Summer is basically the perfect time to play around with your nails, whether you’re going for bright, rainbow colors, mismatched nails or minimal nail art. Below we’ve gathered some of the coolest and cutest summer nail art designs that are trending on Instagram this season.  Scroll on for the best 2023 summer nails worth copying. You can even DIY most of these.

Checkerboard Nails for Summer 2023

Bring the checkerboard trend from your clothes to your claws. Painting colorful checkers on the nails is just so fun.

Image courtesy: IG/@kyliejenner

Image courtesy: IG/@nailsbyalsn

Image courtesy: IG/@ji_niiiii

Image courtesy: IG/@lightslacquer

Swirl Nails for Summer 2023

This manicure is a genius way to work multiple polish colors together into one nail design. Graphic yet simple, this nail art trend will be your best friend this summer.

Image courtesy: IG/@the_gelbottle_inc

Image courtesy: IG/@nailsbyalsn

Image courtesy: IG/@hardasnails_studio

Image courtesy: IG/@chaunlegend

Image courtesy: IG/@deesnailbar_x

Image courtesy: IG/@allnailss._

Products to try:

•  Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear, White On. Buy It: $7, amazon.com
•  Essie Gel Couture, Take a Walk (pale green). Buy It: $11.50, essie.com
•  Zoya Nail Lacquer, Allison (plum-toned ruby cream). Buy It: $10.50, ulta.com
•  Essie Expressie Nail Polish, Express to impress (mint green). Buy It: $9, ulta.com

Pastel Nails for Summer 2023

The great thing about pastel nail color is that you can try funky new designs without being OTT. Pale pink will always be a classic, of course. But there are also plenty of unexpected nail colors to try this summer: Think offbeat greens, sky blues and creamy lilacs.

Image courtesy: IG/@overglowedit

Image courtesy: IG/@heatherraeyoung

Image courtesy: IG/@iramshelton 

Image courtesy: IG/@aimeestokesbeauty

Reverse French Nails for Summer 2023

Take your favorite French mani and flip it upside down to recreate these fun nail art designs.

Image courtesy: IG/@beautyspace_charlotte

Image courtesy: IG/@iramshelton

Image courtesy: IG/@glamouruk

Image courtesy: IG/@nailartbyqueenie

Image courtesy: IG/@aimeestokesbeauty

Image courtesy: IG/@polishedbylolo

Products to try:

•  OPI Nail Polish, Mod About You (pale pink). Buy It: $8.67, walmart.com
•  Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish, Lemon Haven. Buy It: $6.79, walmart.com
•  Essie Expressie Nail Polish, All Things Ooo (pastel peach). Buy It: $9, ulta.com

Mismatched Hands for Summer 2023

Why pick one nail design when you can have them all? Mix all of the year’s biggest nail trends—smiley faces, cow print, cherries, and flames—for a party on your nails.

Image courtesy: IG/@lightslacquer

Image courtesy: IG/@nails.bab

Image courtesy: IG/@lightslacquer

Image courtesy: IG/@leafgelusa

Flame Nails for Summer 2023

These flames are a sure way to make your nails stand out in a crowd.

Image courtesy: IG/@pri.unghie

Image courtesy: IG/@anouskaanastasia

Image courtesy: IG/@nailpub

Image courtesy: IG/@nailsbydaisymay

Products to try:

•  Orly Nail Polish, Glowstick (neon green). Buy It: $8.70, amazon.com
•  Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish, Lacey Lilac. Buy It: $7.50, amazon.com
•  OPI Nail Lacquer, I Just Can’t Cope-acabana (bright yellow). Buy It: $10.50, amazon.com

Retro Hearts Mani for Summer 2023

These heart beam nails—inspired by The Powerpuff Girls—have been popping up everywhere on Instagram.

Image courtesy: IG/@nailchark

Image courtesy: IG/@omgtiffanie

Image courtesy: IG/@akikonails_nyc

Image courtesy: IG/@nailsbydaisymay

Floral Nails for Summer 2023

While swirl, checker and mismatched nails are among the most popular requests this year, you can never go wrong with a delicate floral nail art design.

Image courtesy: IG/@yeswhatnails

Image courtesy: IG/@pippypolish

Image courtesy: IG/@paintbucketnails

Image courtesy: IG/@livvy_lyman_nails

Products to try:

•  China Glaze Nail Polish, DJ Blue My Mind. Buy It: $6.67, amazon.com
•  Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish, Mellow Yellow. Buy It: $7.50, amazon.com
•  duri Nail Polish, Neon Orange. Buy It: $7.99, amazon.com
•  Essie Nail Polish, Bikiny So Teeny (cornflower blue). Buy It: $11.29, amazon.com

Smiley Face Nails for Summer 2023

Prepare to smile every time you look at your nails.

Image courtesy: IG/@luminary_nail_systems

Image courtesy: IG/@3615_zbobinails

Image courtesy: IG/@nailsbymh

Image courtesy: IG/@badgirlnails

Dotted Mani for Summer 2023

The different colored base coats, and the different sized dots make this dotted mani extra unique. Use a bobby pin to create spots in an array of colors.

Image courtesy: IG/@kyliejenner

Image courtesy: IG/@__nailsbybec__

Image courtesy: IG/@nails.by.zo_

Image courtesy: IG/@joelyoceannails

Products to try:

•  OPI Nail Lacquer, My Vampire is Buff (Creamy off-white). Buy It: $6.67, amazon.com
•  Sundays Nail Lacquer, Bubblegum Pink. Buy It: $18, dearsundays.com
•  duri Nail Polish, Brooklynite (pastel yellow). Buy It: $7.99, amazon.com
•  Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish, Haute to trot (lavender rose). Buy It: $11.59, target.com

Yin Yang Nails for Summer 2023

Perfect way to balance out your vibe and spice up your manicure.

Image courtesy: IG/@disseynails

Image courtesy: IG/@vanityprojectsmia

Two-Tone French Nails for Summer 2023

A minimalist double French tip manicure is perfect for summer.

Image courtesy: IG/@nailartbysig

Image courtesy: IG/@bw.nails

Fruit Nails for Summer 2023

Dress up a simple manicure with seasonal fruit motifs.

Image courtesy: IG/@pippypolish

Image courtesy: IG/@laurenladnier

Image courtesy: IG/@nailartbysig

Image courtesy: IG/@_slayedbyjayde

Mix n Match Mani for Summer 2023

Guaranteed to put you in a good mood every time you look down.

Image courtesy: IG/@hardasnails_studio

Image courtesy: IG/@disseynails

Image courtesy: IG/@disseynails

Image courtesy: IG/@sosweetnails_

Products to try:

•  China Glaze Nail Polish, Daisy Know My Name (neon yellow). Buy It: $6.67, amazon.com
•  Zoya Nail Polish, Darcy (sunny yellow). Buy It: $7.50, amazon.com
•  duri Nail Polish, Lime Neon Green. Buy It: $8, amazon.com

Animal Print French Nails for Summer 2023

Animal prints add a fun touch to the classic French tips, and are easy enough to DIY.

Image courtesy: IG/@jazzynailsx

Image courtesy: IG/@nailsbydaovo

Image courtesy: IG/@aimeestokesbeauty

Gradient French Nails for Summer 2023

This gradient mani will add the perfect amount of flare to your look without clashing with your summer outfits.

Image courtesy: IG/@jazzynailsx

Image courtesy: IG/@studiohrx

Share your work with us by tagging #themajormag on Instagram, and get a chance to be featured on our website.

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