something more than your average mani? Why not try this easy blue (or any color) ombre manicure! Just grab 5 bottles of nail polish in various shades of your favorite color and get to painting!
Pink Cat Eye Nails
If you’re looking for an extra shimmery summer manicure look no further than these pink cat eye nails! Cat eye polish is a magnetic gel polish that leaves glittery metallic particles for the ultimate shine and topped with a jelly hot pink polish you’ll have the perfect Summer mani!
Dainty White Flower Nails
If you’re looking for dainty nails, these are IT! Also such a great option for a summer wedding nails.
Blue & White V Shape French Tips
These blue and white v shape French tips are classy, but fun and give off the perfect nautical vibe.
Bright Orange & Red Squiggly French Tip
If you looked up “bright cute summer nails” in the dictionary this photo would be the definition!
Funky Orange Airbrushed Nails
I absolutely love the airbrushed texture that this nail tech created with this manicure!
Creamsicle Orange & Bright Pink Nails
I would describe these creamsicle nails, colorful, but also monochromatic!
Multi Color Matte Nail Art
I tend to keep my summer manicures shiny, but this matte nail art tames down this multi color design and makes it a little less intimidating for someone who doesn’t always wear a lot of color on their nails.
Green Squiggly Nails
These cute summer nails remind me of pop art and they almost feel 3D!
Muted Yellow Wavy Line Nails
I love a wavy line manicure and this muted yellow polish is officially on my radar for my next mani.
Minimalist White Nail Art Designs
Another great option for a Summer bride manicure! I would definitely get this manicure if I was having a summer wedding or heading on my bachelorette!
Pastel Lilac Squiggly Line Nails
Who said your bright cute summer nails needed to be neon? This pastel design is bright and perfect for summer!
Pink & Purple Negative Space Nails
I will never get sick of all the wavy nail art designs out there!
Glossy & Matte Mixed Square Nails
I love the look of glossy and matte nails together! It instantly elevates any manicure.
70s Retro Accent Nails
Love the look of accent nails if you want to dip your toes in the world of nail art, but not ready for a full design set!
Pastel Pretty Nails for Summer
Absolutely love this color combo!
Rainbow French Manicure with Daisies
Daisies have been trending since Y2K fashion came back around and I love it! So reminiscent of early “nail art”.
Rainbow French Tips
Rainbow French tips are SERIOUSLY trending and I love how everyone’s interpretations are different!
Abstract Dotted Nails for Summer
Another abstracted design and I’m in LOVE with and so easy to DIY at home no matter what your skill level.
Neon Pink and Green Nail Polish
But really what screams summer more than hot pink and neon green?
Neon Yellow & Orange Negative Space Nail Designs
Negative space manicures are great to get if you’re leaving on a long summer vacation because as your mani grow out you won’t notice nearly as much as if you got a regular manicure!
Pink & Orange Watercolor French Manicure
Tie-dye and watercolor prints scream summer to me and this is the perfect manicure interpretation!
Multicolor Wavy Long Acrylic Nails
Looking for a loud design to get on your long acrylic nails? This multicolor wavy art is perfect for long nails!
Rainbow Center Stripe Nails
Looking for bright cute summer nails you can do at home? Look no further than this rainbow stripe nail art! All you need is a nail art brush and 5 (or 10) different polish colors!
Rainbow Stripe Leopard Print Nails
I don’t think I’ve ever seen leopard spots like this, but I love it!
Groovy 70s Wavy Nail Art
Another psychedelic manicure that’s perfect for summer! I especially love the pink and yellow color palette of this one!
Funky Y2K Nails
ALL things Y2K are back and nail art is no exception! How fun are these?
Colorful V French Tip Nails
This colorful v French mani is a fun way to elevate an old favorite design!
Leopard Print & Geode Nails
Leopard print may seem like more of a fall or winter design, but when you add rainbow colors it instantly makes it summery!
Neon Squiggly Nail Art
Love this weird squiggly nail art! This is definitely one you could easily recreate at home because you don’t need a steady hand to do it!
Funky Retro Wavy Nails
These funky retro nails are giving me ALL THE SUMMER VIBES! Something about the warm weather makes we want to listen to 70s music and break out all things retro including nail designs.
Green & Pink Ying Yang Nail Art
Ying yangs, peace signs, lightning bolts, smiley faces…just a few of everyone’s favorite Y2K designs making a comeback. You see them on t-shirts, hats, bags, etc…so why not nails!
Colorful Checker Print French Tips
Checkerboard print is one of the summer nail designs that I definitely didn’t see coming, BUT with the resurgence of all things early 2000s and Y2K fashion it definitely makes sense! I love this colorful spin on it.
Blue Evil Eye & Gold Foil Nail Designs
I saved the best for last! Something about all these shades of blue is so Mediterranean and so luxe, but also summery and just all around perfect! I already send it to my nail artist as a heads up that I’m DEFINITELY recreating it later this summer.
Disclaimer: Not all nails are my own. Please click on each photo for origin.
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