All year, we take note of the nail art, colors, and styles that complete celebrity's red carpet moments—the overall looks wouldn't be complete without the work of nail artists. On the 2026 Met Gala red carpet alone, Coca Michelle completed Tyla's nails with feathered tips, Angel My Linh gave Beyoncé crystal-encrusted stiletto tips, and, for Sabrina Carpenter, Zola Ganzorigt painted intricately detailed French tips reminiscent of film strips.
For us non-celebrities, bold nails aren't solely reserved for red carpets or special occasions. And, with the sun out and a strong urge to wear brighter colors, summer might arguably be the most fun season for nails. The weather is warm, our season depression is tamed, and we want our nails to reflect that. On some days, we might bring our nail tech the boldest of inspiration and on others, we might lean towards a more natural look. The thing about summer is that there are endless options.
At the same time, nail appointments can be overwhelming. With a boatload of nail inspiration available, it can be difficult to decide where to start. We chatted with four celebrity nail artists and narrowed down nine summer nail trends that you’re about to see everywhere–and that should all be used as inspiration at your next few nail appointments.
Meet The Experts:
Mo Qin is a New York City-based celebrity manicurist with a salon, Oh My Nails, in Manhattan's East Village. Known for her intricate nail art, her clients include Simone Ashley, Jennifer Lawrence, and Scarlett Johansson.
Coca Michelle is a celebrity nail artist from London, England and currently based in Los Angeles, California. Known for utilizing dramatic extensions and 3D elements, her clients include Cardi B, Tyla, Beyoncé, and Meghan Thee Stallion.
Naomi Yasuda is a celebrity nail artist based in New York City with an Instagram page full of detailed nail art including designs, embellishments, and 3D elements. Her clients include Charli XCX, Katseye, and Madonna.
Stephanie Stone is a Los Angeles-based celebrity nail artist who frequently works on editorial shoots, magazine sets, and with stars for red carpets. Her clients include Margot Robbie, Tessa Thompson, and Ruth Negga.
1. Strawberry Jelly
Courtesy of Mo QinLet's get this out of the way: pink nails will forever be a trend. But this summer, a rich, jelly pink is trending—extra points if paired with a baby pink French tip for a bit of contrast. All in all, it's bright without being a neon and it's bold without being too attention-grabbing. "It's bright, fruity, and colorful," celebrity nail artist Mo Quin says. "It's a light and playful option for warm weather."
2. Neon Pops
Some of us might feel more comfortable with muted colors, but summertime and neons will always go hand-in-hand. "A great way to experiment this summer without fully committing is adding pops of neon. I like to use a neon color for a French tip," celebrity nail artist Coca Michielle says. "Or I’ll use a nude color as a base and under-paint my nail with neon." Her go-to's for neons right now are OPI Nail Lacquer in Bright Where I Belong!, OPI Nail Lacquer in Your Zestination Awaits, and OPI Nail Lacquer in Ultra Violet Daze."
3. Seasonal Cherry Red
Some people associate red nails with fall and winter—and we fully understand why. We also understand that there are so many shades of red with so many different undertones—and some are very worthy of a moment in the summer sun. "For summer, I'm leaning into a bright orange-red. It’s a classic for the season," celebrity nail artist Naomi Yasuda says. "There are certain shades that just feel distinctly seasonal, and bright red is definitely one of them. I also love using this color for pedicures on toe nails."
4. Milkshake
Even in the summertime, there are days (or weeks or months) where we're not feeling particularly bold—and that's completely okay. But that doesn't necessarily mean that we don't want our nails to be done and helping us maintain a facade of being put together. Enter tinted tone nails: muted, a little bit sheer, but still entirely chic.White become extra summery when paired with an undertone that peeks through—especially if it's pink. According to Mo Qin, the pink undertone creates "a classic summer treat that’s fun, refreshing, and always popular."
Coca Michelle, too, is a fan of the tinted undertone. "I love sheer, milky shades that remind me of glossy lip colors like soft pinks, nudes that have a light opacity," Coca Michelle says. "They create a polished, effortless look that feels fresh and wearable. These are perfect for summer weddings or formal events."
5. Lace Trim
The coquette aesthetic is alive and well (especially in the summer), and nail trends are reflective of that. Team Coveteur is very supportive of elaborate nail art, whether that we bow charms, crystalized embellishments or, in terms of this season, lace details. "I’m drawn to delicate fine lace-inspired art in black or white," Coca Michelle says. "The intricate details are timeless and romantic. It can be subtle and elegant when kept minimal or maximized by adding charms."
6. Water Effects
Once the summer hits 70 degrees on the east coast, we're all daydreaming about lounging near any body of water. In New York City especially, being water adjacent isn't always feasible—so instead, we opt for nail art reminiscent of waves, streaks, or rain drops. "I always love adding texture to my nail art, and clear 3D effects are my go-to technique right now," Naomi Yasuda says. "Using clear sculpting gel gives 'wet' water droplet feeling to the nail, which feels so fresh and liquid-like for the hot summer months."
7. Crystallized Florals
@tiara_nails_hiIn terms of fashion and in terms of beauty, you can really never go wrong with florals. The tried and true way of elevating your floral nails, though, is with shiny embellishments that glimmer in the sunlight—whether they construct the entire floral or just serve as a tiny enhancement. "Pretty, sparkly, and perfect for summer," Mo Qin says. "They add a fresh and elegant touch."
8. Sunkissed Cat-Eye
The cat-eye nail effect has been popular throughout all seasons. This summer, we're embracing the sun-kissed cat-eye—imagine what the OG cat-eye nail would look like if it had gotten the perfect tan on a beach in Sicily. It's bronzy summer perfection. "Magnetic cat-eye gels are amazing because of how the metallic particles catch and shine under direct sunshine. Right now, I am loving bright, playful shades like pink or iridescent colors," Naomi Yasuda says. "But even if you aren't typically a big nail art person, a nude or sheer cat-eye is a really fun, subtle way for minimalist nail girlies to elevate their look."
9. The Summer Squeeze
This summer, we're craving the juiciest and most citrus-forward of beverages—freshly squeezed lemonade, perfectly balanced margaritas, and Aperol spritzes outdoors. And, nail trends are reflective of that. "Citrus shades just make sense this time of year. They're fresh, playful, and bring a natural tint of color to your look," celebrity nail artist Stephanie Stone says. "Whether you're reaching for lemon and lime, or something a little juicier like mango or dragon fruit, these shades feel tropical without being over-the-top." Extra points if citrus nail art is thrown into th emix.
10. Polka dots
This summer (and every season, for that matter), we're embracing the polka dot trend. Regardless of the color-way or if we opt for a full nail or French trim, polka dots add a very welcome playful energy that we associate with summertime.
11. Script & Cursive
Script and cursive writing on nails are all over our feeds—and we have to admit that we're inspired. For a bit of personalization this summer, consider presenting some fancy text to your nail tech. Whether it's an important phrase, your own name, or a meaningful date, script nails will make a statement.
12. Aura Nails
Does anything beat an 8:30pm summer sunset? Not really, in our opinions. And we want our nails to reflect the depth, color schemes, and radiance worthy of consuming so much space in our camera rolls. "Aura nails are all about creating depth and dimension through blended, sunset-inspired color," Stephanie Stone says. "The effect is radiant, dreamy, and perfect for summer. Think the iconic poster for The Endless Summer, but a bit more muted."
13. Feeling The Blues
This summer, we're feeling the blues—in the most positive sense of the phrase. We've found ourselves drawn to baby blue hues in terms of makeup and now our nail inspiration is following suit. Consider ocean tones and shades reminiscent of a clear sky on a perfectly warm summer day.