50 Best Acrylic Nail Ideas For Spring And Summer
There's nothing we like more than seasonal and themed acrylic nails.
instagram Spring and Summer are the holy grail of seasons when it comes to exploring fun, festive, and bright nail colors and ideas. Since we're in the prime time of nail design, we thought it'd be fitting to break down some of our favorite acrylic nail ideas — 50 to be exact!
Read on we bring on the creativity and pizzaz with these fresh ideas and inspiration to add to your nail beds for the next several months. But before we dive into our 50 looks, let's address how we're achieving it.
Whether you decide to go to the salon or do it on your own, both will work. However, when deciding to do it on your own, it's important to be equipped with the right tools when working with acrlyic (we suggest unless you're comfortable using acrylic on your own you stick with standard polish).
With the price of manicures, especially when it comes to acrlyic nails, it may be a smart idea to learn the tricks of the trade and do it yourself. But what do you need, and where do you get it? Luckily, we've broken down how to get the perfect manicure set as well, as what to consider when picking out the essentials to create acrylic nails.
Personal Manicure Sets
There's a few things to keep in mind when picking out your ideal manicure set, especially when it comes to acrlyic nails. The base needs to be cleaned, prepped, and ready for any adhesives or color. Below, we've outlined a few items your set should include:
- Clippers
- File
- Buffer
- Cuticle Oil
- Base Coat/Prep Coat
- Cuticle (and/or) Clean Up Brush
We recommend Olive & June's Studio Box Manicure set.
Personal Acrylic Sets
Again, unless you have experience working with acrlyics (whether through a friend, family member, or beauty schooling) we don't recommend doing it on your own. There can be some difficulties that come up and it's challenging to train yourself in the moment.
For those knowledgable and comfortable doing your own nails, we recommend going with the Nail Architecture by Gelee & LECHAT, as it equips you with all the right supplies. Additionally, their collections come in a variety of fun and staple shades.
1. Always buzzing just like NEON
The latest nail trend in the upcoming spring and summer seasons is none other than neon shades. Whether it's an electric blue or a hot pink, the contrast between tanned bodies and bright shades will certain draw all attention.
Try OPI's Neon Shade Collection and Tokyo Collection to get the perfect looks.
2. Game of Tones
Whether or not you were happy or upset about the ending of Game of Thrones, it doesn't mean the fandom needs to stop. Thanks to KISS USA's Masterpiece collection, you can rock your own game of tones with you 24/7.
3. For your astrological sign
You may have the perfect shade for acrylic nails written in the stars! In fact, Love by Luna's astrological sign shades recommend you rock the color meant for your birthday. Our personal favorite goes to all the Virgos out there!
4. Time for a picnic
There's no time like spring and summer to host and rock your own picnic. Along with the packed basket of goodies, create nails to match. With Dashing Diva's Daisy Duke Gloss, you're able to amp up the spring and summer vibes without the hassel.
5. So charming
Not just meant for the Met Gala, try incorporating fun charms to your long acrlyic nails. Use charms and accessories that speak to your personality, whether whimsicle or glam.
6. Star power
When it comes to sporting stars, what better way to showcase them then on your acrylic nails? Hey, if Kylie can do it, we can too!
7. Simplified florals
The saying goes: "florals, for spring, groundbreaking." We're not letting Meryl stop us from living up our floral fix these coming months. To get this look, try using a toothpick for detailing and light spring colors. Some example colors can be from LECHAT's shade line (as seen above), including: Wild Petuna, Wisteria, and Snap Dragon.
8. Marble Accents
If it's perfect for your counter tops, it can work for your nails. What we love about the marble look is that it can be dressed up with vibrant colors, or enhanced with detailing. Classy and cool!
9. Reverse French
It seems as if we're in our own league now, and this includes the way we do our nails. Enhance the traditional french look by swapping the colors and having a little fun with it. In spring and summer, we recommend going wild and bold (like OPI's Neons) or light pastels.
10. Jolly Rancher-inspired
Everyone's favorite warm weather candy! Bring on extreme Jolly Rancher vibes using LECHAT's Perception translucent gels for your next acrylic manicure.
11. Everytime I slay
If you grew up in the 90s or new millenia, it's very possible you were a part of the bedazzle phase. Whether it was your phone, notebook... heck, if it had a surface, you bedazzled it. It's okay to bring the stones back, and this time on your nails. If you don't have the patience for hand placing stones, KISS USA has you covered with acrlyic nails already done up for you.
12. Preztel Day
You don't have to be Stanley from The Office to celebrate Pretzel Day. Everyday is Pretzel Day with these fun nod to our favorite summer fair treat.
13. Unicorn nails
Unicorns will NEVER go out of style. Period. So rock the permanant trend by creating a unicorn themed manicure.
14. For a full moon or new moon
Have a moon party coming up? Try wearing the shades from Love by Luna that reflect the very vibes and energy you're looking to bring into your circle. Plus, the colors are pretty fantastic to wear at any day of the month.
15. Enchanted moss
There's something about connecting to the outdoors that just feels right. From the deep earth tones, to the fresh oxygen, we love spending time outdoors. Now, bring the outdoors in with rich greens and warm yellow incorporated into your manicure. A nice (and easy) nature look comes from Dashing Diva, called Enchanted Moss.
16. White out
If you were the kid in school that used white out on your finger nails instead of your notes, this look is for you. Completely going white on your nails is great for spring and summer. It symbolizes fresh and clean, while also looking incredible against tanned skin.
17. Surf's up
If you don't spend at least one weekend relaxing on the beach this spring and summer, you're doing it all wrong. Have some fun during your next beach trip by catching (and drawing) some manicured waves.
18. Cherry blossoms
Spring is such a beautiful time to take in all the new nature blooms. In particular, cherry blossoms are our favorite, so why not celebrate the special moment by adding them to your next nail look?
19. Hawaiian luau
Bring the celebration of Maui to your nail beds. With bright hues of yellow and blue, it'll be almost impossible to not imagine yourself enjoying a fruity cocktail off on a far away island.
20. Not just for mermaids
Ariel is not the only one who can rock mermaid vibes. By using shades of lavendar and mint, you'll create the true look of an iconic mermaid tail. For extra pizzazz, try incorporating stones or charms.
21. Holographic
First the holographic trend hit highlighters in makeup, now it's made its way into nail shades and designs. The multi-look effect of holographic is perfect for the upcoming spring and summer festival lineup. For those look for easy application and a smooth finish, try KISS USA's holographic look.
22. The All-Seeing Eye
Sporting jewlery, apparel and tattoos is the iconic all-seeing eye. Lately, we've been seeing the trend hit spring and summer nail trends. What we love about this look, besides the fact that it looks awesome, is that it can be done with any of your favorite color polish. Just make sure it goes against white and black.
23. Embracing childhood
There's something so innocent and whimsicle when having fun with painting or doing your nails. Since they're not permanant and can make simple statements, try putting in segments of your childhood. We love using stickers or peels offs for easy use, so for some ideas check out Dashing Diva's nail sticker (expression) collection.
24. Sharp and fearless
Want to look like Victoria Secret model, Candice, at the Met Gala? Try using stones and pointed tip acrlyics during your next manicure session.
25. Kitty gurl
There's something so strong, yet extemely feminine about KISS USA's Kitty Gurl look. Between the use of stones, holographic and marbled shades, you're rolling everything about girl power into one.
26. Sunshine and daisies
We hit something strong and feminine, now we move on to something dainty and feminine yet equally wearable and beautiful. Try incorporating the flowers of your choice during your next manicure session.
27. Colorful French
There are no rules anymore when it comes to playing around with French nails. Keep the line thin at the top, or bring it all the way down to the bottom. Have fun, and make it personalized to you.
28. Head in the clouds
We all want a permanant thought bubble attached to us at all times, and now we have ten. We love this look because it brings a sense of enjoyment and cartoon element to our nail look.
29. Fairy dust
Now you don't have to be a princess to get your hands on your very own fairy dust. You just need to have some imagination and a blank nail canvas.
30. New age flair
We mentioned astrology and the all-seeing-eye, so why not just combine everything new age together with this nail look? Bring every element of mystical being into one, and have fun creating up to ten elements on each finger tip.
31. Two tone
Who says that everything has to match? By trying two different shades for both the right and left hand you're changing the status-quo. When choosing this look, just make sure that the two colors compliment one another.
32. Matte and blue
Just like we enjoy matte in our makeup looks, we're bringing them down to our nails. Choosing blue over black gives your nails a depth of dimension while still staying dark, as blue can collect more rays of light than black.
33. Tie-dye
Any excuse to bring back the 60s and we're all about it! This fun tie-dye look is one that brings together multiple colors and can also be done with many different color schemes. Feel free to think outside the box as it doesn't have to be the traditional rainbow look.
34. Sunrise at Skytree
These Japanese inspired nails are hailing straight from OPI's Tokyo collection. We like the combination of these shades as they're all within the pink to purple family and still add a layer of translucents to the look.
35. Puppy dog
Whether this looks reminds you of 101 Dalmations or ink blots from a pen, there's something so fun yet dignified about this look. We're loving the contrast of beige instead of white used for the base as well.
36. Tiny polka
Get your hands on some extremely small toothpicks and a sturdy hand, because you'll need both to create this look. The tiny polka dots are feminine and darling when constrasting lighter and darker shades.
37. Snake eyes
Used with the shade Narwhal from LECHST's Metallux Collection, this look is extremely club worthy. To get the snake-skin look, try searching for gel-nail strips that have already been created.
38. Glittery French
We talked about reverse French, bold French, and now we're throwing in glittery French. Not only does this look feel classic, it brings on an energy of whimsicle too. Instead of messing with glitter polish,, try using KISS USA's premade glitter French adhesives called Fanciful.
39. Embrace geometry
We're not in high school anymore, so there's no need to be scared of symbols and shapes. Instead, embrace them and wear them on your nails!
40. Pearl perfect
For all you southern belles out there, match your pearl necklaces with your nail polish shade. What we love about this look is that it's somewhere in between translucent and holographic — a sweet middleground.
41. Pink ombre
What's more fun and spring (or summer-y) than hues of pink? With an ombre selection of all things pink, you don't have choose which hue you like best. Rock them all!
42. Honey bee
We're fans of honey, and saving bees, so why not rock them on your fingertips? For this look, use a mixture or variation of yellows and blacks, and don't be afraid of the detailing.
43. Metallic
Heading to concerts this summer? These metallic hues scream rock and roll, and you'll be so on theme, everyone will know exactly where you're heading.
44. Brush strokes
One of our favorite looks on this list! The brush strokes give an artistic and creative direction to texture and depth all while being two-dimensional. Best addition? You don't have to compromise on which colors you want to use. Use them all!
45. Confetti
Thank goodness this trend is coming back! The confetti and loose glitter (in polish!) look is so fun and childish that it brings together all the feels of Summer back in the early millennia.
46. All things succulents
Unless you've been avoiding social media like the plague, you know how popular and adorable succulent plants have become. Not only are you placing them all over your home, but now all over your nails.
47. X marks the spot
What screams more summer than pirate themed? There's water, beaches, and sand. Speaking of which, what are we doing still inside?
48. Classic French
We couldn't have a list without mentioning the white and nude combo. Whether you're attending weddings these next couple of months (or even getting married), you can't go wrong with sporting a classic French manicure.
49. Picket fence
The perfect essence of spring, pastel colors and nodes to picket fences from our childhood. Easter may be over, but we're rocking these nails until fall.
50. Gold chains
As Fergie would say, glamorous. That's what others will think of you as you pull up to a spring or summer get together wearing golden chains on your nails. Remember to make them small and dainty, versus large and chunky to get the look posted above.
Elizabeth Blasi is a New Yorker. A lifestyle & travel writer, who is often seen with a suitcase in hand, jetsetting to her next location. But as a true Digital Nomad, her love of writing and romance novels means her laptop is always beside her.
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