Maybe it’s the warm weather talking, but summer manicures just hit different. Whether it’s a vacation getaway or hanging out poolside, this fun-loving season makes us divert from our regular manicures for something splashier.
The nail trends this summer are no different, taking a cue from 2020’s experimental beauty by playing with shapes and color.
Editorial nail artist Miss Pop knows a thing or two about creating memorable manis, working with designers like Oscar de la Renta, Moschino, and Prabal Gurung. This summer, she encourages you to “paint away” with candy-inspired hues and free-hand nail designs.
Ahead, Miss Pop predicts the biggest nail trends of summer 2020.
Candy Coated French Mani
Grab any shade of the rainbow to reset your regular French mani. “At the latest Moschino show, I created candy colored manis featuring eight different shades of pastel Essie polish,” Miss Pop explains. “I then lined the edge of the nail with a sliver of bright white Blanc polish.”
The Bare French
On the flip-side, ditch the polish altogether and embrace the barely-there vibes of summertime. “Skip the nude and show off your glossy nail bed with some negative space like the French mani at Prabal Gurung’s Summer 2020 show,” Miss Pop recommends. “Try thin and with an exaggerated, curvy lined tip.”
The French Twist
If you want something more flashy, make that French tip curve even more exaggerated down one side of your nail. “Be extra, but chic,” Miss Pop cautions. To get this look at home, simply place the French tip guide on its side.
Wild Animal Prints
We all know summertime can get a little wild. “Summer will show super saturated shades, even neons,” Miss Pop explains. “Don’t be afraid to power clash by using more than one color and more than one animal print.” At Jeremy Scott’s Summer 2020 line, she mixed leopard and zebra with colorful confetti à la the opening credits of Saved By The Bell.
Logomania
Logomania is here to stay. “Luxury logos and lettering are all over the runway and red carpet,” says Miss Pop. “Billie Eilish repped Gucci. I created this look for Koché x Pucci.”
Skittles Nails
Taste the rainbow! “Multi-color Skittles nails are perfect for those indecisive people at the salon,” Miss Pop explains. “Why grab one shade when you can grab five or even ten lacquers?” For those who want something a bit more low-key, she suggests a “monochromatic range of shades.”
Free Form Shapes
Your nails belong in MoMA. “Random squiggles and shapes are trending,” Miss Pop recommends. “This look was inspired by one of my favorite artists Ellen Rutt. Some more artists to check out for inspo: Jen Stark, Jessie Unterhalter and Katey Truhn, and Serena Mitnik-Miller.”