In this article, you will see some amazing bright summer acrylic nails and recreate them during your next manicure appointment.
Manicures are a great idea any time of year, but there’s something about summer that makes you feel more daring. Now is the time to experiment with ultra-bright colours, new textures, stylish shapes, and daring designs.
Continue reading to learn fun ways to update your signature style, as well as this season’s most on-trend summer nail design ideas to elevate your manicure.
What Exactly Are Acrylic Nails?
Acrylic nails are “a combination of a liquid monomer and a powder polymer that form a paste that is bonded to the natural nail,” according to Harper’s Bazar.
The nail is then given its desired shape (squared or round, depending on personal preference—I prefer round), where it hardens in place to add strength, length, and thickness.
How Long Do Acrylic Nails Polishes Last?
Cosmopolitan says a full set of fake acrylic nails can last 6-8 weeks.
But keep in mind that you’ll need to visit your favourite nail technician every 2-3 weeks to fill in the gaps left by natural nail growth.
Experts recommend that you never go more than three weeks without getting a fill and nail treatment.
This will ensure that the pressure from the lifted expansion is relieved from your natural nails. It can also reduce your chances of getting a fungal infection.
40+ Ideas for Bright Summer Acrylic Nails
1) Summer Rainbow Nails
This is the season to dress as brightly, warmly, and tropically as the weather allows! Make a fruity cocktail with pastel colours like pink, mint, lilac, yellow, and baby blue. When summer arrives, the rules are thrown out the window, and it’s time to show off your creativity in the form of a manicure. Furthermore, there are no gloves to hide behind, allowing your nails to receive the attention they deserve!
2) Summer Coffin Nails
Coffin nails, also known as ballerina’s nails, are exactly what they sound like: long acrylics with a tapered, squared-off edge that resembles a coffin or ballet shoe. This nail shape exudes confidence while also allowing you to experiment with colour, design, and decoration. You can elevate them with holographic foiling, ombré colouring, beads and jewels, or nail art. These are the nails you get if you want to make a statement, so it’s no surprise that Instagram stars and influencers love coffin nails.
3) Summer Square Nails
If you have naturally narrow and flat nail beds, square nails will make your fingertips appear wider. They’re also thought to be the healthiest nail shape for the majority of people because there’s less chance of nails flaking, catching, or breaking. When it comes to long acrylics, squared ends are a popular choice. This is due to the squared tip making the nail appear wider, thereby balancing the length of the nails. Experiment with bright natural tones and pastel colours, which are popular this summer.
4) Summer Almond Nails
Almond nails are a sexy and glamorous shape that is long and tapered to an elegant point. They get their name from the almond nut’s shape. Almond nails are a universally flattering style that makes fingers and nail beds look slimmer while also keeping your talons strong. Because this nail shape requires some length, some people use acrylics to achieve the almond look. For a playful and fun summer look, combine pastel ombre with block colour nails.
5) Summer Mountain Peaks Nails
Mountain peaks, a lesser-known nail shape, have become a popular trend in recent years. The nails are medium in length and tapered to a small, fine point. The mountain peak shape is similar to stiletto nails, but it does not require as long fingernails. As a result, if your natural nails are healthy and not prone to breakage, you can achieve this shape.
6) Summer Gel Nails
A gel manicure is a simple way to extend the life of your nail colour and design. Gel nails are also softer and more flexible than acrylics, giving them a more natural appearance. If you want to lengthen your nails but don’t want to deal with the upkeep of acrylics, gel is an option. Sticking to a natural theme or a bright colour palette, gel nails for summer look great with all of your favourite summer outfits. Change up the finishes, such as matte and gloss, and add cute details like a smiley face or stripes. If you get tired of the colour of your gel, you can easily remove it at home. However, for the best results, visit a professional for a new manicure.
7) Graphic Art Nails
Graphic nails are a great way to stand out this summer. Grow out your nails or choose acrylics in round, almond, stiletto, or square shapes to properly show off this artistic look. Then, use contrasting colours, finishes, text, and textures to let your creativity shine. Quotes, logos, messages, and organic shapes are currently popular; why not experiment with them this summer?
8) Summer Nails in Neon
When it comes to the neon trend, it’s all about selecting the right colour for your skin tone. Lime green, electric blue, and yellow stand out against darker skin tones; in fact, all neons will look great on you if you have a very dark complexion. Meanwhile, if you’re fair, stick to hot pink and purple manicures to capitalise on this vibrant trend.
9) Cute Summer Nails
What could be more appealing than floral manicures? This adorable nail trend is a summertime staple. It’s lovely, playful, and slightly retro. Combine pastel shades with florals on feature nails for a fresh take on the trend. This look is very Instagrammable, and you will see it everywhere this season.
10) Summer Nail Glitter
The glitter element is the easiest design to incorporate into your summer look. Apply glitter topcoat all over the nude colour nail polish for the most low-maintenance – and time-saving – option. Glitter polish can also be used to create one-of-a-kind artwork. Incorporate gold or multi-coloured glitter into your nail design this summer for a fun spin on this trend. It’s a hand-held disco. Choose a polish with biodegradable glitter particles if you’re trying to reduce your use of plastic.
11) Summer Fun Nail Art
Make your manicure more fun by using bright colours and unusual designs. Pop colours like orange, blue, and pink instantly lift one’s spirits. The key is to balance the tones while creating a striking contrast. It’s also a good time to experiment with different designs all over or just on one feature nail. Experiment with different colours and shapes to create a fun and fresh summer look.
12) Pastel Summer Nails
When summer arrives, the pastel polish comes out! There’s a cute shade for everyone, from mint green to butter yellow, pink, and periwinkle blue. These vibrant yet muted colours are reminiscent of fresh flowers and ice cream. Paint a different pastel shade on each finger, or go all out with your favourite. Another popular trend is to create a French tip design using a variety of pastels on a neutral base, such as nude or white.
13) Summer Nail Color Blocking
Why not try this chic take on the colour block trend for all those glamorous summer nights out? Pop colours add a playful element, while natural tones elevate this design to an elegant level. Chevron tips have an arrow effect that draws the eye down, making your nail beds and fingers appear longer. This design is also suitable for other colour schemes.
14) French Nails for Summer
The classic French tip design combines a natural base with a white edge and is typically seen on square or squared-off oval-shaped nails. This look gained popularity in the 1970s and experienced a significant revival in the 1990s and early 2000s. It has a vintage feel to it. Replace the white tip with a colour of your choice for a trendy summer twist. Blue complements the original nude basecoat well.
15) Floral Summer Nails
Who doesn’t adore floral nail art? This ultra-feminine look is ideal for the summer months when daisies are in full bloom. To make the flowers stand out, use a light neutral basecoat as if you were painting on canvas. You can use decals or stencils if you don’t have the time or expertise to hand-paint floral designs on each nail. Make a floral feature nail on your ring finger instead.
16) Toe Nails for Summer
You can get away with neglecting your toes in the winter, but when the weather warms up, it’s time to pamper your feet! Because your toes will be on display in sandals, heels, and at the beach during the summer, a picture-perfect pedicure is essential. Match the colour, design, or finish of your pedicure to your manicure.
17) Mixed Summer Nail Designs
Summer is not only the time to get more creative with your colour choices, but it’s also the time to show off different designs. You can experiment by wearing multiple types on the same hand. Choose the same basic colour palette, such as sunset hues, and go for different finishes, such as ombré mixed with glitter, for a flattering look. On a feature nail, geometric shapes look great when contrasted with polka dots. Your imagination is the only limit.
18) Seashell 3D Nails
Take the sea with you wherever you go! This nautical manicure is a great way to show off your artistic side while also celebrating your love of the beach. Locate a nail artist who specialises in 3D art; this requires a specific technique that uses gel to help create the rippled effect. Add a small pearl or crystal close to your cuticle to create the illusion of a valuable find within a clamshell. It’s an excellent way to channel your inner mermaid on a hot day at the beach or in the water.
19) Floral Pastel Nails
Soft colours are popular this season, so why not incorporate them into your nails for a summer twist? This adorable artwork is ideal for a party, a picnic, or simply a cute Instagram photo shoot. Add different colours to each petal and flip them around on each finger to make it unique. Play around with it by adding a small stripe of baby blue, pink, orange, or green along the cuticle – alternate the shades so they match the petal facing up. With nails this cute, you’ll get tonnes of compliments.
20) Blue Sky with Clouds Nails
This blue sky nail art is a great way to show off the sun on a daily basis. The vibrant colour is a quick pick-me-up for your everyday look, and the fluffy little clouds add depth and a bit of fun to an already stunning manicure. Dot a series of circles sporadically across each fingertip with a small brush and white paint, then add another directly next to it – making sure it touches the first. Add two or three more until you have something that resembles a cloud. Make them as small or large as you like, and space them out across each nail to resemble the sky as much as possible.
21) Bright and Playful Nails
Summer is all about embracing colour and experimenting with your style, so this manicure is the perfect place to start. This retro style has been popular for some time, and incorporating it into your nail art is a fun way to change things up. Make each nail a different colour, such as bright pink, blue, purple, or orange – mixing multiple shades in the same swirling pattern will add depth and oomph to an already incredible set. Add tiny daisies or flowers in contrasting colours on top to add to the design’s playfulness. This is sure to get a lot of compliments, and it might even inspire others to go to the salon.
22) Classy Summer Nails
Nothing beats a simple and classy manicure for a summer event like an outdoor cinema event, boat party, or trip to the Bahamas. This style is both modern and classic, combining current trends with something more traditional. The universally flattering almond shape lengthens the fingers, and the white base colour makes your skin look golden and glowing. Apply small waves over each nail with a pearl-finish polish to catch the light and create a multi-dimensional effect that is sure to impress.
23) Colorful Daisies Nail Art
Just by looking at your hands, you can travel through a field of daisies. This vibrant manicure is ideal for summer. Begin with a neutral base, such as nude or soft pink. Paint flowers of varying colours on each nail, spreading them out evenly across the base of each finger. Choose your colours however you want – popular options include yellow, purple, pink, and baby blue. When you’ve finished each petal, finish the look by adding a small yellow dot in the centre, instantly bringing each flower to life!
24) Cute Retro Nails
The last few years have been all about resurrecting patterns that were popular in the 1960s and 1970s. Checks, stars, swirls, and flames have all made a big comeback, but with a modern twist. Choose a design you like for each finger – this is a funky way to keep things interesting without deviating from the theme. Instead of sticking to retro colours like brown, orange, and bottle green, mix in modern hues like fern green, cherry blossom pink, and magenta.
25) Green Summer Nails
Green is a timeless colour that will look great on your nails this summer. We’ve seen a lot of swirly patterns take over the last few seasons, and this manicure is no exception. Begin with a lighter shade as your base – sage is a great choice because it is universally flattering and goes with a variety of outfits and occasions. Once dry, use a small brush to paint a few organic lines down the length of your fingers in a darker shade. Make the patterns go in different directions for a more fluid and fun feel.
26) Hot Pink Summer Nails
Channel your inner Hot Girl Summer with matching hot pink nails. This season is all about embracing the warmth and feeling energised, so this manicure is sure to do the trick. To create the illusion of longer nails, start with a neutral base, something clear or nude. Then, choose three colours: two pink and one white. Create shapes along each finger in varying directions for a playful touch, and don’t be afraid to make some lines thicker than others. It also looks great with other colours, so you can experiment with different colour palettes this season.
27) Lightning Nails
The retro trend is definitely back with a vengeance, and if you want to channel your inner Ziggy Stardust, this is the best way to do it. This lightning bolt nail art is edgy and stylish while still packing a punch. Add other patterns to the remaining nails, such as small flowers, polka dots, stripes, clouds, or even a French tip. Change the colours on each finger to create a three-dimensional effect. This looks best with longer nails so you can paint a larger design on it – try an oval, almond, or coffin shape for the best results.
28) Summer Nails
This season’s eyes are on fire. This fun design will turn heads for a playful twist on your regular go-to manicure. Avoid using a brightly coloured base; instead, use neutrals, nude, or baby pink. Choose any colours you like, such as blue, orange, purple, green, pink, or yellow, and combine them all at once for a more vibrant result. Paint eyes of various shapes and sizes on each nail, and intertwine other colours for the eyelashes, irises, and any other patterns you like in the negative space.
29) Purple Summer Nails
This manicure has the texture of ice cream, making it ideal for your next summer salon visit. Purple is a great colour for the season because it is bright enough for the warm weather and goes with a variety of outfits and occasions. This is similar to the traditional French manicure but uses more than one shade to create the pattern – add a small white line as a melting effect towards one side of each finger to look perfect for the hot day ahead.
30) Strawberry Art with French Manicure
Strawberries are a summertime favourite for good reason. From Harry Styles’ summer jams to that famous dress that took the internet by storm, this is a great pattern to imitate when looking for nail art inspiration. Begin with a classic French manicure, then outline the shape of the fruit with a tiny brush and red paint. Fill it in with colour, and then add the green leaves on top. To finish, add a few tiny white dots to the strawberries.
31) Summer Blue Nails
Blue nails are always a good idea, no matter the season. Mix it up this season by combining two shades – one darker and one lighter – into an organic blend of swirls. What appears to be water flowing through your fingers is a great choice for hot weather, instantly transporting you to the serene feeling of the sea. If you’re short on time, you can make this pattern a feature nail by using one of the primary colours.
32) Summer Butterfly Nails
What says summer more than a series of delicate butterflies dusted across your nails? This manicure is delicate and dainty, and it looks great for any occasion. Choose a soft blue or periwinkle for your base, and leave two nails as French manicures in the same colour. Rather than painting the winged beauties individually, which would take hours, find stickers with similar colours and place them across the fingertips. Change the direction of each one to give the illusion that they are flying. For a little sparkle, add some glitter or crystals to the cuticles.
33) Summer Coral Nails
Coral is a summer staple and a great colour for a manicure. If you prefer simple nail designs, this is the best option for you. The beauty of this simple manicure is its effectiveness in elongating the fingers and enhancing your summer glow. This style complements everyone’s skin tone and looks great with a variety of outfits, no matter how long or short you want to wear it. It’s also a great base colour for a more elaborate design if you want to add something later.
34) Summer Dip Nails
Pastels are a summertime favourite, and dip nails are a safer and healthier alternative to a manicure. Dip powders provide the same secure effect as gels with harsh lights or acrylics without damaging your nail bed as much. You can also do a lot with these powders, such as ombre, glitter, or just plain. Choose your favourite colour – this season is all about different purple tones like lilac, lavender, heather, and periwinkle.
35) Summer Neon Green Nails
Each season, neon returns in a different way. This season, we’re putting it on our nails. It’s an excellent choice if you enjoy emphasising a specific colour in your outfits – nothing says summer like bright green! Start with a neutral base and apply the vibrant colour in organic swirls across the lengths of the nails with a fine brush. To make the manicure more abstract and complex, try different designs on each finger.
36) Summer Ombre Nails
The French manicure has been tried and tested, but the ombre nails alternative is a crowd favourite for many reasons. This upgraded version of the classic is ideal for those who prefer minimal and timeless designs but still want to dress up their outfits. This nail art looks best on longer nails because you can fit more gradual colour in, but it also looks good on shorter nails. The most common way to achieve this look is with dip powder – use a brush to softly dust the white from the middle of your finger down to the end, paying special attention to the tips for maximum impact.
37) Summer Orange Nails
Add some juicy oranges to your manicure to quench your summer thirst. There’s a lot more to this manicure than meets the eye – it may appear to be polka dots, but it’s actually a fruit bowl of oranges across your nails. To make the pattern stand out, most manicures like this require a neutral or sheer base. Apply small orange circles all over your nail beds with a dotting tool, then paint tiny leaves on top with a tiny nail brush. This requires gentle application, so attention to detail and a steady hand are required.
38) Summer Peach Nails
Make a statement this summer with peachy nails. Whether you like the colour or the fruit (or both), this manicure is a great option for those long, hot days. Begin by lightly applying the peachy colour to four of your five fingers, leaving one neutral or nude. Paint the fruit all over your ring finger in the same colour as the rest of your hand. This is sure to get you a compliment or two – trust us!
39) Summer Nail Pressing
Press-on nails are an excellent alternative for those who are short on time or cannot visit a salon. These nails are super simple to do and look amazing for an event or Instagram photoshoot. These floral beauties are available in a variety of patterns and colours. For the best application technique, start with clean, dry fingers. Choose the sizes that best fit your natural shape and apply them with the provided tack or glue. Shape them to your preferred style and length, and watch as your fingers become the focal point of your outfit. They typically last one to two weeks, depending on your activities while wearing them.
40) Summer Shellac Nails
Make your nails the focal point of your outfit! This Shellac design is super cute and goes with a wide range of outfits. It’s also made with shellac polish, which is one of the safer options for your nails. In fact, it can actually prevent a lot of damage to your natural nail when it comes time to remove them, and they also last longer than a traditional manicure – bonus! When recreating this look, start with a natural base colour and then add a different shade to each finger. Applying a little colour in sections resembles a cracked Easter egg and adds an artistic touch to an already interesting design.
41) Summer Smiley Face Nails
This season is all about having fun and spending time with your loved ones, so why not express your joy on your nails? This nail design appears simple, with only a few colours that make a strong statement. Choose your favourite colours – popular choices include pink, blue, and green – and then add small circles all over your nails, spreading them out evenly. Once dry, use a small brush to paint two dots and a smiley line to form a friendly face. If you’re new to nail art, this is a great place to start.
42) Summer SNS Nails
SNS is one of the most popular options for manicures because it is considered far safer than tan acrylics with comparable results. With nutrients in its ingredients to strengthen the nail bed, they can actually make them feel stronger and more resilient. If that isn’t enough, they also last longer than standard acrylics and don’t need to be refilled for at least three weeks. Choose a bright and fun summer colour, such as yellow, green, or blue. This dip powder can be worn in any length or shape, but the most popular are almond or squoval.
43) Summer Sunflower Nails
Sunflowers always face the light, and you can do the same with this lovely manicure. This feminine design is sure to get a lot of compliments and is simple to recreate. Begin with two of your favourite colours – yellow and pink are popular choices. Paint two or three of your fingers one colour and two the other. Paint the flower on the pink or neutral nail, starting from one side and ending in the centre.
44) Summer Yellow Nails
These nails will undoubtedly create a stir on Instagram! This trendy and fresh take on summer nails is ideal for your next salon visit and looks great for any occasion. Changing the traditional French manicure for a delicate floral design perfectly blends modern and classic designs. Choose your favourite yellow shades, such as lemon, pineapple, and canary, and combine them with white for maximum impact and a multi-dimensional look.
45) White Hearts and Flames Nails
These white flame nails are edgy and sophisticated all at once, making them an excellent choice for your summer ensemble. Unlike traditional fire-inspired manicures, this one also resembles a heart, giving it a softer edge than what you see at first. As an alternative to a French manicure, you can create the look by using the same neutral base colour and crisp white paint. Begin by painting upwards from the bottom half of your nail to your cuticle. This process requires a steady hand, so it’s best to hire a professional to get the best results. Change the colours around if you want, or leave it as is for a seriously cool interpretation of the art.
Summing up!
These 45 must-try summer acrylic nail designs in 2023 offer endless possibilities for creativity and expression. From bold and bright designs to more subtle and elegant options, there’s something for everyone this summer season. So go ahead and try out a few of these designs for your next manicure and embrace the beauty of summer at your fingertips.