This Nail Trend Is the Most Joyful Thing You'll See This Summer
There's something about wearing bright colours—be it by way of your clothing or your beauty routine—that just puts you in a good mood. And right now, we can't think of a better time to lift our style with vivid hues and playful motifs.
Handily, you needn't invest in a whole new wardrobe to give your mood a joyful boost—in fact, one of the easiest and most-effective ways of elevating your style and making you feel happy is with a fun manicure. And recently, we've noticed that everyone seems to be opting for rainbow nails.
Perhaps it's the fact that many salons reopened last week but, over the last few days, we've lost count of how many rainbow-inspired nail looks we've seen. Some of the industry's top nail technicians confirmed that many of their clients are already choosing bright and punchy nail art designs, so it makes sense that rainbow nails are very much in-demand.
From painting each nail a different shade to ornate designs, there's a multitude of ways to wear rainbow nails. Scroll below to see a selection of our favourites.
Rainbow Nails: Art, Ideas and Colour Inspiration
Keep it classic with block nail colours in traditional rainbow hues.
This rainbow French manicure is so much fun.
How pretty is this floral twist?
It's impossible to not feel cheerful with this nail art on your fingertips.
Why not go for a different hue on every nail like this minimalist French manicure design?
I love how subtle yet fun this colourful nail art is.
Aura nails looks amazing in rainbow hues.
Simple yet fun.
This rainbow nail art is meant to look like different auras.
Floral nail art is always a winner.
I love this angular take on the French mani.
How cool is this outline French manicure design?
These bright colours look great together.
Painting each nail a different colour is a simple way to achieve rainbow nails.
How cute is this minimalistic take on rainbow nails?
These are so fun.
Mix and match with all the colours of the rainbow.
Experiment with different placements of the nail art. They look great in bright colours.
Why not try a different design on each nail?
I'm mesmerised by this ombre effect.
I'm taking this design to the salon immediately.
Alternate each fingertip with a clashing dot in bright neons.
Wear you heart on your fingertips with this rainbow heart nail art design.
This geometric nail art looks great in rainbow hues.
This is dopamine in nail art form.
Devin's glittery, rainbow-hued take on a French manicure is enough to make us swoon.
This Olive and June-created manicure with square nails is perfection (as is that ring!).
Lotte demonstrates the perfect rainbow manicure for beginners to try.
Who said rainbow nails needed to be bright and vivid? Zeena's pastel nails pack just as much of a happy punch.
We can't think of a better backdrop for a rainbow manicure than a buttery Chanel bag.
Don't let the traditional shape of a rainbow limit your creativity; take the colours and work them up in joyful patterns to create your own take.
Set against a pale pink backdrop, this rainbow strip may be discreet, but it still makes an impact.
You needn't stick to the colours in the nursery rhyme—select your favourite hues to create a rainbow manicure all your own.
Celeste creates some of the most iconic nail art on the 'gram. We love this cartoonish take on a rainbow set of nails.
Betina never fails to put her own spin on a nail art trend. Case in point? This candy-stripe mani.
Hannah's gorgeous rainbow manicure features rich, sunbleached-looking tones.
The team at Buff give this rainbow-hued manicure a cool twist with a tie-dye finish.
Barely a day goes by when Nnenna isn't sporting a rainbow manicure.
The contrasting hues of these daises also make for a pretty take on rainbow nails.
Emmanuelle gives her nails her own edgy take by filing her talons into a coffin shape.
The little floral motifs are the perfect addition to this rainbow mani.
A the addition of a swirl makes this fun nail art trend even more playful.
Ombré is one of our favourite nail art techniques—particularly when its rainbow-hued.
Sophie's rainbow nails match her bright wardrobe perfectly.
Shakey hands may not wish to attempt this at home, but there's no denying it looks amazing.
Ellie lifts her tonal ensemble with a rainbow-tipped manicure.
Hannah creates a cool, marbled rainbow effect by swirling two different shades of the same colour together.
Why not upgrade your usual French tips with a rainbow motif?
Liv's rainbow nails instantly brighten up her classic jeans and cream blouse ensemble.
Combine to nail trends in one with an ombré-effect rainbow going across your talons.
This Edinburgh-based nail salon showcases a rainbow manicure unlike any other—via different colours of roses. Gorgeous.
One of the easiest ways to trial the rainbow nail trend is to paint a single line of colour down each nail.
Powdery finishes always look chic.
The Hang Edit expertly outlines her nails with gorgeous rainbow accents.
Aude-Julie enhances her rainbow manicure with bright eye shadow.
A simple look to re-create, take the brightest colours in your nail art collection and wear one on each nail to achieve Michelle's look.
From the ombré rainbow tips to the cute doodles, we love this playful nail art interpretation.
Elif creates a pretty rainbow daisy chain with her floral mani.
When it comes to nail art, sometimes less is more.
SHOP RAINBOW NAIL POLISH COLOURS
Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.
Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.
Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.
-
4 Anti-Trend Outfits I Spot Every Time I'm in Europe
Classic looks that are always in style.
By Natalie Cantell
-
3 Non-Holiday Ways to Wear Velvet This Winter
You're welcome.
By Eliza Huber
-
Hailey Bieber Just Used the TikTok Styling Hack That Will Actually Go the Distance
I'm going to use it this weekend.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
After 15 Years as a Fashion Writer, I Know These Free Style Tweaks Will Make a Big Impact
How to give your wardrobe a new lease on life.
By Emma Spedding
-
4 Dated Sweater Trends I'm Purging From My Small NYC Closet by the Year's End
And the chic knitwear I'm making room for.
By Natalie Cantell
-
Law Roach's World: His New Book, Bag of Choice, and What He Grabs on a Target Run
"[Styling] has made my world so much bigger."
By Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
-
I'm in My 20s—Here Are 6 Style Lessons I Learned to Look More Polished and Grown-Up
Sophisticated styling 101.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
8 Copenhagen Street Style Trends I Plan to Replicate in New York
Pared back yet never boring.
By Nikki Chwatt