35 Almond Nail Ideas for Summer

Manicure with colorful checkerboard design and smiley, heart, floral, cherry, and sparkle accents — @disseynails / Instagram

We're currently in the midst of an exciting—but rare—moment in manicure trends. These days, no single nail shape reigns supreme: Whether you love long stiletto tips or a classic short squoval, you really can't go wrong. But the ever-popular almond silhouette isn't going anywhere, and this summer, there are endless ways to give them a unique spin, from modern French tips and dainty florals to dewdrop art and 3D accents. Ahead, see 35 almond nail ideas for summer, in all sorts of lengths and designs to keep you inspired all season long.

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Blue and Orange Brights

Blue and orange almond nails with assorted designs — @nailsbyzola / Instagram

Decorating a set of neutral nails with eye-catching brights is the perfect way to experiment with some of this summer's top nail trends. This set, in particular, features 3D accents, chrome, watercolor detailing, aura art, and tie-dye designs—in some of the season's buzziest colors, no less.

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Green and Gold

This futuristic-feeling green and gold combo has the Hailey Bieber stamp of approval. Borrow a page from her nail art book by using a glow-in-the-dark base polish to really make your mani pop.

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Sparkly Blue French

Blue French almond nails with sheer glitter base and opaque tip — @nailsbyzola / Instagram

This look is a triple-threat of current mani trends by way of blue polish, modern French accents, and a hint of sparkle. Play around with the look by pairing a glittering base coat with any fun, colorful tips of your choosing.

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Artful Tips

Graphic French mani for summer in almond shape — @brownluxenails / Instagram

In lieu of using your entire nail as the canvas for your art, try a more concentrated design on your French tip. This vibrant combination of purple, turquoise, and orange steals the spotlight against a neutral base, and the addition of graphic black lines creates an undone outline between your masterpiece and the rest of your nail.

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Sparkly Magenta Ombré

Sparkly pink gradient almond nails — @nailsbyzola / Instagram

French ombré nails are always a good idea, and this purple-pink shade feels perfect for summer without being too Barbie-inspired. Start with a neutral base coat, use a sponge to apply the gradient to the tips of your nails (a shade with a little bit of sparkle works best here), then top things off with some subtle star art for a little extra shimmer.

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3D Neon Tips

Neon French manicure in almond shape — @nailsbyzola / Instagram

If all of those neon signs on Etsy were a manicure, this would be it. The electric tips look extra bright set against a nude base coat, and the 3D lines of demarcation add a bit of modern flair.

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Pink Half-Moons

Pink reverse French almond manicure — @nailsbyzola / Instagram

The circular shape associated with this type of negative space, half-moon mani creates a nice contrast against almond tips and helps fake the appearance of extra length. To make this look feel appropriate for summer, try it in a mood-boosting bright hue.

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Pink and Green Heart Tips

Green and pink heart French tip manicure in almond shape — @imarninails / Instagram

Heart nails aren't just for Valentines Day. To make them feel right for summer, try accenting your tips in the shape with two contrasting brights, like this baby pink and emerald combo.

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Glitzed-up French

French almond nails with glitter tip — @heygreatnails / Instagram

French manis have come back in a big way, but today's designs look nothing like what your mom was wearing in the '90s. Try your own take on the trend by decorating the tips with 3D accents, like these colorful glitter shards.

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Denim Chrome

Chrome almond nails in denim blue shade — @heygreatnails / Instagram

Chrome nails are still going strong, and this denim shade feels both cool-girl friendly and highly appropriate for jean shorts season. The iridescent shimmer beautifully reflects the light, which gives you even more of an excuse to embrace summer's sun-drenched days.

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Groovy Swirls

Pink and red swirl almond-shaped manicure — @phoebesummernails / Instagram

Steal some inspo from the '70s with this retro nail art. The unexpected pink-and-red combo proves that you can wear both shades without it feeling like Valentine's Day, and the asymmetrical swirls make each nail feel unique while also lending a cohesiveness to the overall look. Swirls, as it turns out, can be timeless after all.

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Aura Nails

White almond-shaped manicure with aura designs in different bright colors — @heluviee / Instagram

Looking to show off your *vibes* with some aura nails this summer? The bright aura designs really pop against the white base here. You can either DIY, head to a nail artist, or pick up a set of aura press-ons to get the look in seconds.

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Geode Nails

Geode nails embrace natural beauty, but this hot pink marble version feels totally out of this world. The almond shape makes the result especially precious.

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Cherry Tips

French manicure with green almond-shaped tips and cherry-covered accent nails — @phoebesummernails / Instagram

Give your favorite summer fruit the nail art treatment with this sweet cherry design. Pair the pattern with some modern French tips (this pastel lime shade looks great against the cherries' deeper green and red), and apply it all over or on just a few standout accent nails.

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Summer Reds

Red almond nails for summer with abstract design on accent nails — @nailsbyzola / Instagram

You can't go wrong with a red manicure any time of year, and using the shade to draw art on top of a few neutral accent nails gives it a lighter air that feels perfect for summer.

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Ocean Tips

Blue ocean-inspired manicure in almond shape — @nailsbyzola / Instagram

Embrace beach season by diving into some ocean-inspired nail art. The vivid blue swirls mimic the appearance of real waves and will look right at home in every mani pic you take in front of a body of water this summer.

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Rainbow Skittle Swirls

Rainbow squiggle French manicure in almond shape — @imarninails / Instagram

"Skittle" manis feature a different color on every nail, and this ultra-artsy set makes the style feel even more fun than its usual solid-shaded design. These abstract French tips really do look good enough to eat.

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Floral Gradient

Floral almond nails in pink and orange gradient — @nailsbyzola / Instagram

'Tis the season for decorating your nails with a pink-and-orange gradient that looks like a summer sunset. Dress it up with a few abstract florals for a mani that's full of warm-weather joy.

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Butter Chrome

Butter yellow chrome almond nails — @disseynails / Instagram

Butter yellow polish is set to have its main-character moment this summer, and this iridescent chrome set makes the shade feel like sunshine on your fingertips.

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Tie-Dye Nails

Rainbow tie-dye almond nails — @lolo.nailedit / Instagram

Lean into summer nostalgia with some artsy tie-dye nails. Just like with tie-dye clothes, there's no single "right" design or color combo—feel free to experiment with every pattern and shade of the rainbow, and prepare to mentally transport to your younger years spent making colorful tees in your backyard.

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Squiggle Skittles

Squiggly rainbow nails in abstract design and almond shape — @phoebesummernails / Instagram

Show off your pride in June (or all summer long) with this rainbow-hued abstract squiggle art. The louder, the better.

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Pearl Florals

Pink almond-shaped manicure with pearl floral accents — @heygreatnails / Instagram

Pearl-adorned manicures have been everywhere recently (including at the 2024 Grammys, c/o Lana Del Rey), as has delicate floral art. This look brings the two trends together overtop of a marshmallow-pink gradient, accenting them with tiny rhinestones for some extra sparkle.

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Lemon Drops

Pale yellow French manicure with lemon design accent nails — @imarninails / Instagram

This look checks three summer nail trend boxes: Modern French tips, fruit-inspired art, and yellow polish.

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Maximalist Florals

Floral French manicure in almond shape — @disseynails / Instagram

Delicate florals not quite your thing? Give them a maximalist flair by using bright colors (like orange and yellow) and outlining them in another standout shade.

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White Abstract Swirls

White almond nail art with neutral base — @imarninails / Instagram

White nails are a summertime staple, and using the stark shade to draw some asymmetric art on top of a neutral nail makes it feel ultra-modern (and not like you painted your nails with Wite-Out, which some white polishes admittedly do). Try mixing and matching your designs to give each nail its own vibe.

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Electric Chrome

Silver chrome nails with multicolored polka dots and hot pink accent nails — @brownluxenails / Instagram

We can imagine this fluorescent chrome mani looking right at home in the summer of 3024. The high-impact color combo gives it a futuristic feel, and the mismatched neon spots are giving major Zenon energy.

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Cherry Blossoms

Green and deep pink almond nails with pastel cherry blossom florals on the green nails — @phoebesummernails / Instagram

Considering Hailey Bieber showed off a cherry blossom manicure earlier this month (as a sweet nod to the "blooming" baby in her belly!), it's only a matter of time before the dainty design becomes the next big thing. Use a contrasting base—like this emerald green—to really make the art stand out.

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Pink and Red Swirls

Pink and red swirl almond nails for summer — @brownluxenails / Instagram

When done right, pink and red complement each other in a way that really pops. The trick? Look for similar undertones. With that in mind, pair a coral-toned pink with a warm-toned red for a look that's as hot as the season you're wearing it in.

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Groovy Florals

Floral almond-shaped manicure with purple and green swirl designs — @disseynails / Instagram

Florals for spring are classic, but you can transition the design to summer by pairing it with some wavy lines. Pastel shades, like this purple, blue, and green combo, are a great (and groovy) option, but you can't go wrong experimenting with more vibrant colors, either.

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Blue and Orange Squiggles

Blue and orange almond nails with abstract designs — @heluviee / Instagram

Clear skies and long hours of sunshine are two of the best parts of summer, and this mani lets you celebrate both on your nails. The pastel blue looks stunning next to this particular shade of tangerine orange, and the white squiggles add another element of interest to the overall look.

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Coquette Dew Drops

Pink and white almond-shaped manicure with 3D dewdrop designs — @brushedbyb_ / Instagram

It's hard to resist the "dewdrop" nails that have been all over the Internet lately, and this set gives the water-inspired art a coquettish twist.

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Graphic Neon

Neon graphic almond-shaped manicure with hot pink accent nails — @brownluxenails / Instagram

Neon nails make a statement in their own right (especially in this sort of bright Barbie pink), but you can kick them up another notch by pairing multiple electric shades on a few accent nails. While much of this season's popular art skews round, graphic designs like this one will always be in style.

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Groovy Blue Florals

Blue floral almond-shaped manicure with white French tips — @phoebesummernails / Instagram

Another fun take on summer florals, this bright blue polish seriously stands out against the stark white tips (which have a stunning severe oval shape with elongated sides). In lieu of creating the flower's center with polish, add a decadent twist by using 3D pearl accents.

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Mixed Prints

Close-up of colorful patterned mismatched manicure in almond shape — @brownluxenails / Instagram

These wholly unique mismatched prints—in every color of the rainbow, no less—feel unlike any other mani you'll see this season. It's "more is more" in the best possible way, and perfect for anyone looking for a set that's sure to launch a barrage of compliments.

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Funky Accents

Almond-shaped nails with colorful checkerboard designs and cherry, floral, smiley, heart, and sparkle accents — @disseynails / Instagram

Summer manis should induce as much happiness as the season itself, and this set most certainly fits the bill. The bright colors, fun designs, and checkerboard accents come together for a look that will leave you grinning just as wide as the smiley seen above.