Summer Almond Nails Colors & Designs 25 Ideas

Have you ever thought about what your summer look is missing? Could it be a pop of color at your fingertips, a creative twist to your everyday style? Summer almond nail colors and design ideas – how do they transform an ordinary day into a fashion statement? Let’s find out, okay?

Vibrant coral: the summer statement

Professional Insights: Almond nails whisper elegance, but when you bathe them in a vibrant coral shade, they scream summer fun! This short and beautiful look is perfect for those who want a mix of maintenance and glamour. The glossy finish and solid color choice not only flatter darker skin tones, but also add a touch of youthful exuberance to any outfit.

Materials required:

• Base layer: CND Stickey base layer
• Coral Lacquer: Essie’s “Tart Deco”
• Top coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast Topcoat

DIY tips: Start with a clean, shaped nail. Apply your base coat to protect your nails and then apply two thin coats of that alluring coral. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly and then finish with a high-gloss top coat for that enviable shine.

Ice blue elegance

Professional Insights: Cool as an ice-cold latte on a sweltering day, these long, smooth almond nails are a breath of fresh air. The icy blue hue exudes a serene atmosphere, while the glossy, almost chrome-like finish provides a mirror-like shine that catches the light – and envious glances!

Materials required:

• Base Coat: OPI natural nail base coat
• Blue polish: OPI “It’s a Boy!”
• Top coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Topcoat

DIY Tips: Prep your nails with a base coat to prevent stains. Be patient when applying the blue polish and use even strokes. Finish with a top coat to lock in the color and add a gel-like finish without the need for UV lights.

Electric green blinds

Professional insights: neon nails? Yes, please! This neon green shade on almond shaped nails is not for the faint of heart. It’s bold, it’s bright and it’s all summer. It falls beautifully on all skin tones and pairs beautifully with simple or fully multi-colored clothing.

Materials required:

• Base coat: Butter London Nail Foundation Priming Basecoat
• Neon green polish: China Glaze “I’m With the Lifeguard”
• Top layer: INM Out The Door quick-drying top layer

DIY Tips: Neon polishes can be transparent, so start with a white base coat to make the color pop. Apply 2-3 coats of neon polish and wait between each coat until it dries. Once finished, a quick-drying top coat will add shine and durability.

Ombre pink fantasy

Professional Insights: Ombre isn’t just a hair trend, it’s a nail craze too! These almond nails with pink ombre effect are nothing short of a playful dream. The progression from soft pink to a bolder tone at the ends is like a sunset for your nails.

Materials required:

• Base layer: Deborah Lippmann Everything about that base
• Pink polishes: Essie “Muchi, Muchi” and “Bachelorette Bash”
• Sponge for ombre effect
• Top coat: Revlon Extra Life No Chip Top Coat

DIY tips: After your base coat, apply the lighter pink as a base color. Then, dab your sponge in the darker pink and press it lightly onto the tips of your nails, blending it downwards to create the ombre effect. Seal it with a top coat for a smooth transition.

Pastel rainbow tips

Pro Insights: These nails are a playful twist on the classic French tip, replacing white with a pastel rainbow palette. It’s a creative pattern that’s fun yet sophisticated, making it a versatile choice for summer.

Materials required:

• Base layer: Zoya Anchor base layer
• Pastel polishes: Sally Hansen’s complete salon manicure in the shades ‘Mint Condition’, ‘Peach of Cake’ and ‘Let’s Snow’
• Top Coat: Essie Good To Go Top Coat

DIY Tips: After you apply your base coat, paint a sheer nude as a base. Use a thin brush to subtly paint the points in alternating pastel colors. Finish with a quick-drying top coat for a flawless look.

Dreamy sunset gradient

Professional Insights: Embrace the allure of the summer sky with these ombre nails that seem to borrow shades from a dreamy sunset. The soft color gradient goes from soft peach to pink, while a luminous hint of blue adds a touch of the calm of the ocean. This design is perfect for those looking for a mix of pastel and neon without going over the top.

Materials required:

• Base layer: ORLY Bonder rubber base layer
• Peach Lacquer: OPI “Freedom of Peach”
• Pink polish: Zoya “Brie”
• Blue highlight: ILNP “Blueprint”
• Top coat: Essie Gel Setter Topcoat

DIY tips: For the smoothest gradient, use a makeup sponge to layer and blend the colors. Apply the base coat, then apply your nail polish to the sponge and dab it onto the nail until you are happy with the blend. Seal with a top coat for a glossy finish.

Playful pastel print

Professional insights: here the wild side of summer meets elegance. The playful pastel pink serves as a backdrop for a tasteful arrangement of animal prints and leaf accents. It’s a bold yet delicate balance, a simple statement piece for the adventurous at heart.

Materials required:

• Base layer: Essie Grow Stronger
• Pink base coat: CND Shellac “Cake Pop”
• Black detail polish: Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen in Black
• Leaf green polish: Essie “Mojito Madness”
• Dotting tool or fine brush
• Top coat: Glistening and shiny top coat

DIY tips: After your base coat and pink nail polish, use the dotting tool or fine brush to add animal prints and leaf details. Practice the designs on paper first if you are new to nail art. Finish with a top coat to protect your design.

Glitter encapsulated elegance

Professional insights: Nothing says glitz and glamor as much as encapsulated nail art. This design with pink spots captured in a clear acrylic layer is a nod to the creative potential of summery, bright acrylic designs. It is refined yet playful and suitable for all nail types.

Materials required:

• Base coat: Kiara Sky Basecoat
• Pink glitter flakes: Born Pretty Nail Sequins
• Clear acrylic powder: Mia Secret Clear Acrylic Powder
• Acrylic liquid: Young Nails Monomer
• Top coat: Kiara Sky No-Wipe Topcoat

DIY tips: After the base coat, sprinkle glitter on the wet polish or mix it into your clear acrylic powder. When applying acrylic, work quickly and efficiently to shape the nail before the mixture hardens. Cap with a no-wipe top layer for long-lasting shine.

Fresh French with a twist

Professional Insights: A fresh take on the classic French tip, these almond nails are testament to summer’s love affair with pastel. The neon green dots add a pop of playful color against the muted lavender base, creating a look that’s fresh and full of pizzazz.

Materials required:

• Base layer: Duri Rejuvacote
• Lavender polish: Essie “Go Ginza”
• Neon green paint: Orly “Glowstick”
• Top coat: China Glaze Fast Forward Topcoat

DIY tips: Paint the nails with your lavender base. Once dry, carefully apply the neon green to the tips using a steady hand or guide stickers. A quick swipe of topcoat will blend the design seamlessly.

Monochromatic wonder

Professional insights: These almond nails celebrate black and white with a twist. The muted palettes of gray and pure white alternate between the fingers, offering a minimalist yet edgy look. The abstract silver chrome striping adds an unexpected burst of sparkle.

Materials required:

• Base layer: ORLY Bonder rubber base layer
• Gray paint: OPI “Suzi talks with her hands”
• White polish: Essie “Blanc”
• Silver chrome striping tape
• Top coat: Seche Vive Instant Gel Effect Topcoat

DIY tips: Apply the base coat, followed by two coats of gray or white polish, depending on your finger choice. For the striping, use tweezers for precise placement of the chrome tape. Finish everything off with a gel effect top coat for durability.

Neon Safari mix

Professional insights: This bold ensemble combines bright, bold neon orange with acrylic accents of wildlife prints. It’s a cool look for those who live for summer adventures. It is a true embodiment of creative patterning and an ode to those who want their nails to be a conversation starter.

Materials required:

• Base Coat: OPI natural nail base coat
• Neon orange polish: China Glaze “Sun Worshiper”
• Black polish for details: Sinful Colors “Black on Black”
• Matte top coat: OPI Matte Topcoat

DIY tips: To recreate this safari-inspired theme, start with a solid neon base. Use a thin brush for the animal prints and let your wild side guide the patterns. Finish with a matte top coat to contrast the vibrant neon.

Glistening sand

Professional Insights: This nail design captures the essence of a moonlit beach with its glitter-infused elegance. The subtle ombre of glitter creates a sandy texture reminiscent of summer evenings by the sea. It’s an easy, yet stunning look for any nail type, especially those craving a touch of sparkle.

Materials required:

• Base layer: Sally Hansen Double Duty
• Nude: Essie “Bare With Me”
• Silver glitter polish: ILNP “Juliette”
• Top coat: China Glaze Fast Forward Topcoat

DIY tips: After the base coat, apply a nude polish as a base. Build up the silver glitter polish gradually from the tip, reducing the amount as you move down. Finish with a quick-drying top coat for a glossy effect.

Pink icing

Professional insights: This pink design with a hint of glitter on the crescent moon of the nail exudes understated chic and offers a fresh take on classic elegance. Perfect for those who prefer simplicity with a touch of glamour, the design speaks of tranquil summer evenings and sophisticated soirées.

Materials required:

• Base layer: ORLY Bonder rubber base layer
• Pink Nail Polish: OPI “Princesses Rule!”
• Glitter Accent: Nails Inc. “Chelsea Square”
• Top coat: Seche Vive Instant Gel Effect Topcoat

DIY Tips: After priming your nails with the base coat, apply your chosen pink shade. Use a detail brush to apply a crescent of glitter to the base of each nail and seal with a top coat for a glassy finish.

Refined French with a dot

Professional insights: An update on the classic French tip, this design introduces a cool blue and a playful polka dot pattern on a nude base. It is a modern variant that plays with the traditional expectations of French manicure, perfect for the summer trendsetter.

Materials required:

• Base coat: CND sticky base coat
• Nude paint: Zoya “Avery”
• Blue polish for tips: Essie “Bikini So Teeny”
• Point tool or toothpick
• Top coat: Butter LONDON Hardwear Shine UV top coat

DIY tips: Apply a base coat, followed by a nude polish. Once dry, add the blue tips with a steady hand or with conductive stickers. Dip the dotting tool in black nail polish and add dots along the smile line for an extra accent. Finish with a layer of top coat.

Neon flame tips

Professional Insights: The neon tips on these almond nails are like flames licking the edge of an otherwise understated design. It is the epitome of bright summer acrylic with a sophisticated twist, reminiscent of late night campfires on the beach.

Materials required:

• Base layer: Essie Strong Start
• White polish: Essie “Blanc”
• Neon orange polish: ORLY “Melt Your Popsicle”
• Glitter Accent: Deborah Lippmann “Boom Boom Pow”
• Top coat: INM Out The Door Topcoat

DIY Tips: Start with a white base to make the neon really pop. Apply the neon orange in a sweeping motion to the flame-like ends, and add a thin line of glitter at the parting for an extra sparkle. A top coat keeps everything in place and shines bright.

Bold fuchsia finesse

Professional Insights: Drenched in a vibrant fuchsia, these almond nails are a statement of bold and unapologetic femininity. The deep pink shade is striking and adds a pop of color, perfect for long, sun-drenched days and warm, balmy nights.

Materials required:

• Base coat: Jessica Custom Nail Color in Flirty
• Fuchsia paint: CND Vinylux in Electric Pink
• Top coat: CND Vinylux Weekly Topcoat

DIY tips: Start with a nourishing base coat, followed by two coats of vibrant fuchsia polish for full coverage. Seal it with a durable top coat for a glossy finish that will last.

Classic Crimson Luxury

Professional insights: Embrace the timelessness of a classic red manicure. These almond nails painted in a rich, deep crimson color evoke a sense of luxury and sophistication. They are versatile for day to night transitions and beautifully complement dark skin tones.

Materials required:

• Base layer: ORLY Bonder
• Crimson polish: Essie in Bordeaux
• Top coat: Essie Gel Setter Topcoat

DIY Tips: Make sure the nail surface is clean before applying the nail polish so that the nail polish adheres smoothly. After the base coat, apply the crimson polish evenly, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly. Finish with a glossy top coat for a gel-like shine.

Pink flamingo flair

Professional Insights: This vibrant pink nail design, enhanced with artistic black lines, channels the essence of a flamingo: graceful yet playful. It stands out as a creative summer nail art, perfect for those looking for a unique manicure that is both fun and stylish.

Materials required:

• Base coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Cure
• Pink polish: OPI in Strawberry Margarita
• Black for details: Konad Stamping Nail Art in Black
• Top layer: INM Out The Door

DIY tips: After the base coat, apply your pink nail polish. Once dry, use a fine brush to add the black details, inspired by the natural elegance of flamingos. Seal your art with a quick-drying top coat to preserve the design.

Citrus edge

Pro Insights: These nails offer a touch of summer with their neon yellow French tips, which put a citrusy twist on the classic look. It’s a fresh, sassy style that will put your hands at the center of attention, perfect for anyone ready to embrace the vibrancy of the season.

Materials required:

• Base layer: Essie Here to Stay
• Nude: Zoya in Avery
• Neon yellow polish for tips: China Glaze in Celtic Sun
• Top coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast Topcoat

DIY tips: Apply a sheer nude polish as a base for a sleek look. For the tips, use a thin brush to apply the neon yellow, creating a sharp and precise edge. A quick-drying top coat provides durability and shine.

A pastel dream: soft pink and minty freshness

The harmony of pastel colors and precious metals

Entering the realm of pastel colors for summer almond nails invites a delicate dance of elegance and subtlety. The manicure combines soft pink tones with refreshing mint green, separated by a golden line that gives a luxurious touch. This design is perfect for those looking for a simple yet sophisticated color mix with a French tip inspiration that is suitable for any summer occasion.

• Consumables needed:
  • Pastel pink gel polish
  • Mint green gel polish
  • Fine gold glitter striping tape
  • Shiny top coat

Choose a highly pigmented pastel gel polish for full and even coverage that embodies the essence of summer. The gold glitter striping tape adds a touch of opulence and creates a multi-dimensional look that catches the light beautifully.

DIY: Create perfect pastels

Start by prepping your nails with a good base coat. Apply two coats of pastel pink nail polish to the nails intended for the soft shade. For the mint green nails, two layers are also sufficient. Make sure each layer is completely dry before applying the next. Carefully place the gold glitter tape at the point where the two colors meet to define the separation. Finish with a glossy top coat for a long-lasting, sturdy finish that shimmers in the summer sun.

Almond nails: a canvas for summer dreams

Summer elegance: black and white chic

As a professional manicurist, I can tell you that the contrasting simplicity of black and white never goes out of style: it is timeless, versatile and chic. The almond nails pictured are no exception. Here we see a bold statement with the black solid base on some nails, while others show off a playful leopard print. The combination exudes both sophistication and fun, ideal for those who want to combine simplicity with a touch of the wild side.

• Consumables needed:
  • Jet black acrylic paint
  • White acrylic paint
  • High gloss top coat
  • Matte top layer
  • Leopard print template (optional)

For a truly seamless look, I recommend using high-quality jet black acrylic paint, combined with bright white to achieve that sharp contrast. A high-gloss top coat over the black gives a luxurious shine, while a matte finish to the leopard print can create a beautiful textural contrast.

DIY: step into the wilderness

Making this design at home requires a steady hand and a little patience. Start with a clean, dry nail and apply a base coat. For sturdy nails, use two layers of black acrylic, each of which should be allowed to dry thoroughly. For the leopard spots, use a fine-tipped brush or a stencil to dab on irregular areas. Once dry, seal with your choice of a high gloss or matte top coat. Remember that it is important to allow each layer to dry completely to avoid staining.

The Serene Blue: a summer heaven within your reach

Sky blue tranquility and seamless finish

We dive into a serene sky blue that is as peaceful as a calm summer day. This solid blue almond-shaped manicure embodies what it means to wear the season on your nails. The full, creamy coverage of this polish offers a simple and sophisticated look, which is versatile for both day and night wear.

• Consumables needed:
  • Sky blue cream colored paint
  • Base layer
  • Shiny top coat

When choosing your nail polish, aim for a formula that promises a streak-free application. The creamy consistency of the chosen sky blue should provide a firm and opaque finish, reminiscent of a calm summer sky.

DIY: Blue Horizons at home

Start with a base coat to protect your natural nails. Apply the sky blue polish in thin, even layers, allowing drying time in between. Two coats should be enough for an opaque finish, but if you prefer a deeper intensity, an additional coat can be added. Finish with a glossy top coat to lock in the color and provide that beautiful shine that will last throughout your summer adventures.

Electric Blue: the splash of summer energy

Vibrant hues and unapologetic daring

The nail design is a true representation of the dynamic spirit of summer. This electric blue is not for the faint of heart. It is a color that stands out, ideal for people who want to add a touch of energy to their summer style. The almond shape complements the striking color and makes for a striking statement piece on your fingertips.

• Consumables needed:
  • Electric blue gel polish
  • UV/LED curing lamp
  • High gloss top coat

For intense and long-lasting color payoff, a high-quality electric blue gel polish is essential. Remember to cure under a UV/LED lamp for durability on the sunniest days.

DIY: Make a splash with blue

Start with a prepared nail, apply a base coat and let it harden. Then apply the electric blue lacquer and cure after each coat. Two coats should achieve the full and vibrant look you desire. A high gloss top coat gives it a glossy finish that is as reflective as calm seawater under the midday sun.

Lavender fields: a touch of flowers in summer

Softness meets creativity: the pastel-colored flowers

We come across a nail design that captures the essence of a lavender field swaying in a gentle summer breeze. It is a playful yet elegant mix of pink and purple with floral designs that evoke the feeling of walking through a blooming garden. The use of ombre techniques alongside patterns and floral arrangements demonstrates a creative celebration of the season.

• Consumables needed:
  • Pink gel polish
  • Purple gel polish
  • White art paint
  • Point tools
  • Fine brush for detail work

I recommend using a lighter pink base that fades into a soft purple for the perfect ombre effect. The flower patterns can be painted by hand with a fine brush or created for precision with dotting tools.

DIY: blooming beauty

After you’ve applied your base coat, blend your pink and purple polishes onto the nail, using a sponge for a soft ombre transition. Using a fine brush, add delicate white flowers and accent with purple dots to mimic the center of the flowers. Finish with a top coat to complete your floral masterpiece.

Classic with a twist: pink swirls and white accents

The almond nails have a classic pink base with an innovative twist of white swirls. It’s a design that speaks of a playful yet sophisticated approach to nail art, making it an excellent choice for those looking for something simple yet eye-catching. This manicure can gracefully transition from a casual daytime look to an elegant evening look.

• Consumables needed:
  • Pastel pink gel polish
  • White nail art paint
  • Detailing brush
  • Matte or glossy top coat (based on preference)

A solid pastel pink serves as a beautiful canvas for the white accents. Using a detail brush allows for precision when painting the swirls, which can be as intricate or minimal as desired.

DIY: elegance in every stroke

Apply the pastel pink polish as a base and let it harden. Create playful white swirls on each nail with a detail brush. The beauty of this design lies in its simple execution yet stunning visual impact. A matte top layer can give a modern look, while glossy provides timeless elegance.