36 Joy-Inducing Nail-Art Pictures We Can't Stop Looking At

Much like our wardrobes, our beauty looks also brighten when the summer months hit. We rose our cheeks and add pops of coral to our lips, but nails? That's where the fun is. Acting as a blank canvas to the various polishes at our disposal, our nails afford us the perfect opportunity to let our personalities shine through—perhaps even more so than the clothes we wear. And now that summer is officially in full swing, we thought it was the perfect time to collate some colourful nail-art options in one place. 

Ready for our next nail appointments, we've been saving amazing nail-art pictures to bring with us for inspiration. We found that many of our favourite styles fell into one of six categories. 

From the new way to sport French tips to creations that wouldn't look out of place hanging on the walls of the Tate Modern, here are some of the beautiful, brightly coloured nail art out there to consider. 

ABSTRACT

This swirly design is serving major retro vibes, and we couldn't be more in love.

Using a thin paintbrush, add spots of black to give your abstract mani an '80s feel. 

White polish will create the perfect canvas to get experimental on top of. 

If you're trying it at home, it's a great way to finally use underused polishes. 

You just can't beat yellow and orange to put you in a happy mood. 

Perfectionists can also work the abstract nail-art trend by keeping the pattern the same on each nail. 

BRIGHT FRENCH TIPS

Fuchsia and orange are a match made in nail heaven. To add an extra dimension to your colourful tips, incorporate an accent nail on your ring finger, like this flame design.

The subtle pointed negative space will give the illusion of longer nails. 

Who said you need to keep the rest of your nail bare? 

Switch up the colour of your French tips for a fun spin. 

Lime-green tips will give any ensemble you wear a summery finish. 

Can't decide on just one hue? Go for them all!

FLORAL

If you don't want to go whole-hog with a floral design, keep things subtle by opting for a nail-bed accent. These daisies, teamed with a nude nail, are subtle minimalist perfection.

Use a bright base colour to make your daisy nails pop. 

Alternate the size of your blooms.

We love how Elif has paired her sweet floral manicure with chunky gold rings. 

Create a rainbow palette with bright shades underneath one-tone flowers. 

Or use negative space to enhance your floral nail-art creation. 

PASTEL RAINBOW

Give traditional pastels a modern update by opting for bright colours in more muted tones.

Emmanuelle demonstrates the perfect pastel rainbow. 

We love how Claire styles her pastel manicure with powdery lilac trousers. 

Liv's ice cream shades are making us yearn for a day at the seaside. 

Don't be afraid to go for pastel neons, as Aude-Julie has done. 

Simple but so effective. 

FRUITY

Dainty cherries layered over a pastel French tip? Sign us up.

We can't get over these cute little tangies. 

Use all of your nails to create an impossibly cute fruit salad. 

Combining two colourful nail-art trends in one with bright French tips and cherry motifs. 

You needn't have fruit on each nail. Instead, you can paint your remaining talons a coordinating shade.

So beautiful. 

POLKA DOTS

Polka dots don't have to be graphic. If you're a fan of minimal nail art, a single, contrasting dot in the centre of the nail along the nail bed is the perfect understated statement.

If you prefer your nail art to be pared-back, this polka-dot option is sure to appease. 

Your polka dots don't have to be perfectly formed, either. Have fun with different sizes, and if you make a mistake, embrace it. 

The clashing colours are grounded by the fact that the polka dots remain consistent. 

Why not add adorable smiley faces to your polka-dot nail art? 

Or keep things classic with primary colours. 

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Next up, this is already the coolest nail trend of 2022.