13 Non-Neon Summer Nail Designs

“High shine is giving way to iridescence, and softer, nature-inspired textures are replacing some of the more maximalist designs,” she says. “It’s a nod to our connection to the sea and the serenity and sense of calm it instills. This ‘blue mind theory’ is finding its way into beauty, fashion, interiors, and now nails.” So, don’t be surprised to see a blue renaissance this summer, with aquamarine, turquoise, cyan, cobalt, periwinkle and cerulean all trending.

1. Into the blue

As Huber-Millet predicted, the blue-naissance is here, and with it come myriad summer nail designs to chose from. There’s the Lone Star State vibe of combining vibrant cobalt with silver and stars, or create undulating waves of colour by pairing blue with lots of negative space. A personal, Yves Klein-inspired favourite is a nude base with just a single, slightly hazy sapphire dot in the middle. Minimalist without feeling nothing-y, it’s easy to achieve at home.

2. Daisy chain

Reminiscent of whiling away balmy afternoons in the garden, these daisy nails are fun without feeling too young. Elongated petals, off-centre placement and the addition of a fun crosshatch base can add interest to a classic floral design.

3. Microfruit

Look no further than manicurist Alyx Lippiatt for your micro nail design inspiration. Her collection of strawberries, oranges, cherries, blueberries and pancakes (yes, really) is ripe for a summer-themed brunch. Tiny and delicate, each one is like a tiny piece of art that happens to be drawn on your nails and not a canvas somewhere. By keeping the scale small and the base ultra-neutral, the sweet little fruits can sing.

4. Aura nails

A trend that’s been quietly gaining traction, aura nails will have their moment in the sun this summer. Hazy and blurred, there’s no clear demarcation between where one colour stops and the next starts. Don’t assume you need to the same colour palette, though, aura nails work just as well with contrasting shades as they do with complementary ones – the trick is to make the space where they connect as soft and diffused as possible, and to avoid harsh borders.

5. Pattern envy

Sure, we might be leaning more into natural elements this year, but there will always be a place for the maximalist come summer. From colour-flipped cow-prints to raspberry ripple-esque jumbo stripes, the trick is to go big or go neutral – anything in between just won’t do.

6. Champagne chrome

We might still be invested in glazed doughnut nails, but there’s a summer 2025 twist on this Hailey Bieber classic. Champagne chrome nails are the latest way to wear this popular nail design, perfect for a clean aesthetic with an added, reflective twist. Wear on short, square nails as a summer alternative to sheer, or on elegant almond-shaped nails to really show off the chrome finish.

7. Transparent French

A classic French manicure is a staple no matter the season, but this summer will introduce a semi-sheer spin on this timeless design. Instead of opting for a stark contrast between a soft pink base layer and bright white tips, manicurists have been creating altogether softer, sheerer iterations with just a hint of a pale tip – often provided by the natural nail length itself. If your nails are on the shorter side you can still achieve a similar effect: just ask your tech for ultra-slim tips in a color that’s only a shade or two lighter than your base. This will give the illusion of a natural tip, and look just as chic.

8. Go green

Green looks set to be big this year. Think snaking leaves, marble-ised tips or mismatched motifs. If you’re not keen on vivid, verdant green, try paler mint or zesty lime. If you typically do dark shades all year round, think about swapping out the black for a rich forest green instead. Green is also a great colour if you’re into coordinating your fingers and toes but don’t think it needs to match, complementary shades are always chic.

9. Fombré

The internet has gone crazy for the fombré manicure, which combines two of the most popular nail trends of 2025 to date: the French manicure and ombré nails. “I’ve always loved an ombré manicure but sometimes the more traditional style isn’t popular with my clients, so I created a more subtle, flattering version – the fombré,” manicurist Harriet Westmoreland told us. It’s a design that also works on toes, again something Westmoreland has been creating for her clients. The nail artist points to milky whites, peaches and pinks, but adds: “Remember to keep them sheer!”

10. Crystal couture

Call it a legacy of a standout awards season, but the razzmatazz of the red carpet has filtered its way into the world of nails, with crystal embellishments proving popular. It’s easy to see why, too, with each nail offering the perfect miniature canvas for adornment. It’s also one of the easiest trends to get right: if you’re not a dab hand at painting your own or don’t want to outsource to a pro, then pre-glued gems can be stuck onto nude nails and sealed in with a top coat. Of course, in the salon the sky’s the limit. Go wild with crystals of differing shapes, sizes and colours, and finish with an extra glossy layer of clear polish for a final touch of dazzling shine.

11. Pink & orange

Not necessarily an obvious colour combination, but pink and orange together happen to be one of the most popular nails trends this summer. Try wearing in an ombré design, play with negative space, dots or swirls, or paint on the shades as alternating tips. Combine with a super glossy top coat to show off the colours and make them look as vibrant as possible.

12. Chrome 2.0

This is an unapologetically in your face way to do shine. Think classic chrome finishes in shimmering silvers, but also everything from rainbow chrome brights to soft pastel variations. For a subtler take, why not try adorning your tips with iridescent metal-effect edges, for a look that combines several seasonal trends in one.

13. Rainbow tips

If a French manicure feels too prim and proper, try a more colourful, chromatic take by adding coloured tips to a pale pink base layer. If you prefer to keep things more uniform then choose the same shade for your tips, and be inspired by juicy tangerines, creamy yellows or sky blues. For a more playful take, choose two or three complementary shades (different shades of pink work well here), and alternate them on different fingers, or, for something more chaotic but still considered, choose a spectrum of rainbow shades. It’s not just colours that you can mix up either, baby fine micro tips are a subtle way to dip into the trend, or you can go big and bold with chunky French tips in an array of hues.