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10 Nail Art Ideas to Wear Through September

July might be halfway through (how did that happen?) but there are still plenty of summery occasions that call for a major beauty look. For that upcoming boozy picnic or festive outdoor wedding, here are ten nail art ideas that will keep your tips feeling (and looking) fresh from now through Labor Day.

This Is Summer's Biggest Nail Polish Trend


Neon French Mani

ICYMI: Bright neon hues are having a major moment. If you’re still not sure about rocking a full-on fluorescent mani, try it on just your tips for a subtle pop.

Starburst Nails

The mismatched or "wabi sabi" manicure trend is still going strong. Update the look by keeping the colors tonal and seasonally appropriate (as demonstrated by this sunny combo).

Citrus Accents

Shout-out to our negative space-loving friends. There’s truly nothing fresher than bright citrus accents on a clean canvas.

Tortoiseshell Nails

Hands down our favorite trend to emerge this year, the tortoiseshell nail elevates every look. Wear it with a breezy black summer dress now—and a fuzzy cashmere sweater later.

Cow Print Nail

Another animal print! But this one is surprisingly easy to recreate at home. Tip: The beauty of the bovine’s spots lies in its imperfections.

Tie-dye Tips

Tie-dye is back, y'all. And though you could do it full-on, like the fashion crowd is, we prefer a subtle splash instead.

Neon Tie-dye Accents

Why choose between two of this summer’s biggest nail trends (neon and tie-dye, that is) when you can have both—at the same time? We love how the muted lavender base grounds the brighter colors, while also making them pop.

Retro Red Nails

Red is classic for a reason (and works in all seasons). Rhymes aside, we’re really into this retro design that somehow looks new, fresh...and like a juicy slice of watermelon.

Metallic Squiggles

For an easy look you can do yourself, paint a squiggle of gold shimmery polish down the center of your nail and anchor it with inky black for maximum impact.

Negative Space Graphics

Here’s a color pairing that always works: a pale neutral and a rich metallic in the same color family. Think: White and silver, light pink and rose gold, or nude and copper.



Jenny Jin Headshot Vertical 2023

Beauty Director

Jenny Jin is PureWow’s Beauty Director and is currently based in Los Angeles. Since beginning her journalism career at Real Simple magazine, she has become a human encyclopedia of...