If I See You Wearing Any of These Summer Nail Trends, I’ll Immediately Know You Have Taste
Not to be dramatic, but investigating nail trends is an Olympic sport—a sport I’ve eagerly signed up for as a beauty editor but a formidable task nonetheless! I’m constantly screenshotting, bookmarking, and personally testing the coolest looks and cross-referencing any patterns, not to mention consulting professional artists for their own seasonal predictions. So trust me when I say that while summer may be just around the corner, I’ve had beachy, balmy days on the brain for quite a while—especially when it comes to hot summer nail trends.
I’m officially ready to share all my findings, so scroll ahead for an early look at the expert-backed aesthetics poised to dominate the summer, from sticky-sweet syrupy finishes to mermaid-inspired scales to “spicy” manicures. Wear any of these nine looks below, and I’ll immediately know you stay ahead of the style curve.
Syrup Nails
No, jelly nails aren’t going anywhere this summer, but they are taking on a thicker, more vibrant quality—enter syrup nails. Simply imagine jelly nails with more of a color punch. “Traditionally, summer nails lean bright and playful, but this year, there’s a more refined twist,” shares editorial manicurist Jin Soon Choi, founder of JinSoon. “Instead of just loud neons, you’ll see sophisticated versions—vivid but with a sheer, syrup-like finish or softened with a milky overlay.” She’s personally seen a lot of interest in these ooey-gooey manicures as of late, “especially with translucent layers that almost look like candy.”
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Cirque Colors
Berry Jelly
Ella+Mila
Watermelon Jelly Rancher
Le Mini Macaron
Strawberry Gummy
Juicy Citrus
Speaking of juicy textures, a bright citrus certainly feels right for the season. Whether you opt for tangerine, lemon, grapefruit, or lime, these polish hues evoke biting into a fresh piece of fruit on a particularly scorching summer day. Plus, “These colors just radiate energy and happiness, which is exactly the vibe we all want in summer,” Choi shares. Feel free to pair the mani with some kitschy citrus accessories, for good measure.
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OPI
Summer Monday-Fridays
Tinted-Moisturizer Nails
When summer hits, the mere thought of applying full-coverage, well, anything makes me want to permanently plant myself in front of my AC unit. (Just me?) I often swap my heavier foundations for skin tints with just a kiss of pigment to let my natural skin texture shine through, and tinted-moisturizer nails follow that same logic.
Like a breathable makeup formula, these polishes add an almost imperceptible (often milky) layer of color to your nail plate that appears natural yet elegant. Choi agrees: “The ‘your nails but better’ trend is huge—sheer, glossy finishes that enhance the natural nail with just a hint of color,” she says.
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LONDONTOWN
Illuminating Nail Concealer
Manucurist
Milky White Nail Polish
Butter-Yellow Tips
Yep, butter yellow is officially everywhere, from bags to sneakers to soft, summery manicures. The warm hue adds just enough pop to your ensemble without appearing too saturated, so it’s wonderful for those who want to crank their classic, expensive-looking neutrals up a notch. “It’s a sunny happy color that can be neutral but stands out,” agrees nail artist Evelyn Lim, chief educator at MiniLuxe’s Paintbox studio. “[It] also goes well with a tan.”
You don’t have to literally adorn a mini stick of butter to your nail plate like Betina Goldstein did to hop on the trend. (Although, major brownie points if you do!) A couple coats with any of the creamy polishes below does just the trick.
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MiniLuxe
Little Miss Sunshine
Picnic Nails
On the topic of tiny adornments, Lim also predicts lots of food-inspired nail art reminiscent of a sprawling summer cookout. Although, she recommends thinking outside the box when it comes to the spread. “I’m excited to [expand on] the juicy fruits trend into vegetables and pantry items—a picnic on the nails!” she shares. Peas, chili peppers, olives, tomatoes… The world is your oyster (quite literally, if Goldstein has anything to say about it).
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Deco Beauty
Fishwife Nail Art Stickers
Chillhouse
Feed Me Cherries Press-Ons
Deco Beauty
Farmer’s Market Nail Art Stickers
Spicy Coral
The general rule when it comes to summer polish trends? The brighter the better. So allow Lim to introduce you to what she considers “coral’s bolder sister.” Heavy on the red instead of pink, a flaming coral shade evokes sipping on a spicy marg as you revel in the balmy weather. According to Lim, the “vivid red with orange undertones gives off a neon pigment,” which practically screams hot summer nights. Try it on your toes too!
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Mermaid Manicures
“Summer nail looks typically entail bright colors and sea-inspired designs,” says Lim. “I think this season we will see more exciting color pairings and different textures.” Think nostalgic chrome details, 3D appliqués (like shells and pearls), and a sparkling glaze over mermaid-inspired hues (teals, lavenders, etc.). If your nails catch the light like fish scales, you’re doing something right.
When you think about it, mermaid manicures combine multiple summer nail trends into one: 3D elements, a glazed finish, and bright, seasonal hues. “The glazed-donut effect isn’t going anywhere,” Choi adds. “It’s just evolving into softer, pastel tones perfect for summer.” Add some delicate shimmer, and she says you’ll instantly have a “fresh, cool vibe to even the most classic summer shades.”
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HGYCPP
Almond Press On Nails – Seashells Design
Dashing Diva
Chrome Powder – White Pearl
Pacifica
Natural Nail Polish – Plant Magic
Something Blue
When I ask Choi and Lim about underrated polish choices for summer, they’re both quick to call out cobalt blue. Just a glance at the cool, deep hue will feel like dunking your head into the ocean on a sweltering beach day—so refreshing. “Deep blues like JinSoon Abyss feel surprisingly fresh for summer; they give off that ‘cool kid on the block’ kind of mood,” notes Choi.
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Soft Smoke
You’ve heard of smoky eyes, but what about smoky nails? No, this does not entail a bold, smoldering look but a much softer blend of shadowy hues, giving your nails an elevated, hazy effect. “Smoky lilacs and cool-toned smoky grays are having a quiet resurgence in popularity,” declares Choi. “They’re a beautiful, unexpected option when you want something softer but still polished.” Different from milky or watery nails, this trend leans on grays and purples to achieve that smoky aesthetic. A cool-toned jelly polish, like any of the ones listed below, is the perfect pick.
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Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear, trend reporting is our bread and butter. Our editors have a knack for spotting the latest in-demand beauty looks—often before they hit the mainstream—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned manicurists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders for their personal takes. Together, this ensures every trend report is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
In addition, we focus on products that deliver, whether they’re affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our curated selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we’d truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
Meet the Experts
Jin Soon Choi is one of the most influential nail artists in the industry. Born in Korea, Choi moved to New York City in 1990, where she quickly built her reputation as an expert nail artist, earning a loyal following as the go-to manicurist of top editors, photographers, designers, and celebrities. She was crowned the “Nail Guru” by The New York Times Magazine, and in 1999 opened the first of what would grow to four JinSoon Nail Spas in New York City. Jin debuted her eponymous nail collection in 2012, and the brand has gained a cult following among nail aficionados.
Evelyn Lim is a nail artist based in New York City. Born and raised in Brooklyn, she started her love affair with nails as a teenager and became self-taught on polishing and applying enhancements. At the age of 17, she turned her passion into a career. After obtaining licensure, she worked professionally in salons including Dashing Diva and Truman’s Gentlemen’s Groomers.
Today, with 18+ years of experience, Lim’s focus in the nail industry is in education and fashion. She is currently the chief educator at the renowned SoHo nail studio Paintbox, a freelance editorial/session manicurist, and a staple at NYFW.
