11 Summer Pedicure Ideas For This Season and Beyond
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
With summer weather comes sandal season, and we all know what that means: It’s time for a pedi. If you’re looking for some summer pedicure ideas (maybe it’s been a while since your last nail appointment), we’ve got you covered with all the latest trends and some tried-and-true classic nail ideas.
Though some celebs are breaking summer’s biggest pedicure rule and showing off bare toes lately, most are still opting for polish, whether it’s a barely-there nudes or summery neons. This season, summer pedicures are all about having fun. Think: Pretty pastels, sunset-inspired ombrĂ©, and so much more. This time of year is perfect for experimentation with different nail colors, nail shapes, and even toe nail art.
In the summer, our toe nails are exposed to a lot—from grassy outdoors to saltwater beach days and everything in between—so it may be wise to opt for gel polish to make your pedi really last. Or if you prefer to avoid gel nails, it’s definitely worth the time to finish off your pedicure with a good top coat to help the polish last a bit longer.
Scroll on for our best summer pedicure ideas, including easy options you can DIY at home. Get ready to screenshot and show your nail artist plenty of inspo for your toes all season long (and year-round.)
French pedicure
French tips look equally great on hands and feet. Celebs like Kylie Jenner have been showing off fun takes on the classic manicure, so why not bring some of the fun down to your toes this summer? It’s a perfect look for the pedicure minimalist, but if you want to zhuzh it up a little, consider adding rhinestone detailing as well.
Leopard print
We’re wild about animal print this summer. Leopard print is a popular nail design this season and using a more muted, cool-toned color makes the look pop against a nice tan.
Glazed-donut nails
Who said glazed donut nails are only for manis? Bring the Hailey Bieber-approved design to your toes for a fun shimmery nail look.
Barbie pink toes
Hot pink nails? Yes please. There’s nothing quite like a nice pink pedicure for the summer, but a fun neon shade really takes it to the next level.
Matte white
White toenails are a staple between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Change it up a little by trying a matte white rather than a go-to shiny finish. You can also do a matte finish on any nail polish shade you like with a matte top coat. We love this one from OPI.
Pale pink ombré
Pale pink is an ideal color to create a subtle ombrĂ© effect. If you don’t want to create the look at home, using press-on nails is an easy DIY solution. Some of our top picks include Glamnetic Press On Toenails, Magic Press Premium Press-On Gel Toenails, and BTArtbox Press on Toenails.
Floral nail art designs
How pretty is this dreamy floral design? A perfect spring-to-summer transition design, these toes can take you from a seasonal wedding to an evening garden party.
Simple nude
Though bold pedicure colors are everywhere during the summer, sometimes it’s nice to go with a simple nude to match your skin tone. Trust that this minimalist pedi will match with anything, no matter what dress or pair of sandals you’re wearing.
Kitschy nail art
There’s nothing as fun as summer nail art. Lean into trends like 3D nail art, bright colors, and kitschy patterns to create a unique made-for-you pedi.
Neon color blocking
Bright colors are the name of the game in the summer. Use two shades of the same color to create a color block look.
Tomato nails
Summer is tomato season and it seems only fair to have the toes to match (TBT to tomato girl summer). This vibrant red color is perfect for a pop of color.
Catharine Malzahn is the contributing associate beauty editor at Glamour.
