Summer is the perfect time to refresh your manicure, and gel nail designs are hotter than ever. With weddings, festivals, and vacations filling up calendars, people are turning to vibrant yet wearable colors and eye-catching finishes.
From cat-eye gel polish with its multidimensional shimmer to Y2K-inspired looks like bold French tips and airbrush art, this season’s trends are all about playful expression. One standout shade? Buttery yellow—a sunny favorite clients can’t stop asking for. And with summer just getting started, expect even more exciting gel nail trends to pop up!
Baby Pink Chrome Nails
Strawberry glazed donut nails are definitely a trend that's here to stay. They may look fancy, but they're actually easy to do yourself! To achieve this look, start with two coats of DND Gel Polish in Floral Fields. Then, add a layer of Daily Charme Sterling Pearl Chrome on top, and finish with your favorite top coat for a polished look.
Soft Ballet Pink French Tips
You can easily create this velvet light pink manicure at home! Just use a French manicure sticker to get those perfect French tips and designs around your cuticles. For more inspiration, check out various pink nail designs to elevate your look!
=> You might like: Top 30 French Nail Designs You’ll Want to Try Now
Pride Gel Nail Designs
Pride Gel Nail Designs look features sharp diagonal rainbow stripes on a sheer base, combining a festive vibe with a modern flair.
Back to Basic Gel Nails
Sometimes, simplicity is key. Short French tips are making a strong comeback this summer, providing a sleek, low-maintenance style that pairs perfectly with everything from wedding guest outfits to casual denim. If you're looking for more simple yet stylish ideas, explore our collection of easy nail design inspirations that are perfect for any occasion.
Y2K Gel Nail Designs
Get ready for a blast from the past with a modern twist! Think old-school nail shop vibes for 2025, featuring thick French tips, airbrushed gradients, and bold hand-painted designs that capture all the Y2K energy in this nail set.
Soft Milky Gel Nails
For a neutral spring manicure, try a milky, long almond-shaped nail design. The Aprés Gel-X Long Almond Tips are perfect for achieving that ideal shape.
Pastel Green Floral Nails
Mint is a trendy nail color for spring! It looks gorgeous by itself, but adding floral accents really elevates a minty manicure.
Muted Green Gel Polish
Pinterest has declared green nails are in, with dill green trending strongly for 2025! Featured in their latest Trending Colors Report, this shade is becoming a salon favorite. This glossy set embodies the “pickle-core” aesthetic in the best way possible.
Elegant Nude Manicures
Versatile nail sets are a must this summer! Imagine a pearlescent neutral with delicate gold accents—perfect for transitioning from the office to a wedding or a weekend getaway. It's simple, sophisticated, and ready for any event on your calendar. For more effortlessly elegant looks, check out our favorite chic nail designs that balance style and versatility.
Chrome French Tip Nails
A classic French manicure gets a modern twist with chrome! Miss Pop shared her love for Chrome French nails by sending two versions down the runway for Alice + Olivia Spring/Summer 2025: one classic and another adorned with a bouquet of colorful florals. This pearly, high-shine set perfectly captures the trend in its most timeless form.
=> Explore more: 30+ Trendy Chrome Nail Ideas You’ll Want to Try Now
Beach-Themed Nail Design
Consider this your cue to embrace full summer mode! Starfish accents add a vibrant beach day vibe to an otherwise neutral manicure, proving that vacation nails can make a statement without being overly loud.
Picnic Inspired Gel Nail Designs
Fruit nails just got an adorable upgrade! This picnic-inspired set features tiny cherries, berries, and gingham French tips, creating a look that feels like a summer daydream. It's perfect for patio hangs, park dates, or your next stroll through the farmers' market. If you're loving this fresh, playful vibe, don’t miss our roundup of summer nail designs perfect for warm-weather fun.
Two-Tone Pastel Gel Nail Designs
This color-blocked French manicure is truly a dream! It showcases a beautiful array of pastel nail polishes, featuring mesmerizing muted shades like baby blue and butter yellow. Perfect for adding a fun twist to a classic style!
Pinky-Peach Gel Ombre Nails
Glazed donut finishes are gorgeous on ombre nails! The faded peach and baby pink base beautifully complements a chrome topper, creating a stunning and glossy look that's perfect for any occasion.
Vibrant Skittle-Inspired Gel Nails
For a vibrant spring manicure, mix vivid pastel shades of purple, pink, orange, yellow, and green. This skittle-inspired gradient nail look captures the essence of the season, bringing a playful and colorful touch to your style!
Wavy Blue Gel Manicure Ideas
This tri-tone wavy blue manicure is simply stunning! It evokes the bright blue skies of spring, featuring shades like baby blue, sky blue, and cornflower blue. It's a perfect choice for a fresh and cheerful look!
Two-Tone Green Floral Gel Nails
For an earthy spring manicure, try a sage base with charming green daisy accents. You can achieve this look using H&M Gel Nail Polish in the shades You Bring Me Luck and Gentle Does It. It's a delightful way to embrace nature's beauty in your nails!
Bold Green Gel Manicure Ideas
If you want to achieve this perfect spring green manicure, consider using Madam Glam's Gel Polish. This vibrant green shade captures the essence of spring, making it an ideal choice for fresh and lively nails!
Shimmery Cat Eye Gel Manicure
Cat-eye nails are really trending right now, and this stunning gold set is a perfect example. Hanina explains, “Even though it uses just one polish, the final look is intriguing enough to be simple yet offers a unique twist.” In other words, these nails are low-effort but have a high-impact style that you’ll want to flaunt all summer!
Whether you're into bold Y2K styles, soft buttery yellows, or the mesmerizing shimmer of cat-eye gel, there’s a gel nail design out there to match your mood and your calendar. With so many fun trends to try this season, it’s the perfect time to refresh your manicure game.
Need more inspiration or looking for quality nail tools to create the look at home? Visit Nghia Nippers to explore a wide range of nail designs and professional-grade tools to keep your nails looking flawless all summer long!
