21 Best Summer 2022 Nail Trends Your Mani Needs

ICYMI, waves and squiggles are truly everywhere right now. And your nails are the perfect way to lean into the trend. Grab a small nail-art brush and five of your favorite nail polish colors (the brighter, the better), and carefully paint a wavy line down the center of your nail. Quickly (before the polish starts to dry) fill in one half of the nail, then seal it with a top coat.

Loving the green nails trend that’s been taking over this year? Good, because it’s also taking over your summer. And the best part is that the shades and design options are endless. You can stick with your favorite green nail polish shade and paint all your nails solid, or you can give it a little oomph with this negative space design.

This summer 2020 nail idea incorporates animal print in a way that’s not, uh, super gaudy. Follow this nail artist's lead by painting on a neutral base (like a taupe or light brown nail polish), and then adding clusters of brown and black dots with a nail-dotting tool to create the leopard spots. It’s easier than it looks, promise.

Be prepared to see super-detailed nail designs like this colorful nail set all over your feed this summer. And if you don’t feel like your nail-art skills are up to the task (mine def aren’t, lol), screenshot this for your nail artist—some things are just best left to the pros, you know?

There are a couple ways to recreate the marble nail trend this summer. The first is by dripping dots of nail polish on your nail and swirling them around with a toothpick or cuticle stick, and the second is the water marble nail method using water, polish, and a ton of patience. It's messy, but worth it for the seamless marbled result.

Hot pink is the official color of summer 2022, and I will not be taking any questions at this time. The keys to recreating this manicure: Cuticle oil to keep your cuticles from looking dry, and a high-shine glossy top coat (oh, and hot-pink nail polish obvs).

How sweet is this summery orange-and-white mani? The vibrant orange color is really cute on its own (nail artist Betina Goldstein used Static Nails Liquid Glass Lacquer Sunny Face), but if you want to add the white detailing, paint a very fine white line across the tips with a super-fine nail brush.

Earthy tones aren't just for fall nail trends or Thanksgiving nails, ppl. Pair a few neutral shades together for a low-key manicure that still has a ton of dimension.

If you like your French tips to be more nail than tip, this summer 2022 trend is perfect for you. Instead of painting white nail polish across the very tip of your nail, start halfway up your nail for this chunky, Y2K-esque look.

Sure, summer loves a bright neon mani, but if that’s not your vibe, muted colors are also in the mix. The trick to getting the perfect muted mani? Pair pastels with soft neutrals—nothing harsh or bright—and play around with painting different shapes on your nails, like the camo vibes in this pic.

Just looking at these gold tips makes me feel ~expensive~, and that’s the energy I’m bringing to this summer, TBH. Recreate this nail trend with gold nail polish, or invest in a chrome nail dip powder kit to get that extra-shiny finish.

Proof that summer in 2022 isn’t afraid of color: This fun, bright nail idea. You’ll need to get some nail tape to create the crisp lines and shapes, but other than that, it's pretty easy to DIY. Just cut and lay the tape across your nail in your desired shape before painting, and once each color is dry, remove the tape and repeat with the next color. Sure, it’ll take some time, but that’s what binge-watching was made for anyway.

This multi-colored nail trend takes me back to my middle school days when I would paint each nail a different color, so I'm truly thrilled that it's a trend for this summer. You can stick with a single color palette or lean into the rainbow vibe by choosing five totally different polishes—and be sure to match your other hand exactly to bring the look together.

Like to get acrylics or gel extensions? You're a perfect candidate to try out the lipstick nails trend. The slanted tips give them such a unique look, and the length is ideal for two-toned manicures, like these ombré nails.

Looking for a soft, muted manicure? Pick up a matte top coat and swipe it over your glossy nail polish for a velvety matte finish. And if you want to add even more dimension, leave one or two nails glossy for a mixed-texture look.

This pink and orange neon combo makes me think of summer popsicles and pool parties, which is probs why it's trending for summer 2022. This trend is totally doable at home if you like you DIY your nails. Pro tip: Grab some nail tape to create the crisp lines across the middle nail.

Picture these pink and purple ombré nails with a pink tie-dye sweatsuit. I mean, I think I just found your perfect summer vibe. Even better? Ombré nails are totally customizable—switch up the colors as you please.

Flip your French manicure upside down and paint a thin line across the base of your nail (right next to your cuticle) to get in on this summer 2022 nail trend. Heads up: Your cuticles will be on full display, so take care of them by regularly rubbing some cuticle oil on them (I do it before bed) to keep them moisturized.