Offering a juicy twist on classic red, watermelon nails are the look to request this summer

A collage of bright pink, watermelon-like nails: on the left is a close-up of someone's hand with squoval watermelon nails by nail artist Julia Diogo (@paintedbyjools), followed by a picture of someone's hand with bright pink, watermelon French tip nails by Fliss Alton (@gelsbyfliss), and finally, on the right, a picture of someone's hand with short neon watermelon nails by nail artist Mateja Novakovic (@matejanova)/ in a white template with stock images of a pink nail polish spill and watermelon slices.

While red is always a timeless pick, watermelon nails are this season's juicier update, taking inspiration from the refreshing fruit for a vibrant but ultra-chic manicure.

Though the summer typically ushers in a wave of bright and sparkling hues, with some making an appearance every time the weather shifts, the 2026 nail trends have instead brought in a plethora of varied and unexpected looks – from subtle coconut cream nails to playful pops of coral. We have also spied something of a theme emerging: citrus and fruit-inspired tones. Think ripe-red tomato nails and zingy lemon French tip nails, as well as one particularly juicy hue that combines the wearability of a classic red with a splash of hot pink.