Beyond the Polish: The 2024 Summer Edit of Runway-Ready Manicures
Hi my loves! Can you feel it? That soft, golden warmth hitting your skin and the promise of long, salt-aired afternoons? As we transition into my favorite season of all, I wanted to invite you into a little moment of self-care. There is something so incredibly soul-soothing about sitting down with a cup of iced herbal tea and giving your hands the love they deserve. Our hands tell our stories—they hold our loved ones, they create our art, and this summer, they are going to be our favorite accessory.
This season isn’t just about following a trend; it’s about finding the shade that feels like a cloud-soft embrace for your soul. Whether you are dreaming of the cobblestone streets of Rome or the shimmering scales of a mythical sea creature, I’ve curated this guide to help you bring those runway vibes right into your cozy living room. Let’s dive into the colors and textures that are defining Summer 2024, together.
The Power of the Classic: 3 Simple Steps for Perfect Red Summer Nails
Why to love these Nails:
There is something so timeless and empowering about a red manicure; it’s like a power move for your fingertips. This summer, we are leaning into ‘Cherry Red’—a shade that is vibrant, juicy, and looks absolutely stunning against a sun-kissed glow.
Essential Items:
- A high-quality base coat
- Vibrant cherry red polish
- High-shine top coat
- Cuticle oil
How to Prepare:
- Gently push back your cuticles and apply a thin base coat to protect your natural nail.
- Apply two thin, even layers of your chosen red polish, allowing two minutes of drying time between each.
- Seal the deal with a glossy top coat and a drop of cuticle oil for that professional ‘just-left-the-salon’ finish.
Budget Range
- Essie ‘Fifth Avenue’ ($10)
- OPI ‘Big Apple Red’ ($11)
- Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Red ($7)
Glow from Within: 5 Easy Tips to Get Summer Nails Pink and Glowy
Why to love these Nails:
Soft, glowing pink nails are like a whisper of luxury. This ‘lit-from-within’ look is all about health, hydration, and a hint of pearlescent magic that catches the light whenever you move your hands.
Essential Items:
- Sheer milky pink polish
- Pearl or chrome powder
- Buffing block
- Nail strengthener
How to Prepare:
- Buff your nails to a smooth surface to ensure the sheer polish lays perfectly flat.
- Apply one coat of nail strengthener as your foundation.
- Layer two coats of sheer pink.
- While slightly tacky, gently buff in a tiny amount of pearl powder.
- Finish with a gel-effect top coat for maximum glow.
Budget Range
- Zoya ‘Bela’ ($12)
- Wet n Wild ‘Tickled Pink’ ($3)
- Essie ‘Sugar Daddy’ ($10)
Mellow Yellow: 4 Ways to Style Your Yellow Nails This Season
Why to love these Nails:
Yellow is the color of pure joy! This year, ‘Butter Yellow’ is taking over the runways. It’s softer than neon but more playful than a neutral, making it the perfect companion for your summer sundresses.
Essential Items:
- Butter yellow polish
- Matte top coat
- Fine detail brush
- White polish (for accents)
How to Prepare:
- The Matte Look: Apply your yellow polish and finish with a matte top coat for a modern, ‘velvet’ feel.
- The Micro-French: Use a fine brush to paint a tiny yellow line at the very tip of a nude nail.
- The Daisy Accent: Dot small white circles on your ring finger for a vintage floral vibe.
- The Ombre: Sponge yellow onto the tips of a white base for a soft sunset gradient.
Budget Range
- Holo Taco ‘Butterscotch Hop’ ($11)
- Essie ‘Skulls & Roses’ ($10)
- Revlon ‘Electric’ ($6)
Ocean Soul: 6 Secrets to Achieve the Ultimate Beach Nails Look
Why to love these Nails:
These nails are for the dreamers who find their peace by the shore. We are combining sandy textures with seafoam blues to create a look that feels like a vacation in a bottle.
Essential Items:
- Seafoam green or turquoise polish
- Gold leaf flakes
- Sponging tool
- Nude ‘sand’ colored polish
How to Prepare:
- Start with a nude base to represent the shoreline.
- Sponge the blue polish onto the top half of the nail to create a ‘wave’ effect.
- Apply tiny fragments of gold leaf at the ‘shoreline’ to mimic sparkling sand.
- Use a toothpick to swirl a tiny bit of white into the blue for sea foam.
- Use a matte top coat on the ‘sand’ and glossy on the ‘water’.
- Clean edges with a brush dipped in remover.
Budget Range
- ILNP ‘Two Piece’ ($10)
- Orly ‘Far Out’ ($12)
- Sinful Colors ‘Turquoise Tiffany’ ($4)
Barbiecore Revival: 3 Fast Methods for Stunning Hot Pink Nails
Why to love these Nails:
Hot pink is a mood, a statement, and a celebration of femininity. It’s bold, it’s loud, and it’s surprisingly versatile for any summer party or music festival.
Essential Items:
- Neon or Hot Pink polish
- Jelly top coat
- White base coat (to make the neon pop)
How to Prepare:
- The ‘Neon Pop’ Method: Apply one coat of white polish first; this makes the pink appear twice as bright.
- The ‘Jelly’ Method: Mix your pink with a bit of clear top coat for a translucent, candy-like finish.
- The ‘Double Gloss’ Method: Apply two layers of top coat for a high-fashion, plastic-wrap shine.
Budget Range
- OPI ‘Hi Barbie!’ ($11)
- China Glaze ‘Pink Voltage’ ($8)
- L.A. Girl ‘Flashy’ ($5)
Mediterranean Dream: 5 Steps to Create Your Dreamy Italy Nails Aesthetic
Why to love these Nails:
Inspired by the Amalfi Coast, these nails feature delicate tile patterns and lemon motifs. It’s an aesthetic that feels sophisticated, worldly, and incredibly chic.
Essential Items:
- Cobalt blue striper
- Lemon yellow polish
- White opaque base
- Ultra-fine nail art brush
How to Prepare:
- Apply two coats of crisp white polish and let dry completely.
- Use your fine brush to draw small ‘X’ shapes in cobalt blue to start a tile pattern.
- Add tiny yellow dots in the corners to represent lemons.
- Connect the blue lines with delicate swirls.
- Seal with a long-wear top coat to protect your hand-painted art.
Budget Range
- Barry M ‘Damson’ ($6)
- Essie ‘Blanc’ ($10)
- Manucurist ‘Mimosa’ ($14)
Santorini Sunset: 4 Simple Tricks for Classic Greece Nails Vibes
Why to love these Nails:
The Greece aesthetic is all about the contrast between the deep Aegean blue and the bright white architecture. It’s clean, refreshing, and looks beautiful with gold jewelry.
Essential Items:
- Deep navy or royal blue polish
- Sticker guides or tape
- Opaque white polish
How to Prepare:
- Negative Space: Use tape to leave a triangle of your natural nail exposed while painting the rest white.
- The Evil Eye: Use a dotting tool to place a large blue dot, a smaller white dot, and a tiny black dot in the center.
- Alternating Solids: Paint three fingers white and two fingers royal blue for a minimalist look.
- Gold Accents: Add a single gold stripe to bridge the blue and white sections.
Budget Range
- OPI ‘Mi Casa Es Blue Casa’ ($11)
- Essie ‘Butler Please’ ($10)
- Sally Hansen ‘White On’ ($5)
Under the Sea: 7 Easy Layers for Magical Mermaid Nails
Why to love these Nails:
Mermaid nails are all about texture and iridescence. It’s a whimsical look that uses layering to create depth, making your nails look like they belong underwater.
Essential Items:
- Iridescent ‘Unicorn’ topper
- Green-to-blue duochrome polish
- Small scale-shaped glitters
- Clear builder gel (optional for 3D effect)
How to Prepare:
- Apply a dark teal base coat.
- Layer a thin coat of duochrome polish.
- Apply the iridescent topper while the second layer is damp.
- Place scale-shaped glitters individually near the cuticle.
- Add another layer of iridescent topper to ‘bury’ the glitter.
- Use a thick top coat to smooth the surface.
- Finish with a UV-protectant spray to keep the shimmer bright.
Budget Range
- Mooncat ‘Mermaid Bait’ ($15)
- KBShimmer ‘Hidden Agenda’ ($12)
- Pacific ‘Rainbow Gloss’ ($9)
The Modern Twist: 5 Classic Ways to Refresh French Nails Summer Style
Why to love these Nails:
The French manicure is a classic for a reason, but this summer we are giving it a colorful, playful update that feels fresh and youthful.
Essential Items:
- Nude base polish
- Pastel polish set
- French tip guides
How to Prepare:
- Rainbow Tips: Instead of white, paint each nail tip a different pastel color.
- Double French: Paint a thin white line, and then a thinner neon line right underneath it.
- Side-Tip: Angle your French tip so it only covers one side of the nail point.
- Floral Tips: Use a dotting tool to turn your white tips into a row of tiny daisies.
- The ‘V’ Shape: Meet two colors in a point at the center of the tip for a slimming effect.
Budget Range
- Olive & June ‘Pastel Set’ ($40)
- Essie ‘Mademoiselle’ ($10)
- Nails Inc ‘Plant Power’ ($15)
Wild Side: 4 Bold Steps to Master Animal Print Nails
Why to love these Nails:
Animal print is the ultimate neutral with an edge. Whether it’s tortoiseshell for a refined look or leopard for something spicy, these patterns add instant personality.
Essential Items:
- Caramel brown base
- Dark brown and black polish
- Dotting tool or toothpick
How to Prepare:
- Apply your base color (caramel for tortoise, tan for leopard).
- Use a toothpick to create irregular ‘blobs’ of dark brown.
- Outline parts of the blobs with black to create depth.
- Apply a ‘jelly’ tinted top coat over the top to make the layers look like they are floating.
Budget Range
- Cirque Colors ‘Tortoise Shell Set’ ($36)
- OPI ‘espresso your inner self’ ($11)
- Sinful Colors ‘Black on Black’ ($4)
Embrace Your Summer Glow
And there you have it, my loves! Ten beautiful ways to express yourself through your fingertips this season. Remember, there are no rules in beauty—only what makes you feel most like *you*. Whether you choose a bold neon or a soft Mediterranean tile pattern, I hope these tutorials bring a little sparkle to your summer days. Take that time for yourself, put on your favorite playlist, and let your creativity flow. You deserve to feel runway-ready every single day. I can’t wait to see which look you choose!
