Gorgeous Summer 2025 Nail Designs for Short Nails

Nail art is the manicure version of the eclectic maximalism that’s currently in fashion, and summertime is the perfect time to embrace these playful, thematic designs. Make your beach vibes literal with shell, wave, or even fish designs on your nails. You can opt for subtle painted details or go big with the 3D charms that have been trending since 2024.

Butter yellow is the on-trend color to add to all your outfits this summer, and what better way to do that than with a manicure? Nothing gives summer warmth like pastels, and yellow is the perfect bright color to add vacation vibes to your look. The best part? Butter yellow is practically a neutral, so this soft color will go beautifully with any outfit.

Soap nails are the ultimate minimalist manicure trend, so it’s safe to say they’ll continue to be hot this summer. After all, this is a pale, glossy manicure, reminiscent of soap bubbles, that’s practically perfect for warm sunny weather. This shimmery color looks great no matter your nail length. The best part? Soap nails make a lovely accent to glowing skin, making this one of several perfect nail colors to make you look more tan.

The velvet look of cat eye nails is achieved with nail polish containing metallic particles that are manipulated with a magnet before the polish dries. The effect is a shimmery pattern across the surface of the nail. Even on short nails, this glittering style makes a big statement. It’s perfect for adding bright visual detail to your summer outfits.

Refresh the classic French manicure with a fun, summery twist — colorful tips. Instead of white, layer a vacation-ready color over your neutral base. Pink, orange, and yellow are all alternatives to white that add a pop of brightness to your look. You can even play with the shape of your tips to make this traditional style fresh again.

Spring flowers are blooming through summer with teeny, tiny flowers trending for summer manicures. Accent them with jewels or incorporate petals in complementary colors for some added visual interest to your manicure. These sweet daisies add a fun, retro vibe to your manicure and will give your summer look a pop of feminine detail. No matter what you go with, short nails and a pop of color make for the perfect summer vibe. Neutrals and bright summery looks will have your nails pairing perfectly with any outfit this season.