13 Cute Beach-Themed Nails For A Tropical Getaway
Photo Credit: @nuka.nails
Are you looking for some beautiful, beachy nail art inspiration before you jet off on a tropical getaway? Even if your plans don't involve stepping on sandy shores, an oceanic manicure will keep you cool all summer long.
From a mermaid glass manicure to seashell French tips, there are endless ways to infuse sun and fun into your nail art. Keep reading to learn more!
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#1. Mermaid Glass Nails
Photo Credit: @heygreatnails
These mermaid nails give us real under-the-sea vibes. The 3D details and iridescent luminescence make this look truly magical and mystifying.
This design is easily our favorite for beach nails. The subtle shimmer and builder gel droplets remind us of serene ocean waves on a tropical beach.
#2. Pink Sunset Gradients
Photo Credit: @nylove_nail
It's hard to resist the refreshing feeling of ocean-blue nails. However, not every beach vacay is about sunbathing by surfable shores.
After a day of sun and fun, that moment between golden hour and a summer sunset feels oh-so relaxing. This mani perfectly encapsulates that serenity and tranquility.
Mix a pastel pink and creamy orange to craft this sweet ombre design. Use Maniology's rosy "Cinnablush" and peachy "Nectar" for this look.
#3. Juicy Fruit
The best beach nail designs feature a pop of color. What better way is there to kick off a summer vacation?
Don't feel intimidated by these intricated fruity prints. You won't need to freehand anything with our "Sun & Sand" nail stamping kit. This all-in-one nail art set features a buffet-style nail stamping plate with various summer designs to choose from. Plus, it contains our smudge-free top coat, classic white stamping polish, a silicone cube stamper, and a mini scraper card.
Feel free to snag a few neon nail lacquers like our green "Food Fight" and pink "Slam Book" stamping polishes to complete the look.
Bonus: 4 Ways To Thin Nail Polish So It's Not Thick And Clumpy
#4. Turquoise French Tips
Photo Credit: @pop_polished
If you're searching for a timeless take on French tips, this turquoise mani is perfect. Turquoise, on its own, is already a beautifully beachy shade. But the deep metallic finish of this look is what really ties it all together.
The shimmering sheen of this dual French manicure adds another layer of allure. Although this mani may look simple at first glance, it features subtle details that help it stand out.
#5. Sophisticated Seaside Shells
Photo Credit: @overglowedit
Why not make your beach nail designs something gorgeously glamorous? Swap your bold and bright neon polishes for these dainty and delicate seashell charms. They look stunning on natural nails.
You don't need knife-like stiletto nails to rock gorgeous ocean nails. This simple design looks dashing on short, natural nails. To complete this look, add some golden seashells, teeny-tiny pearls, and a sprinkle of glitter. You can also use nail stickers if you don't have nail glue and charms handy.
#6. Pastel Citrus
Let's add a bit of zest to your beach nail designs. These juicy, fruity nails are made with our "Sun & Sand" nail stamping starter kit and our juicy "Nectar" nail polish. They're more than enough to quench your summer thirst!
#7. Natural Glazed Nails
Photo Credit: @nailsbyzola
Glazed donut nails have been topping the trends lately. Celebs like Hailey Bieber made this look mainstream, and even still, we can't get enough of it. It's the go-to look for manicure minimalistis and natural nail girlies alike.
This barely-there manicure manifests the silky sheen of the ocean. It's the perfect accessory to your skin's summer glow!
#8. Vanilla-Toned Tips
Photo Credit: @nylove_nail
French fingernails are, without a doubt, one of the best go-to looks for beach nails. And these sandy, vanilla-toned tips make us feel like we are on our way to a tropical beach. The 3D texture and dimensional swirls add another layer of detail to a seemingly simple look.
This creamy color isn't just great for a beach vacation. It's also making us crave a vanilla latte. ☕
#9. Neon Aura Nails
Photo Credit: @afreshset
If you typically shy away from bright and bold manicures, this is your sign to go big. These neon aura nails are the perfect look for a beachside vacay.
These stilettos look dangerous and give off real "baddie" vibes. But you can still pull this look off with short nails. It's a creative mix of airbrush nail art and French tips.
Don't forget to use a beautiful range of neon shades to add depth and dimension. (Hint: Use our "School's Out" six-piece nail stamping polish set. These highly pigmented formulas are vibrant and vivid - perfect for beach nail designs!)
#10. Plants in Paradise
Adding a touch of nature to your beachy nail art will put a fun spin on your DIY manicure. These abstract nail designs feature pops of colors and black fauna details. It all comes together nicely to give your fingertips a gorgeous level of contrast and dimension.
#11. Shores for Surfers
Photo Credit: @dymenails
We can't, in good conscience, create a list of the best beach nail designs without including one ultra-realistic ocean-inspired look. These acrylics aren't the easiest for nail art newbies, but you can create a similar manicure using our "Polynesia" nail stamping plate.
Remember that you don't need inch-long stiletto nails to pull this off. You can easily alter the look to fit on short nails!
#12. Tropical Hibiscus Flower Designs
Photo Credit: @pearliepressed
These summer nails are sweet and serene. The dainty details and hibiscus flowers transport you to the crystal-watered shores of Hawaii. The subtle contrast on the baby blue French tips creates the illusion of waves. What's not to love here?
#13. Ombre Seashells
These beautiful shells might be difficult to recreate if you're not a seasoned nail art professional. Luckily, you can easily adorn your fingertips with conch shells using our "Shell Yeah!" nail stamping plate. With this ombre backdrop, your summer nails will capture the allure of the ocean floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best nail color for the beach?
Many of the best beach nail colors are bright and bold. Intense tones and high-gloss finishes are pretty popular around this time of year. For a more refined and casual look, you can opt for neutral shades like nude or soft pastels.
For some additional depth and dimension, try adding subtle nail art accents or delicate details. If you're looking for some stunning shades for beach nails, here are our go-to polishes for this summer:
- Watermelon Float - Juicy melon pink
- Coconut - Off-white creamy custard
- Bam! White - Classic bright white
- Frosty - Cool teal blue
- Skin Deep - Neutral nude peach
- Magic Hour - Shimmering champagne
- Sunrise - Sunny yellow-orange
- Ballet Flats - Nude pink cream
- Flashdance - Pastel salmon pink
- Food Fight - Neon lime green
- Doll Dance - Creamy periwinkle blue
What type of nails are best for the beach?
Anything from super short nails to vampy tips looks great on a beach. But if you want to minimize the amount of sand that gets under your fingernails, go with a subtle almond shape. Short lengths are usually better when the day ahead is filled with sand and surf!
What is a mermaid manicure?
We're calling it—mermaid nails will be the hottest trend of summer 2024 (like they were in 2023). A typical mermaid manicure features aqua shades, metallic silvers, and oceanic accents. It might also include scaley prints, shimmering rhinestones, glitter polish, and shell charms.
Want to create a #MermaidCore manicure? Watch this YouTube video for a quick how-to from your team at Maniology!
Final Thoughts
With hot girl summer around the corner, now is the time to DIY some beautiful beach nails. Your days of fun and sun are bound to feel refreshing with an under-the-sea-inspired manicure!
Keep Reading: The 12 Top Nail Polish Brands Of 2024
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At Maniology, we believe your nails are opportunities for adventure, fun, and unrestrained artistic expression. Our nail stamping plates and nail accessories are here to help foster your self-expression in the hopes of building a community of individuality. For more nail tutorials, subscription box updates, and designs, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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