Now that summer is finally here, it’s time to start making our warm-weather beauty plans and of course that includes summer nail designs. Top of the agenda? Designs and colors that lift your mood and put a smile on your face. According to Juanita Huber-Millet, founder and creative director of luxury nail salon brand Townhouse, it’s the ocean that inspires this season—think translucent bases, pearl details, shimmering chrome top coats, and subtle gold accents.
“High shine is giving way to iridescence, and softer nature-inspired textures are replacing some of the more maximalist designs,” she says. “It’s a nod to our connection to the sea and the serenity and sense of calm it instills. This ‘blue mind theory’ is finding its way into beauty, fashion, interiors, and now nails.” So, don’t be surprised to see a blue renaissance this summer, with aquamarine, turquoise, cyan, cobalt, periwinkle, and cerulean all trending.
Beyond the ocean, there are some other summer nail design ideas we can’t get enough of—from the modern summer French to micro citrus fruits, hazy auras, and even a rebooted cow-print effect. Here are Vogue’s picks of the best nail ideas to experiment with this summer.
