40 Summer Nail Designs That Are Bright & Beautiful

Pick a few bright nail polish colors — like neon green and hot pink, for example — to create a color-block floral design that pops.

Take cues from beauty risk-taker Megan Fox, who debuted a very similar baby blue and bright pink “cotton candy aura” manicure just a few months back. It’s sweet, but somehow edgy at the same time.

These groovy nails feature distorted lines that hypnotize. Combined with the rainbow colors, the checker print trend feels totally fresh.

Take inspiration from summer’s ultimate sweet treat with these abstract pink and green swirls. Alexa, play “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles.

In the ever-changing world of nail art trends, three-dimensional details are very much *in.* Tap the coquette trend with 3D bows painted in a hot pink color.

Bring a seriously joyful aura to your next manicure with bright yellow smiley faces painted all over. Try a neutral base to soften the look or double down on brightness with a contrasting neon.

For the French tip nail obsessed, trade in the more typical stark white shade for a vibrant pop of lime green instead.

Nothing says “coquettecore” quite like a sweet strawberry motif. The pretty pearls only add to the girly-girl aesthetic.

Be it a mid-tone green polish or otherwise, you can’t go wrong decorating a brightly-colored manicure with adorable micro daisies.

Inspired by the amethyst stone, these crystallized nails have that realistic marbled effect. And the soothing purple polish shade is sure to mellow out your mood.

If you’re looking to go for glamour your next trip to the salon, these nails are a must. You can’t go wrong with a bezaddled French tip adorned in pretty yellow-gold chrome.

If the trippiness of the 1970s inspires you, bring the colorfully retro aesthetic to your nails. Show your manicurist this cool-girl rainbow swirl design to channel those exact vibes.

Change up your everyday pink manicure with an unexpected two-tone set, with two complementary polish shades.

ICYWW, micro French tip nails are *everywhere* at the moment. If white polish is just too boring for you, try using a rainbow-bright color palette instead.

Monarch butterflies are one of nature’s most beautiful creations. Read: they make for some great manicure inspiration.

Use your favorite shade of bright purple nail polish to create a gorgeous aura design. To get the look, start at the center of your nail and softly fan out towards the edges for a subtle glow effect.

If you shopped at Hot Topic as a teen, it’s officially time to revive the look. (Also, you need an eye cream.)

Not so much into loud manicures? Go for a more minimal vibe with neon yellow outlines atop a sheer pink shade. Still bright and fun, but not OTT.

Create an adorable pattern with tiny summer fruits — like lemons, watermelons, oranges, strawberries, and more — with dainty flowers.

Manicures with a chromatic finish are beloved by countless A-listers. This Skittles-inspired take gives the trend a whole new look.

Add a playful spin to the viral aura nail art by layering radiant colors and adding symmetrical dots.

More often than not, fiery nail art designs are met with red-hot polish shades — like neon orange or scarlet. Turn the trend on its head with two shades of vibrant blue instead.

Make your nails look like a trip to the tropics with gilded geometric shapes atop a playfully neon color palette. A stiletto nail shape only adds to the drama.

For ’90s babies, Lisa Frank’s iconic technicolor designs are a beacon of nostalgia. Decorate your nails in that familiar rainbow leopard print for the ultimate Millennial conversation starter.

Bring the Eurocore vibes to your next manicure with bright nails inspired by sun-lit lemon groves.

For a pop of brightness, trade in the traditional French tip for a vibrant Tiffany blue.

Bring the bold color palette of summer’s cotton candy skies with these cloud-like watercolor designs.

Inspired by colorfully fluorescent LED lights, these bright blue, green, and white French tip nails are entirely rave-ready.

Most recently worn by Jennifer Lopez, sapphire blue polish makes a luxe statement that’s impossible to miss. Top the color in a subtle glitter polish for a mani that glitters like a jewel.

Sit down in the chair and let your nail artist go wild — an abstract nail design will ensure your manicure is totally unique. The highlighter colorway just adds to that.

The most creative manicurists have discovered that “blooming gel” is the secret to some of the internet’s coolest designs, like tie dye and crocodile print. Whether at home or in a salon, try the rising trend for a retro-chic set like this one.

Choose a color-filled manicure with pop art details for a modern take on the classic commic book style.

If you too are in your red nail era — like Kylie Jenner and Hailey Bieber — try a set of extra-long Frenchies with a cherry red tip.

This is the manicure version of Jennifer Garner’s iconic dress in 13 Going On 30. So nostalgic!

These ice-cool nails are lined with 3D details in pretty blue. With eye-catching details, these are basically an accessory.

Take your next extra-long, neon yellow manicure to the next level with chromatic silver designs that feel authentically Y2K.

Choose bright pastels like lavender, baby blue, and butter yellow to create the watercolor-inspired mani moment of dreams.

For a bright pop of art (that is still neutral enough to match every single outfit), paint some geometric shapes onto your nails with pure white polish.

When you don’t want a boring one-color mani, but also don’t want to shell out for $$$ nail art, go for simple (but exciting) Skittles nails.

No other nail polish shade pops against glowing skin quite like stark white — and this animal print mani really makes a statement.