Nail the Summer: Here Are the Top Nail Trends Everyone’s Currently Rocking

Forget the weather, this summer’s hottest nail trends are all about channeling your inner Y2K baddie, embracing summer fruits and even taking a dip into the world of goth-rave. While sophisticated neutrals are still in the picture, according to nail art designers Rita Pinto of Vanity Projects and Samantha Pasaye aka Nail Art Fairy, this season, the brat aesthetic has us leaning in an extra bold direction with 3D looks including charms, gems and pearls, opting for the unapologetically messy party girl rather than the “clean girl.”

With the Malibu “Vacation Fill” private pop-up events in mind, Complex connected with Pinto and Pasaye to discuss their upcoming collabs with Malibu, what inspired their chosen designs for each event, what someone’s nail color and shape says about them and, of course, this summer’s hottest nail trends.

Rita Pinto of Vanity Projects

Pinto is the artist behind the Complex X Malibu Miami pop-up nail design. A huge Complex fan, she sees this collaboration as a match made in nail art heaven. Her inspiration? Pure summer vibes, reminiscent of the iconic Malibu bottle and logo, featuring a gradient sunset but adding in some cool stripes with monstera leaves layered on top. “I wanted that element of tropical as well as a moving kind of feeling, but with the landscape with that real pungent Malibu aesthetic underneath,” described Pinto. This goes beyond aesthetics though, as Rita emphasizes the emotional connection people have with nail design, drawing parallels to Harajuku culture and beyond.

“I really was so thrilled to see that, from a brand experience level, brands are taking what they’re seeing in our contemporary culture and really kind of bringing it back to their event strategies, because I really feel like it’s a moment,” said Pinto, adding, “It really transcends the event beyond the experience of, let’s say, an Instagram photo. You leave with the brand on you, and you’re looking at it, and you’re feeling it, and you’re feeling good vibes from it. So it has this lasting effect.”

Samantha Pasaye the Nail Art Fairy

Meanwhile, Pasaye, the artist behind the Complex x Malibu Los Angeles pop-up nail design, opted for a more fun and flirty vibe, utilizing an ombré base of pastel colors with floating cocktail-inspired fruits as well as the iconic Malibu palm trees. “I wanted it to look like they’re floating in the sky and falling down,” explained Pasaye, who was drawn to the collaboration by the fact that she would be able to create whatever she wanted.

“I feel like this is something new and different than what other people have done,” said Pasaye. “As far as the inspiration, I really liked the fact that I was going to be able to be super creative, because I feel like sometimes as an artist you don’t really get to be as creative as you want.”

Vacation Nails? Absolutely.

The fun doesn’t stop at aesthetics. Both Pinto and Pasaye highlighted the growing trend of “#VacationNails,” particularly important in Latinx culture. Having your nails on point is a whole vibe, and Complex readers know that looking fresh is paramount.

“I really think that there’s this real emphasis on the mental in terms of getting ready for vacation and then also the comeback from the vacation and what they experienced while they were on vacation, which is really cool,” shared Pinto.

Pasaye echoed that sentiment, sharing, “I do think that it’s definitely a part of who you are. I think that if you have the luxury of getting your nails done, everybody wants to have really cool nails and to really express themselves through them. And I think that’s really beautiful.”

So, what exactly will those on-point nails look like? Brace yourselves for a major Y2K resurgence, with Pinto predicting gothy, rave-inspired designs. Chrome accents, 3D effects, and juicy “summer fruit” colors will be everywhere.

Sam’s take on summer nails was equally vibrant. She’s all about fruit-inspired designs and the ever-popular chrome finish.

Get Ready to Y2K and Rave It Up!

Pinto encourages you to embrace a “streetwear influence” with a high-end goth vibe. According to Pinto, “We’re seeing bubble letters, old-school graffiti looks, a lot of rave looks, and more goth-inspired looks.”

Almond shapes are the silhouette of choice, adorned with everything from classic pearls to statement-making gems and the unexpected: “spidery” accents inspired by the Summer 2024 runways. And again – lots of 3D effects!

Express Yourself, Ditch the Weather Woes!

Gone are the days of matching your mani to the weather. This summer, it’s all about personal expression… and whatever matches the ‘fit! Luckily, the growing trend of press-on nails (thanks, fast fashion!) makes switching between colors super easy. Bonus points: according to Pinto, “Oxblood is having a moment.”

It’s a Lime Green Summer (You Know Why)!

The trend that’s taking over pop culture and politics, lime green is officially the shade of the season.

Glazed Donut Nails Get a New Flavor

The glazed donut phenomenon is still going strong, alongside a new trend Pinto calls, “Farmer’s Market Nails,” inspired by the vibrant colors and textures of a summer market stroll.

“So usually it’s the pretty glazed donut nail, and then it’s the glazed donut in pastels, and then it’s the sort of chocolate glaze in the fall, but then last week I got an email from a reporter asking me about the ‘farmer’s market’ nail,” a trend Pinto traced back to a social media post from one of this generation’s top trendsetters. Pinto went on to share that since that call, “We’ve since done this manicure about 50 times.”

Everything’s Better With Butter.

Pasaye doubled down on the summer fruits, chrome and 3D looks, but also pointed out the color of Spring/Summer 2024 as seen on the runways: butter yellow.

“The butter yellow nails are definitely a super trend, and I think chrome is still really popular as well,” stated Pasaye.

Don’t Judge a Book by Its Nails… or Do?

What does your nail shape and/or color say about you? To close things out, we asked Pinto and Pasaye and here’s the breakdown.

When it comes to shape, Pinto said:

Long coffin – “Sexy and voluptuous.”

Short nail – “Busy and on-the-move.”

Duck shape – “You’re bringing it!”

When it comes to color, Pinto said:

Lime green – “The cool girl.”

Nude – “Sophisticated, you’re going to the Hamptons, and you’re upscale.”

Gucci oxblood – “Like a basketball wife, you’re a badass… to be.”

Meanwhile, Pasaye correlated one’s nail shape as:

Oval and almond – “Sleek and chic, a baddie.”

Square – “A classic girl.”

Coffin – “Bold.”

Stiletto – “Edgy.”

As for the color or accessories, Pasaye said:

Red – “Classic or sassy.”

Neutrals – “Chic.”

Neon – “Fun!”

Chrome – “Extra!”

Butter yellow – “Cute.”

Charms – “RESPECT.”

Ultimately, whether you’re embracing a brat summer with a lime green mani or embracing the fresh from the farmer’s market vibe, there’s a trend for you. Feeling like a badass boss lady? Rock the oxblood shade. (Maybe biased since it’s the current color I’m rocking!)

So, ditch the rulebook and embrace the unhinged world of summer nail art for all those upcoming vacays. This season, it’s all about expressing yourself, having fun and maybe even reliving some epic Y2K and rave memories along the way.

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