While at this time of year I'm usually half way through my trialling of the best spring/summer nail trends, 2024 has been teasing me with the weather. As a result of the uncharacteristically cold climes, my Saved folder on Instagram is brimming with the best summer nail looks that I am just itching to try.
Spring/summer 2024 is proving the perfect time to opt for a simple, classic manicure. For summer 2024, we're seeing 'boring' manicures reign supreme. I'm talking polished BB cream nails, olive hues, Chantilly nails and deep, jet blacks. While extravagant nail art looks have had everyone in a chokehold in recent years, this time around we're going back to basics—and I couldn't be more trilled about it.
These are set to be the biggest spring/summer 2024 nail trends, according to pros.
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1. Clean gloss
Glossy nails are everywhere right now—I don't want anything on my nails unless it has a super-glossy, jelly-like finish. And while everything looks good with a high-shine gel finish over the top, it's bare gloss that's really leading the way. This clean-looking, jelly gloss finish is everything I could ever dream of. But, of course, the beauty of this manicure is all in the cuticle work.
2. Micro matcha
The French manicure isn’t going anywhere but this spring/summer we’ll be seeing more micro versions that incorporate pastel hues. “Pastels are such an uplifting and versatile option; there's a perfect shade to suit every skin tone,” says 14 Day Mani’s expert Dian Mitchell. The matcha mani has had a real moment throughout spring, but it's about to hit the big time for summer—and this micro matcha French is at the top of my 'to-try' list.
3. Olive chrome
We’re taking the olive nail polish trend and Ibiza-fying it. Enter: olive chrome nails. The olive manicure is seeing big pick up in the run-up to summer, so add a chrome powder over the top and you’ve created something brand new and perfect for the warmer weather. Manicurist Iram Shelton says Hailey Bieber has been playing around with chromes for a while now, so they're definitely here to stay.
4. Vanilla glaze
The vanilla manicure has, probably, been one of the most popular of 2024 so far, and this glazed French take is, in my opinion, the coolest way to wear it. Don't let anybody tell you pastels for spring/summer aren't groundbreaking—this look totally is.
5. BB cream nails
We called the BB cream nail trend a couple of months ago, and it is really starting to have its moment. Canadian brand, Gelcare, has a number of BB cream-focused polishes that deliver a beautifying, barely-there finish for your nails (much like a BB cream does for your complexion). This look by Mateja Novakovic is, hands down, the best nail look I've seen in, well, forever.
6. Summer black
Okay, stay with me on this one—black is having a summer moment. Whether you want to go for a jet-black pedicure or a cherry-black manicure, like this one by manicurist Julia Diogo, I promise you won't regret your choice. It's such a favourite of mine, in fact, that I've been testing it out for the past few weeks, and you wouldn't believe the number of compliments I've had on it.
7. Cherry blossom details
Nail artist to Hailey Bieber herself, Zola Ganzorigt has put blossom nails firmly on the summer 2024 map. While the nail art craze is, for the most part, starting to die out (although I'm all for everyone having fun with their nails in any way, shape or form), this look delivers a muted nail art design, so is perfect for those who lean into both simple manicures and nail art alike.
8. Sunset brights
Sunset blush might be having a moment on TikTok, but it's sunset nails that I'm obsessed with—think neon oranges, warm pinks and rich yellows. While this block-coloured manicure (with a suitably glossy finish) is no doubt perfection, I'd also love to see this trend experimented with in the form of ombré rainbow looks.
9. All things green
Green manicures aren't exactly groundbreaking, but the colour in question seems to be everywhere right now—and I'm not mad about it. From vibrant Bottega green to muted matcha and deeper olive hues, don't miss out on experimenting with a green look this season.
10. Jelly baby French
If queen of French manicures, Harriet Westmoreland, has anything to say about the biggest upcoming nail trends, her most recent Instagram post would suggest she's anticipating the rise of the baby French (or micro French) is still in full swing. This look in particular marries her iconic skinny tip with a high-shine jelly gloss, and I couldn't be more in love.
11. Chantilly cream
We've already talked at length about the Chantilly nail trend on our pages here at Marie Claire UK, but it really is the trending look of the summer. Somewhere between a buttermilk yellow and a French crème look, Chantilly nails have a yellow base to their overall cream finish. They're subtle, they're chic and they're unbelievably versatile.
