Top 10 Summer 2025 Nail Trends: Salon-Approved Designs & Luxe Must-Have Polishes

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Summer 2025 nails are all about a mix of clean minimalism and bold color. Beauty editors say we’ll see “muted…pastel lilac, soft milky white, [and] sheer jelly pink” shade paired with electric neons and citrus brights.

Glossy white and nude ombré almond-shaped summer nails with a minimalist, clean girl aesthetic – perfect for 2025 nail trends.
Summer nail Trend

Think “quiet luxury” fresh-white manicures alongside dopamine-popping blues and corals. Whether you DIY or hit the salon, these top trends – from glossy gel kits to premium polish picks – will help you achieve salon-quality nails at home.

Below are the 10 must-try looks of summer 2025, with expert tips and luxury polish recommendations.

Top 10 Summer 2025 Nail Trends

Insights from Allure, Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping and The Zoe Report were used to compile expert-approved 2025 nail color trends, top products and application tips. Always follow safety instructions on nail products.

All nail products, accessories, or tools featured in this post are personally selected and tagged for your convenience. Each item is available for purchase on Amazon through affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission if you buy through these links—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the content!

1. Fresh White & “Soapy” Nude Nails (Quiet Luxury):

Clean, crisp whites and translucent nudes are huge right now. Nail artist Jin Soon Choi explains that “from sheer, milky whites to crisp, opaque polishes, these nails are versatile, clean, and effortlessly elevated” – a nod to the minimalist “quiet luxury” vibe.

Clean, crisp whites and translucent nudes are huge right now. Nail artist Jin Soon Choi explains that “from sheer, milky whites to crisp, opaque polishes, these nails are versatile, clean, and effortlessly elevated” – a nod to the minimalist “quiet luxury” vibe.
Credit: Pinterest
Clean, crisp whites and translucent nudes are huge right now. Nail artist Jin Soon Choi explains that “from sheer, milky whites to crisp, opaque polishes, these nails are versatile, clean, and effortlessly elevated” – a nod to the minimalist “quiet luxury” vibe.
Source: Pinterest
Clean, crisp whites and translucent nudes are huge right now. Nail artist Jin Soon Choi explains that “from sheer, milky whites to crisp, opaque polishes, these nails are versatile, clean, and effortlessly elevated” – a nod to the minimalist “quiet luxury” vibe.
Ideas : Pinterest nails
Clean, crisp whites and translucent nudes are huge right now. Nail artist Jin Soon Choi explains that “from sheer, milky whites to crisp, opaque polishes, these nails are versatile, clean, and effortlessly elevated” – a nod to the minimalist “quiet luxury” vibe.
Pic: Pinterest
Clean, crisp whites and translucent nudes are huge right now. Nail artist Jin Soon Choi explains that “from sheer, milky whites to crisp, opaque polishes, these nails are versatile, clean, and effortlessly elevated” – a nod to the minimalist “quiet luxury” vibe.
Image: Pinterest

This includes the “soap nail” trend: very sheer nude-pink or off-white polishes that look like translucent soap. To DIY: start with a clear or pale base coat, apply thin layers of off-white polish, and finish with a glassy topcoat.

Pro stylists suggest high-end picks like Manucurist Green Natural and Milky White, Hermès Les Mains (Blanc Orage) or JINsoon Absolute White for that premium shine.

Pro Tip: Build the color with two to three coats of a milky white, curing each (if gel) before the next. Always seal with a glossy top coat (e.g. Olive & June HD Top Coat) for extra shine.

Must-Have Polishes: Manucurist Green Natural – Milky White; Hermès Les Mains – Blanc Orage; JINsoon Nail Polish – Absolute White

2. Electric Blues & Vibrant Neons:

Bold pops of color are back. Think “electric blue”, neon pink, coral, and citrus hues that instantly energize any look. As nail artist Sarah Chue notes, electric blue nails are “vibrant, bright, and create a lovely contrast against summer skies.

Electric blue is vibrant, bright, and creates a lovely contrast against summer skies,” adds Los Angeles-based nail artist Sarah Chue. Her pick for this trend is Orly’s It’s Brittney Beach, which is slightly deeper and oceanic, but just as scintillating. I also like ILNP’s Blueprint, which is swirled with glitter that has a light blue shift.
Pinterest nails: Source
Electric blue is vibrant, bright, and creates a lovely contrast against summer skies,” adds Los Angeles-based nail artist Sarah Chue. Her pick for this trend is Orly’s It’s Brittney Beach, which is slightly deeper and oceanic, but just as scintillating. I also like ILNP’s Blueprint, which is swirled with glitter that has a light blue shift.
Pic by Pinterest
Electric blue is vibrant, bright, and creates a lovely contrast against summer skies,” adds Los Angeles-based nail artist Sarah Chue. Her pick for this trend is Orly’s It’s Brittney Beach, which is slightly deeper and oceanic, but just as scintillating. I also like ILNP’s Blueprint, which is swirled with glitter that has a light blue shift.
Credit: Pinterest nails
To me, this color is the flash of lightning during a late-night summer storm. To Miss Pop, it’s David Bowie in the song “Sound and Vision.” The bright, zingy blue is taking over this season with a bang. Miss Pop’s recommendation is Zoya Nail Polish in Walker, which she used on the models in BruceGlen’s spring/summer 2025 NYFW show to reflect the designer’s “dopamine dressing.
Source: Allure

Pair a single neon shade with simple art (stripes, dots) or do an all-over glossy mani. High-voltage picks: Zoya Polish in Walker or Orly It’s Brittney Beach for bold blue, and ILNP “Blueprint” for a sparkly blue-green shift.

For corals and pinks, Chanel and Dior both offer richly pigmented leans and Essie Gel Couture (Editors’ Choice for lasting wear has neon reds and pinks that last.

  • Salon Kit: Aprés Gel Polish “Suck It Up-215” – a fierce neon pink gel (shop via Ulta).
  • Luxury Polish: Chanel Le Vernis in a vivid blue or Dior Base Vernis (cream formula, top praise for pigment).
  • DIY Hack: Start with white polish under neons for true brights, and cure under an LED lamp (see the Sally Hansen Salon Gel Kit).

Jelly & Sheer Pink Mani

Translucent, jelly-like pinks are trending. Allure explains that jelly nails use “very sheer, translucent polish to mimic the glass-like feel of Jell-O”. Layer a warm watermelon or candy-pink jelly polish over clear or nude tips.

Sheer pastel-pink press-on nails with a jelly-like glossy finish, illustrating the translucent “jelly” mani trend
Pic By: Allure
Sheer pastel-pink press-on nails with a jelly-like glossy finish, illustrating the translucent “jelly” mani trend
Credit: Allure
Sheer pastel-pink press-on nails with a jelly-like glossy finish, illustrating the translucent “jelly” mani trend
Courtsey: Pinterest

Top choices include Essie Nail Art Studio – Riviera Rush (translucent watermelon pink) and OPI Make ‘Em Jelly – Cotton Candied Clawz (sheer cotton-candy pink). Apply one coat over bare nails or short clear tips, then add a glossy topcoat for maximum jiggle-worthy shine.

4. Soft Pastels & Lilac

Pastels get playful this summer. Soft lilac, baby blue and mint green are “fresh and airy,” according to pros. Elle Gerstein says pastel lilac is her go-to summer shade – it “gives a soft shade with a lot of extra shine” and even plays neutral on olive skin.

Wear them solid, or get creative with pastel swirl art or chromatic accents.

Pastels get playful this summer. Soft lilac, baby blue and mint green are “fresh and airy,” according to pros. Elle Gerstein says pastel lilac is her go-to summer shade – it “gives a soft shade with a lot of extra shine” and even plays neutral on olive skin. Wear them solid, or get creative with pastel swirl art or chromatic accents.
Credit: Pinterest
Pastels get playful this summer. Soft lilac, baby blue and mint green are “fresh and airy,” according to pros. Elle Gerstein says pastel lilac is her go-to summer shade – it “gives a soft shade with a lot of extra shine” and even plays neutral on olive skin. Wear them solid, or get creative with pastel swirl art or chromatic accents.
Source: Pinterest nails
Pastels get playful this summer. Soft lilac, baby blue and mint green are “fresh and airy,” according to pros. Elle Gerstein says pastel lilac is her go-to summer shade – it “gives a soft shade with a lot of extra shine” and even plays neutral on olive skin. Wear them solid, or get creative with pastel swirl art or chromatic accents.
Pic: Pinterest
Pastels get playful this summer. Soft lilac, baby blue and mint green are “fresh and airy,” according to pros. Elle Gerstein says pastel lilac is her go-to summer shade – it “gives a soft shade with a lot of extra shine” and even plays neutral on olive skin. Wear them solid, or get creative with pastel swirl art or chromatic accents.
Pinterest nails

Favorite buys: Pleasing Live Laugh Lilac, Manucurist Green – Lisa Lilas (both true pastels), or for sparkle Mineral Fusion – Lilac It Hot metallic polish.

Shop the Trend: Pleasing Live Laugh Lilac, Manucurist Lisa Lilas, Mineral Fusion Lilac It Hot

Pro Tip: For marbled pastel swirls, dab a few pastel shades on a drop of polish remover and lightly swirl on the nail, then seal.

Limoncello Yellow & Citrus Shades

Channel sunshine with lemon-gel yellow nails. Bright lemon, tangerine, and lime are in – Marie Claire notes that citrus yellow is “fashion-forward” and instantly happy. This hue works as a full mani or as accents (like fruit nail art).

Channel sunshine with lemon-gel yellow nails. Bright lemon, tangerine, and lime are in – Marie Claire notes that citrus yellow is “fashion-forward” and instantly happy. This hue works as a full mani or as accents (like fruit nail art).
Source: Pinterest
Channel sunshine with lemon-gel yellow nails. Bright lemon, tangerine, and lime are in – Marie Claire notes that citrus yellow is “fashion-forward” and instantly happy. This hue works as a full mani or as accents (like fruit nail art).
Image: Pinterest nails
Channel sunshine with lemon-gel yellow nails. Bright lemon, tangerine, and lime are in – Marie Claire notes that citrus yellow is “fashion-forward” and instantly happy. This hue works as a full mani or as accents (like fruit nail art).
Pic: Pinterest
Channel sunshine with lemon-gel yellow nails. Bright lemon, tangerine, and lime are in – Marie Claire notes that citrus yellow is “fashion-forward” and instantly happy. This hue works as a full mani or as accents (like fruit nail art).
Credit: Pinterest

Experts love Mineral Fusion – Golden Hour (a warm golden yellow) and sheer Cirque Colors – Citron Jelly for zing. Gel tools: a yellow gel polish or strong creme (OPI’s “Hola Guacamole!” is a classic bright).

6. 3D Charms & Studs

This summer, nails double as jewelry. Nail artist Brittney Boyce urges mani-lovers to “think of nails as jewelry”. Layer on gems, studs, pearls or butterfly charms – even mixing neon colors with metallic decals for “chaos in the best way”.

DIYers can use nail glue or gel to secure embellishments, or try press-on gem kits. (For example, an Amazon BelleBoost 3D Nail Charms set offers pearls, butterflies, bows and picker tools for Y2K flair.)

3D Charms & Studs
3D Charms & Studs

Pro Pick: Use high-quality gel glue (e.g. NailPerfect Glue) and finish with a non-wipe gel top coat to seal around the charms.

Application Tip: After painting your base color, place each charm on still-wet top coat or clear builder gel, then cure under LED nails lamp. Press firmly so accents sit flat.

7. Confetti & Glitter Nails

Bring the party to your fingertips. Confetti nails scatter multicolor glitter or tiny decals over a neutral or sheer base. Choi explains this look as “a fun, carefree style that instantly feels celebratory”.

Bring the party to your fingertips. Confetti nails scatter multicolor glitter or tiny decals over a neutral or sheer base. Choi explains this look as “a fun, carefree style that instantly feels celebratory”.
Credit: Pinterest nails
Bring the party to your fingertips. Confetti nails scatter multicolor glitter or tiny decals over a neutral or sheer base. Choi explains this look as “a fun, carefree style that instantly feels celebratory”.
Source: Pinterest nails
Bring the party to your fingertips. Confetti nails scatter multicolor glitter or tiny decals over a neutral or sheer base. Choi explains this look as “a fun, carefree style that instantly feels celebratory”.
Pic: Pinterest nails

A quick way to try it: paint nails pale nude or soft pink, then dot on rainbow sprinkles of chunky glitter or use a confetti top coat. Even small glitter chips or sequins can create this effect.

Shop the Look: Try a holographic glitter mix (e.g. Nailboo Unicorn Bomb or ILNP Holographic Sparkle) and seal with glossy top coat.

DIY Confetti: After base polish is tacky, drop glitter bits using a toothpick or dotting tool, then gently press with a top coat brush.

8. Beachy Mermaid & Shell Nails

Summertime means mermaid vibes and seashell motifs. With “relaxing days at the beach” in mind, Elle Gerstein predicts realistic 3D seashell designs and classic ocean blues. Think tiny gel-formed shells, sand-like textures, and pearl accents.

With summer months comes relaxing days at the beach—and manicures that match the views. "The beach trends and seashell trends are really fun for me for summer," says Gerstein. From realistic seashell nails made from 3D gel, to a classic ocean blue polish, this summer is all about "mermaid vibes." With deep blue nails specifically, she notes, "It’s universal and seems underrated because it might not seem as trendy, but it’s more of a staple and part of the core of what summer feels like."
Image: Pinterest nails
With summer months comes relaxing days at the beach—and manicures that match the views. "The beach trends and seashell trends are really fun for me for summer," says Gerstein. From realistic seashell nails made from 3D gel, to a classic ocean blue polish, this summer is all about "mermaid vibes." With deep blue nails specifically, she notes, "It’s universal and seems underrated because it might not seem as trendy, but it’s more of a staple and part of the core of what summer feels like."
Pic: Pinterest nails
With summer months comes relaxing days at the beach—and manicures that match the views. "The beach trends and seashell trends are really fun for me for summer," says Gerstein. From realistic seashell nails made from 3D gel, to a classic ocean blue polish, this summer is all about "mermaid vibes." With deep blue nails specifically, she notes, "It’s universal and seems underrated because it might not seem as trendy, but it’s more of a staple and part of the core of what summer feels like."
Credit: Pinterest nails
With summer months comes relaxing days at the beach—and manicures that match the views. "The beach trends and seashell trends are really fun for me for summer," says Gerstein. From realistic seashell nails made from 3D gel, to a classic ocean blue polish, this summer is all about "mermaid vibes." With deep blue nails specifically, she notes, "It’s universal and seems underrated because it might not seem as trendy, but it’s more of a staple and part of the core of what summer feels like."
Source: Pinterest nails

For home: use a sheer aqua polish or stamping plate with shell designs, and add micropearls or glitter for the sea-foam effect. Deep blues and teals are staples (OPI’s “Can’t Find My Czechbook” or Gelish “Hello Paradise” capture that ocean hue).

Colors: Oceans of navy (Essie Butler Please) or turquoise (Zoya Purity) set the scene.

Nail Drill Tip: A nail drill or fine brush can sculpt 3D shell shapes in builder gel. Seal with chrome or pearl top coat for extra shimmer.

9. Matte Neon Finish

Neons meet matte for a fresh twist. Brittney Boyce says she’s “obsessed with neon matte nails,” mixing vivid pinks and oranges on each hand. The matte topcoat mutes the glow slightly for a cool modern look.

I’m obsessed with neon matte nails," says Boyce. Mixing vivid tones of pink and orange is one of her go-to neon color combos, and "switching up the colors on each hand keeps it fresh without overthinking it." Gerstein adds that matte yellow nails are on the rise, but she doesn't expect the trend to become a classic, so get in on the fleeting moment ASAP
Credit: marieclaire

To do this: paint nails any neon shade (Sally Hansen’s Flashy Party is a vivid pink) and finish with a matte top coat (Essie Matte About You). The result is bold yet understated.

Trend Alert: Matte yellow nails are also rising, but neons on matte are the must-get look now

Mix & Match: Try half the nails neon pink and half neon orange as shown in [19]. Then swipe matte sealer.

10. Pearlescent Pink & Shimmer

A glossy pink with a secret shimmer is a top trend. Instead of flat pale pink, pros suggest using pearlescent or micro-glitter pink polish. Gerstein explains this “replicates a shiny nail… like a micro shimmer, or flecks of gold or silver”. These subtle sparkles catch the light while staying soft.

No matter the season, painting your nails pink is never a bad idea. This summer, Gerstein suggests ditching the classic color and using pearlescent pink polish instead. "This is replicating a shiny nail," she explains. "It’s like a micro shimmer, or it can have flecks of gold or silver." The glimmer effect adds a subtle pop to your manicure while still being minimalist.
Pic: Pinterest nails
No matter the season, painting your nails pink is never a bad idea. This summer, Gerstein suggests ditching the classic color and using pearlescent pink polish instead. "This is replicating a shiny nail," she explains. "It’s like a micro shimmer, or it can have flecks of gold or silver." The glimmer effect adds a subtle pop to your manicure while still being minimalist.
Credit: Pinterest nails
No matter the season, painting your nails pink is never a bad idea. This summer, Gerstein suggests ditching the classic color and using pearlescent pink polish instead. "This is replicating a shiny nail," she explains. "It’s like a micro shimmer, or it can have flecks of gold or silver." The glimmer effect adds a subtle pop to your manicure while still being minimalist.
Source: Pinterest nails

Try Essie Salon-Quality Nail Polish (Spring Fling), a vegan pink with a pink-gold shimmer, or a pearl-flake top coat over blush pink.

Application: For more glow, layer a clear pearl or glitter top coat (e.g. OPI Gumdrop) on pale pink.

Stock Up: Essie Spring Fling (pink shimmer), Chanel Peridot (iridescent flakes), or Zoya Aurora (pearl finish) for salon-worthy pearly pink nails.

Pro Tips & Products

  • Gel Kits: For salon-quality results, invest in a high-end gel kit. Allure’s lab called the Red Carpet Manicure Pro 45 Starter Kit “professional-looking” for DIY. For a bargain, Sally Hansen’s Gel Polish Kit delivers a cure lamp and polishes for only $11.
  • Long-Wear Formulas: Editors rave about Essie Gel Couture ($13) as their overall favorite long-lasting polish. For 21-free, JinSoon Nail Polish (98 shade combos) won TZR’s best clean polish.
  • Luxury Brands: Splurge on luxe lacquers – Chanel’s Le Vernis and Hermès nail enamel topped Allure’s list. Dior’s Base Vernis is also praised for its pigment and finish. These salon-grade brands often justify the cost with smoother application and rich color.
  • Tools: Don’t forget prep and top coats. A strengthening base (e.g. Le Mini Macaron’s superfood base) and a gel top coat (CND, Dazzle Dry, or Olive & June’s Long-Lasting Top Coat) make any mani last longer.

Shop Now: Inspired to try these looks? Click through to shop the recommended gel kits, high-shine polishes, and nail art tools at Amazon, Sephora, Ulta and beyond.

With the right (and even DIY) products, you can have your best summer nails of 2025 in no time. Flaunt your favorite design and hit the beach (or brunch) in style this season!

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