I Scout Nail Trends for a Living, and Trust Me When I Say These 10 Looks Are About To Be Everywhere (2025)

Summer is easily my favorite season in the beauty world—especially when it comes to manicures. Don’t get me wrong, I love some bronzy makeup and effortless beach waves as much as the next person, but nothing beats swapping out your winter polish for something bright and refreshing.

This is the time to pull out the inspo and designs you’ve been saving all year—like juicy fruits and beachy nail art. Whether you’re heading on a well-deserved vacation or just booking an everyday mani, I searched the internet for hours and consulted nail experts to find the best summer nail trends worth knowing (and wearing) all season long.

Keep scrolling for your ultimate warm-weather manicure moodboard. And if you’re after more summer beauty inspo, click here for our edit of the season’s top trends covering everything from skincare essentials to the fragrances worth spritzing on repeat.

Aura nails are the ultimate way to tap into your cosmic energy this summer. The look features a soft, diffused blend of two colors—usually bold and contrasting shades—that melt into each other to create a glowing, otherworldly vibe on each fingertip. It's basically an upgraded version of ombré nails.

These might just be basic stripes, but the summery colors give the nails a sunny refresh. They’re simple and versatile, and you can switch up the shades to suit your summer aesthetic (or to match your actual towel). It’s such an effortless way to channel the beachy vibes without an intricate design.

Textured manicures are one of our favorite nail trends of the year, and these seashore core designs are adorable for any summer occasion. The clear 3D gel is a great touch to add ocean-esque or shell-like textures. There are literally no rules—opt for some cute starfish, ocean waves, or whatever seaside patterns speak to you.

Can’t decide on just one summer pattern? Good news—you don’t have to! Mismatched nails are having a serious moment, letting you combine designs that follow a theme (like Sha'Carri Richardson's Met Gala manicure above) or go in totally different directions. Choose five of your favorite manicure patterns and assign each to a different nail.

ICYMI, butter-yellow nails are everywhere right now. We crowned the savory shade the color of the season—and it’s the perfect hue for changing up your summer mani. If you’re ready to take a break from your usual light pink (guilty), the ideal butter-yellow polish might just be OPI’s Buttafly.

Polka dots are already all the rage in the fashion space for this summer, so it’s no surprise that we’re bringing it to our fingers. You can mix and match shades, creating a summer-ready combo of any contrasting colors.

Tinted lip oils are everywhere right now—and that same shiny, glassy finish is making its way to nails. “I’m seeing a bunch of jelly nail trends on social media,” says OPI global education manager Galdina Jimenez.“Expect to see your favorite nail brands launching their own versions of jelly shades,” adds Nuñez. “The finished look is a sheer, glossy, juicy-looking tint.”Because these polishes are sheer and buildable, “They’re meant to be layered and built up,” Nuñez says. “You can play with opacity and even mix in other shades to create depth and dimension.”

“I am loving bright corals for summer,” says Jimenez. Whether you want your nails to give off juicy Popsicle vibes or more of a sunset-esque finish, you can’t go wrong with any vibrant shade of coral.