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With warmer weather finally on the horizon, it’s time to start thinking about bolder, brighter beauty. Top of the agenda? Nail designs to usher in the sunshine mood and put a smile on your face. So, whether you fancy dipping your toes into a whole new color, brightening your tips with some chrome 2.0, or putting a modern, colorful spin on the classic French, there’s something for everyone. Here’s Vogue picks some of the best nail ideas to experiment with this summer.
Transparent French
A classic French manicure is a staple no matter the season, but this summer will introduce a semi-sheer spin on this timeless design. Instead of opting for a stark contrast between a soft pink base layer and bright white tips, manicurists have been creating altogether softer, sheerer iterations with just a hint of a pale tip–often provided by the natural nail length itself. If your nails are on the shorter side you can still achieve a similar effect: just ask your tech for ultra slim tips in a color that’s only a shade or two lighter than your base. This will give the illusion of a natural tip, and look just as chic.
Champagne Chrome
We might still be invested in glazed doughnut nails, but there’s already a summer 2024 twist on this Hailey Bieber classic. Champagne chrome nails are the latest way to wear this popular style of nail design, perfect for a clean aesthetic with an added, reflective twist. Wear on short, square nails as a summer alternative to sheer, or on elegant almond-shaped nails to really show off the chrome finish.
The Blues
Light blue nails are going to be all over your feed this season. Opt for ultra-flatting baby blue, and if you’re not used to wearing a statement color on your nails, try it on your toes first as a practice run. Make sure you finish with a glossy top coat to really make the most of the shade.
Go green
Perhaps we’re all just desperate for any sign of spring, but green looks set to be big this year. Anything goes, just as long as it’s green, so think snaking leaves, marbleized tips or mismatched motifs. If you’re not keen on vivid, verdant green, try pale, pastel mint, or zesty lime. If you typically do dark shades all year round, think about swapping out the black for a rich forest green instead. Green is also a great color if you’re into coordinating your fingers and toes. “Matching manis and pedis are also having a comeback with the resurgence of the solid single colors,” says Kalnina. So why not opt for complementary shades of green on your hands and feet?
Pink and Orange
Not necessarily an obvious color combination, but pink and orange together happen to be one of the most popular nail trends this summer. Try wearing the combo in an ombré design, play with negative space, dots, or swirls, or paint on the shades as alternating tips. Combine with a super glossy top coat to show off the colors and make them look as vibrant as possible.
Crystal Couture
Call it a legacy of a standout awards season, but the razzmatazz of the red carpet has filtered its way into the world of nails, with crystal embellishments proving popular. It’s easy to see why, too, with each nail offering the perfect miniature canvas for adornment. It’s also one of the easiest trends to get right: if you’re not a dab hand at painting your own or don’t want to outsource to a pro, pre-glued gems can be stuck onto nude nails and sealed in with a top coat. Of course, in the salon the sky’s the limit. Go wild with crystals of differing shapes, sizes and colors, and finish with an extra glossy layer of clear polish for a final touch of dazzling shine.
Chrome 2.0
Chrome has been a big trend in nails for a while, and it shows no signs of slowing down over the next few months. The new way to wear it, though, is less understated than Hailey Bieber’s glazed doughnut effect, and more unapologetically in your face. Think classic chrome finishes in shimmering silvers, but also everything from rainbow chrome brights to soft pastel variations. If you’re still not sure, why not try adorning your tips with iridescent metal-effect edges, for a look that combines several seasonal trends in one.
Rainbow tips
If a French manicure feels too prim and proper, try a more colorful, chromatic take by adding colored tips to a pale pink base layer. If you prefer to keep things more uniform then choose the same shade for your tips, and be inspired by juicy tangerines, creamy yellows, or sky blues. For a more playful take, choose two or three complementary shades (different shades of pink work well here), and alternate them on different fingers, or, for something more chaotic but still considered, choose a spectrum of rainbow shades. It’s not just colours that you can mix up either, baby fine micro tips are a subtle way to dip into the trend, or you can go big and bold with chunky French tips in an array of hues.
