Sunny and Stylish: Short Summer Nail Colors & Designs for Every Occasion

Eclectic Charm

In the world of nail art, the beauty lies in the bold, and this eclectic design is a testament to that truth. The black and white theme delivers a high-contrast spectacle, featuring a playful mix of checkerboard patterns, ghostly caricatures, and vivid red accents that bring a pop-art vibe. This design isn’t just nail art; it’s a wearable gallery piece reflecting the spirit of summer—a time for vibrancy and fearless self-expression.

Curating this artistic expression:

• • Base Polish: CND Vinylux in ‘Cream Puff’ and ‘Black Pool’ for the stark contrast.
  • Red Accents: OPI ‘Big Apple Red’ for the bold statements.
  • Fine Detailing Brushes: For the intricate designs.
  • Glossy Top Coat: Glisten & Glow Top Coat for a lasting gleam.

For those daring enough to replicate this at home, start with a solid base. Sketch your designs lightly with a pencil before committing with polish. Steady hands and small strokes will make your nails a conversation starter.

Playful Pastels

Summertime is a playground for colors, and these nails capture the essence of fun under the sun. A delightful array of pastel shades dance across each nail, adorned with whimsical flower designs that evoke the joy of sunny days. With a sheer base, these colorful acrylic nails showcase how bright and playful summer vibes can be condensed into a charming French tip design that’s as sweet as an ice cream cone on a hot day.

Tools for this cheerful bouquet:

• • Sheer Polish: Essie ‘Ballet Slippers’ for a barely-there base.
  • Pastel Polishes: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in shades like ‘Petal Pusher’ and ‘Lively Lilac’ for the flowers.
  • Dotting Tool: To create perfect petal dots.
  • Sealant: A UV top coat to lock in the design, like Gelish Top It Off.

Crafting this look at home begins with a clear base, layered with soft color strokes. Use your dotting tool to dot on your flower centers, then petal around them with different colors for each nail. A UV seal to finish, and your fingertips are summer-ready.

Subtle Floral Elegance

The whispers of summer are subtly echoed in the petal-pink and lavender that grace these nails. Each nail is kissed with delicate white blossoms, complemented by a natural translucent pink base, giving rise to an elegance that’s both understated and profound. This is the epitome of a simple, yet sophisticated, French manicure that speaks volumes of the wearer’s refined taste.

Creating this demure look:

• • Base Polish: OPI ‘Bubble Bath’ for a soft, pink canvas.
  • White Art Polish: ORLY Instant Artist in ‘White’ for the floral details.
  • Rhinestones: Small clear gems for a touch of sparkle.
  • Finishing Touch: A matte top coat by Matte Velvet for a modern twist.

To recreate this design, begin with a neutral base. With a detailing brush, paint your tiny flowers, add a rhinestone center, and marvel at how something so minimal can be so transformative. A matte finish, and you’re set with a design that’s a breath of fresh air.

Whimsical Pink and Marble

Each nail tells a story of whimsical delight in this creative ensemble that melds pink happiness with marbled sophistication. From the cheerful pink smiley to the minimal but chic flower and the hypnotic black and white marble, this design is an ode to the playful side of summer. The variety here is as refreshing as a breeze on a warm beach day, proving that simple can also be striking.

Gathering the essence of fun:

• • Pink Base: OPI ‘Mod About You’ for that perfect pink backdrop.
  • Black Marble: Essie ‘Licorice’ and a swirl of white for the marbled effect.
  • Dotting tools and fine brushes for details and marbling techniques.
  • Sealing it with a glossy top coat: INM Out The Door, for a lasting finish.

To bring this fun to your fingertips, alternate your designs on each nail. Let each one dry completely before moving to the next. The marble effect can be achieved by dragging a fine brush through wet polish, creating that effortless swirl.

Bold and Bright

Dive into the boldness of summer with this unapologetically bright pink. It’s a celebration of color that says ‘yes’ to everything lively and vibrant about the season. Accented with a nail of glittering confetti, it speaks to the party of summer, to the bright days that turn into festive nights. It’s a statement, a declaration of joy, a trendy acrylic delight.

Crafting the celebration:

• • Vibrant Pink: China Glaze ‘Shocking Pink’ for the bold statement.
  • Glitter Accent: OPI ‘I Reached My Gold!’ for the confetti effect.
  • A good quality brush for clean edges.
  • Top coat: A layer of Essie ‘Gel Setter’ for a gel-like shine.

Paint your nails with the vibrant pink, saving one for the confetti accent. For the glitter, dab onto the nail rather than brush for a fuller effect. Finish with a top coat to seal in the vibrancy.

Citrus Summer Splash

Summer is synonymous with citrus, and this nail design captures the essence of orange zest and the splash of pink grapefruit. It’s a playful multi-color design with a matte finish, giving a modern twist to the bright and colorful nature of the season. Each nail is a petal in a summery floral pattern, as though a citrus grove came alive on your fingertips.

Concocting this citrus blend:

• • Orange Polish: Essie ‘Tart Deco’ for a juicy base.
  • Pink Dots: A mix of ‘Pink Flamenco’ by OPI for the floral dots.
  • Matte Top Coat: OPI Matte Top Coat to subdue the shine and enhance the colors.
  • Dotting Tool: For the perfect polka-dot petals.

Start with your orange base, then once dry, dot on your flowers. The matte top coat is the final touch, turning your nails into a matte canvas of summer fun.

Neon Waves

Imagine a sunset melting into the ocean, with waves of neon colors that radiate the essence of summer vibrancy. This design is a harmonic blend of electric neon, calming blue, and soft white, creating an undulating rhythm across each nail. It’s the perfect representation of summer nails short colors & designs—a masterpiece of movement and color that encapsulates the dynamic summer vibes.

Creating this visual symphony:

• • Neon Polishes: A set from the ORLY Neon Earth collection.
  • White Polish: Essie ‘Blanc’ to balance the brightness.
  • A fine detail brush for smooth, wavy lines.
  • Glossy Top Coat: A high-gloss finish from OPI for that wet-look sheen.

Apply your neon base, then carefully paint on waves of contrasting color. Use a detail brush for precision. The result is a dynamic yet simple design that mirrors the ocean’s natural artistry.

Floral Fiesta

Embrace the festival of flowers with nails that bloom with joyful colors. This playful arrangement of bright pinks, deep golds, and cheerful pastel polka dots captures the exuberance of a summer fiesta. It’s a colorful celebration on your nails, turning every gesture into a dance.

Materials for the party:

• • Bright Pink: Deborah Lippmann ‘Hot Child in the City’ for the base.
  • Gold Polish: Essie ‘Good as Gold’ for the metallic touch.
  • Dotting Tool: For perfect polka dot petals.
  • Top Coat: A quick-drying top coat to keep everything in place.

Layer your bright base color, then, with a dotting tool, add your polka dots in a floral pattern. A stroke of gold adds a touch of luxury to your nail fiesta.

Pop of Pink Flowers

This design is where the simplicity of white meets the pop of pink, creating a floral pattern that’s as cute as it is chic. It’s a nod to the simple beauty of summer blooms, with a playful contrast that’s both fresh and fashionable. This style is an ideal choice for those who love a minimal aesthetic with an eye-catching twist.

Gathering your floral ensemble:

• • White Base: OPI ‘Alpine Snow’ for a crisp canvas.
  • Pink Accents: OPI ‘ElePhantastic Pink’ for the floral details.
  • A small brush or toothpick for fine detail work.
  • Glossy Top Coat: To seal the design with a shiny finish.

With a white base, dot on your pink flowers. Add small details with a toothpick or small brush. Finish with a top coat to ensure your design blooms all season long.

Sunset Ombre Florals

As the day winds down, the sky paints a portrait with its hues—a warm orange gradient dipped in the sun’s own palette. These nails capture that very essence, fading from a vibrant sunset into the tranquil night, adorned with crisp white floral accents that stand out like the first stars of the evening. It’s a design that celebrates the transition from day to night, a natural showcase of the summer’s ever-changing beauty.

Materials for the twilight:

• • Ombre Base: ‘Life Gave Me Lemons’ and ‘Cajun Shrimp’ by OPI for the gradient effect.
  • White Art Polish: ORLY Instant Artist in ‘White’ for the flowers.
  • A sponge for the ombre blending.
  • Top Coat: Essie ‘Gel.Setter’ for a glossy, smooth finish.

Begin with the lightest shade at your nail base, then use a sponge to apply the next color, blending as you move upward. Finish with white polish for the flowers and a top coat for durability.

Abstract Artistry

The spontaneity of brush strokes, the boldness of abstract art—this design is a wearable canvas where the rules of color are rewritten. Each nail features a blend of colorful splashes against a soft, translucent backdrop, with a single solid blue making a statement of contrast. It’s a design that invites conversation and curiosity, perfect for those who carry art in their heart and on their fingertips.

Gathering your paintbrush:

• • Translucent Base: ‘Ballet Slippers’ by Essie for a clean slate.
  • Acrylic Paints: A palette of bright colors for the abstract design.
  • Blue Polish: ‘Butler Please’ by Essie for the solid nail.
  • Matte Top Coat: Matte About You by Essie to give an artistic flat finish.

After your base coat, use a fine brush to dab on your acrylic paints, blending and swirling freely. The single blue nail acts as your anchor, grounding the artistic chaos.

Spring in Bloom

Spring may lead to summer, but its essence lingers in the form of these nails—soft, elegant, with whispers of blooms and the sheen of morning dew. The delicate pastel background sets the stage for intricate flower designs, accompanied by tiny golden embellishments that catch the light like glistening raindrops. It’s a nail design that carries the freshness of spring into the warmth of summer days.

Blooming your nail garden:

• • Pastel Polish: ‘Let’s Be Friends!’ by OPI for a tender background.
  • Fine Detailing Brush: For the precise flower art.
  • Gold Foil: For adding little glimmers of sunshine.
  • Clear Top Coat: Sally Hansen’s Insta-Dri to protect your art.

Apply your pastel base, then gently paint your blooms with a fine brush, adding gold foil accents for that special touch. A clear top coat ensures your miniature garden stays perfect through all your summer adventures.

Vivid Pink Elegance

This nail design is a tribute to the timeless beauty of hot pink. A full-bodied, vibrant pink engulfs the nails, commanding attention and radiating confidence. Amidst this sea of pink, a delicate French manicure emerges with a twist, where the elegance of marble is interlaced with gold veining, adding a luxurious and modern edge to a classic style.

Supplies for sophistication:

• • Hot Pink Polish: ‘Kiss Me I’m Brazilian’ by OPI for a vivacious base.
  • White Marble: ‘Alpine Snow’ by OPI with veins of gold leaf for elegance.
  • Gold Leaf: For the luxurious detailing.
  • Clear Top Coat: Seche Vite for a seamless finish.

Begin with your pink base, then for the marbled nails, layer white polish and lightly drag gold leaf through while still wet. Seal with a clear top coat for a glossy, durable finish.

Playful Pop Art

Fun, flirty, and fabulously funky, this design draws inspiration from the bold visuals of pop art. The playful imagery of cherries and quirky abstract faces, set against a checkerboard backdrop and a soft peach tone, makes each nail a canvas of whimsy. It’s the kind of design that not only showcases a love for bright and colorful expressions but also evokes the joy and spontaneity of summer.

Pop art palette:

• • Peach Polish: ‘Peach Side Babe’ by Essie for a neutral base.
  • Black and White Polish: For the checkerboard and details.
  • Red Accent: ‘Fifth Avenue’ by Essie for the cherries.
  • Detailing Brush: For the intricate designs.

Paint a peach base, then carefully create the checkerboard and art details with a fine brush. Use red for the cherry accents, inviting a slice of summer fun onto your nails.

Neon Summer Dream

The neon dream is brought to life on these nails, a blend of neon hues that transition across a spectrum of summer’s most electric colors. Each nail is a sunrise or sunset, an endless summer sky in pink, orange, and purple, touched by flecks of gold that shine like the sun’s final rays. It’s a bold statement, a dream of never-ending summer nights.

Neon nirvana:

• • Neon Polishes: ‘Neon Revolution’ mini set by OPI for the gradient.
  • Gold Foil: For the accent that mimics the sun’s glimmer.
  • Sponge: For the perfect ombre blend.
  • Matte Top Coat: Matte About You by Essie to modernize the finish.

Use a sponge to dab and blend your neon colors smoothly across the nails. Add small pieces of gold foil for a shimmering touch. A matte top coat gives a contemporary look, ensuring these nails stand out in any summer crowd.

Iridescent Sheen

This design is like holding a piece of the sky just after the rain, with nails that shimmer with an iridescent sheen reminiscent of soap bubbles and oil slicks on water. The colors shift with light and movement, giving a magical, almost ethereal feel to each finger. It’s the perfect light, airy look for those summer days when you want to carry a bit of fantasy with you.

Gathering your magic:

• • Holographic Polish: ‘Holo Taco’ for that mesmerizing color shift.
  • Base Coat: A clear base to let the holo polish shine.
  • No top coat needed: Let the holo speak for itself.

With clean, buffed nails, apply your base coat and then a coat or two of the holographic polish. Watch as the light plays on your nails, creating a spectrum of colors.

Dark Reflections

Dark like the midnight sea with reflections of the moon dancing on its surface, these nails are a deep dive into elegance. A perfect black base polished to a high shine gives way to a subtle play of light and shadow, perfect for an evening affair or when you want your nails to whisper a story of mystery and night-time allure.

Essentials for the night:

• • Black Polish: ‘Black Onyx’ by OPI for that deep, dark base.
  • Glossy Top Coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat for a mirror finish.

Apply two coats of black polish, allowing each to dry thoroughly. Finish with a glossy top coat to achieve that glass-like surface that captures and plays with the light around you.

Sunny Delight

Embodying the sunny side of summer, these nails feature a cheerful yellow that can brighten any day. Accented with a playful floral nail, this design combines the simplicity of a single color with the joy of a summer garden in bloom. It’s a bright, optimistic look that’s as much a nod to the sunny outdoors as it is a statement of bold, colorful confidence.

Materials for summer cheer:

• • Yellow Polish: ‘Sun, Sea, and Sand in My Pants’ by OPI for a sunny base.
  • Blue and White Polishes: For the floral details.
  • Detailing Brush: For the petal-perfect art.
  • Top Coat: A glossy finish from Essie’s Gel.Setter to seal in the design.

Start with the yellow polish as your sunny canvas, then paint your floral design on the accent nail. Use a fine brush to create crisp, clean lines. Finish with a top coat for a bright and lasting summer look.

Fierce Flames

Channel the fierce energy of fire with these bold nails. A clear base allows the natural beauty of the nail to show through, while fiery red flames lick upwards, merging into a leopard print pattern that roars with confidence. It’s a look that’s both hot and trendy, perfect for making a strong statement during those long summer nights.

Igniting the flame:

• • Red Polish: ‘The Thrill of Brazil’ by OPI for fiery tips.
  • Brown and Black Polishes: For the leopard spots.
  • Detailing Brush: For precise, sharp flames and spots.
  • Top Coat: Seche Vite for a durable, glossy finish.

First, apply the red polish in a wavy flame pattern at the tip of each nail. Then, with a fine brush, add the leopard spots in brown, bordered with black for definition. Seal with a top coat to ensure your fiery design stays bright.

Whimsical Wonderland

Dive into a whimsical wonderland with nails that tell a story of fantasy and fun. Each nail is a chapter in a tale, featuring playful characters and vibrant, dream-like scenarios. From the smiling creature to the intricate details of a curious pink landscape, this design is a celebration of imagination—a true reflection of the playful soul.

Crafting your narrative:

• • Pink Glitter Base: ‘Princesses Rule!’ by OPI for a sparkling background.
  • Acrylic Paints: For the colorful characters and details.
  • Fine Detailing Brush: To bring your story to life with precision.
  • Top Coat: A layer of Essie ‘Gel.Setter’ for a finish that’s as lasting as the tales it tells.

Start with the pink glitter polish as your base. Then, use acrylic paints and a fine brush to draw each character and element with care. Finish with a top coat to protect your whimsical world.

Jeweled Opulence

Step into luxury with these exquisite nails, where the richness of jewel tones meets the luster of gold. Embellished with multi-colored gemstones and gold foil, these nails are a celebration of opulence and grandeur. Each gem catches the light, casting reflections of sumptuous color—a true display of lavishness at your fingertips.

Treasures for your nails:

• • Clear Polish: To let the natural nail tone act as a neutral backdrop.
  • Gemstones: A variety of sizes and colors for that jeweled effect.
  • Gold Foil: For an added touch of extravagance.
  • Adhesive: A strong nail glue to secure the gems and foil.
  • Top Coat: A layer of glossy Seche Vite to protect the design.

Start with a clear polish as your canvas. Carefully place each gem and piece of gold foil using adhesive. Seal with a top coat, ensuring your jeweled nails are as durable as they are stunning.

Flames of Passion

Unleash your inner fire with these passionate nails, embodying the raw energy of flames. A gradient of red to black provides a dramatic backdrop for the iconic flame design that exudes strength and fervor. It’s a statement of power and intensity, perfect for those who aren’t afraid to show their fiery side.

Igniting the look:

• • Red and Black Polish: For the smoldering gradient effect.
  • Detailing Brush: To draw the precise flame outlines.
  • Glossy Top Coat: For a high-gloss finish that makes the design pop.

Begin with a gradient base of red blending into black. Use a detailing brush to add the flame design in black over the red for stark contrast. Finish with a glossy top coat for a bold statement that lasts.