Acrylic Summer Nail Colors 25 Ideas: Your Ultimate Guide

Summer is just around the corner with the promise of fun and flair, and what better way to welcome it than with a fresh set of summer acrylic nail colors 2025? As a professional manicurist, I’m here to give you the scoop on the hottest nail trends that will help you make a statement all season long. So, are you ready to dive into a world of vibrant hues and dazzling designs? Let’s get started!

Deep Burgundian elegance

As a seasoned nail artist, I can’t help but admire the sophisticated allure of deep burgundy. This color speaks volumes about the wearer’s confidence and timeless style. The rich, wine-colored hue perfectly captures the transition from the boldness of spring to the deeper tones of summer evenings.

• Acrylic powder: Luxury Burgundy mix
• Base coat: Highly adhesive primer
• Top coat: high gloss finish

Creating this look is like painting a masterpiece. Start with a solid base coat to protect your natural nail. Gently apply the burgundy acrylic powder and shape it into the desired shape and length. Finish with a high-gloss top coat for a beautiful shine that lasts.

Classic red refinement

Nothing says classic chic more than a glossy red acrylic nail. It is the ultimate choice for those who embrace both tradition and glamour. This red shade has a warmth that compliments all skin tones and transitions effortlessly from daytime elegance to evening elegance.

• Acrylic powder: Ruby red appearance
• Base layer: bonding base
• Top coat: Diamond Shine Sealer

To achieve this timeless look, make sure your nails are clean and prepared. Apply the bonding base and then shape the ruby ​​acrylic onto your nails, refining the shape as you go. Seal the deal with a diamond shine top coat for an exquisite finish.

Summery citrus fizz

Summer calls for fun, and what’s more playful than a citrus-inspired French tip? This look takes the traditional and turns it on its head with a twist of zesty lime. It’s refreshing, unconventional and absolutely perfect for beach days and summer parties.

• Acrylic Powder: Lemon-Lime Peel
• Base layer: natural nail foundation
• Top layer: UV protective sealant

Start with a natural base, followed by a precise application of the lime-colored acrylic to the ends. It is a delicate process that requires a steady hand and a keen eye for detail. Once cured, protect your design with a UV top coat to prevent fading.

Hot pink passion

Embrace the vibrant spirit of summer with a bright pink color that can’t be ignored. This shade is for the bold, the daring and those who walk into a room and own it. Bright pink nails are a conversation starter and an instant mood booster.

• Acrylic powder: Electric Pink Blaze
• Base layer: Adhesion Pro
• Top coat: gel-like shine

Start with an adhesive base to ensure your color pops. Apply the electric pink acrylic and give it a flawless finish. A gel-like glossy top layer gives your nails that enviable salon-fresh look.

Mystical Olive Green

For those who prefer a touch of mystery with their style, this olive green with a touch of sparkle is the right choice. It’s subtle yet intriguing, perfect for anyone who likes a touch of enigma with their aesthetic.

• Acrylic powder: Enchanted Forest
• Base coat: strengthening herbal primer
• Top Coat: Matte Magic

Prep your nails with a strengthening base, apply enchanted forest acrylic for that mystical touch and opt for a matte top coat to modernize this classic shade.

Solid square elegance

As a manicure, the first look that caught my attention was the timeless solid square. This look is not just about the shape, but also about the impeccable application of color that sets the summer mood.

• OPI Classic Nail Polish
• CND Vinylux Weekly Polish
• Essie Gel Setter top coat

To recreate this look, start with a clean, polished nail. Apply a base coat, two coats of your chosen solid color, and finish with a high-gloss top coat.

Enchanting blue waves

Dive into the depths of the ocean with these swirling blue tides. This design evokes the rhythmic movement of waves, with natural undulations of dark and light blues. It is a maritime dream within reach, perfect for a beach feeling.

• Acrylic powder: Ocean Deep Blue, Skyline Baby Blue
• Base layer: seabed glue
• Top Coat: Crystal Clear Finish

To recreate this water fantasy, start with a sturdy base layer. While it is still wet, gently stir together your chosen shades of blue acrylic powder. Finish with a top coat for a bright and lasting shine.

Elegant neutral shades with a twist

We see a harmony of neutral tones, which combine a natural look with a modern flair. The touch of simple almond art is visible in the bright points, decorated with a subtle touch of gold – a short French with a luxurious twist.

• Acrylic Powder: Classic Nude, Gold Fleck Sparkle
• Base layer: strong foundation
• Topcoat: vitreous sealant
• Gold leaf flakes

Start with a nude acrylic base. Once hardened, apply gold leaf flakes to the ends and encase them in clear acrylic.

Waves in motion

Features a playful and bright twist on abstract art. Bright blue waves flow over a translucent base, reminiscent of the foamy peaks of the ocean. It’s a design that’s both colorful and cheerful, perfect for any summer adventure.

• Translucent acrylic base coat
• Blue acrylic paint for the waves
• Thin brush for detailing
• Matte topcoat for a contemporary finish

Apply a sheer base coat, then use a thin brush to paint your waves in a freehand motion. Opt for a matte top coat to add a modern touch to this energetic design.

Sunset gradient dreams

As the day fades, the nails in 10.jpg capture the gentle progression of a summer sunset. Combining shades from warm peach to rose pink, this long square design is both neutral and colorful, embodying the serene transition from day to night.

• Gradient sponge
• Acrylic paint in peach, pink and a hint of yellow
• A glossy top coat to enhance the colors

Create a gradient effect with your sponge using acrylic paint. Once you’re happy with the blend, apply a glossy top coat to bring out the vibrancy of your sunset-inspired nails.

Elegant emeralds

The professional touch

At first glance, the long square nails embody a luxurious ocean depth with their emerald green to black color transition. The solid color at the base fades into glossy black, creating a sophisticated yet simple design, perfect for those who enjoy a touch of mystery.

Indispensable materials

• Deep emerald green acrylic powder
• High gloss black acrylic paint
• Top quality base and top coats for a lasting shine

Personally, I recommend using premium brands for the base and top coats to ensure longevity and a dazzling finish.

Step by step creation

To achieve this gradient effect, start with the emerald green base and then, while it is still slightly tacky, blend the black from the tip and work your way down. A sponge can be a useful tool for a smooth transition.

Textured chic

A closer look by the expert

Showcases an inventive short French manicure with textured silver accents on a matte beige background. The combination of a simple and short square with the colored French Tips gives it a playful yet polished look, suitable for both day and night.

Basic toolkit supplies

• Matte beige acrylic base
• Silver glitter strips
• Adhesive for securely placing decorations

The silver glitter strips are available from any specialist nail art supplier and I find that using tweezers for placement ensures precision.

Your DIY guide

Start with a flawless, matte base. Once dry, carefully apply the silver strips to the ends and secure with a dab of glue. Remember: less is more for a chic look.

Pastel perfection

From the manicure table

Radiates with a natural and neutral base decorated with delicate yellow and gray floral patterns. This almond nail design is the epitome of clean and simple almond sophistication, breathing life into the short and simple acrylic trend.

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• Soft pastel yellow and gray acrylic paint
• Fine detail brush for intricate designs
• Sealant for a durable matte finish

Choose pastel colors that are pigmented yet transparent for a sheer, delicate look.

Artistic at home

After you have prepared your base, take your fine brush to carefully paint on the floral patterns. Working with a light hand is key to achieving the graceful lines and petals.

Summer flowers on a long crate

Finally, we have long coffin nails that showcase a summer garden in full bloom. Bold green meets pastel pink, united by floral arrangements with gold accents.

• Zoya nail polish in “Hunter”
• OPI Nail Polish in “Mod About You”
• Gold foil for detailing
• Shimmering and shiny top coat

Start by painting the base green on the thumb, index finger and little finger, and pink on the others. Add floral accents with gold foil. Apply Glisten & Glow top coat to protect the artistry and add a stunning shine.

Sunny gradient with floral art

This long square manicure immerses your nails in the sunniest shades of orange and yellow and radiates the essence of summer. The white flower art on the ring fingers adds an elegant touch to the fiery progression.

• Orly nail polish in “Melt Your Popsicle”
• China Glaze nail polish in “Sun Worshiper”
• White acrylic paint for floral detail
• Seche Vite dry fast top coat

Start with a neon yellow base at the cuticle, transitioning to a vibrant orange towards the tip. Use a detail brush and white acrylic paint to subtly apply the flower art to the accent nails. Seal with a top coat for a glossy finish that will last.

Pink leopard print delight

Short and bold, these nails have a playful pink base speckled with black leopard spots, combining simple almond and natural elegance with a touch of wildness.

• Essie nail polish in “Mod Square”
• Black and white nail art pens for detailing
• Sally Hansen Insta-Dri top coat

After the pink base, use nail art pens to draw leopard spots. Aim for uneven shapes and sizes for authenticity. Apply a top coat for a smooth surface and durability.

Golden French on a nude base

Medium square nails serve as a canvas for a classic French tip, reimagined with a gold twist on a nude base, combining neutral simplicity with a touch of luxury.

• Zoya nail polish in “Avery”
• Gold striping tape
• Shimmering and shiny top coat

Cover the nails with a nude polish. Once dry, apply gold striping tape to the ends for a bright metallic effect. Finish with a high-gloss top coat.

Classic red elegance

A timeless color for all seasons, these short square nails are painted in a deep red color and embody a simple, solid and classic beauty.

• OPI Nail Polish in “Malaga Wine”
• OPI natural nail base coat
• OPI top layer

Prep with a base coat and then apply two coats of “Malaga Wine” for rich, opaque color. Finish with a top coat to improve shine and ensure longevity.

Turquoise shine

The square nails, painted in a shimmering turquoise, reflect the clear summer sky. The subtle sheen in the paint reflects light and is reminiscent of soft ocean waves.

• Essie nail polish in “Naughty Nautical”
• Essie Gel Setter top coat

Apply two coats of “Naughty Nautical” for full coverage. Once dry, apply a gel setter top coat for a smooth, glossy finish that brings out the shine.

The elegant short French

When simplicity and elegance come together, you get the perfect summer look. See the short French manicure, where natural bases flirt with bright tips for a sunny upgrade to a classic hairstyle.

Professional opinion: The short French manicure provides a nice contrast to his natural nail bed and bright pink tips. It’s a refreshing twist on the French tip design that exudes a simple almond shape, making it versatile for both casual and formal wear.

Consumables:

• Base Coat: OPI natural nail base coat
• Pink polish: Essie’s “Fiesta”
• Top coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast Topcoat
• My expert tip: For a seamless French tip, use adhesive stencils to get that crisp line.

DIY instructions: Start with a clean, polished nail. Apply the base coat, followed by two coats of sheer nude polish. Once dry, place the stencil and paint the points with your chosen bright shade. Finish with a quick-drying top coat for a lasting summer look.

The refreshing square solid

Summer is synonymous with freshness, and what could be fresher than a cool mint within reach? Shows off square, chunky nails in a soothing mint shade, decorated with a touch of metallic art.

Professional advice: The square shape combined with a solid mint color creates a neutral, yet striking look. The metallic art adds a creative twist, turning these medium square nails into a canvas for expression.

Consumables:

• Acrylic powder: CND Perfect Color in ‘Cool Mint’
• Metallic paint: Sally Hansen Color Foil in ‘Sterling Silver’
• My expert tip: Use a fine brush to apply the metallic paint and create abstract designs.

DIY instructions: After applying acrylic, choose a mint-colored powder and polish to perfection. Use a fine brush with metallic polish to create your design. Seal it with a top coat for a dazzling finish.

The swirling neon art ideas

Who says acrylic paint can’t be a work of art? Captures the essence of summer with swirling patterns of neon art ideas that are both bold and beautiful.

Professional advice: The interplay of neon shades in a marbled design makes this long square set a powerful statement piece. The use of white space accentuates the colorful swirls, making each nail a unique masterpiece.

Consumables:

• Neon Paints: China Glaze Electric Nights Collection
• Detail Brush: Winstonia Fine Line Brush
• My expert tip: Dilute your neon polishes with a clear base to make them more fluid for marbling.

DIY instructions: Drop several neon polishes on the nail. Use a thin brush to swirl the colors together. Work quickly while the paint dries and finish with a top coat for a vibrant lifespan.

Strong sunshine

Take it professionally

As a professional manicurist, he brings the essence of sunshine to life. These long square nails come in a radiant yellow that is bold yet surprisingly versatile, perfect for long beach days or casual summer evenings. The finish is glossy and reminiscent of the kiss of a sunbeam, making it a striking choice for those who prefer a simple yet colorful statement.

Consumables needed

• Base Coat: OPI natural nail base coat
• Acrylic powder: Glam and Glits Clear Yellow
• Acrylic liquid monomer: Mia Secret Professional
• Top coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast Top nail polish
• My professional recommendation: For lasting shine and to prevent yellowing, never skip the top coat.

DIY instructions

1. Prepare your nails with a good base coat to protect them and ensure adhesion.
2. Dip your brush into the liquid monomer and then into the yellow acrylic powder to form a bead.
3. Apply the bead to the nail and smooth it from the cuticle to the free edge.
4. Once dry, shape the nails into a long square and apply a glossy top coat for that sun-kissed shine.

Electric lime fantasy

Take it professionally

It’s a bold expression where the neon art ideas come to life in a vibrant electric lime. The medium square nails are accented with silver chrome and decorated with rhinestones, symbolizing a playful yet professional design. The neon French tips are not just a design; they are a statement, a rebellion against the mundane, beckoning the smart and adventurous heart.

Consumables needed

• Base layer: Essie Here To Stay base layer
• Neon acrylic powder: Kiara Sky Neon Green
• Silver Chrome Powder: Born Pretty Mirror Nail Powder
• Stones: Swarovski clear crystal mix
• My professional recommendation: The contrast between the matte and chrome finishes can create a mesmerizing effect. Use a matte top coat on the neon sections to enhance this.

DIY instructions

1. After the base coat, apply the neon acrylic powder.
2. For the accent nail, apply silver chrome powder with a sponge applicator after a no-wipe gel top coat.
3. Place rhinestones while the top layer is still sticky.
4. Seal everything with a top coat, matte on neon and gloss over chrome and stones.

Cobalt creativity

Take it professionally

This look pays tribute to the deep cobalt blue color that draws attention. These almond shaped nails come in a striking monochromatic blue color with a creative black and white abstract design on the ring finger. This manicure is for those who like to play with dark but expressive shades, combining artistic flair with sophistication.

Consumables needed

• Base layer: Sally Hansen Double Duty
• Cobalt blue acrylic powder: CND Retention pure cobalt
• Black and white acrylic paint: Acrylic paint set
• Fine detail brush: Winstonia Fine Line Nail Art Brush
• My professional recommendation: Using a fine detail brush for the abstract design gives you more control and precision.

DIY instructions

1. Start with the base coat and then model your nails with cobalt blue acrylic.
2. Paint your abstract design on the ring finger with black and white acrylic paint.
3. Finish with a clear top coat to seal your design.
4. Remember, abstract art has no rules, so unleash your creativity!