Nail art – it’s the easiest way to add a little extra pizzazz to any manicure situation. So when summer comes around and all we want to do is add some jazz to our fingertips and bring the sunshine inside, joyful nail art is our first port of call.
What’s the summer 2021 way to wear nail art?
‘For summer 2021 I’m definitely into designs that have a pop of colour or gold accent,’ says queen of understated nail art and A-list manicurist Betina Goldstein. ‘I also tend to experiment with more fun designs like fruits, flowers, waves, etc. They brighten your mood!’
What nail shades are hot for summer 2021?
‘I always love a vibrant red with orange undertones or bright Mexican Pink for summer,’ says Goldstein. ‘I tend to wear a lot of white and beige linen throughout summer and I feel there is something so chic yet playful about pairing them with a vibrant nail. I have also been loving different hues of blue right now, whether it’s more of a pale blue or a bright neon blue.’
From negative space deckchair stripes and cherry prints, to rainbow reverse French tips and studded floral stickers, these are the summer nail art designs bringing the joy to your manicure…
2021 is the summer of the more is more manicure. Simply add every nail shade you own.
Marbled mustard and navy shades add a retro feel for a radical 1970s style summer.
Give your hands a hot girl summer with tangy shades of tangerine.
Is there anything sweeter than a daisy print mani in summer?
Update a classic monochrome cow print manicure with a pastel lavender hue.
Forget classic French, this summer’s manicure is all about Miami-inspired neon tips with asymmetric swerves and curves.
Give negative space nails a juicy update with tiny slices of watermelon.
8
Pink, Pink And More Pink
Clash hot pink with a cool toned fuchsia for a split colour manicure that’s super summery.
Use up the dregs of all your favourite nail shades with this multi-coloured geometric print.
Bring the beach to you with wave-inspired blue nail art.
Half creepy, half cute, a whole lot chic.
Go all Van Gogh on your summer nail art with hand-painted sunflowers.
Add a retro twist to your summer nail art with a sky blue base and cute mini cherry print design on top.
2020’s take on negative space nail art? Simply leave two thirds of your nail bare and adorn the bottom section a monochrome chevron print.
Hark back to your school days with a nostalgic sticker book nail art design.
Channel 2021’s obsession with psychedelic 1960s nails with shades of sage green and baby pink.
Can’t decide on one joyful nail art design? Go for a different one on each nail instead.
Take your accessorising to the next level with pearl and crystal nail embellishment and matching knuckle rings.
Pastel shades of candy pink and sunshine yellow give any nail art design a summer overhaul.
Outline a multi-coloured French tip with a contrasting shade for a groovy graphic take on the classic design.
Add a disco twist to a classic rose motif with a glitter base shade.
Match ice lolly lips with jelly nails for the most delicious summer beauty look.
If colour pop brights won’t quite work for the office (hey, summer starts at the weekend) then go for a super minimal stone-coloured mani instead.
Clear nails plus gold stars equals the floating illusion mani of our dreams.
Go all Lichtenstein on your nail art with a flat matte wave in ’60s pastel shades.
Part Paul Smith, part fizzy rainbow sweets, this summer nail art is the ultimate high-low mash-up.
Bring your French mani bang up to date with an attention-grabbing neon yellow shade.
Not satisfied with just one nail art design? Change it up for each of your nails with a different high gloss print and colour on every finger.
