Top summer manicure trends 2025

While spring was all about muted shades and metallic highlights, summer 2025 is a celebration of colour, texture and creativity. The focus is on bright nail art, bold shapes and textures inspired by the sea, fruit and pop culture of the 2010s.

Evelyn Lim, lead expert at MiniLuxe's Paintbox studio, told Harper's Bazaar that bold designs will dominate the catwalks and Instagram this summer.

"I expect to see leopard prints in bright colours, nautical themes and playful fruits," she shares.

Here are eight of the hottest nail trends worth trying on now.

1. Aura Nails: mysticism in colour

Soft, blurred transitions between the centre and background shades - that's exactly what aura nails look like. This technique remains the top of the year, especially in indigo and purple. As Lim emphasises, the choice of colours is up to you: the key is to create an inner glow.

2. Berry orchard on nails

A fruit theme is the perfect DIY option.

"It's fun and easy: two coats of your favourite colour, then fruit stickers and a top - done!" advises Lim.

This manicure looks playful but stays within an everyday aesthetic.

3. The almond shape: timeless elegance

The elongated almond shape is still a favourite. It visually elongates the fingers and gives more room for design. An example is actress Jodi Turner-Smith's Met Gala manicure, created by Tui Nguyen.

4. Bright colours in the spirit of the 2010s

Green, cobalt, fuchsia - it's all making a comeback with the indie-sleaze trend. To keep the look from going completely retro, experts advise choosing gel polish and avoiding matte tops.

5. Pearlescent effect

The pearl trend has made its way into the nail industry. Tom Bacik's light pearlescent manicure, like Maren Morris's, is a new take on the famous "glazed doughnut". Perfectly combined with the nude palette and summer looks.

6. Mermaid gloss (it's still in fashion)

The mermaid core trend, inspired by the deep sea and mermaids, continues to gain momentum.

"You can go all out with 3D elements or limit yourself to translucent shimmer," Lim advises.

Pinterest is already bursting with such ideas.

7. Turquoise tips

For those who want to add colour, but without going overboard. A turquoise french or nail art with flecks of malachite, like rapper Shaboozey at Coachella, is the perfect compromise between classic and creative.

8. Sorbet shades

The trend from spring flows logically into summer. Peach, lemon, lavender - all the colours of fruit ice cream are in vogue. They look especially effective in the "aura" technique or as a background for fruit accents. The main condition is that the shade should be fresh and juicy.

Experts agree that summer 2025 is a time for colourful experimentation and the pleasure of creativity.

manicures are becoming a way of self-expression and even therapy," Lim emphasises. - And the more colour and joy there is in it, the better.