Ah, sweet, summer-y June. A time to bask in the not-too-hot sun, break out the old jean shorts, and enjoy the slight breeze still in the air. Flowers are blooming and everything's just a bit more beautiful, and we want our manicures to reflect the season. That means brighter colors, floral and festive motifs, and lots of fun nail art. Ahead, we found 17 nail ideas that fit the bill to a tee—scroll on for your June manicure inspo.
1. Taste the rainbow
Whether you opt for neons or shimmers, a rainbow-inspired gradient manicure is perfect for the warmer weather. It feels festive, fun, and perfectly light-hearted for the season.
Get the look: Use your favorite shades to create a bold gradient perfect for summer.
2. Pink gradient tips
We're always looking for unexpected ways to switch up the classic French manicure, and this pink ombré tipped moment is our new favorite. We love the way the tips are slightly elongated to really let the shades of pink shine.
Get the look: To create perfectly uniform French tips, use the Orly French Manicure White Tip Guides ($6) to map out each tip before starting.
3. Lemon love
Start your summer off with some lemon water and a lemon manicure—why not? Fair warning: These detailed slices aren't exactly beginner-friendly. You may want to leave this level of nail art to the professionals.
Get the look: The Essie Nail Art Studio Jelly Nail Polish in Arctic Jelly ($13) makes the perfect base for layering your lemon slices.
4. Pink and orange swirl
You'd never know how easy it is to create these intricate swirl designs from home. Plus, the pink and orange combination has us feeling so fun and excited.
Get the look: Layer dots of pink and orange nail polishes in a cup of room temperature water, and use a toothpick to swirl together the polish and create your desired effect. Then, simply dip your fingers into the water so that each nail is fully covered by design. Remove, clean up the edges, and you've got no-fuss marble nails.
5. Abstract rainbows
Don't stress yourself out trying to perfectly replicate those blobs exactly. The beauty of this manicure is in its abstract, free-flowing nature. Let your blobs do their thing!
Get the look: You can't mess up abstract blobs. Recreate using Pleasing's Nail Polish in Pinechrome ($18), One Legged Flamingo ($18), Sticky Segments ($18), Pea in the Punch ($18), and Grape Feet ($18).
6. All smiles
All that extra vitamin D has us feeling real good this time of year. Why not extend that joy all the way down to your fingertips?
Get the look: Looking for an easier way to DIY those smiley faces? Start with JINsoon's Aura Dots Nail Art Applique ($12) and draw a smiling face on each circle with a thin black Sharpie. Easy!
7. Purple aura nails
Whatever you're manifesting, do it with these cute aura nails. We love the unexpected purple-orange color combination.
Get the look: Pair Essie's Nail Polish in Lilacism ($15) with the ILNP Boutique Effect Nail Polish in Ariel ($10) to create that sparkling aura nail effect.
8. Pink and yellow speckled strawberry
Is it just us or do these sort of look like abstract strawberries? Either way, we love the effect.
Get the look: After applying the Olive and June Long-Lasting Polish in Papaya Gloss ($9) as a base, layer OPI's Nail Lacquer in Strawberry Margarita ($12) and Stay Out All Bright ($12) for those stroke-like details.
9. Milk-bath florals
There's something romantic and understated about these milk bath floral nails. They're perfect for wedding season!
Get the look: Essie's Nail Polish in Bubbly ($10) is the perfect pale pink base for this manicure.
10. Rainbow glow
The shimmer, holographic rainbow pairs perfectly with the white starbursts and understated pink base. Best of all, the duo-chrome effect means this mani looks slightly different depending on how the light hits it.
Get the look: Cirque Color's Shimmergraphic Nail Polishes create the perfect prismatic holo glitter effect to recreate this mani. For the perfect shifting rainbow, try using shades Ringleader ($15), Hot Gossip ($15), You Tart! ($15), Limelight ($15), Stunt Queen ($15), and Showgirl ($15).
11. Mango gradient
This juicy mango gradient moment is perfect for June—it's bold, bright, and deliciously fun. The key to nailing it is just a hint of blue at the tips of the nails.
Get the look: On a triangular makeup sponge, layer strips of OPI's Nail Lacquers in Flex on the Beach ($12), Stay Out All Bright ($12), Summer Monday-Friday ($12), and just a hint of I'm Yacht Leaving ($12) before gently dabbing onto the nails to create the desired gradient effect.
12. Blue butterflies
Another manicure that's not beginner-friendly, but these butterflies are absolutely mesmerizing. Pair it with a sheer milky base to really let the details shine on their own.
Get the look: For the less-advanced mani DIY-ers, try faking these intricate butterflies with Le Mini Macaron's Mini Butterfly Nail Stickers ($5).
13. Cozy muted florals
You don't need to go big and bold for a great warm-weather mani. This cozy number proves muted colors can have just as big of an impact.
Get the look: Start with Dazzle Dry's Nail Lacquer in Cardigan ($22) as the base, before going in with the brand's Nail Lacquers in Fashion Week ($22), Illuminate ($22), and Fringe ($22) to create those tiny floral details.
14. Yellow half-moons
A half-moon design is an easy way to switch up your usual traditional manicure. Pair with a fun hue like this banana yellow for an extra punch.
Get the look: To recreate, try OPI's Nature Strong Origin Nail Lacquer in Make My Daisy ($13).
15. Fruity French
Blueberries and butter yellow might just be our new favorite combo. We love how elegant and elevated this manicure feels.
Get the look: Chanel's Le Vernis Nail Colour in OVNI ($33) is the perfect butter yellow for those French tips.
16. Minimalistic neon plaid
Consider this manicure proof you don't need an intricate design to rock a plaid manicure. In this case, a few lines make the effect more than clear.
Get the look: The key to perfecting this mani is getting those lines perfectly straight. Luckily, you have all the tools you need at home. Try using some masking tape as a guide for each line—just be sure to let the polish fully dry before moving on to the next one.
17. Spray-paint florals
These nails are seriously fun. Be sure to add a tiny gem to the center of each flower as a finishing touch.
Get the look: To get your flower outlines extra crisp and slim, try a polish with a detailer brush like the FingerPaints Hip Hip Hue-Ray Striping Polish ($3.50).
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