Nail art has returned to the beauty scene with a vengeance and there is definitely no shortage when it comes to options. From 3D nail decals to the reinvented french tip, to those perfectly placed swirls—nail designs are more imaginative than ever. With so many to choose from we’ve gone ahead and done you a solid and took some of the guesswork out of your next nail appointment by rounding up some of the best trends of the summer.

Swirl Into Summer

 

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Probably the most prevailing nail trend this summer is the swirl. Whether they’re  strategically placed or positioned at random, swirls help bring out the dramatics to any fresh set. The best part of the trend is that there are absolutely no rules. Feel free to make each swirl as big or small or as bold and bright as your heart desires. However if absolute perfection is what you’re striving for you’re going to want to use a fine detail brush like the one found in this set from Olive and June to make sure that the shapes look neat and eye-catching. Trying pairing contrasting colours like this pink colour called Euphoric from Moon Cat with perhaps Pumpkin Spice shade from KoKo and Claire.

3D Decals

 

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There are few things in life that aren’t better in 3D and nail art is no exception. 3D Nail Decals can easily take a simple mani to the next dimension (pun intended). Their major allure is the fact that unlike many other nail trends there doesn’t have to be a lot of skill involved – and with so much variety available in the decal world, the hardest part really is narrowing down which one to go with. For a subtle, delicate look try adding a delicate gem like these pearl decals from Pley Beauty. If you’re really wanting to dive head first into the 3rd dimension, craftily placed crystals are an excellent example of the magic that decals can provide, these Polar Light Crystals are sure to do the trick.

Clear/Jelly Nails

 

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Long gone are the days of transparent nails signalling a lack of creativity or being just plain dull. The explosion of soft gel manicures and more elaborate nail art have made way for transparent nails to take on a whole new form. Nail techs are foregoing a coloured base coat in favour of using sheer tips as a blank canvas to display their creations. If you’re wanting to give this trend a try for maximum impact try pairing a transparent nail with a luminous metallic colour like this rich gold colour from Zoya. And while most nail salons are well equipped with transparent gel tips however, if you’re the ambitious type and want to consider embarking on this trend on your own ApresNail has clear tips in every shape and size you can think of.

French Tips—Re-invented

 

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This is not your mom’s french tips! And we mean that in the best way possible. After somewhat of a mainstream hiatus, the french tip is back and it’s being reimagined in the most fun and exciting ways. Whether it be in the form of a deep french or full on replacing the colour with an intricate design, you’d be hard pressed to find  many nail enthusiasts donning a square shaped white tipped french manicure. Add your own creative and unique spin on things by replacing classic white with a fun summery colour like All Fun and Games by Essie. Finishing off the look with a stellar top coat is essential; the OPI Infinite Shine Gloss Top Coat is sure to get the job done.

Inverted Circles/Moon Nails

 

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No, this is not your mind playing tricks on you, that negative space right above the cuticle is totally supposed to be there and doesn’t it look gorgeous? The moon nail trend allows you to play with colours and dimensions in a way that we haven’t really seen before. Don’t be shy either, feel free to use that space to add an unexpected pop of colour to your manicure like this deep red from Chanel’s Le Vernis collection. If you are going to leave things bare, a fun, pink-tinted base coat like OPI Nail Polish, Infinite Shine Long-Wear Lacquer, Neutral and Nude will surely do the trick while leaving your half moon looking particularly luminescent.

Freehand Nails

 

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You used to have to wait until getting a whole new manicure before trying multiple colours and designs – but not anymore. Manicure Maniacs are deviating more and more from one uniformed colour and design and experimenting with a myriad of them all on one hand. Starting out with colours within the same family may be best if you’re looking to play it safe. Start off with a soft colour like Gucci Vernis À Ongles Nail Polish and play with other neutrals within the same tone and colour family. If you’re wanting to dive head first into the world of varying colours and designs to save time try picking up a few packs of press on nails like these from Glamnetics, they’ll ensure you’re not spending your whole day in the nail salon and the fact that they’re reusable means that you can alternate combinations, time and time again.

Chrome Finish Nails

 

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There’s something about a metallic/ chrome finish that instantly elevates things and gives it that much more edge.So it’s no surprise that the chrome trend has taken off in the way that it has. Sure a silver or gold chrome mani is a show stopper but there’s something almost extraterrestrial about a Blue/Green chrome finish like this Sirene Colour from ILNP that will almost guarantee that someone will see you coming from a mile away. Take your chrome like finish to the next level with Winifred Chrome Dust by Magpie, this premium grade chrome dust is not only easy to apply but can transform any nail colour to truly look perfectly chromatic.

Marble Mayhem

 

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If you’re a 90s or early 2000s kid there’s a strong chance you have at least one childhood memory that involves marbles in the school yard and now you can bring that nostalgia to your nail beds. The fun part of this trend is that you can incorporate such a wide range of colours, and if done correctly there’s no knowing where one colour starts and the other begins. To recreate this look try a combination of Among The Marigolds, Sassy Sapphire and Brick Red all by CND’s Shellac Collection. Shellac is probably the best way to go because the quality of this style is all dependent on the way it dries, this Professional 54W Nail Dryer,Dulcii UV/LED Gel Polish Smart Auto-sensing Nail Curing Lamp-36 LED Beads-Double Light Source(365 + 405nm)-Salon Level will allow you to do it from the comfort of your own home.

Fun and Floral

 

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Florals for summer, not so groundbreaking— but definitely on trend. Bright coloured flowers, particularly daisies are all over our social media feeds and these dainty are easily incorporated into any set. Does the thought of drawing each and every petal make you a little queasy? Us too. This is where our beloved decals make a re-appearance. ShopKeeki has such a wide variety and such affordable decals you’ll wonder why you ever hand painted your claws in the past. To ensure a seamless application consider using a sticker placing tool such as a Pointed Tweezers Sticker Tool / Black for more precision.

Animal Print

 

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Okay so it may not be ethical to  wear animal skin coats, shoes or purses but we don’t see anything wrong with recreating them on your nail beds. The Crocodile and Snakeskin trend has taken off in such a way that even style icons like Dua Lipa have taken note. Opt out of the traditional darker colours and select a light pastel colour like this sky blue called Undaunted by Mischo to give the trend a more summer vibe. When trying such an eye catching design ensuring that your nails are well shaped could make or break them using a two in one file/buffer like the 180 Pink Combo File from Young Nails Inc, will make your life a lot easier.

Read more:
These Are Top Nail Colours for Spring and Summer
How to Elevate Bridal Nails in 2022
The Mirror Manicure Is the It-Girl Approved Nail Trend to Give Your Digits a Futuristic Upgrade