17 Summery Gel Nail Ideas for a Bright, Long-Lasting Manicure (2024)

17 Summery Gel Nail Ideas for a Bright, Long-Lasting Manicure (1)

There's truly a summer manicure for everyone. You can fully lean into the season with fruity nail art, neon colors, or a fun abstract moment, or you can opt for a more subtle approach with a solid swath of color. And there are almost as many types of manicures to choose from, too, including traditional lacquer, sturdy acrylics, and long-lasting gels. If you're particularly interested in that last category, you've come to the right place. Ahead, find 17 stunning gel nail ideas for summer. Keep scrolling to find your favorite new look for the sunny months ahead.

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Unicorn Gradient

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Sometimes, all it takes is blending two shades to create the manicure of your dreams. For a gradient nail look in gel, start by fully curing your base color. Then, add your second shade to the top of the nail and use a brush or sponge to diffuse the color toward the center.

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Think Pink

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For an everyday summer look, a solid, short square manicure never fails. Choose your favorite shade of baby pink for a subtle, girly look.

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Chrome & Co.

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This maximalist mani will have people turning their heads and complimenting your hands. While you probably can't DIY this one (unless you're particularly adept with nail art), we think it's worth the splurge at the salon.

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Pastel Skittles

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Mixing and matching polishes is an easy way to make a solid-colored manicure more fun. To get a similar look, choose three to five of your favorite pastel colors and paint one on each finger. Top it off with a chrome polish or powder before locking everything in with a top coat.

Ombré French

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This manicure combines two of our favorite nail art designs: ombré and the classic French. This look can be done with any two colors, but we love this pink and blue moment.

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Minty Chrome

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Chrome is one of our favorite ways to enhance any manicure, but it adds a particularly fresh touch to a solid mint green set.

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Bold Blue Reverse French

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Here's a unique nail look for the mani minimalist. The milky base is subtle yet sophisticated. Add bold blue reverse French tips at the cuticles to up that "wow" factor.

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Abstract Waves

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With pink and gold waves, this manicure is just begging to be worn at a summer soirée. This one would be relatively easy to DIY, too: After you cure one coat of a neutral pink base shade, use fine-lining brushes to draw on your swirls.

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Two-Tone French

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This two-tone French manicure is a stunning and sophisticated take on the jelly nail trend. For a sheer blue base, try the Aprés Light & Shadow Sheer Gel Couleur in Pooled Together ($15).

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Abstract Watermelon

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This cool watermelon-esque mani captures the essence of one of our favorite summer fruits in an unexpected way. It was created with The Gettle Bottle Inc. Polishes in Love Letter, Flamenco, Khaki, Lemonade, and Daisy ($19 each).

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Matte Print

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This Pucci-inspired manicure screams summer. You can even DIY this one by choosing three or four bright colors and filling them in as abstract shapes around your nails.

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Strawberry Lemonade

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This perfect mix of pink and yellow reminds us of sipping a strawberry lemonade while poolside. To achieve this exact look, paint your angled tips with OPI's Bee hind the Scenes ($20) and No Turning Back on Pink Street ($20).

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Chrombré Swirl

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We're downright mesmerized by the chrombré swirls running down the accent nails in this manicure. The base shade is Gray Sweatpants by Brown Luxe Luxury Lacquers ($14).

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Champagne Wishes

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A solid manicure topped with a layer of chrome polish is the easiest way to achieve an on-trend manicure—and when you opt for neutral tones, it's the chicest, too. For a similar look, ask your nail tech to top a nude polish with one of OPI's GelColor in Glazed N' Amused.

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Butter Yellow Chrome French

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If you aren't ready to dive head first into the butter yellow nail trend, dip your toes—or should we say fingers—into the look by incorporating the shade into a chrome French manicure. The yellow in question here is OPI's Blinded by the Ring Light ($20).

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Light and Airy Gradient

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A gradient manicure is so simple but effective. Use trendy muted neons and add Art Deco accents for a refreshing set you won't see on anybody else.

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Water Drop Nails

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Water drops are almost too perfect for a vacation-ready manicure. While it may look relatively simple, this is one design you'll want to leave to a talented nail tech.