19 coolest summer nails to know for 2023
The summer nails trends are in and if TikTok has anything to say about it (and obviously, TikTok has a lot to say about it), there are two main themes emerging: minimal and milky, or fun and experimental. Either way, we're into it, because what's even better than having an ice cold cocktail in your hand on a sunny day? Having a fresh mani to show off at the same time, obvs.
When it comes to specific tones and designs that are leading the charge, summer screen flicks are playing out on our fingernails, which is why you'll be seeing a ton of Barbiecore pinks (courtesy of the Barbie movie hype) and shimmery mermaidcore chromes in aquatic shades that make a splash or shell-like pearlescent finishes (we can credit the Little Mermaid remake for adding to our obsession).
Elsewhere, one shade in particular is getting a lot of attention… Green seems to have been dubbed the unofficial colour of the summer in all its different tones, from pistachio to lime, or apple to avo.
Whatever your mood, there's a design for you, and to help you along, we've edited some of our favourite summer nails below…
Swirl nails
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Fun, fresh and colourful, we keep spotting swirl and wave nails everywhere. They're cute, funky and a good-time vibe.
Glazed lemonade nails
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Hailey Bieber helped put glazed donut nails on the map, but now she's moved on from her milky chrome mani with spring and summer remixes. Heading into the warmer weather, brighter glazed neons like these lemonade nails will trend. “Chromes have been around for a while but they're definitely going anywhere with more and more detail paints and colours becoming available,” confirms The Gel Bottle's nail pro, Ella Burgess.
And they've never looked so good 💚💛💜🧡
Barbiecore nails
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The Barbiecore movement is already in motion and we've seen an explosion of pink nails across social media and on the nails of some of our favourite manicurists and influencers. But there's still plenty of room for personalisation. We've seen all-over hot pinks, glazed pinks, two-tone pinks, gradient pinks and pink French tips, or even a mash-up of more than one.
Mermaid nails
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Want a mani that can make a splash? We love the mermaidcore theme we've spotted emerging amongst mani trends, whether it's pearlescent shell-like finishes, fishscale chrome details, ocean blues and greens or 3D wet-look droplets and gems. “I think we will be seeing even more textures from 3D art to encapsulations with glitters and foils,” predicts Ella. Count us in.
Cuff nails
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We love a colourful mani and one way to level it up is to introduce an extra shade, and this cuff detail at the base of the nail is a very chic way to do it.
Colourful chrome
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Glazed nails are going nowhere (as you'll see below), but one way to bring the summer vibes is to make it colourful. We love this rainbow sorbet mish-match of shades.
Nail jewellery
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Another nienties/noughties throwback, nail piercings and jewellery are making a return, so prepare to see little studs and dangly jewellery dripping from nail tips. One of the trend's biggest fans is arguably Rita Ora who took the look to the extreme at the Met Gala with XXL necklaces hanging from each of her nails.
Green nails
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One of the most popular shades of the year is green. From pistachio to lime or mint to matcha, the colour has become one of the most requested and worn shades of 2023 and for good reason. It's fun, it's peppy and it's perfect for summer. Wear it all over or as an accent or tip.
Lip oil nails
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Makeup trends have been infiltrating our manis for some time. The latest? Lip oil nails. Think of them as lipgloss nails' younger, sheerer baby sis. Rather than a creamy, glossy finish, they add a cute jelly-like look to nails and work for neutrals or brights.
Leather look nails
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Not the least bit tempted by neons or pastels? We love a grungey nail and black leather-look nails will never not be classic. We love the moody contrast a stark black mani can bring to sunshine days and no matter what you wear, they go with everything.
Ombre
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Ombre is back. We've seen it take off Frenchie-style, with the white tip blending effortlessly into nude, but we also love a colourful take on the trend, especially in fun summer hues.
Metallics
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Metallics in the sunshine? It's a mood. And there's no need to stick to the classics like silver and gold either. We're into bright metallics in summer shades of blue, green, pink and orange.
Fruit nails
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Want to match your fruit salad? Fruity nails are fun, cute and perfect in the sunshine.
Colourful Frenchies
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If you do want to introduce colour, but in a slightly subtler way, we love skittle tips or colourful Frenchies. They're super cute and they're versatile since you're not limited to a single shade. “This summer I think there will be a mix of colour clashing brights and pastels which are both perfectly featured and available in the new The Gel Bottle Road Trip collection,” confirms Ella.
And we have all the inspo…
Glitter nails
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We love the versatility of glitter applied all-over or as a pretty detail and how easy it is to try the trend at home (there's less need to be neat). Sure glitter's festive, but it also look incredible illuminated in summer sunshine.
Rainbow nails
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Undecided on which shade to go for? Mix things up with more than one. Bright rainbow shades are pure summer vibes and no summer nail trends round-up would be complete without them. We've seen them worn a bunch of different ways with pick ‘n’ mix tips and cuticles, different shades on each nail, rainbow hearts, rainbow swooshes, and rainbow tips (which work perfectly with the half moon rainbow shape). It's bright, it's fun and it's feel-good.
And, it’s so easy you can create it yourself.
Glazed donut nails
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Still going strong, the glazed donut nail is a modern classic, taking a neutral milky nail and adding a little extra sass with a chrome topcoat.
And her nail artist revealed the exact products used…
Butterfly nails
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Over on Pinterest, Butterfly nails are coming up top for nail searches, nodding to the wider Y2K trend that's seen the butterfly emblem fly this year. Dua Lipa and Normani are major fans, plus there are so many ways to wear it, from neat and minimalist to XXL and funky.
Milk nails
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A minimalists dream, milky nails may be a classic, but they remain big news for summer 2023. They're an extension of the “clean girl” aesthetic, but way more achievable when confined just to our nail beds. The trend sees Frenchie colours – pale pink and white – mixed together for a super milky shade all over the nail that can be personalised to work beautifully with your skin tone.
For more from GLAMOUR's Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk
