Skip to Content

18 Over-The-Top Nail Art Ideas to Try This Summer

More is more.

By ELLE.com
Manicure, Nail, Nail care, Nail polish, Finger, Cosmetics, Service, Hand, Artificial nails, Material property,
Courtesy

From an asymmetrical French to emoji mood nails, glitter accents to bandana basics, summer '18 nails are well, not at all understated. Here, art inspiration from Instagram's most liked nail pros.

1

The Fresh Fruit

Nail, Nail polish, Finger, Manicure, Nail care, Cosmetics, Hand, Peach, Pink, Beauty,
Instagram

Let's call these fruiticles. Or let's not, but still admire these deft little slices on otherwise bare nail beds.

Design by @aliciatnails

2

The Hipster Dream

Nail, Manicure, Nail polish, Nail care, Finger, Cosmetics, Artificial nails, Hand, Service, Material property,
Instagram

The monstera (Swiss Cheese) plant is a staple of any hipster abode, so why not take that flora onto your tips? You'll probably need a professional for this intricate design but the colors jive together nicely, so it might not be terribly tough to try a less composed DIY version.

Design by @nailjob

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

The Yellow Bandana

Nail, Nail polish, Yellow, Finger, Nail care, Manicure, Cosmetics, Hand, Material property, Font,
Instagram

Reinvent a classic bandana motif in bright yellow.

Design by @boomnailsldn

4

The Camo Cutie

Nail, Finger, Nail polish, Manicure, Nail care, Blue, Cosmetics, Hand, Artificial nails, Service,
Instagram

If you could see this nail design in the depths of the jungle, you'd definitely admire it.

Design by @boomnailsldn

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

The Cheetah Girl

Nail polish, Nail, Manicure, Nail care, Finger, Cosmetics, Hand, Service, Artificial nails, Design,
Instagram

Cheetah girls, cheetah sistas. Wear the print on your nails and start practicing your cat claw now.

Design by @nailsbymei

6

The Pretty in Pastel

Nail polish, Manicure, Nail, Nail care, Finger, Cosmetics, Service, Hand, Peach, Artificial nails,
Instagram

Pinks, blues, greens, and yellows in softer shades is a fresher take than straight neon. Add a sparkly adornment to catch some rays.

Design by @nailsbymei

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

The Sunrise

Nail polish, Nail, Finger, Nail care, Manicure, Cosmetics, Yellow, Orange, Hand, Close-up,
Instagram

Let the sun rise...on your nail beds. You won't have to set your alarm early to enjoy the majesty of nature.

Design by @mpnails

8

The Balance

Nail, Manicure, Finger, Nail care, Nail polish, Skin, Cosmetics, Hand, Artificial nails, Pink,
Instagram

We're calling it now. Ying and yang never go out of style. (Well, even if they do the '90s are back so...)

Design by @ladyfancynails

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

The Cool Edges

Nail polish, Nail, Manicure, Finger, Nail care, Cosmetics, Violet, Skin, Beauty, Hand,
Instagram

Cheekily called Just the Tip, this design has all the focus on shapes on your nail edges—be it round, square, squoval or Elvira-esque. Start with a clean white base, then top it off with any color combo you please.

Design by @chillhouse

10

The Hot Pink

Nail polish, Finger, Nail, Manicure, Nail care, Cosmetics, Hand, Blue, Skin, Pink,
Instagram

Hot pink but spiral it! The standout color takes the classic French nail and flips it on its hot pink head.

Design by @painboxnails

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

The Nighttime Garden

Nail polish, Nail, Manicure, Nail care, Finger, Cosmetics, Purple, Violet, Artificial nails, Hand,

A Kenzo-inspired floral by downtown nail pro Naomi Yasuda.

Design by @naominailsnyc

12

The Graphic Design

Nail, Manicure, Nail polish, Finger, Nail care, Cosmetics, Green, Hand, Service, Close-up,

When your nails match your MCM bag you are truly living your best life.

Design by @mpnails

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

The Two-Way

Nail polish, Nail, Manicure, Nail care, Finger, Cosmetics, Pink, Hand, Violet, Purple,

Top two-tone nails with a matte topcoat for this modernist design.

Design by @aliciatnails

14

The New French

Nail, Finger, Nail polish, Manicure, Nail care, Skin, Cosmetics, Hand, Beauty, Peach,

Ada Yeung riffs on a French manicure with extra stripes and negative space.

Design by @adakiss

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

The Graphic Design

Nail, Nail polish, Manicure, Finger, Nail care, Green, Cosmetics, Hand, Beauty, Service,

Get playful with primaries. The black base makes red, blue and yellow look fresh to death.

Design by @hollyfalcone

16

The Tribe Tribute

Finger, Nail, Hand, Ring, Jewellery, Nail care, Fashion accessory, Engagement ring, Manicure, Metal,

Falcone pays homage to the late Phife Dowg with this Tribe Called Quest inspired design. On point Tip, indeed.

Design by @hollyfalcone

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

The Smile

Finger, Nail, Pink, Nail care, Manicure, Hand, Nail polish, Cosmetics, Magenta, Fashion,

These emoji mood nails are easy to recreate by using the head of a pencil dipped in yellow polish as a stamper.

Design by @mpnails

18

The Blues

Nail, Manicure, Nail polish, Finger, Nail care, Cosmetics, Blue, Hand, Azure, Service,

Torello offsets vibrant sea blue shades with airy negative space.

Design by @aliciatnails

Watch Next 
Nail, Manicure, Nail polish, Nail care, Finger, Cosmetics, Hand, Service, Design, Material property,
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Page was generated in 4.6227209568024