Is it just me or does summer give us the perfect reason to try out those bold colors we saved on Pinterest months ago? We should pay as much attention to our nails as we do to our clothes, whether we’re by the pool or taking sunset pictures. That’s why summer french nails ideas 2025 are ideal—they are traditional but can be updated. These aren’t your basic whites and pinks anymore. This season, bold design, bright colors and manicures that are as refreshing as a cocktail on a rooftop are the focus.
Ready to get inspired? We’ll go through each of these popular summer looks individually.
Sunset Swoops with a Twist
It’s impossible to deny the excitement of this nail art: a bright orange base topped by a curving streak of cool teal at the end. It’s not just a french—it’s a statement. The mood? Roller skating in the summer is mixed with modern, simple designs. Even though the shape is almond, it’s still possible to wear them if you prefer more square-shaped tips.
If you’d like to copy the look, I’d use OPI’s “My Chihuahua Doesn’t Bite Anymore” for the orange and Essie’s “Go Overboard” for the ocean-green. Carve out your elegant teal swoop with the help of a detail or angled liner brush from your makeup set.
If you’re trying this at home, build your orange base with two coats, let it dry fully, and then add the swoop using the tip of the brush in a clean arc. Coat the design with a high-gloss varnish to get the ultra-smooth gel gelish look.
I always get a boost of energy from this one—it makes me think of orange soda on the pavement. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a trendy nail look for summer without using neon colors.
Gradient Sorbet Glow
It has all the soft-girl charm, but it’s not lacking in style. Think of how ombré dip-dying can go from hot pink to tangerine, as if a bar of neon melting into an orange popsicle. The square form gives the bottle a professional look and the transparent base keeps it up to date and suitable for summer.
A sponge method and high-pigment gels are ideal for this gradient. Kiara Sky’s “Island Hopping” and “Sun-Kissed & Sassy” are my top picks. You may use either a gel base or an acrylic square overlay, as long as the edges are feathered gently.
Here’s a little trick from manicurist Elle Gerstein (yep, J.Lo’s nail tech): dab polish on a makeup sponge and press onto tips, layering slowly. Work on the edges, add a sheer pink over the whole nail and finish with a top coat.
It’s a style that is comfortable from morning brunch to time at the beach club. I chose a similar outfit for my Miami bachelorette weekend and my nails looked amazing in every sunset.
Modern Pop French
These tips prove that you don’t need delicate designs to try out nail ideas for summer. This design features a strong magenta base and sharp, black and white accents which resemble the look of designer sneakers on your nails. It’s structured, graphic, and completely unapologetic.
I use Sally Hansen’s “Pink Blink” and gel striping polish in black and white to recreate this look. Tape will be your ally—use nail guides to help you make the french angles even and symmetrical.
It’s best to cure the layers of your design so that nothing transfers or smears. Paint a layer of pink, let it dry and then carefully brush on the black and white details. It’s sharp and bold—so precision counts.
This is for the ladies who want their french tips with a bit of edge. I often picture this look with a chunky ring and a leather mini—that way, it’s both edgy and cute.
Ocean Fade French
I love how smoothly this blue to nude transition looks on me for summer. It’s soft, understated, and looks like the reflection of sky meeting sea on a quiet beach morning. The almond blue tips are blended softly so that the style looks effortlessly chic.
I think a combination of “Butler Please” from Essie and Zoya’s “Bela” would be nice. You can achieve the perfect fade by using either gel or a light builder base.
My favorite technique? The dry brush blend. Put on the blue and the white together, then feather the edge as you move the blue down to the base. It takes patience, but it’s worth it.
Something about this set just hits different. It’s minimalist but dimensional. I would put this on for doing yoga on the roof or for a date where I want to be both put together and relaxed.
Neon Lemon French Pop
Let’s talk color confidence. The color pairing adds a bright and lively touch—it is cheerful, noisy and fits well with the latest french gel nail crazes. The curved ends and French-inspired style make them look fresh, but they’re still close to traditional styles. Think about it as a lemonade stand for nails—bright, bold and adorable enough to catch your eye.
A nice neon yellow polish with good coverage is best—you could use Lights Lacquer’s “Slice of Life.” Spice up your nails by wearing OPI’s “Mod About You” for a light pink base. Use french tip guides to nail the clean curve.
Wearing neon is not for the faint of heart, I’d say. It’s not as scary as it looks. Take your time, make sure it doesn’t get thick and then seal it with a high-shine coat to ensure your colors show well.
I go for this look when I want to feel happier. Just seeing it reminds me of citrus drinks and white bikinis.
Mint & Lemon Minimal
Being fashionable doesn’t get any fresher than this—pastel colors blocked on the nails with pretty curved tips in yellow and green. It’s giving Saturday farmer’s market in a linen dress. The simple square shape ensures it’s neat and the small differences between the nails make it look fresh and even a bit modern.
I think “Mint Candy Apple” and “Hay There” would make this look amazing, layered on top of a base of “Ballet Slippers.” Use a gentle technique, with a large oval brush, to get the colors to blend smoothly.
Occasionally, I skip the sponge and use tip guides with a slight curve to help me make the french shape and I fill in the colors without a stencil. Make sure to use a glossy top coat on your nails; these colors look best when they’re glossy.
It makes you look like you’ve just returned from a weekend by the ocean. These are easy to wear, adorable and perfect for adding to your summer french nails Pinterest board if you like something different.
Rainbow Dot Carnival
This one’s a full-on manicures art moment. We have almond tips in purple, red, yellow and blue and each one is paired with a row of dot embellishments down the middle. It’s equal parts party, precision, and personality. The clear base helps the colors pop without overwhelming.
You should start with a base coat like OPI GelColor’s “Put It In Neutral,” and add color using Orly’s “Road Trippin’” polishes. You need dotting tools for this—get a pack with three different sizes to create a depth of dots.
It’s fun that you can change the color order however you like. I wore a design like this at a summer pride parade and people kept stopping me to look at the details on my hands. If you want to stand out, this set is for you—but that doesn’t mean it can’t also be elegant.
Hot Paprika Almond
You know the way you feel when you put on bold red lipstick and nothing else? This red french tip manicure gives exactly that vibe. A pointed almond shape, a clear nude base and a pop of paprika red at the tips that say, “I’m confident in 2025.” It’s simple, but it hits hard.
If you’re going DIY, I highly recommend using a gel like Bio Seaweed Gel in “Scarlet” for the tips. It’s highly pigmented and lays down without patchiness. Shade the area using a round tip brush, then use a Q-tip soaked in acetone to clean your execution.
This look’s power is in its simplicity. Whether you’re in sweats or a dress, these nails look great. And honestly? That’s why I consider them one of my favorite summer french nails ideas for 2025.
Sunset Ombre Almond
Summer is the perfect time for color therapy and this gradient shows it. This set which moves from hot pink to coral to yellow, looks just like the golden hour on your nails. It takes the Y2K ombré style and mixes it with what’s new today.
You’ll want blendable gel shades—try Beetles “Sunset Bliss” trio—and a sponge for that perfect fade. It’s a little messy but totally worth it. A glassy top coat will help the paint shine as much as possible.
These nails are really meant for enjoying sunsets and spicy margaritas. If I could, I’d wear them to a music festival or a rooftop dinner any day. They feel warm, fearless, and full of movement.
Neon Block French
If you found the Barbiecore pinks and limes last year to be a bit much, this is your alternative. Alternate hot pink and lime green on clean square acrylic tips over a base that’s not too bold—the result is like a neon highlighter that knows its fashion.
Use Lights Lacquer in “Jefa” (neon pink) and “Now & Later” (acid green). It works best if you use a gel base and tip guides to get clean edges. You can also wear this look on short nails to make the contrast more noticeable.
These tips make me think of times when you’re on vacation and don’t worry about your phone or your expenses. Bright, fun and meant for action—great for those who prefer summer nails designs acrylic french tips art ideas with some edge.
Neon French with Elegance
This nail color gives you summer’s contrast: a glossy pink base and sharp neon yellow tips. The shape is elegant and feminine, but the color says “I’ll be sipping something frozen on a rooftop by five.” This could be the best gel manicure style for healthy-looking skin during the golden hours of the day.
If you want to try it at home, select Lights Lacquer’s “Fluorescein” for the tip and Olive & June’s “Rosé All Day” for the base. A round tip brush allows you to move smoothly along the curved part of your eyelid.
These nails feel like sunshine in a bottle. I wore a dress like this to a beach dinner last July and the yellow stood out like a glow stick after the sun went down. Your hands are already so expressive that jewelry isn’t necessary.
Lavender Lime Sparkle Set
A lovely design with a soft lavender base and lime green tips, plus rhinestones and one big gem. This mix of styles is both Y2K maximalist and modern in its use of acrylic squares. It’s giving glam, but not trying too hard.
Look for nice, easily visible gel polish colors; a good one is “Lilac Blossom” by Le Mini Macaron and “We Liming” by Color Club. If you add Swarovski flatbacks to your fingernails, you can turn this style into a real pedicure-worthy look.
If you’re doing a DIY set, use nail glue to attach the gems and press them down gently with tweezers. After you’re done, add a thick top coat to seal the nails. You might just keep staring at your hands all day (don’t worry, we’ve all been there).
Denim Baby Blue French
This blue French always feels nostalgic, like you’re wearing summer denim, a baby tee or sipping a cold iced latte. The blue tips soften the usual difference between the nail and the skin and the square shape makes it look neat and classy, just like a basic wardrobe for your nails.
OPI’s “It’s a Boy!” is my go-to for that muted pastel blue. Apply tip tape or nail vinyls for a neat edge and always use a base coat that fills ridges before you use light colors.
I like that this set can be worn with silver and gold jewelry. It’s also a way to follow the french toe nails trend—match your tips for a look that’s simple but still put together.
Chrome Pink Flame
Not what you’d expect from French—but this 2025 almond chrome is still a great summer trend pick. The hot pink and silver mix create a mirrored look that really fits the party season. The acrylic almond shape allows light to reflect off it just like a gemstone’s facets.
I used the pink chrome powder “Mirror Mirror” from Born Pretty, applied over a pale gel base. It’s messy but worth it. Make sure to use a sponge applicator and finish it off with a top coat that doesn’t need wiping.
My friend was surprised when I first put these on and told me, “You look like you’re wearing jelly shoes on your hands.” She meant it as a compliment—and she was right.
Hot Pink Frame French
This sharp hot pink outline is a perfect mix of classic and bold. The pink trim around the side and top gives the shoe a striking outline on the almond base. It’s got a playful and new feel, much like a heart-shaped lollipop made for adults.
Essie’s Big Poppy and The Gel Bottle’s Doll House are both great choices for an electric pink nail color. A fine liner brush helps you create a perfect outline around your nails and it looks great whether your nails are short or long.
If I’m going on a summer date or hanging out on a rooftop, these are the nails I’d choose. They’re well-made, bold and really help you feel more confident.
Bubblegum Lemon Split
The bright yellow and pink in this design are like the colors you’d find at a strawberry lemonade stand. This manicure is perfect because it’s cute, summery and fun, but it doesn’t look overly cartoonish. Perfect for a trendy acrylic square moment.
If you want a summer-type look, try Cirque Colors’ “Pink Flame” with ORLY’s “Lemon Drop.” You can make a graphic look by putting on alternating full nails and adding some blocked french tips with striping tape.
I wore this style to a girls’ brunch and it made everything look so much better, even though I didn’t change anything. The energy is contagious—trust me, these nails spark smiles.
Tutti-Frutti Geometric
This style is made up of bright blocks, diagonals and a mix of mint, bubblegum and beige in a French-inspired way. It’s more creative than classic but fits well with summer nail designs.
You’ll want a crisp nude base (try Essie’s “Topless & Barefoot”) with pops of “Mint Condition” and “Watermelon Pop.” Be careful when taping off, use a flat brush to apply and don’t skip the topcoat for a glossy jelly look.
The nails remind me of the packaging you find in a sweet shop—bold, nostalgic and a bit cheeky. A mani that stands for sprinkles and statement rings.
Spicy Safari Glam
This one is for the fearless. This look uses orange chrome, soft peach ombré, animal print and metallic striping—it’s fashionable, but you can still wear it. The almond shape helps tone down the drama and the mix of finishes gives the nails a rich texture that’s perfect for summer nails designs acrylic french tips art ideas.
Apply “Clementine” from DND and use a leopard dotting tool over a nude ombré base. A thin piece of metallic tape or a brush with gold polish allows you to draw the V-shaped divide between each color.
It’s a style that looks good with sandals as well as stilettos. I’d choose this look for a music festival, a party on a rooftop or any place where my nails need to be noticed.
Pastel Playground
This candy dream is square and has mint, pink, yellow and lavender tips which are all attached to a soft beige base. It’s not too strong, so it’s sweet, clean and easy to use in many desserts, like grown-up Easter treats with gelato.
Try polishes like Zoya’s “Neely,” “Tweedy,” and “Bee.” Follow tip guides or use vinyl to get a nice half-moon edge and never apply too much pastel at once to prevent bubbling.
What I love most? These nails can be worn short or long and they look great as we move into early fall. They look like they’ve just finished a pedicure, ordered an iced latte and are running errands in slides.
Sunbeam Yellow Pop
The clean look of this almond gel is highlighted by bright yellow tips, all built on a light neutral base. It’s a simplified version of what you’d see on a beach cover shoot—sunny, glossy, and kind of impossible to ignore.
If you’re looking for neon green, try “Glowstick” from Orly or “Banana Clip” from Color Club. For almond tips, use a half-oval brush and let your base completely dry before adding the neon—it will look brighter.
It’s bold, yes, but also a little bit luxe. A friend once told me that my outfit last August looked like I had rubbed my hands in sunshine and I think they were right. That’s the exact energy we’re going for this season.
