We found the best summer-inspired manicures for you to try at home

Time to retire those winter hues

Close up of woman's hands with lots of gold rings and painted nails - stock photo
(Image credit: Getty Images / Justin Lambert)

With the summer season fast approaching it’s time to dig out your best summer dresses and skirts and treat yourself to a new manicure! Thanks to TikTok and all our favorite celebs' recent red carpet looks, we know exactly what are the 2022 nail trends you need to jump on STAT—from pink jelly nails to dramatic chromes.

A new nail color can do wonders for the mood and is the easiest way to give yourself a summery boost and change up your look with very minimal effort, which we love. Last year it was all about cobalt blue and cool tones but this year we're all obsessed with healthy-looking nails, neons, shimmers and soft neutrals—so there’s something for everyone’s aesthetic. 

So, without further ado let's dive into the summer 2022 nail trends...

Summer nails 2022: the season's trendiest shades and styles

Woman hands with nude pink manicure and with many various silver rings on fingers on concrete gray background.

(Image credit: Getty Images / Anna Efetova)

Glossy jelly pink nails

@dicakoo

♬ Say So -Japanese Version- (tofubeats Remix) - Rainych

Jelly nails are still very much having a moment, which could be because we’re all obsessed with nostalgia and all things Y2k or because they’re so cute and minimal. You can find slightly tinted clear polishes that after a coat or two leave your nails looking minimal but glossy with a hint of juicy color—like jelly!

In true TikTok fashion, there's even a hack to create your own jelly polish. All you need to do is drop a bit of red or pink into a clear vanish, give it a shake and apply.

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DIOR Nail Glow

RRP: £21/ $28

This nail treatment brightens and gives your nails a pink transparent glow, which you can either build up or use it as a tinted topcoat for the perfect jelly nail effect. 

'Barely there' nails

A trend that we can thank Kim Kardashian for, as she wore long, nude nails (brought to us by nail artist @kimkimnails) to the Met Gala to match the Marilyn Monroe birthday dress. They’re low-key but very chic and perfect to pair with bold summer prints.

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Essie, 6 Ballet Slippers Nail Polish 

RRP: $9/ £7.99

The perfect, must-have pinky nude - ideal for pulling off the 'barely there' nail trend.


Kylie Jenner also wore TikTok's latest milky white nail trend to match her wedding-esque gown. You can shop the exact shade at Glossify!

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Glossify, Naked gel polish

RRP: $16/ £12.99

This gel polish is highly pigmented, chip-resistant, and long-lasting, that's a favorite among the Kardashian - Jenner clan.


Ombre almond nails

The almond shape is very in right now, as is the Ombre effect. It's the perfect look if you want to make a subtle statement and can be achieved using whatever color combo you prefer. Pink and yellow for example or nude and lilac. 

As WeThrift's trend expert Nick Drewe explains: “The rounded nail look has resurfaced once more, as many are becoming drawn to the subtle nail look.” 

Chrome nails

Another trend that we saw everywhere at the Met Gala—Hailey Bieber was spotted wearing the prettiest opal-like nails and if you’re a lover of darker shades, Nicola Coughlan was also seen sporting some black and midnight blue chrome nails at the BAFTAs.

While you might think you need to trot off to the nail salon to achieve that glittery sheen, you can actually do it at home easily.

All you need is a coat or two of your chosen shade and then a chrome/glitter powder which you simply apply onto the color and seal with a clear topcoat. Or you can opt for a shimmery polish like the Essie shades which will also help you achieve a chrome moment.

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Essie, 4 Pearly White Shimmer Nail Polish

RRP: £7.99

This color is the perfect dupe for Hailey's opalescent Met nail polish. You can either use it as a topcoat for a sheer shimmer or build it up for a crystal-like nail effect. (Only in the UK)


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Essie, Neutrals Nail Polish in Going Steady

RRP: $9

This shade is very similar to the Pearly White Shimmer shade as sadly that color is not available in the US. This polish will instantly give you that chrome effect with just one coat. (Only in the US)


Butterfly nails

Searches for butterfly nails have soared by 356% this season and it's not hard to understand why. They're very on-trend right now with the resurgence of Y2K beauty trends and as Nick Drewe notes—your nails can make a major fashion statement.

French Mani with a twist

An oldie but a goodie, the French manicure is still very much in and looks like it won’t be going anywhere soon. What is so great about this nail trend is that the possibilities are endless and right now colored tips are in as well as the traditional white.

You can also make the line between the top and nail blurred for a gorgeous blurred, ombre look.

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OPI Infinite Shine Funny Bunny Nail Varnish

RRP: $10.79 /£15.95

The perfect staple white shade to use for your nail tips to create the perfect French mani.


Strawberry nails

Strawberry nail designs are huge on TikTok right now and actually not that hard to recreate! All you need is a little brush, a red/pink, green and white nail polish and a little patience. If you want to avoid doing DIY, you can also buy the cutest strawberry stickers and seal them onto your nails with a clear polish.

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Nails inc. Plant Power Nail Polish, in Mindfulness Mantra

RRP: $10/ £9

The perfect strawberry shade! This polish is cruelty-free and long-wearing.


Neon nails

Neon nails are coming in hot and are perfect if you've got a festival to go to this summer. You can opt for whatever style or shape you prefer, just as long as those colors are luminous. Right now hot pink is especially trendy, so that's a good place to start.

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Nails Inc, On The Horizon Nail Polish Set

RRP: $22/ £22

The perfect set if you're wanting to fully jump on the neon nail trend! In this set, you get every shade of the sunset, from neon yellow to shocking pink.


Monochrome

Monochromatic abstract nails are everywhere on Instagram right now. They're cool and bold but also won't distract from your outfits and the possibilities are endless. 

Abstract lines are really this year's checkerboard and while they look complicated, you can achieve the style with the help of a thin paintbrush and a steady hand.

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OPI Nature Strong Natural Vegan Nail Polish 

RRP: $22/ £15.50

The perfect black shade to create your monochromatic designs. It can also be used as a base coat for your chrome effect polishes.


3D nails

3D nails are the moment right now, whether it's just a tiny crystal or a big cherry (like Megan Thee Stallions.) 3D nails are very fun and perfect for a holiday—though a professional may need to handle the larger decals.

Naomi Jamieson
Lifestyle News Writer

Naomi is a Lifestyle News Writer with the Women's Lifestyle team, where she covers everything from entertainment to fashion and beauty, as well as TikTok trends for Woman&Home, after previously writing for My Imperfect Life and GoodTo. Interestingly though, Naomi actually has a background in design, having studied illustration at Plymouth University but lept into the media world in 2020, after always having a passion for writing and earned her Gold Standard diploma in Journalism with the NCTJ.


Before working for Future Publishing’s Lifestyle News team, she worked in the Ad production team. Here she wrote and designed adverts on all sorts of things, which then went into print magazines across all genres. Now, when she isn’t writing articles on celebs, fashion trends, or the newest shows on Netflix, you can find her drinking copious cups of coffee, drawing and probably online shopping.