Summer 2024 is here, and it’s the perfect time to experiment with short summer gel nails. This season is all about vibrant colors, cute designs, and easy-to-maintain manicures. Whether you prefer short summer gel nails simple or want to go all out with intricate short summer gel nails design, there’s something for everyone. Let’s dive into some inspiring nail ideas that are sure to brighten up your summer look.
Light Yellow Nails with Red Accent
This design is a perfect blend of subtlety and boldness. The light yellow base is soft and summery, while the red accent adds a playful twist. The rounded edges make this design suitable for everyday wear, yet it stands out with its unique color combination. Ideal for those looking to add a bit of fun to their manicure without going overboard.
Consumables:
- Light yellow gel polish (e.g., Gelish – “Lemon Fizz”)
- Red gel polish for accents (e.g., OPI GelColor – “Big Apple Red”)
- Base coat (e.g., CND Stickey Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat)
- Nail art brush for precise application
DIY Instructions:
- Apply the base coat to clean, filed nails.
- Once dry, apply two coats of light yellow gel polish, curing each layer under a UV lamp.
- Using the nail art brush, create the red accents on each nail. Cure under the UV lamp.
- Finish with a top coat to seal the design and add shine. Cure once more under the UV lamp.
- Wipe nails with a cleanser to remove any sticky residue.
Dark Blue Nails with White Tip
This short summer gel nails design is both elegant and modern. The dark blue base is deep and sophisticated, while the white tip adds a classic touch. This design is versatile enough for both casual and formal occasions, making it a must-have for summer 2024.
Consumables:
- Dark blue gel polish (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Caviar Bar”)
- White gel polish for tips (e.g., Gelish – “Arctic Freeze”)
- Base coat (e.g., Orly Bonder Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Gelish Top It Off)
- Striping tape or a nail art brush for creating the tips
DIY Instructions:
- Apply the base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply two coats of dark blue gel polish, curing each layer.
- Use striping tape or a steady hand with a nail art brush to apply the white tips. Cure under the UV lamp.
- Seal with a top coat and cure again.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any tacky layer.
Minimalist Nude Nails with Black Accents
For those who love minimalist and chic designs, this short summer gel nails simple idea is perfect. The nude base is timeless and elegant, while the thin black lines add a modern twist. This design is easy to achieve and maintain, making it ideal for busy individuals who still want stylish nails.
Consumables:
- Nude gel polish (e.g., OPI GelColor – “Bare My Soul”)
- Black gel polish for accents (e.g., OPI GelColor – “Black Onyx”)
- Base coat (e.g., Orly Bonder Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat)
- Thin nail art brush for creating lines
DIY Instructions:
- Start with a base coat and cure it under a UV lamp.
- Apply two coats of nude gel polish, curing each coat.
- Use a thin nail art brush to draw the black lines on each nail. Cure the design.
- Finish with a top coat to add shine and protect the design. Cure once more.
- Remove any sticky residue with a nail cleanser.
Vibrant Mixed Designs
This vibrant design features a mix of pastel pink and peach with a unique twist. The accent nail combines a nude base with a neon pink circle and a dark blue outline, making it a standout. This short summer gel nails design is perfect for those who love to experiment with colors and want something fresh and modern.
Consumables:
- Pastel pink gel polish (e.g., Gelish – “Make You Blush”)
- Peach gel polish (e.g., OPI GelColor – “Crawfishin’ for a Compliment”)
- Nude gel polish for base (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Fairy Tailor”)
- Neon pink gel polish for accents (e.g., Gelish – “It’s a Lilly”)
- Dark blue gel polish for outlines (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Caviar Bar”)
- Base coat (e.g., CND Stickey Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat)
- Nail art brushes for precision
DIY Instructions:
- Apply the base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply two coats of pastel pink and peach gel polishes on respective nails, curing each layer.
- For the accent nail, apply the nude base and cure. Use a thin brush to create the neon pink circle and dark blue outline, then cure.
- Seal the design with a top coat and cure again.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any sticky residue.
Soft Pink Dotted Nails
These soft pink nails with white dots are the epitome of elegance and simplicity. The design is subtle yet chic, making it ideal for those who prefer a short summer gel nails simple look. The tiny dots add a playful element without overwhelming the overall design.
Consumables:
- Soft pink gel polish (e.g., OPI GelColor – “Pink-ing of You”)
- White gel polish for dots (e.g., Gelish – “Arctic Freeze”)
- Base coat (e.g., Orly Bonder Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Gelish Top It Off)
- Dotting tool for creating dots
DIY Instructions:
- Start with a base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply two coats of soft pink gel polish, curing each layer.
- Use a dotting tool to apply white dots evenly across each nail, then cure.
- Finish with a top coat to add shine and protect the design. Cure once more.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any sticky residue.
Pastel Ombre Nails
This short summer gel nails design features a beautiful ombre effect with shades of pink, peach, and white. The gradual transition between colors creates a soft, dreamy look that is perfect for summer. This design is ideal for those looking for a short summer gel nails bright and eye-catching manicure.
Consumables:
- Light pink gel polish (e.g., Gelish – “Pink Smoothie”)
- Peach gel polish (e.g., OPI GelColor – “Crawfishin’ for a Compliment”)
- White gel polish (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Pre-Show Jitters”)
- Base coat (e.g., CND Stickey Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat)
- Sponge for creating ombre effect
DIY Instructions:
- Apply the base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- On a makeup sponge, apply stripes of pink, peach, and white gel polish, slightly blending the edges.
- Dab the sponge onto the nails to create the ombre effect, curing after each layer.
- Seal the design with a top coat and cure again.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any sticky residue.
Dark Brush Stroke Nails
This design features a nude base with dark brush stroke accents, creating a striking and artistic look. The combination of natural tones with dark colors makes it versatile and suitable for both casual and formal occasions. This short summer gel nails inspo is perfect for those who want a short summer gel nails cute yet edgy design.
Consumables:
- Nude gel polish for base (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Fairy Tailor”)
- Dark gel polishes for brush strokes (e.g., OPI GelColor – “Lincoln Park After Dark”)
- Base coat (e.g., Orly Bonder Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Gelish Top It Off)
- Nail art brush for creating brush strokes
DIY Instructions:
- Apply the base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply two coats of nude gel polish, curing each layer.
- Use a nail art brush to create dark brush strokes on each nail, then cure.
- Finish with a top coat to add shine and protect the design. Cure once more.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any sticky residue.
Playful Mix and Match Nails
This playful and eclectic mix and match design is perfect for those who love a fun and quirky manicure. The combination of patterns, from lightning bolts to animal prints, makes each nail a unique piece of art. This short summer gel nails design is great for expressing your creativity and personality.
Consumables:
- Light blue gel polish (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Perfect Posture”)
- Orange gel polish (e.g., OPI GelColor – “No Tan Lines”)
- Pink gel polish (e.g., Gelish – “Pink Smoothie”)
- Black gel polish for detailing (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Licorice”)
- White gel polish for accents (e.g., Gelish – “Arctic Freeze”)
- Base coat (e.g., CND Stickey Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat)
- Nail art brushes and dotting tools for precision
DIY Instructions:
- Start with a base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply the base colors on each nail and cure each layer.
- Use nail art brushes to create the various patterns and details. Cure each design individually.
- Finish with a top coat to seal the designs and add shine. Cure again.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any sticky residue.
Geometric Art Nails
Geometric designs are always a hit, and this short summer gel nails inspo features a chic combination of colors and shapes. The use of clean lines and bold colors makes this design modern and eye-catching. Perfect for anyone looking to make a statement with their nails.
Consumables:
- Nude gel polish for base (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Fairy Tailor”)
- White gel polish (e.g., Gelish – “Arctic Freeze”)
- Black gel polish for lines (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Licorice”)
- Yellow gel polish for accents (e.g., OPI GelColor – “Exotic Birds Do Not Tweet”)
- Blue gel polish for dots (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “In the Cab-ana”)
- Base coat (e.g., Orly Bonder Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Gelish Top It Off)
- Striping tape or nail art brushes for precision
DIY Instructions:
- Apply the base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply two coats of nude gel polish and cure each layer.
- Use striping tape or a steady hand with a nail art brush to create the geometric shapes and lines. Cure after each addition.
- Add colored accents and cure again.
- Finish with a top coat to seal the design and add shine. Cure one last time.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any sticky residue.
Bright Floral Accents
Bright orange nails with delicate floral accents are a perfect short summer gel nails ideas for those who love a touch of nature in their manicure. The vibrant orange is eye-catching, while the floral details add a feminine and elegant touch.
Consumables:
- Bright orange gel polish (e.g., OPI GelColor – “No Tan Lines”)
- Nude gel polish for base (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Fairy Tailor”)
- Green gel polish for leaves (e.g., Gelish – “Amazon Flirt”)
- Yellow gel polish for flower centers (e.g., OPI GelColor – “Exotic Birds Do Not Tweet”)
- Base coat (e.g., CND Stickey Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat)
- Nail art brushes for creating flowers
DIY Instructions:
- Apply the base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply two coats of bright orange and nude gel polishes on respective nails, curing each layer.
- Use a nail art brush to paint the floral designs on the nude nails, then cure.
- Seal the design with a top coat and cure again.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any sticky residue.
Neutral Tones with Cross Details
This design combines neutral tones with simple cross details, creating a sophisticated and modern look. The use of white and taupe makes it versatile and easy to pair with any outfit, perfect for a short summer gel nails simple yet stylish look.
Consumables:
- White gel polish (e.g., Gelish – “Arctic Freeze”)
- Taupe gel polish (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Take Me to Thread”)
- Black gel polish for crosses (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Licorice”)
- Base coat (e.g., Orly Bonder Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Gelish Top It Off)
- Thin nail art brush for creating crosses
DIY Instructions:
- Apply the base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply two coats of white and taupe gel polishes on respective nails, curing each layer.
- Use a thin nail art brush to paint black crosses on the nails, then cure.
- Finish with a top coat to add shine and protect the design. Cure once more.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any sticky residue.
Pink and Heart Design
This cute and romantic short summer gel nails pink design features various shades of pink with adorable heart accents. The mix of solid and negative space hearts adds a playful and loving touch to your manicure, perfect for any occasion.
Consumables:
- Light pink gel polish (e.g., Gelish – “Pink Smoothie”)
- Hot pink gel polish (e.g., OPI GelColor – “Pompeii Purple”)
- Base coat (e.g., CND Stickey Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat)
- Nail art brush for detailing
DIY Instructions:
- Apply the base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply two coats of light pink gel polish on the middle and ring fingers, and hot pink on the others, curing each layer.
- Use a nail art brush to paint hearts and swirls with the contrasting pink colors, then cure.
- Finish with a top coat to seal the design and add shine. Cure once more.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any sticky residue.
Sparkling Blue Nails
These short summer gel nails blue with a glittery twist are perfect for making a statement. The combination of solid blue and glitter nails creates a striking contrast that catches the eye. Ideal for adding some sparkle to your summer nights.
Consumables:
- Royal blue gel polish (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Caviar Bar”)
- Blue glitter gel polish (e.g., Gelish – “I’m Brighter Than You”)
- Base coat (e.g., Orly Bonder Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Gelish Top It Off)
- Nail art brush for glitter application
DIY Instructions:
- Apply the base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply two coats of royal blue gel polish on the thumb and pinky fingers, curing each layer.
- Apply blue glitter gel polish on the middle three fingers, curing each layer.
- Use a nail art brush to even out the glitter if necessary, then cure.
- Finish with a top coat to seal the design and add shine. Cure once more.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any sticky residue.
Retro Wave Design
This retro-inspired short summer gel nails design features wavy lines in vibrant colors. The mint green base paired with orange and blue waves creates a fun and dynamic look, perfect for summer adventures.
Consumables:
- Mint green gel polish (e.g., OPI GelColor – “That’s Hula-rious!”)
- Orange gel polish (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Meet Me at Sunset”)
- Blue gel polish (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Perfect Posture”)
- Base coat (e.g., CND Stickey Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat)
- Thin nail art brush for creating waves
DIY Instructions:
- Apply the base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply two coats of mint green gel polish and cure each layer.
- Use a thin nail art brush to create wavy lines with orange and blue gel polish, then cure.
- Finish with a top coat to seal the design and add shine. Cure once more.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any sticky residue.
Elegant Blue Marble
This short summer gel nails blue design features an elegant marble effect with hints of gold. The deep blue base with white and gold accents creates a sophisticated and luxurious look, perfect for formal occasions or a night out.
Consumables:
- Deep blue gel polish (e.g., Gelish – “Midnight Caller”)
- White gel polish for marble effect (e.g., OPI GelColor – “Alpine Snow”)
- Gold foil for accents
- Base coat (e.g., Orly Bonder Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Gelish Top It Off)
- Nail art brush for marble effect
DIY Instructions:
- Apply the base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply two coats of deep blue gel polish and cure each layer.
- Use a nail art brush to create a marble effect with white gel polish, then cure.
- Apply gold foil accents to the nails and cure.
- Finish with a top coat to seal the design and add shine. Cure once more.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any sticky residue.
Minimalist Pink with Heart Accent
This delicate and minimalist design features a soft pink base with a tiny heart accent, making it both cute and elegant. The subtlety of the short summer gel nails pink color combined with the small heart detail is perfect for those who prefer a more understated yet stylish look.
Consumables:
- Soft pink gel polish (e.g., OPI GelColor – “Pink-ing of You”)
- Red and white gel polish for heart accent (e.g., Gelish – “Queen of Hearts” and “Arctic Freeze”)
- Base coat (e.g., CND Stickey Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat)
- Dotting tool for heart design
DIY Instructions:
- Apply the base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply two coats of soft pink gel polish, curing each layer.
- Use a dotting tool to create the heart with red and white gel polish, then cure.
- Finish with a top coat to seal the design and add shine. Cure once more.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any sticky residue.
Marbled Blue with Gold Accents
This luxurious design combines marbled blue with gold accents, creating a sophisticated and high-end look. The short summer gel nails blue design with the marbling effect and gold flakes is perfect for those who love a bit of glamour.
Consumables:
- Light blue gel polish (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Perfect Posture”)
- White gel polish for marbling (e.g., OPI GelColor – “Alpine Snow”)
- Gold foil for accents
- Base coat (e.g., Orly Bonder Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Gelish Top It Off)
- Nail art brush for marbling
DIY Instructions:
- Apply the base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply two coats of light blue gel polish and cure each layer.
- Use a nail art brush to create the marble effect with white gel polish, then cure.
- Apply gold foil accents and cure.
- Finish with a top coat to seal the design and add shine. Cure once more.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any sticky residue.
Green and Gold Swirls
This elegant design features swirls of green and gold on a nude base, creating a sophisticated and artistic look. The combination of green and gold is timeless and works beautifully for a short summer gel nails design that stands out.
Consumables:
- Nude gel polish for base (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Fairy Tailor”)
- Dark green gel polish (e.g., OPI GelColor – “Stay Off the Lawn”)
- Gold gel polish for accents (e.g., Gelish – “All That Glitters is Gold”)
- Base coat (e.g., CND Stickey Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat)
- Thin nail art brush for creating swirls
DIY Instructions:
- Apply the base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply two coats of nude gel polish and cure each layer.
- Use a thin nail art brush to create swirls with green and gold gel polish, then cure.
- Finish with a top coat to seal the design and add shine. Cure once more.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any sticky residue.
Matte Zebra Print
This bold and edgy design features a matte finish with a striking zebra print. The short summer gel nails look is perfect for those who love to make a statement with their nails. The combination of black and orange gives it a modern twist.
Consumables:
- Matte top coat (e.g., OPI Matte Top Coat)
- Black gel polish for zebra print (e.g., Essie Gel Couture – “Licorice”)
- Orange gel polish for accents (e.g., OPI GelColor – “No Tan Lines”)
- Base coat (e.g., Orly Bonder Base Coat)
- Thin nail art brush for creating zebra stripes
DIY Instructions:
- Apply the base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply two coats of matte top coat and cure each layer.
- Use a thin nail art brush to paint zebra stripes with black and orange gel polish, then cure.
- Finish with a matte top coat to maintain the matte look and seal the design. Cure once more.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any sticky residue.
Orange Fruit Nails
This adorable short summer gel nails design features bright orange fruit accents on a white base. The simplicity of the white base makes the orange fruit stand out, creating a fun and eye-catching look. This design is perfect for summer and adds a playful touch to any outfit.
Consumables:
- White gel polish (e.g., Gelish – “Arctic Freeze”)
- Bright orange gel polish (e.g., OPI GelColor – “No Tan Lines”)
- Green gel polish for leaves (e.g., Gelish – “Amazon Flirt”)
- Base coat (e.g., CND Stickey Base Coat)
- Top coat (e.g., Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat)
- Thin nail art brush for detailing
DIY Instructions:
- Apply the base coat and cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply two coats of white gel polish and cure each layer.
- Use a thin nail art brush to paint the orange fruits and green leaves on each nail, then cure.
- Finish with a top coat to seal the design and add shine. Cure once more.
- Cleanse the nails to remove any sticky residue.
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