Warm nights, that late afternoon haze, a song that you have been listening to since June, August has a feel. And there is nothing more summer style than a killer manicure. What then are we doing with our nails in these final, dreamy weeks of the season? That’s what this article is all about. From laid-back French tips with a twist to bold color pops and unexpected prints, I’m walking you through the trends I’ve been obsessed with lately (and that are taking over Pinterest boards across the country).
Browse through these August nail ideas, and it may not be a surprise that you will be texting your nail tech in the middle of reading.
Sunny Yellow & Leopard Chic
This is just such a no-apologies fun combination of matte sunflower yellow on the outer fingers and blushy leopard print in between. It’s fierce without being too loud. The juxtaposing effect is successful since it strikes a balance between strong and light colors in a manner that is so contemporary. It has late-summer vibe: self-assured, a bit wild, yet completely in control.
To achieve this effect, I applied OPI nail polish in the color of Sun, Sea and Sand in My Pants to that intense yellow, and the base of the leopard in Essie nail polish in the color Ballet Slippers with the help of a dotting tool and a small brush to add small black and rose-pink spots. If you’re using gel, go with Gelish’s “Prim-rose and Proper” and a non-wipe top coat to make those patterns pop.
I begin with shaping – almond is the best to this vibe. I then apply a nail art brush to outline and fill in the irregular spots after a neutral base. The trick is not overthinking it. End it with a matte top coat to achieve that velvet like finish. According to celebrity nail artist Miss Pop (yes, that’s her real name), a matte top coat is one of the easiest ways to make nail art look modern and elevated — and I totally agree.
If I’m being honest, this combo surprised me. I never considered animal print cool unless it was all over the nail. However, combined with yellow, it is fun and completely wearable. I attended a rooftop brunch in this and received numerous compliments. It’s definitely a conversation-starter.
Minty French Glow-Up
This is not your basic French tip. The naked base is as pure as it gets but that mint green swoosh with the gold accent? Pure elegance with a twist. It’s giving “coastal grandmother meets downtown cool.” This is the one that the girl would want that is not flashy, but fresh. It is green enough to be neutral but bright enough when the sun is on your hands.
A nice sheer pink or nude base such as Zoya Princess or Butter London Mum s the Word will be desired. For the tip, I used “Mint Condition” by Lights Lacquer and added a fine swipe of gold foil (or use metallic liner if foil feels too fiddly). No detail brush here, either, a sharp outline is everything.
The easiest way to do this at home? Use French tip guides as a stencil, then follow up with a gold nail art pen (I love the Sally Hansen Nail Art Pens for control). Pro tip: nail artist Gina Edwards suggests a layer of clear builder gel over your art to smooth out lines and make everything look more united together, sort of like your own mini nail lamination.
This is a very luxurious look to wear, it is like spa day in a bottle of manicure. I wore it to an outdoor evening wedding and what can I say? I thought that my nails were a part of the outfit. It is not surprising that you will have your hands in every Instagram story.
The Classic Pop Accent
Can there be something more classic than a barely nude nail with a single red accent? It’s a look that speaks volumes with minimal effort. The quiet confidence of soft pink on the rest of the hand is contrasted to the shout of that one, fire-red nail, saying, watch me. It is that contrast of serenity and pandemonium that I adore, particularly when you are trying to make something understated and yet edged.
I tend to reach to Olive & June (RP) to get the ideal warm red and (CCT) to get the neutral base. Their formulas are simple to build-up and dry quickly, which is crucial when you are doing it by yourself at home. It is almond-shaped, which makes everything look more deliberate, but it also suits short square nails.
I love painting the accent nail last — it’s the exclamation point. You may also change it to your ring finger in case it is more balanced to you. Red is ever in, however, in August when the light is warm and golden, it glows a little more than at other times. Beauty editor Ji Baek is a fan of changing your reds with the seasons and this one is spot on in orangey hues in the summer.
Occasionally, I use this when I feel like I want to do something but I am not in the mood to do something fancy. It is deliberate, considerate and, well, it is a bit sexy. Like a red lip, but for your hands.
Electric Green & Gold Drama
This is not a piece of cake and that is precisely the idea. On some nails, we have electric green, and on the other ones, there is a glittery green-gold abstract swirl that resembles something you would see in a fashion editorial. It is the adult version of summer slime green, it is loud, graphic and makes you hold your iced matcha a bit more mindfully.
I applied Lights Lacquer Now and Later on the green, and I finished the abstract nails with metallic flakes of Cirque Colors. When you want to feel luxe, a chrome top coat or reflective glitter powder will give you the same gilded effect.
This pattern requires a little more time to wait – apply two layers of green, then apply the gold shapes with the help of a liner brush in freehand. Seal it off with a high-gloss top coat to get a wet-look. As nail artist Betina Goldstein once said, bold colors need to be precise, it is what makes them fashionable rather than fun.
Green is a statement in itself, but this tone is different in late summer. I wore this for a music festival and honestly? Every single person asked about them. It was like wearing jewelry but it was only my nails.
Pastel Daisies & Sunshine
Fanciful, sunny, and right out of a daydream, that is your floral sundress in the form of nails. Soft yellow nail polish and one accent nail with light 3D daisies in blue and white is like a picnic in the meadow. This one’s all about soft details and breezy confidence. And if you like cute nail art but without the cartoon-ish effect, you are going to love this.
The yellow is “Banana Cream” by ILNP (creamy and pastel, not neon). On the flowers, I applied a dotting tool in white, blue and yellow gel polish, all of the Beetles Gel Art set. The daisies are painted using a 3D gel to make that soft raised appearance without making it a full acrylic sculpture.
When reproducing this, use the base color and cure then apply the top color. After that, put small gel dots as petals and draw the ends to the center to form the flower. Finish with a UV lamp and top coat. Hang Nguyen, a nail artist, never fails to advise sealing 3D elements carefully, even going to the extent of advising to apply a small amount of builder gel over the edges to increase its durability.
I took it on a mini beach trip and it seemed like the right little touch to go with a simple white tee and big sunglasses. Light, happy, and unexpectedly flirty.
Orange Bloom Explosion
Vibrant, loud, and unashamedly floral this is the final August statement set. Its long almond tips are painted in bright orange and sprinkled with white daisies with black centers, which makes this design work with contrast and nostalgia in the best manner. It’s like Y2K flower power meets Coachella’s main stage. Completely campy in the most excellent sense of the word, and, strangely, wearable.
To achieve this appearance, I used the fiery base, which is the Hot Flame by The GelBottle Inc. The daisies were created with a white gel liner by Nail reserve and black dotting gel in the middle. You will also require a fine detail brush to draw those petals in the right way. If you’re new to hand-painting florals, try stamping or pre-made decals to simplify.
It is time-consuming, but every flower brings in something quirky, such as that you are literally wearing a bouquet on your hands. As nail artist to the stars Mei Kawajiri is fond of saying that bold nail art should be like wearable stickers, and this nail design nails it. You may even add a clear top coat with jelly tint to have a more translucent effect.
This is the one which causes me to smile whenever I see it. It brings me back to orange soda and running to catch a sunset, which is the final laugh of the summer before the fall starts to creep. It’s cheerful, flirty, and totally unforgettable.
Plum Hearts & Gloss Vibes
That is that under-the-radar cool-girl manicure: plum purple gloss with little golden yellow heart decorations floating around the cuticle. It is dark, sweet, and versatile, which is quite unexpected of short square nails. The color combination is something sophisticated, however, the position of the heart makes it playful and unexpected.
I applied Essie in Wicked Fierce as the base which is a deep plum with the perfect amount of shine and then I painted hearts with ORLY in Golden Afternoon using a nail art brush. A dotting tool helps shape the rounded edges. They will suit short gel nails or natural nails with a shiny topcoat.
Do this at home and prep with a cuticle oil, push back and shape. Put on your plum polish and when it is dry form your heart shapes with two dots pulled in a V. Everything is sealed in with a clear topcoat and the hearts appear to be floating.
I wore it to a wine tasting weekend and I did not expect anybody to notice it but people did. The hearts are subtle until they’re not. There is that bit of fun winked in a deep, luxurious tone that makes it one of the favorites.
Chrome Burnt Orange Energy
Nothing; and I mean nothing, reflects the light like this burnt orange chrome. The ending is overly reflective, nearly metallic, with a flaming overtone that shouts late August sunsets. These acrylic square nails are long, but not over-the-top, and it seems that they are high-impact, but at the same time, they are not too much to wear with minimal jewelry and soft materials.
I applied Beetles Gel Polish Molten Lava as a base and chrome pigment in Tangerine Dream by Born Pretty. To get the powder to cling you will require a no-wipe topcoat, and to get that smooth chrome look you will require a sponge applicator.
The secret to a clean chrome finish is to cure your gel layer first then rub in the powder. Cure another coat of clear gel on top and seal it again. Tom Bachik, best known as nail artist, vows by the use of the chrome that is sealed twice in order to prevent the nail to crack off, particularly in longer nails.
It feels like you are putting on a silk slip dress- everything is shiny, nothing is stressful. I’m not gonna lie, it’s a power move. I wore this to a rooftop party and I did not even use rings. The nails were the accessory.
Painterly Pop-Art Picnic
Every nail of this set has its own little story behind it: orange checkers, large floral silhouettes in blue and yellow and small green leafy details. It is as though someone blended old ceramics with abstract art and I am here to enjoy it. The white base brings out all the colors, and the short square form prevents it to be too maximalist.
You’ll need a classic opaque white polish (I like OPI’s “Alpine Snow”) and an art brush set for the patterns. I applied vivid colors of the Holo Taco Pastel Rainbow set – particularly, Cyan, Please and Orange Drink. Freehand all the nails, and do not make them perfect, but the contrast is beautiful.
Start with two coats of white and cure. Then paint stripes, flowers or even squiggles with thin nail brushes. Finally, add a topcoat of gloss or matte to your vibe. Nail designer Alicia Torello says that when everything does not match, it appears much more purposeful, as a curated gallery.
This set brings me the best memories of my favorite summer tablecloth and beach towel. It’s playful, artsy, and feels like something you’d wear with a vintage tee and huge sunglasses. Bonus: in case one nail breaks, nobody will ever tell the difference, it is abstract by design.
Mint Metallic Daydream
Mint green, but make it shimmer. This metallic soft color is somewhere between playful and elegant, and when applied on medium-long square nails, it comes out like the pool water in the sun. It sparkles icy or seafoam, depending on the light, and that is so good in August, when you are hanging on to every last beach day.
I applied ILNP Meadow as the base it is a cool mint with pearl shimmer. Two coats provide you with that cloudy density and it goes on like butter. To get even more glisten, apply Sally Hansen Let s Get Digital as topcoat. To make it more dramatic use builder gel to extend the length a little.
No nail art is required here, just a very clean prep, perfect shaping and a smooth application. Manicurist Julie Kandalec told us that the simplest method of elevating a solid color is a bold shape and an amazing finish, and this is the evidence.
I just could not take my eyes off my hands when I wore this. It’s soft but still makes a statement. Like lip gloss for your fingertips. It is a shade that exists in that perfect realm between minimal and magical and I may well take it into September.
Watermelon Twist Stripes
This matte mint and neon pink swirl of candy colors is a watermelon sorbet dream, cold, juicy, and designed to be eaten on hot days. The diagonal stripes give the motion and the almond shape makes it feminine but not too sweet. It is graphic, yet all playful, such as a popsicle melting on your fingers.
I applied Cirque Colors Socialite to get that daring matte pink and Olive & June Jade Milk to get that mint base. Even those clean diagonal bands depend on nail tape or the super steady hand. Top off with a matte topcoat, I prefer the one by Holo Taco, to make the stripes sharp and velvet-like.
These require a bit of preparation: base coat, dry, tape or free hand the stripes, cure and repeat. If you’re a perfectionist like me, a small angled brush and acetone can help clean up edges. Nail artist Steph Stone suggests putting down both colors next to each other and swirling with a thin brush to get a more organic effect – I will do that next time.
I had it on when I road-tripped to a small beach town and it was like the manicure equivalent of roadside fruit stands. It is humorous, yet refined the type of design that you smile at every time you look down.
Rainbow Swirl Confetti
Had joy a colour scheme, it would be this: neon rainbow swirls over a soft nude ground. The color blocking is retro and contemporary, a rave 90s culture remixed with minimalist nail art. I adore it on smaller square nails – it makes the entire thing more playful as opposed to too loud. A little sparkle sprinkled in? Chef’s kiss.
I applied a rainbow palette of gel liners of the Modelones Color Cube set, which is compact and highly pigmented, to achieve the look. I applied a nude sheer base, and then I applied the curves without any order. Sprinkle a touch of iridescent glitter (like the flakes from Lights Lacquer’s “Cosmic” topper) to catch light.
Painting the swirls requires a super thin liner brush. I prefer to construct the design starting with the tip and working inwards alternating colors to give that wave effect. According to nail artist Chelsea King, it is best to cure every layer of color to achieve max definition particularly when using gels.
This design reminded me of a roller rink that has glittery laces and bubblegum. It is a polish serotonin boost even when you are simply going to Target.
Garden Pop Polka Dots
Green has been on a huge trend all summer and this combination with soft pink and black polka dots is so fresh. It is a bit old school, a bit artsy and very wearable – particularly on short natural nails. The dot detail adds only enough pattern play to make it deep without overdoing it.
I applied Essie in the shade of Moijto Madness as the green and Revlon in the shade of Mod Square as the warm pink. The dots are done with a small dotting tool and black gel Gelish Black Shadow is perfect in this case. A high-gloss topcoat keeps everything looking sharp and juicy.
Apply two layers of each base color then dot onto the pink nail when it is tacky to hold on. Celebrity manicurist Betina Goldstein suggests using a tip of a bobby pin when you don;t have a dotting tool: just dip the tip into the polish.
I wore this out to a local farmer’s market and got compliments from both teens and grandmas — which, honestly, means it’s universally chic. It is entertaining, surprising, and has a lot of strawberry patch vibes.
Vibrant Mirage Waves
This swirly psychedelic dreamscape of colors on top of a nude background is like a cover of an album of the 1970s. The combination of orange, purple, mint and coral makes every finger a small moving art. The longer the almond nails are, the more dramatic the effect is, the curves are making your hands look longer and beautiful.
I applied the Bio Seaweed Gel Art Series to swirl the colors in it, it is creamy and easy to control. Use a neutral base such as the color of the Peach Pop and then add the curved ribbons in different thickness. A glossy topcoat (I love Apres Gel Coat) seals in that lacquered effect.
My favorite tip I learned was by nail artist Britney Tokyo, she says never go symmetrical; the more random your waves are the more cool they appear. It’s true. I love when each nail tells its own story.
These nails are pure escapism. I put them on a hot afternoon in a linen dress and sandals and felt like I was in a Lana Del Rey video.
Frozen Sorbet Marble
This last design is a cool breeze on a hot day – icy pink, blue and lavender swirled like sorbet on nude almond tips. The marble surface is not still but not in a wild way and the negative space around the edges provides a bit of breathing space. It’s dreamy, light, and feels like wearing ocean mist.
I applied the Le Mini Macaron set of polishes, Opal Crush, one color on top of the other in wet-on-wet application with a fine liner brush. The natural sliding of the gel provides it with the marbled swirl. To make everything pop you can anchor the colors with a thin dot of white.
Begin with a nude base that has been buffed, and do each nail at a time – blending. Don’t over-mix or you’ll muddy the colors. Nail instructor Lauren Wireman never hesitates to say: Marble is not supposed to flow like paint, but like water. And she’s spot-on.
These nails make me feel that I was dipped in gelato. They are sensitive without being dull and they shine in daylight and candlelight. Ideal to a wedding in August or the last weekend away.
Opal Pearl Gloss: Soft Glow Meets Chic Simplicity
There’s a quiet magic to this look. Imagine opalescent glaze with a tinge of blush and cool-toned sparkle that reflects the light like the sea foam in the sunset. The form is a short, smooth oval-like shape, simple, classy, and completely wearable. It is that type of manicure that tells that you take care of yourself, with ease. It is a nail art that reminds of fresh linen, clean sheets, and a glowing glass of ros.
I love using the OPI Infinite Shine in “Kyoto Pearl” topped with a pearlescent chrome powder like Tinypie’s “Ice Holo.” It provides you with that inner glow that does not shout out but manages to get people to turn around. Keep the base neutral to let the glow shine.
In order to achieve this at home, file the nails into soft ovals and use a soft buffer to make the surface smooth. Put on two thin coats of your base color and then dab the chrome powder onto it when it is still tacky- buff lightly, then seal with a high-shine top coat. Betina Goldstein, a celebrity nail artist, tends to remind her clients that a clean base and soft chrome detailing can make any short nail look special. Couldn’t agree more.
I had this on a wedding in early August last year and I swear, strangers were asking where I had them done. It’s understated luxury, and it goes with everything. Seriously, everything.
Floral Sketches with a Hint of Gold: Garden on Your Fingertips
This design is pure romance. Fine hand-painted florals of lilac, coral and peach blossom over a semi-transparent nude background. Gold specks give you that sun-catching effect you did not realize your manicure was lacking. The almond shape lengthens the fingers, which makes it look so elegant and feminine.
To do that, I would use gel paints of the Kokoist line, in particular, their Petal Peach and Viola Dream. A detail brush (like the Mofu #00 liner) is key to painting delicate petals. To use as a base, something such as Put It In Neutral by OPI is just perfect. Top with a no-wipe top coat and touch gold foil lightly over the edges of the flowers.
Now, I won’t lie—this one takes patience. With a dotting tool, place down the shapes of petals and then blur with a microbrush. Add the gold details once the flowers cure. This is that, on all levels, according to nail artist Hang Nguyen, who once said, Nail art must be wearable joy.
Whenever I wear floral, I feel like I am in the dreamy day in the cottage garden. This appearance is so feminine and yet wild, so you are ready to run in the rain without shoes and drink champagne.
Minty Fresh with a Daisy Pop
Four fingers soft matte green and one accent of daisies? That’s a vibe. The appearance of this reminds me of the picnics in the park and mornings when everything is light. The shade is a subdued sage that is fashionable but not obnoxious and the floral embellishment is just the right touch of August.
To replicate this, Essie Can Dew Attitude goes perfectly with a gel topcoat to maintain that new semi-gloss look. On the daisies I prefer the art white and sunny yellow of GellyFit, just dot and drag with a micro tool or a toothpick if you are doing it yourself.
Begin with your mint base, cure or allow to dry and then use a small dotting tool to make flower centers and petals. The floral finger should be finished with a clear gloss coat to provide a little pop. It’s low effort but full of character.
I had something similar on when we spontaneously went to Santa Barbara on a weekend trip. It turned my hand with iced coffee into something very Instagrammable- no shame. It is also ideal to a person who wants a soft, trendy touch without taking the art mode.
Bow Tied in Seafoam Blue
This one’s got “adorable” written all over it—literally. Seafoam blue and shiny finish is like a summer wind on your hands, however, the 3D white bow on the accent nail is what sells it out. It is light-hearted, it is light-hearted and it makes me think of a sorbet cone and a flirty dress in a boardwalk.
I adore Lights Lacquer Aquamarine Dream as a base, a creamy, creamy light pastel blue that is not icy. Regarding the bow, you may take a ready-made nail charm or make it yourself using acrylic or builder gel in case you are adventurous. Glue or topcoat (whichever you use) and secure.
Begin by painting two layers of your base color, and then place the charm on top of it prior to topcoat. If you’re sculpting the bow, cure the gel in layers and use a silicone tool to shape it. Celeb nail tech Julie Kandalec says, 3D charms work best when it comes to placement and proportion: center it just right to balance.
I have always been a sucker of playful nails, and this one is like a letter of love to the light-hearted summer. Perfect for August, when you’re still in vacation mode but starting to crave back-to-style vibes.
Hot Pink Geometry: Neon Meets French Reinvented
Big, colorful and shamelessly cool, this design is all about playing with form. Hot pink takes center stage, but it’s the negative space details and modern French tips that steal the show. It has the edge of the coffin shape and the combination of bright color blocks and shine is very current.
The GelBottle Inc has the contrasting pink, known as Barbie and white, known as Daisy, to get this look. Plan the negative spaces and clean curves by using striping tape or French guide stickers. And don t forget a thick gloss topcoat to fix in that salon quality finish.
These are a little tricky to make at home, but all it requires is a little planning, first outline each nail using a fine-tip brush or French stencil. Use pink in blocks of geometry, cure, and then put your crisp white or sheer overlays. According to nail teacher Sarah Bland, symmetry is the most important aspect of the modern nail art. A good cleanup brush can be your secret weapon.”
These nails are when you want to make an entrance- with a bang. They are that Barbiecore but with just the right amount of graphic cool to be fashion forward. Would I wear them for an office day? Maybe not. But for a rooftop party or birthday dinner? Absolutely.
Watermelon Split: Playful Color-Block Geometry
Neon pink and mint green are just everything end-of-summer fun. This design is funny but not loud, it is just right with the negative space to make it fresh. The sharp graphic contrast of each nail is split in two reminding me of striped umbrellas and popsicles melting on the boardwalk. The almond shape makes the vibe less intense but does not lose the edge and the modern energy.
On the colors, I am into Beetles Gel Polish in the Pink Lightning and Mint Memory. To achieve that clean split in the middle use nail striping tape or a super-fine liner brush. A nude base helps the colors pop even more.
One should begin with the neutral base coat and draw the center line. Painstakingly apply the nail half pink and the other half mint. It is best to leave it to dry completely and then take off any guides, and seal with a glossy top coat. Nail artist Mei Kawajiri never forgets to mention: “Color blocking is playful, but it should be precise.”
It is one of such looks that immediately makes you feel good. I had a similar design to a beach party last year in Venice, and it made every outfit a little bit more confident.
Sunset Surf with a Blue Twist
Orange is now in its official hot-girl phase, and combined with soft ombr blue and abstract line work? Total perfection. This square format is pushed to the extreme of contrast: one half of the nails is painted in a juicy and glossy tangerine, the other half is painted with a delicate blue watercolor fade, with fine cobalt lines that remind me of the ocean waves and the crashing surf. It’s both structured and freeform.
Essie’s “Tangerine Tease” and OPI’s “It’s a Boy!” make a killer duo here. On the blue linework I have applied ORLY Instant Artist Striping Paint. A sponge is used to get that soft watercolor mix around the tips.
Start with alternating base colors. In the case of the blue art, mix a soft ombr and apply it with the help of a makeup sponge and then paint the oceanic curves with the help of a striper brush. Top everything with a gloss coat. It’s giving cool-girl surfer meets contemporary art.
I once had a variant of this when I visited Catalina and I felt that I fitted the landscape, the sky, the sea and the sun. And yes, someone asked me if my nails were hand-painted art (which, technically, they were).
Coral Bloom Raised Florals
Floral nails are also coming back in a big way this August, and dimensional floral nails in particular are hot in short acrylic or gel versions. These little carved coral flowers on a pale blush ground are a garden party to the fingers. Throw in some golden glitter centers and metallic flecks and it is at the height of playful sophistication. The overall feel is sweet, tactile, and nostalgic.
In this raised petal effect, I am using 3D gel paste by V Beauty Pure in Hot Papaya. The foundation may be a soft builder gel in a toned down nude such as the Apres Blossom Beige. The gold glitter? Try Daily Charme’s “24K Flakes.”
Apply two layers of your base and then shape the individual petals using a 3D gel brush- cure after each flower. Add glitter centers before your top coat. Celeb nail artist Chaun Legend claims that 3D art gives personality. It is not only color, it is texture, and story.”
These nails give that summer-craft-core energy. I have even worn them to a backyard dinner party and wound up flaunting my nails more than the salad I brought. Worth it.
Matte White Daisy Pop
These nails are the grown-up version of flower crowns. Matte white almond tips decorated with bright daisy motifs in golden yellow and lavender—it’s like holding sunshine between your fingers. This collection is a mix of minimalism and nostalgia and it makes every outfit appear fresh and polished in an instant.
To achieve this precise appearance, I suggest that you use Zoya as a matte white base, which is called Purity. Then, use florals with gel polish in Lemonade by Le Mini Macaron and Lavendula by Bio Seaweed. Make that ideal petal arrangement with a fine dotting tool.
Start by shaping and buffing the nails. Put on your matte white base and allow it to dry completely. Then with a light touch dot and wipe out petals, each with a little yellow center. Leave to dry and apply a matte sealant on the top. According to Paintbox NYC: a matte top coat makes a flawless canvas of the colorful hand-drawn details.
This would be my choice of set to wear to a summer music festival or white linen brunch. It’s youthful but sophisticated, and it makes you feel like the sun came out just for you.
Pink Sugar Fade: Stiletto French Reinvented
You’ve seen French tips. So here is their 2025 doppelganger- stiletto-shaped, sugar-pink and with a modern fade that is more flirt than formal. The pattern is a smooth transition between soft nude to a shimmering bubblegum pink with a hint of glitter finish. It is girlish, aggressive, and a perfect dose of the Y2K revival.
I would apply Valentino Beauty Pure in the shade Princess Pink mixed with their shimmery Fairy Dust to that glistened tip. To get the fade, a sponge blender works magic. And do not forget the glossy top coat, this one is a light reflector.
Take the nude base and put it on with your pink shade in layers going towards the tips on a sponge to give that airy blend. Dry one layer at a time so that they are not muddy. As celeb nail artist Tom Bachik puts it, Stiletto nails intensify any design, they are designed to be confident.
I always feel my sassiest in stilettos. They would make an ideal summer date night or any event that you simply want to feel… noticed. They hit that sweet spot between cute and confident.
Milk Glaze Ombré: Short, Soft & Seriously Polished
There’s a quiet power in this short square design. A blush-to-white ombr in glaze that resembles your natural nails has been given a spa-level glow up. The change is perfect-as strawberries and cream, which merge into each other. This look feels timeless, chic, and utterly clean. It does not scream but you cannot help staring at it. The kind of nails that whisper “elegance” at brunch and “I’m effortlessly put-together” at the office.
I prefer The GelBottle to achieve that perfect fade by applying the pink color Dolly on a base of White Builder in a Bottle. A sponge make up is essential in blending the gradient. The final glossy topcoat? The Apres Non-Wipe Top Gelcoat is worth a try, it provides an actual glass finish.
Start by applying a nude-pink base coat and curing. Dab the white on the tips with a sponge in layers until you have the right blend. Finish with a high-gloss top coat. Nail specialist Amy Ling Lin of Sundays Studio advises to apply cuticle oil every time after a gel manicure to maintain the shine not only glossy.
It is a style that I have been using when I want to reset. It is fresh, feminine and refined, like a good skincare on your hands. And it always photographs beautifully. Always.
Translucent Watercolor Shards: Dreamy Abstract Meets Summer Sparkle
In case you are in the mood of something artistic, a bit wild, and a lot magical, this look is your muse. The nails are mini canvases, dotted with translucent water color-like petals in violet, green and aqua, with fine lines of black. And glitter flecks beneath give that soft summer-night glitter, like fire-flies in water-colour glass. It is a rounded almond shape and the vibe is all fantasy and runway.
I will grab jelly polishes such as Cirque Colors Hatch and Meadow and sheer them out on a palette with a bit of top coat to achieve this layered appearance. Apply with a liner brush on the abstract lines and do not forget about the sparkles ORLY has the best base to use, its Turn It Up.
The secret is layering: base with a glitter gel and then cure. Then with a small brush sweep on the jelly color in soft uneven shapes. When it dries outline using liner pen or gel art paint. According to nail artist Brittney Boyce, this type of design is what she terms as visual texture and is all about adding dimension to motion.
I had something similar on a creative retreat last August and I swear it was like carrying little paintings around with me all week. People notice. People ask. These nails start conversations. They are to a person who does not hesitate to transform his or her nails into a piece of art.
