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Oh, August…the last full month of summer, where the hot sweltering summer temps have no end in sight, back to school shopping is in full swing, and your summer tan is popping against your colorful manicure.
We are huge believers of hanging onto summer as long as we can in every aspect of our life, and August is the month for us to fully embrace it before the changing season. That’s why we like to have some fun with our summer nail colors. Whether it’s bright neon nail polish, floral nail art, or a gorgeous solid nail color, we’re here for it all.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect manicure for back to school or just looking for some inspiration for the month, we’ve got you covered. Below are the best list nail designs to take to your next nail appointment.
P.S. Bookmark this page for later, so you can come back to it before you’re next nail appointment.
32 Best August Nail Ideas
1. European Summer Fun Nails
While you embrace the last bits of summer travel, why not have the perfect nails to match? This European summer nail design is so fun and unique. Each nail is designed with something different in mind, but when put all together, it’s truly the cutest nail combo.
2. Light Pink Floral Nails
Floral nail designs are always trending, and we totally get why. They are so timelessly cute!
We love how this nail design has a unique nail color pattern as well. To recreate this look, find an adorable light pink nail polish to paint the first, second and last nail. Paint the remaining nails a soft pink gel and add delicate floral details.
3. Flower Power Nails
It’s the year 2026, and you can break the rules when it comes to nail designs.
We love how these “flower power” nail designs blend blight colors color and alternating nail designs to create a one-of-a-kind look.
4. Y2K Summer Mix-Match Nails
There’s just something so nostalgic and early-2000s vibes about this fun colorful nail combo. The mix of the stripes, the star detail and polka dots feel reminiscent, but modern and fresh at the same time.
5. Berry Blue Stripe Nails
Stripes are super trendy this year. They are also a simple design to DIY at home too. That’s why we love how cute and simple this nail idea is. A fresh berry blue color palette that’s perfect for August.
6. Fruit Manicure
Inspired by Matilda Djerf’s viral berry pattern, these nails are such an adorable seasonal design to try at your next nail appointment. Minimal and fun for summer!
7. Pink Guava Nails
Pink guava nails are probably our new favorite color of nails for August. We love the light coating of the juicy, pink color that is a great transition color from summer into early fall.
8. Short French Tip Nails
Keep it classy and demure with these short french tip nails. Let’s be honest, french tip nails will never go out of style and they will forever be our go-to nail design.
9. Orange Creamsicle Nails
August is your time to shine with color before more moody tones going into September and October. Express yourself boldly with these vibrant orange creamsicle nails.
10. Funky Flower Nails
If you love a pop of color and a cute floral design, try out these funky flower nails. We love the alternating of colors on each hand. You could totally do this with any nail color-combo. Want some nail color combo ideas? Try out some of these color combos:
- Orange and Pink Flowers
- Pink and Green Flowers
- Blue and Purple Flowers
- Yellow and Blue Flowers
- Purple and Green Flowers
11. Summer Floral Nails
Minimal summer florals are so adorable. To recreate this look, paint a base coat of a light pink (like OPI Bubble Bath). Use a nail tool and some bright summer colors to create the small flowers on your nails.
12. Espresso Nails
Brown nail designs have been trending lately and as summer comes to an end, the moodier tones do start to creep in.
We’re calling these nails espresso nails, because after all…espresso can be all different variations of colors.
You can recreate this look by selecting 5 varying shades of dark brown to create this look. There’s no certain order as to which shade is applied to each nail, so have fun and make this a one-of-a-kind look.
13. Tortoiseshell French Tip Nails
These are hands-down the most gorgeous and luxe french tips we have ever seen. The tortoiseshell design is so classic and is giving old-money aesthetic.
14. Bitten Jelly Nails
Jelly nails are some of the hottest nail designs for summer. The jelly nail affect is quite literally created with a jelly gel nail polish. It’s as easy as applying gel to your nails. Plus, you can find it at your local Ulta Beauty or on Amazon.
15. Coquette Pink Nails
If you love coquette style, then you’re going want to save this nail design for later. It’s the perfect girly pink that would become the cutest detail with everyone of your coquette-inspired outfits.
16. Blue Wave Nails
Hold onto the summer ocean blues a little bit longer with these blue wave nails.
To recreate this look, choose two vibrant blue colors and one light blue nail color. Paint the wave design on your thumb nail and ring finger and then paint the other nails solid blue.
17. Pastel Summer Nails
Make your summer tan pop with a gorgeous pastel nail color design. Who says you have to choose one color? Why not go for them all!
18. Butter Yellow Nails
Butter yellow has been the unofficial, official color of the year. It’s made it’s way from fashion to home design and now to nails — and we’re here for it! It’s such a delicate and sweet color for the end of summer.
19. Short Square Golden Nails
While we wouldn’t necessarily choose golden yellow as our favorite color, we are kind of shocked at how much we love this color for summer. Plus, it could easily transition into fall as the leaves begin to change color.
20. Lavender Nails
Lavender has a special place in my heart. It’s my all-time favorite color, and it may be my most favorite color to paint my nails.
It’s such a happy, cheerful shade that looks stunning on any skin tone.
21. Colorful & Girly French Tip Nails
Looking for a way to switch up your classic white french tip? Try these colorful French tip nails with an almond shape! It’s just as classy of a look and make such a fun back-to-school nail look.
22. Pink Sequin Nails
Looking for a fun pink nail design for August? Try these pink sequin nails. There’s something so nostalgic about this that takes us back to the early 2000s and jamming out to Hillary Duff’s soundtrack.
23. Summer Sunset Nails
This mix and match set screams summer! It’s reminiscent of a summer sunset. The combination of the pink, orange and yellow nail polish hues are the perfect way to celebrate the end of the summer season.
24. Dusty Rose Nails
How stunning is this dusty rose nail polish? It’s the perfect neutral nail, but still gives you the girly touch with it’s pink undertones.
25. Neon Plaid Nails
Plaid is officially in for summer and fall this year, so why not make it a statement on your nails too? It’s a minimal design that you can take to your favorite nail tech or try yourself at home.
26. Cherry Jello Nails
When we saw these Cherry Jello nails it made our hearts jump. We’d never seen such a stunning color of jelly gel nail polish. It’s the perfect pop of color to end summer strong!
27. Pink and Orange Jelly Nails
How stunning are these pink and orange jelly nails? They are very early-2000s vibes and we are here for it!
To recreate this nail look, use a pink and orange jelly nail polish. Alternate the color pattern on each nail and cover with a top coat to set.
28. Chrome Stripe French Tips
On the hunt for a unique nail design that no one else will have? Try these blue chrome stripe French tips. It’s different from your traditional chrome nail, but is also a bright and fun way to celebrate summer.
29. Tomato Red Nails
We have been obsessed with bright red nails this month. We bought the Cajun Shrimp Nail Polish from OPI and it’s such a cheerful neon red for summer.
30. Neon Green Nails
It’s the time of year to get the most out of your nail color, and neon polish is the way to go. If you typically stick to cooler color tones, then these neon green nails would be a unique shade to try at your next nail appointment.
31. Beige Nails
How stunning is this gorgeous latte brown nail polish? It’s a neutral nail color that we wouldn’t normally go for, but we think it’s a beautiful shade for late-August, early-September nail appointments.
32. Blue Blooming Gel Nails
The blooming gel nail technique has become super popular in recent years. I love how this monochromatic blue nail design features the technique. Plus, the bright blue color will pop against tan summer skin.
