27 Summer Nail Ideas You Have to Try in 2026

When it comes to neutral nail trends, white chrome manicures are the freshest take on glazed donut trend. “It’s perfect for people who prefer a neutral nail but want to try something new,” says Hailey Bieber’s go-to nail artist and OPI ambassador Zola Ganzorigt. “It goes with everything too, which makes it an easy go-to for any outfit or occasion. It’s subtle enough for every day, but still intentional enough to feel trendy and elevated.”

When it comes to shape, Ganzorigt says a short rounded or squoval shape “feels more natural and everyday” and recommends using one coat of OPI’s Funny Bunny to keep the look “sheer and slightly milky rather than fully opaque.”

This summer, neons are going translucent. “For Summer 2026, we’re leaning into hot, juicy neon colors—think of jelly-glazed nails in vibrant shades like hot pink, neon yellow, green, and orange,” says Lein. “Clear or translucent tips with a wash of neon create a glossy, ‘juicy’ effect that feels perfect for summer at the pool or on the beach.”

Lein recommends Chaun Legend’s recently-launched Glaze Collection for “the perfect range of high-shine neon shades for the season ahead.”

Meow! Cat-eye nail polish is shimmery, customized, and oh so popular. The best part: They’re easy to re-create at home. Simply purchase a cat-eye nail polish and use a magnetic wand to create the effect. “After you apply the gel, simply hold the magnetic wand over the gel to create cool looks,” says Juli Russell, Sally Beauty DIY nail expert. “Experiment with the placement of the magnet, and watch the magnetic pigments polarize to create intricate cat-eye effects.” No two cat-eye manicures will be alike, which makes them all the more fun.

Milk-bath nails have been popular over the last few years, and after seeing blueberry-milk nails and strawberry-milk nails take over, a new colorway has stepped in: lavender. Lavender-milk nails are the latest iteration of the trend, delivering a shiny, clean wash of pastel color.

Have you seen anything sweeter? This dainty strawberry design is a simplistic take on the fruity-nail trend, though you can also go all out by adding extra arka like flowers or a French tip, or even topping it off with some chrome.

We’re, ahem, wild about animal-print nails this season. Mix things up with touches of leopard, zebra, and snakeskin patterns for a mismatched look, or choose one print and run with it.

Ombré nails aren’t going anywhere. Perfect for the nail-art minimalist, the subtle shade transition makes it an easy-to-wear design. Try the trend on its own with any color you like, or use it as a base under more elaborate nail arka.

Multicolored polka dots are a fun, summery take on the trend. Choose four or five colors you like, and draw them on with a nail dotting tool. Or, switch things up with just one polka dot on the center bottom of the nail right above the cuticle.

While trending greens are bright, neon, and citrus-inspired, yellow’s doing the opposite: Celebrities like Selena Gomez and Kendall Jenner have signed off on a more creamy and buttery shade of yellow for summer.

A pastel shade that falls between canary and beige, butter yellow is everywhere right now. From the runway to the red carpet to Hailey Bieber’s recent twist on the trend, it’s clear that pale-butter yellow is still a trending nail color in 2026.

Jelly nails are more versatile than you think. A fun take: jelly nails paired with a French mani, a.k.a. French Jell-O nails. “The sheer jelly base color gives a soft wash of color to your natural nails, making it ultra-wearable,” says Russell. “Paired with a classic French tip in a coordinating color, this design is playful yet sophisticated.” It’s also perfect for DIY enthusiasts, she adds: “This fun design offers an easy yet glamorous look achievable at home.

“The trick to getting the perfect Jell-O manicure is in the base color. Jelly-formula polishes are less pigmented and contain more of the clear base, giving a semitranslucent finish when applied to the nail. You can opt for a polish that’s already formulated to be jelly-like or DIY your own jelly color at home. Combine three parts topcoat—I recommend the Küçük Mani Moo No Wipe Chrome Top & Base Coat—to one part of your colored polish on a palette or piece of foil. Mix thoroughly and apply to your nail with a square nail-art brush.”

Mix-and-match nails continue to dominate nail trends, says Alyssa Fronce, nail artist and owner of Alyssa Nail Tech. “They’ve been very popular,” she says, pointing to one client’s recent design combining florals, checkers, smiley faces, clouds, and more in shades of pink and orange.

“Aura nails will continue to be shining bright for summer,” says Russell, explaining that aura nails feature a seamless blending of colors, usually two, for a perfect aura-like gradient orb on your nails.

But the best part? Glamnetics’ press-on nails in Blushing Aura are so easy to apply and pretty much the same exact look.

The mermaidcore trend is still going strong, plus chrome hasn’t gone anywhere since glazed-donut nails hit the scene. This teal and purple metallic combo is the best of both worlds.

Ganzorigt is a particular fan of OPI’s blue-gold chrome powder Mermaid for Me over darker shades for a ”moodier look.”

White nail polish has been through it (remember everything with Tom Sandoval?). Fortunately, Selena Gomez resurrected the trend shortly after that all went down and it’s been smooth sailing ever since. One fun way to rock the look is to alternate patterns in varying neutrals, as seen here.

“Olive green, or army green, is making its mark in the fashion world and is now a trendy choice for manicure colors,” says Russell. “Its unique earthy undertone lends it a versatility akin to a neutral brown, yet with an added touch of distinctiveness.”

Her favorite shade to DIY is Freshly Cut Nail Lacquer color by Morgan Taylor. “It’s the perfect shade to be on par with this trend,” she says. “Not ready for a full-blown olive-green manicure? Ease into it with a summery mix-and-match design.”

Aura nails’ possibilities are so endless that Russell has already made several: One of her favorite ways to wear the trend is with a pastel fairycore design. “Aura nails are most often created with gel products, but you can totally get the look with regular lacquer,” says Russell. “The blending technique for this method uses a cosmetic sponge. Overlap your colors so they blend, and then sponge it onto your nail.”

“The baby-blue-chrome trend is the rebellious older sister to blueberry-milk nails,” says Russell. “With its edgy yet surprisingly wearable appeal, baby blue chrome adds a futuristic flair to your fingertips. The best part? Achieving this look is easier than you think, making it perfect for DIY enthusiasts.”

Now would be a good time to try Pretty Diva’s Unicorn Chrome Powder over OPI’s It’s a Boy!

Fronce says her clients are also asking for soft bridal flower nails for summer. It’s the perfect way to wear a design without it feeling too over-the-top.

Iridescent seashell nails, which celebs like Kylie Jenner, Megan Fox, and Saweetie have all cosigned, are a summer hit for good reason. “These color-shifting, one-of-a-kind manicures are formulated with different chromatic pigments that reveal new shades at every angle, giving it that mermaid-tail effect,” says Russell.

Taylor Swift isn’t the only one who gets to be bejeweled—these super-easy-to-apply press-on nails dial up any look instantly.

You don’t need to have a green thumb to appreciate these tiny daisies. Use a toothpick or the end of a bobby pin for perfectly symmetrical dots. Easy. 

Make an opalescent polish even more magical by graduating the intensity. Nail artist Betina Goldstein used the discontinued Essie in Tiers of Joy to get the look above. Try Essie You Do Blue for a similar effect.

For a party on your nails, accent your middle three fingers with bright dots. Use any bright colors for a summery take on this look.

Sunny yellow puts a summery twist on classic florals. Honestly, this may be the most clear-cut summer manicure on this list, which is why we saved it for last.