It’s never too early to start thinking about your summer holiday nails. After the recent small taste of summer temps, we’re already dreaming of days spent basking in the sunshine (preferably on a beach).
While spring styles usually lean into florals and pastels and winter goes for darker, moody tones, summer styles are always bold and playful – perfect for brightening up your day, whatever the weather is like.
21 coolest summer nails to know for 2026
By Elle Turner and Dominic Cadogan
But for summer holiday nails specifically, you want a style that is going to amplify the vacay vibe. From food-inspired manicures – like fruit nails and picky bits nails – to thirst-quenching styles like Aperol nails and Diet Coke nails, it’s fun turning your summer faves into cute nail sets.
Elsewhere, neon brights, high-shine chrome and beach towel nails are also great choices and really come to life in the sunshine. If you’re a child of the water, maybe mermaid nails or glass nails sculpted into shimmering seashells will tickle your fancy instead.
The good news – in case it wasn’t already obvious – is that there’s plenty of time before the summer holidays arrive to figure out your manicure style (and road test a few new ones). Keep reading to find out 35 of our fave summer holiday nails to pin to your moodboard.