Beauty trends come and go faster than a quick-drying top coat. But you know what always reigns supreme? Summer beauty nails. No matter the weather, it’s all about butterflies, swirls, French tips and bright neon shades, as Giorgia Cappella, Head of Education & Spa at The Gel Bottle and Cosmopolitan Contributing Nail Expert, shares.
Here, we’ve teamed up to create the ultimate summer manicure inspiration mood board to take to your next salon appointment – there’s a design for every jort back pocket. We’re curbing nail regret one talon at a time…
The Y2K butterfly revival
Butterflies were a Y2K beauty fave and now, we’re bringing back the kitsch style. Whether that be one or two nails, across an entire set, 3D or layered with chromes, the options are endless.
Catching waves
Waves are synonymous with summer. Uhhh, hello beach vibes! And when bright colours meet intricate designs, a beautifully coordinated look is created. Surf's officially up.
Alternative French
Any twist on a classic French is an opportunity to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Add a pop of pastel et voilà, summer nails! It's a definite 'OUI!' from us at Cosmo.
What’s poppin’?
A neon, bold-coloured mani is the perfect way to make the most of your summer tan. Coral, in particular, is one of the best shades for enhancing glow thanks to its orange-pink undertones.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
