5 Stylish Summer Manicure Trends to Elevate Your Look

When planning your manicure this summer, consider not just the color and design, but also the shape. A well-crafted shape, whether done at a salon or at home, can draw attention to your hands and complement your overall appearance. To help you choose a trendy shape this season, we’ve compiled a list of popular manicure trends.

1. Pointed Tips

Red carpet regulars are inspiring women to opt for a more refined, feminine, and slightly edgy nail shape this season. Popular in the 80s among powerful, career-driven women, pointed nails create a strong, confident look. Achieving this shape requires precision and quality tools. Use a nail file with a polishing side, and apply multiple layers of top coat to maintain the shine, which is crucial for this design.

Design Ideas

Bright colors and 3D effects, which are very popular this season, work best with pointed nails. Consider using gel or adding unique decorations to suit your taste.

2. Ballerina

If you prefer square tips, consider the ballerina shape, which combines both sharp and rectangular designs. Inspired by the shape of pointe shoes, this design is elongated and slightly pointed at the edges. Popular since the 90s, the ballerina shape is still favored by celebrities. The main advantage of this shape is that the nails are less prone to breaking or chipping. This design keeps your nails long and neat for as long as you desire. Soft colors work best for the ballerina shape, enhancing the look of lightness and femininity. You can also experiment with the length and the angle at which you file the edges.

Design Ideas

Matte finishes remain trendy this summer and work well with the ballerina shape. If you prefer dark colors, a matte effect can look extremely stylish. For a softer manicure, combine light tones with both large and small glitter particles.

3. Oval

For those who prefer practicality, oval nails remain in style. This shape is still popular among celebrities and is easy to achieve. You can choose a length that suits you and use any shades, as this shape is versatile. Bright red for special occasions, dark and soft tones for everyday wear—oval nails are safe for daily tasks like handling contact lenses.

Design Ideas

Lettering designs are a hit this season. Small inscriptions or individual letters on each nail can be very stylish.

4. Short and Round

This season, you don’t have to worry about nail growth, as short nails remain stylish. If you’re not keen on experimenting with your manicure, stick to the classic short and round shape. This versatile option maintains its form and protects against broken nails. With the right polish, this manicure can look just as trendy as the more elaborate designs mentioned above.

Design Ideas

Dark shades, which remain fashionable, work best for classic round nails. Deep green, black, and dark blue can be adorned with minimalist patterns for a stylish look.

5. Short Square

Square nails require careful maintenance, as the sharp corners often break, and long nails in this shape can look untidy. However, this design remains popular this summer. To keep square nails trendy, opt for a shorter length and slightly round the edges. This not only prevents accidental breaks but also refreshes the classic look.

Design Ideas

Nude shades are a hit this summer. The nude effect is perfect for short nails and everyday manicures. You don’t have to limit yourself to beige; cool gray, milky, and light chocolate tones are also fashionable this season.

For more inspiration, check out this guide to the best nail shapes from Vogue.