Summer might be the quintessential time to experiment with vibrant manicures and pedicures, but there’s something to be said about keeping it classic with a palette of summer whites.
Just as white clothing comes out of storage for the hottest season of the year, so does white polish. It’s a bright nail color option that can be tailored to any skin tone, and that pairs well with any summer outfit, casual and formal alike.
According to manicurist and Nailing Hollywood CEO Mazz Hanna, all white nail polishes are fair game. For a bold white manicure, opt for a creamy opaque white polish. For a more minimalist approach to a summer white mani, pick a sheer finish with buildable coverage. For a long-lasting white manicure, choose gel formulas. Meanwhile, if you want to make your summer manicure even more interesting, you can forgo full coats of standalone white in favor of a simple white nail design.
Meet the expert
• Mazz Hanna is a manicurist and the CEO of Nailing Hollywood, a boutique agency representing some of the most notable nail stylists.
To show you the many ways white polish can be incorporated into a summer manicure, we rounded up 20 simple white nail designs. Check them out below.
Short French Tips
First up, we have the most classic, simple white nail design of all: the French manicure. Nailing Hollywood artist Morgan A. Dixon created this squared-off micro French manicure. To recreate the look, trim your nails and file them to mimic the shape. Apply a sheer nude or pale pink base. Then, use a nail art brush or French manicure stencils to section off your tips. Fill them in with white polish and finish with a top coat.
White Swirl Nails
Looking for a classic yet whimsical simple white nail design? Hanna says to opt for swirls. “Swirl nail art looks beautiful on all lengths and amazing on round shapes,” she points out, referencing Dixon’s creation. “To recreate this look at home, use a sheer nude polish as a base. Then, paint the swirls on your nails using a solid white polish with a nail art brush.”
Soft Neutral Ombré White Nails
We love the look of this peachy-nude-to-white-ombré manicure. The easiest way to recreate it is by starting with a nude base. Then, use a sponge to dab white polish on each tip. Clean up the edges with a brush dipped in acetone, and finish with a top coat.
Cloud Nails
Feeling dreamy? Consider cloud nails. “You can recreate this look at home using any white polish, but a sheer white polish will be the easiest to work with to recreate the fluffy cloud look,” Hanna says, referencing Nailing Hollywood artist Hang Nguyen’s creation. “You can use either a dotting tool with a nail art brush or a blending sponge to blend out the edges of the clouds to get the fluffy look.”
Iridescent White Almond Nails
An easy way to add intrigue to a white manicure is to switch up the finish. Instead of a creamy, high-gloss white, consider an iridescent metallic white polish that borders on the edge of silver. It will transform the appearance of any nail length or shape.
All-White French Tips
This simple white nail design is a breeze to recreate. Start with an all-white base. Then, use a nail art brush to trace black outlined tips. Fill the tips with finely-milled clear glitter polish and finish with top coat.
White Hourglass Nails
This hourglass mani is a simple show-stopper. To recreate it, start with a sheer nude base and then use a nail art brush to create the hourglass shape. Apply top coat and finish by gluing a rhinestone above the cuticle of each nail.
Black and White Star Nails
Can’t imagine an all-white mani? Add some contrast to your nail look with a hint of black polish. This wavy nail design can be created with a nail art brush. Meanwhile, the stars can be achieved with a dotting tool. Apply a dot of polish, then gently drag it out in four directions for the shimmer emoji effect.
Gold-Dotted White Square Nails
Speaking of dotting tools, this simple white nail design is a breeze with a manicure accessory in hand. Start with an all-white manicure, then use a dotting tool to apply four metallic gold dots at the base of each nail. Finish with a top coat.
White Croc Nails
Animal print nails continue to thrive in 2024. For summer, consider skipping the color and opting for an all-white palette instead. Admittedly, this manicure is simple visually but more challenging to DIY, so you may want to book an appointment to bring it to life.
Diagonal Accent French Mani
An easy way to elevate a solid white manicure? With a few diagonal lines and French tips. Don’t forget the glossy top coat to make it really shine.
White Swirl Kelly Green French Tips
If you can’t imagine a summer manicure without color, check out this kelly green French mani that stands out with its crisp white swirls. You can DIY it with a nail art brush.
Daisy Accent French Mani
Floral nail art is especially popular for summer and it looks lovely in bright colors as well as stark white. For the daisies, dab five drops of polish in a circle and while still wet, drag them all toward a center point. Top it off with a dot of your choosing to complete the design.
Half Moon French Mani
If you love classic French manicures but want to elevate the simple design, add a second, thinner arch closer to the cuticle.
White Border Swirl Skittle Nails
Here’s another simple white nail designs for our friends who can’t imagine a summer manicure without color. The bright white borders make this Skittle swirl nail art really pop.
Decal French Mani
Perhaps the simplest white nail idea of all: a French manicure with nail stickers on top. Brands like Deco Beauty offer so many fun designs to transform simple manicures into works of art.
Scalloped French Tips
This scalloped French manicure is positively precious. To create the design, start with a sheer pinkish-white base. Then, apply a warmer white tip. Next, apply a bright white arch at the base of the tip and use a nail art brush or dotting tool to create the scalloped silhouette.
Milky White Star Nails
With this dual-finish nail art, you can make your nails look bejeweled without adding a single rhinestone to your mani. “Using a milky white base with a solid white for nail art is always a great option for everyday wear,” Hanna says. “It’s subtle and looks amazing with every outfit.”
Neutral White Heart and Swirl Nails
If you prefer neutral nails, start with a sandy nude base. Then, use a nail art brush to add intricate white designs on top. If you’re feeling fancy, consider adding pearl nail stickers to the mix, too.
Minimalist White Heart Nails
Last but not least, we have this sheer nude mani with teeny white hearts. It’s a breeze to DIY with a dotting tool and nail art brush. Start with a sheer base then apply two dots of white in the middle of the nail, dragging them toward the tip and combining them for the apex of the heart. Next, use a nail art brush to create a thin line of gold glitter polish from the heart to the tip or cuticle, depending on your preference. End with top coat.
