Citrus nails are everywhere right now. Limes, lemons, oranges, and grapefruit make for nail art that’s fun, (often) intricate, and perfect for summer.
“Citrus nails are trending because of their vibrant, summery colors and the fresh, playful aesthetic they bring,” says Dayanna Issey Sapiens, nail art content creator. Bright oranges, lemons, and lime-inspired designs evoke a sense of fun and warmth, making them perfect for the summer season. The look of citrus nails aligns well with current fashion and beauty trends focusing on bold and colorful expressions.”
Nail this summery look by letting the 14 designs below guide your next manicure.
Blood Orange
This beyond-stunning look features meticulously hand-painted blood oranges and lemons. They’re brought to life with 3D polish that adds dimension to each slice. The high-gloss fruit stands out against the matte, nude background.
Blue and Orange
Blue and orange sit across from each other on the color wheel, making them complementary colors. Hence why this mani looks so good. It features a mix of 3D oranges and a blue and white Clase Azul-inspired print.
Orange and Lemon French
To add some oomph to a classic French manicure, I added a few citrus elements. One hand features lemons while the other features oranges.
Orange Tips
This bold manicure features bright orange XXL square tips. A few nails feature orange slices, adding a fresh layer to the look.
Blue French
“I love to do a simple French look and add some 3D lemons or oranges to the nail look,” says Sapiens, who created this look. “Or do an entire 3D accent nail to make the nails really pop!”
Fruit Salad
Oranges and lemons are joined by grapes, papaya, watermelon and more to create this fun fruit-forward design. Textured nails are inherently over the top, but this manicure’s somewhat-muted palette yields a softer look.
Lemon Lime French
If you love a citrusy vibe but aren’t feeling such a literal take, consider playing with on-them colors, instead. This French manicure features a lemon-yellow base with lime-green tips.
Lemons and Blueberries
Blues and yellows come together to create this pretty lemon-and-blueberry-themed manicure.
Lemons and Chrome
Hand painting little wedges of fruit takes serious time—especially when you have to paint with your non-dominant hand. Switch things up and make life a bit easier by doing the detail on your dominant hand and keeping the other hand simple. In this look, one hand features chrome polish so it still has some interest when compared to the more intricate lemons.
Orange Accents
Let citrus serve as an accent. This design features two nails per hand with a nude background and orange slices.
Lemons
For a super cohesive look, pick one citrus fruit and let it guide your mani. This lemon design features a mix of lemon-yellow nails, whole lemons, and lemon slices.
Tangerine Orange
Keep your mani clean and easy with a single citrusy shade. This look features a bright tangerine orange.
Shimmer Lemons
It’s natural to use a sheer, neutral polish as the backdrop for an intricate design as it allows the nail art to pop. For a bit more interest, use a clear coat with finely milled glitter as your base.
Bright Spots
Get the vibe of oranges and limes without the painstaking detail with this fun and easy design. It features orange blobs on one hand and green blobs on the other.
