As the sun-soaked days of summer approach, it's the perfect time to embrace the vibrant spirit of the season through your nails. Whether you're lounging by the shore or daydreaming of a seaside getaway, beach-themed nails offer a delightful way to express your love for summer. From tranquil blues reminiscent of ocean waves to playful designs inspired by sandy shores and tropical paradises, there's a beach-themed nail art style for every sun-seeker.
Summer nail trends evolve each year, but beach-themed nails remain everyone’s favorite. They capture the essence of relaxation and adventure, bringing a touch of coastal charm to your fingertips. These designs are both accessible and endlessly customizable, so you can recreate them at home and adjust them to your liking.
Get ready to dive into our curated collection of stunning beach themed nails that will inspire your next manicure and evoke the carefree spirit of summer wherever you go.
1. Tropical Paradise
Transform your nails into a mini vacation with a tropical paradise theme. Picture palm trees swaying against a sunset sky, vibrant hues of orange and pink mirroring the evening glow, and perhaps a hint of sparkling sand. This design encapsulates the essence of a tropical getaway right on your fingertips.
Design Elements
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Colors: Sunset shades such as coral, peach, andgolden yellow.
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Patterns:Palm tree silhouettes, sunset gradients, and maybe a touch of glitter for that sandy sparkle.
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Accents: Tiny seashells or starfish decals for added beachy charm.
Tips for Achieving the Look
Get your perfect tropical beach-themed nails with these tips:
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Base Coat: Start with a light, neutral base coat to make the colors pop.
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Gradient Effect: Use a makeup sponge to create a sunset gradient effect on each nail.
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Detailing:Paint palm tree silhouettes using a thinnail art brush or stencil. Alternatively, opt for palm tree nail stickers for a quicker application.
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Finishing Touches: Add tiny seashell or starfish accents to one or two nails for a whimsical touch.
2. Nautical Vibes
Set sail with nautical-themed nails that evoke the timeless charm of the sea. Whether you're a sailor at heart or simply love the classic maritime aesthetic, nautical vibes bring a touch of sophistication to your summer manicure.
Design Elements
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Colors: Navy blue,crisp white, and accents of red or gold.
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Patterns: Classic stripes, anchor motifs, and sailor knot designs.
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Accents:Miniature ship wheels, tiny anchor charms, or even a subtle rope detail.
How to Get the Nautical Look
The nautical look is the king of beach-themed nails. Here’s how you can achieve it:
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Base Coat:Begin with a base coat ofnavy blue or pure white to establish your nautical theme.
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Stripes and Patterns:Usenail striping tape or a nail art brush to create clean, diagonal stripes or horizontal lines. Alternatively, opt for pre-designed nautical nail wraps for convenience.
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Anchor Accents:Apply tiny anchor decals or hand-paint anchors using a nail art brush. Ensure to place them strategically on one or two nails for a balanced look.
3. Mermaid Scales
Dive into the mystical world of mermaids with a mesmerizing mermaid scales manicure. This enchanting theme combines iridescent colors and intricate patterns to create a whimsical underwater fantasy right on your fingertips.
Design Elements
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Nail Polish Hues:Shades of iridescent blues, greens, and purples.
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Patterns:Scales resembling those of a mermaid's tail, often achieved through a gradient or fish-scale stencil.
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Accents:Pearlescent orholographic nail polish for a magical shimmer, and perhaps a few tiny pearls or starfish embellishments.
How to Get Mermaid Manicure on Your Fingertips
Mermaid manicure is not for the faint of heart. Get it right, and your nails are going to be a show-stopper! Here’s how to get this cute beach-themed nails look.
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Base Coat:Start with a base coat of a light, iridescent polish to set the magical tone.
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Scale Effect:Use a fish-scale nail stencil or a makeup sponge to create a gradient effect with iridescent blues, greens, and purples.
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Detailing:Enhance the scales with a thin nail art brush or nail stamping plate. You can also add some pearlescent polish over the scales for extra depth and shine.
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Accents: Applytiny pearls or starfish charms on one or two accent nails to complete the mermaid-inspired look.
4. Seashell Nails
Embrace the beauty of the beach with seashell-inspired nails that capture the essence of the ocean's treasures. This delicate and elegant design evokes the tranquil shores and brings a touch of seaside charm to your summer manicure. For those who want the ultimate beach-themed nails - that’s the look you should go for!
Design Elements
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Color Palette:Soft pastel shades likepearl white, ocean blue, sandy beige, andcoral pink.
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Patterns: Seashell shapes and textures, achieved through nail stamping plates or hand-painted designs.
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Accents: Realistic seashell decals, tiny pearls, or even crushed shells for a textured, 3D effect.
How to Get This Look
We get it - this design is slightly more complicated than the others but you can still crush it!
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Base Coat:Start with a base coat in a soft pastel shade to create a serene backdrop.
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Seashell Designs: Use a nail stamping plate with seashell patterns or hand-paint seashell shapes using a fine nail art brush. Apply small seashell decals strategically on one or two nails, or sprinkle crushed shells onto wet polish. If you want, you can use real seashells for the ultimate, three-dimensional look.
5. Turquoise Nails
If you want simple beach-themed nails you can easily do at home, try turquoise manicure for the summer. Turquoise nails evoke the tranquility of tropical oceans and are perfect for those seeking a sophisticated, soothing, and solid-color look.
Design Elements
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Colors: Shades of turquoise ranging from light aqua to deep teal. If you’re looking for the perfect turquoise nail polish, check out ourUnder the Sea.
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Patterns: Subtle textures like water ripples, ombre effects, or abstract swirls reminiscent of ocean waves.
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Accents:Silver or gold accents for a touch of elegance, or small rhinestones to mimic glistening water droplets.
Make Your Turquoise Nails Pop
There’s so much more to turquoise nails than meets the eye! Here’s how to make this gorgeous hue pop:
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Nail Polish Application:Start with a base coat of turquoise nail polish that matches your desired shade. Then, apply two or even three layers of your chosen nail polish to get a more opaque look.
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Texture and Effects:Create depth with ombre techniques using lighter and darker shades of turquoise, or use a nail art brush to paint delicate water-inspired patterns.
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Accents: Add silver or gold accents with nail striping tape or by hand-painting thin lines. Alternatively, apply small rhinestones near the cuticles or as a scattered pattern for added sparkle.
6. Exotic Leaves
Bring a touch of lush greenery and tropical vibes to your nails with exotic leaves nail art. This botanical-inspired design captures the beauty of vibrant foliage and is perfect for those who love to embrace the natural elements of the beach and summer.
Design Elements
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Colors:Rich greens,deep emeralds, and vibrant jungle hues.
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Patterns: Various exotic leaf shapes such as palm leaves, monstera leaves, ferns, and tropical foliage.
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Accents:Matte or glossy finishes, metallic leaf accents, or small floral embellishments for added detail.
How to Get the Exotic Jungle Look
Again, this manicure would require some detailing and focus, but it’s nothing you wouldn’t be able to do on your own:
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Go-to Colors:Apply a base coat as usual and opt for alush green shade to set the tropical theme. You can pick a nude base to make the green pop, and go for black nail polish to help you with detailing.
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Leaf Designs: Use nail art brushes or stamping plates to create intricate leaf designs on each nail. Experiment with different leaf shapes and sizes for a natural look.
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Classy Accents:You can jazz up your design with metallic leaf accents by applying gold or silver leaf foil delicately onto the nails. Alternatively, add small floral decals or rhinestones for a touch of elegance.
Beach-Themed Nails - Final Word
There you have it, 6 amazing ideas for cute beach-themed nails you should try this summer. Remember, nail art is not just about aesthetics; it's a creative canvas where you can showcase your personality and embrace seasonal trends. Any of these beach-themed nails are the perfect accessory to complement your summer adventures - we hope you’re inspired to try something new.
Check out our collection of nail polishes to stock up for summer, and make sure to follow our blog to discover more tips and nail design ideas!
