Hot Summer Nail Trends 2024
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On the JJ Barnes Blog, I check out the hot summer nail trends for 2024 so I can help us feel inspired with our summer style.
With the sun shining and temperatures rising, it’s time to give your nails a seasonal refresh. From bold and bright to soft and subtle, there’s a nail trend to suit every style. I’m diving deep into the hottest looks of the summer, exploring everything from color palettes to nail art inspiration. Get ready to elevate your manicure game and make a splash this season!
To help me out, Trend Expert Nick Drewe at Discount Platform Wethrift sent over analysis of search volume data on Pinterest to reveal the nail designs that will be huge this season.
Hot Summer Nail Trends 2024
Warm Aura Nails
Warm aura nails evoke a sense of sunshine and comfort. Here’s how to achieve this look:
Choose Your Color Palette: Opt for warm tones like peach, coral, orange, or gold. Consider complementary colors like brown or terracotta for a deeper effect.
Base Coat: Begin with a clear base coat to protect your nails and ensure a smooth finish.
Layering the Colors: Apply a light shade of your chosen color as the base. Next, use a sponge to dab a darker shade of the same color family onto the center of the nail. Blend the colors together for a seamless transition.
Build the Aura: Repeat the layering process, gradually adding more color and blending for a stronger aura effect.
Finishing Touches: Seal the design with a glossy top coat to enhance the vibrancy of the colors. For added dimension, consider adding a touch of gold or copper glitter to the center of the aura.
Remember, the key to achieving a perfect aura nail design is blending the colors seamlessly. Experiment with different shades and techniques to find your ideal warm aura look.
A newcomer in nail trends, the aura nail design has taken social media by storm. Now thanks to developments in nail technology, like the introduction of airbrush nails, we can introduce innovative ways to switch up your manicure, including aura nails.
The design takes a burst of one colour and diffuses into another complementary colour – hence the name ‘aura’. You can customise the look of this nail trend to reflect your mood, or to encapsulate the essence of the new summer season.
–Nick Drewe
Rainbow French Tip
Rainbow French tips offer a fun and playful take on the classic manicure. Here’s a step-by-step guide to achieving this vibrant look:
Prep your nails: Start by cleaning and shaping your nails. Apply a base coat to protect your nails and enhance the longevity of your manicure.
Base color: Apply two coats of your chosen nude or light pink nail polish as the base for your French tips.
Create the rainbow: Using the thin nail art brush, start at one side of the nail tip and create a thin line of red. Gradually blend the red into orange, then yellow, and so on, until you reach the other side of the nail with violet.
Clean up: Use a small brush dipped in nail polish remover to clean up any mistakes and create a sharp line between the rainbow tip and the base color.
Top coat: Apply a generous coat of top coat to seal the design and add shine.
If you routinely get a classic French Tip, switching out the white for a bright colour is a great way to welcome in the new season. You can go for a uniform approach, with one continuous colour on all tips, or, you can choose a range of colours that vary from nail to nail.
For Spring, you could incorporate pastel colours, which are often associated with this time of year, into your next nail look.
–Nick Drewe
Minimalist Manicure
Minimalist manicures are all about clean lines, subtle colors, and understated elegance. Here’s how to achieve this chic look:
Choose a Neutral Palette: Opt for soft, muted colors like blush pink, nude, or creamy white. These shades create a clean and sophisticated base for your manicure.
Keep it Short: Shorter nails tend to look more polished and minimalist. Opt for a square or oval shape for a classic look.
Embrace Negative Space: Leave a portion of your nail bare to create a modern and minimalist effect. This can be a simple half-moon shape or a more abstract design.
Subtle Accents: If you want to add a touch of interest, consider incorporating delicate details like a single dot, a thin line, or a small geometric shape.
Perfect Finish: A glossy top coat will seal the deal and give your minimalist manicure a polished finish.
Embracing natural beauty is a huge trend this year, in particular with nail designs – whether that be a classic French tip or a natural finish. This style of nail is a great way to embody the ‘Clean Girl Aesthetic’, which has over 313k TikTok videos under the hashtag.
If you are looking for a minimalistic manicure, any nude shades are a good option to achieve a simple yet put-together nail look.
–Nick Drewe
Pink Chrome
Pink chrome nails are a glamorous and modern take on the classic metallic manicure. Here are some tips to achieve this stunning look:
Prep Your Nails: Start with clean, well-manicured nails. Apply a base coat to protect your nails and ensure a smooth finish.
Choose Your Pink: Select a pink shade that complements your skin tone. Lighter pinks tend to give a more delicate look, while deeper pinks create a bolder statement.
Apply the Base Color: Apply two coats of your chosen pink nail polish, ensuring even coverage.
Add the Chrome Effect: There are several ways to achieve a chrome effect:
Chrome Powder: Apply a thin layer of clear sticky base coat, then rub pink chrome powder over the nail. Seal with a top coat.
Chrome Nail Polish: Use a chrome nail polish directly over your pink base coat.
Chrome Nail Wraps: Apply pre-cut chrome nail wraps for a quick and easy solution.
Finish with Top Coat: Seal the chrome effect with a glossy top coat to lock in the shine and protect your manicure.
With these tips, you’ll be rocking stunning pink chrome nails in no time!
Pink chrome nails catch the sunlight beautifully, making them the perfect accessory for beach outings, pool parties, and summer festivals. The shiny and reflective finish of chrome nails complements the vibe of summer, while the pink hue adds a feminine touch.
If you want to switch up the pink chrome look, you could opt for floral patterns over the pink base for a feminine and summery look, perfect for garden parties or summer weddings. Or for a more out-there look, pair pink chrome nails with a few accent nails featuring glitter, rhinestones, or intricate nail art to add a unique touch for festival season.
–Nick Drewe
Bright Green
Green nails are a bold and refreshing choice that can instantly elevate your look. Here are some tips to achieve the perfect green manicure:
Choose Your Shade: Green comes in countless shades, from soft mint to vibrant lime. Select a hue that complements your skin tone and personal style.
Prep Your Nails: Ensure your nails are clean and shaped before applying polish. A base coat will protect your nails and help the color last longer.
Perfect Application: Apply two coats of your chosen green polish for optimal color intensity. For a flawless finish, allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next.
Top It Off: Seal your manicure with a clear top coat to protect the color and add shine.
Nail Art Ideas: If you want to add a touch of flair, consider incorporating subtle nail art designs like gold foil accents, minimalist lines, or negative space elements.
With a little creativity, you can transform your nails into a vibrant and eye-catching statement piece.
Green is one of the season’s top colours. If you love earthy tones, the staple bright green shade is fitting for the warmth and brightness of summer.
This striking colour perfectly complements sun-kissed skin and beachwear, making it the perfect manicure for your summer holiday. You can stick to a block colour, or incorporate bright green in a tie-dye or gingham nail pattern.
–Nick Drewe
Black Cherry
A black cherry manicure is both sophisticated and sultry. Here’s how to nail this rich, deep hue:
Choose the Right Shade: Opt for a deep, burgundy-leaning red with undertones of purple. This will give you that classic black cherry look.
Prep Your Nails: Ensure your nails are clean, filed to your desired shape, and buffed for a smooth surface. Apply a base coat to protect your nails and help the polish adhere better.
Apply Multiple Coats: For a rich, opaque color, apply two to three coats of your black cherry polish, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next.
Top It Off: Finish with a glossy top coat to seal the color and add shine. For extra durability, you can apply a second coat of top coat a few hours later.
Add Some Sparkle: For a touch of glamor, consider adding some silver or gold glitter to the tips or a single accent nail.
Red is considered a timeless classic and will never go out of style. This season, red is becoming a firm favourite across the beauty industry. This nail look puts a twist on the classic letter box red, with a black cherry finish.
You can keep it simple by just having black cherry chrome nails, or by creating a French tip for a more minimalist look. You can also get creative with a fun design that incorporates this shade of red. If you want something that leans on the classy side, go for a gloss finish.
–Nick Drewe
Evil Eye
The evil eye is a powerful symbol of protection and warding off negative energy. Incorporating it into your nail art can add a touch of mystique and style. Here’s how to create your own evil eye nails:
Choose Your Base: A neutral color like white, nude, or black can serve as a perfect canvas for the evil eye design.
Create the Eye: Start by painting a round white circle for the iris. Then, add a smaller blue circle in the center for the pupil. Finally, add a black dot for the pupil’s center.
Add the Evil: Paint a thin, curved line around the blue circle to represent the evil eye’s signature shape. You can use black or gold polish for this.
Finishing Touches: For added drama, embellish with glitter or small crystals around the evil eye. Seal the design with a top coat to protect your nail art.
Remember, the evil eye is a versatile design that can be adapted to suit any nail shape or length. Experiment with different colors and placement to create a unique look.
Traditionally believed to ward off negative energy and bring protection within Greek culture, the evil eye design has become popular in nail art, resonating with those who want a stylish and spiritual aesthetic.
You can keep it subtle, with one evil eye symbol on a singular nail, or you can go all out and cover all ten fingers with the design. But be careful! As tradition goes, the evil eye can absorb negative energy and break, so be sure to surround yourself with positive vibes this summer if you decide on evil eye nails.
–Nick Drewe
Iridescent Ombre
Iridescent ombre nails are a mesmerizing trend that combines the shimmer of iridescent pigments with the gradient effect of ombre. Here’s how to achieve this stunning look:
Prepare Your Nails: Begin with clean, shaped nails. Apply a base coat for protection.
Apply Base Color: Apply two coats of your chosen nude or light pink polish as the base.
Create the Ombre Effect: Lightly dampen the makeup sponge or brush with water. Dip it into the iridescent pigment, and dab it onto the tip of your nail, gradually blending upwards to create an ombre effect. Repeat until you achieve your desired intensity.
Seal the Look: Apply a generous coat of top coat to seal the iridescent pigment and give your nails a glossy finish.
With a little practice, you’ll be creating stunning iridescent ombre nails that will turn heads.
Capturing the essence of seashells and sunsets, Iridescent ombre nails offer a modern twist on classic manicures, by adding a shimmery twist on typical summer tones.
Whether you opt for a mermaid-inspired gradient or a burst of iridescence, these nails are the standout accessory this summer to complement all your trips and adventures.
–Nick Drewe
Neon Manicure
Neon nails are a bold and fun way to add a pop of color to your look. Here’s how to achieve the perfect neon manicure:
Choose Your Neon Shade: Opt for a bright, vibrant neon color that complements your skin tone. Popular choices include neon pink, orange, yellow, and green.
Prep Your Nails: Ensure your nails are clean and shaped before applying polish. A base coat will help protect your nails and enhance the color’s longevity.
Apply Multiple Coats: Neon polishes can be sheer, so you may need to apply two or three coats to achieve the desired opacity. Let each coat dry completely before applying the next.
Top It Off: Seal your neon manicure with a glossy top coat to protect the color and add shine.
Nail Art Ideas: For a more intricate look, consider adding neon nail art designs like stripes, polka dots, or geometric shapes.
Neon colours like electric pink, lime green, and blazing orange are dominating fingertips as the manicure of the season.
If you still want to encapsulate the bright summer neon look, but want to make it more corporate, you can twist the classic French manicure by using neon hues for the tips instead of traditional white.
–Nick Drewe
Strawberry Nails
Strawberry nails are a sweet and playful way to add a touch of summer to your look. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Prep your nails: Start with clean, shaped nails. Apply a base coat for protection.
Create the Strawberry Base: Paint your nails with a bright red polish. Let it dry completely.
Add the Seeds: Using a dotting tool or toothpick, create small white dots to represent the strawberry seeds. Arrange them randomly across the red base.
Draw the Stem: Use green nail polish to draw a small green leaf at the top of the strawberry. Add a thin green line for the stem.
Try stickers: If you can’t do the details by hand, try a selection of strawberry nail art stickers to create the look with ease!
Seal the Deal: Apply a top coat to protect your design and give it a glossy finish.
With a little practice, you’ll be creating delicious strawberry nails in no time!
This nail design came to the forefront of design inspo for Summer, thanks to the queen of trends herself, Hailey Bieber. Strawberry nails are a subtle yet fun way to switch up a simple manicure or French tip. With summer often symbolising a time for warmth, joy, and more time spent outdoors in nature, strawberry nails are a cute nod to the time of year as a key seasonal fruit, as we welcome more sunshine.
You can get creative and customise this trend to suit your preferences. Opt for a similar style to Hailey Bieber, with mini strawberries dotted across two of your nails, or choose a single strawberry for your ring finger for a more subtle look.
–Nick Drewe
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