
The summer nails trends are in and if TikTok has anything to say about it (and obviously, TikTok has a lot to say about it), two main themes are dominating: soft and pastel; or experimental, maximalist and colourful. Either way, we’re into it, because the only thing that’s better than having a chilled rosé in your hand on a sunny day, is having a fresh mani to show off at the same time.
“People are being much more adventurous with their nails now,” celebrity nail artist Harriet Westmoreland tells GLAMOUR. “They’re having fun and wearing polish more, which then enables you to have more fun because you can take it off and redo it. You’re not locked in for two or four weeks as you would be with a gel manicure.”
When it comes to specific tones and designs, 3D details are bringing the drama, while bold florals and summer auras are bringing the colour. And, no surprises, glazed finishes are returning once again to reflect all that sunlight, but the shades are branching out from just baby pinks (although that’s one key trend all on its own) to moodier, modern cool-toned metallics.
Elsewhere, butter yellow is back for a second summer running as the shade all the cool-girls are tapping up. And alt-green appears to have been dubbed the unofficial colour of the summer. Want more? How about bubblegum ice cream nails that look good enough to eat, mermaid manicures from the deep blue sea, or astral nails that give the Milky Way a run for its money.
Whatever your mood, there’s a design for you, and to help you along, we’ve edited some of our favourite summer nails below…
Milky
“Milky nails are huge and not going anywhere,” says Harriet on the enduring appeal of these clean nails. She recommends using Hermès Les Mains Hermès nail polish in Blanc Orange for the perfect milk nails. But how can you update the look for this summer? “Lavender milky nails,” she says, “but you do have to be careful about getting the right tone if your skin is very pale as it can bring out the red and grey undertones of your skin.”
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