Summer is my favorite season for nail designs, hands down. IDK it’s the sunshine, the sundresses, or the general vacation energy in the air, but I’m always more inclined to experiment with a fun manicure during the warmer months—especially when I have a trip on the calendar.
To find the chicest nail inspiration for all your summer getaways (or holidays, if you’re lucky enough to have a Euro summer planned), I spent hours researching the season’s biggest nail trends and scrolling through the feeds of top celebrity nail artists. I’ve even tested plenty of these looks myself over the past few months. Whether you’re into maximalist nail art or prefer something sleek and understated, keep scrolling for the best vacation-ready manicures to save before your next salon appointment.
Ahead, the best vacation nail ideas for every summer adventure.
1. Striped Nails
This beach-towel-inspired pattern will look unbelievably cute while you’re sitting on a matching towel, drying off after a dip in the ocean at your summer destination. Go for all-over pinstripes or French tips, in whatever color combo your heart desires—there’s no wrong way to achieve striped nails.
2. Pearl Nails
I currently have a pearl-inspired 3D mani on my fingers as I type this, and I think it’s been my most-complimented nail look of all time. The pearlescent finish is ideal for summer (it matches all my jewelry), and you can add actual pearls, some realistic texture, or iridescent base colors to customize the look.
3. Ocean Nails
Match the ocean floor of the beachside town you're headed to this summer with an aquatic-themed manicure. Paint each nail with a tiny marine creature, shell-like texture, tropical flower, or whatever beachy accents speak to you. Consider this the chic evolution of mermaidcore.
4. Glassy Pink Nails
If you wanna keep things simple but still have an expensive-looking mani, you can’t go wrong with a goes-with-anything glossy pink polish. Keep things slightly sheer for that jelly-esque effect, and they’re sure to go with all your summer vacay ‘fits.
5. Dot Nails
Polka dot nails were on everyone’s fingertips last summer, and this single-dot mani is such a chic upgrade. Choose your favorite color combinations or a milky base, then strategically place one or two dots across your nails—or on the tip of a French manicure—for a fun yet still minimalist look.
6. Flower Nails
Floral manicures are a warm-weather classic, but there are so many fun ways to upgrade the look. If you want something a little more playful than a simple flower, try an airbrushed effect using blooming gel, or go for a textured, ’80s-inspired set with textured floral decals.
7. Euro-Summer Nails
If you’re headed to Europe this summer (or just want to manifest a ~holiday), go for a Mediterranean-inspired manicure filled with coastal embellishments. From sardines inspired by the French coast to intricate Italian tile motifs, there’s no wrong way to do a Euro-summer mani. I’m ready to pack my suitcase just looking at these.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo, where she covers all things nails. She’s constantly getting manicures with top celebrity nail artists, interviewing them on the biggest trends, and spending hours scrolling through nail art inspiration to find the best manicure ideas.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
