15 Butter Yellow Nail Ideas For a Creamy Summer Manicure

French nails with yellow tips. The ring finger and pointer finger do not have the French design and instead are covered in orange, pink, and yellow flowers. — @heygreatnails/Instagram

The only thing better than sliced bread? Butter—no, not the spreadable, delectable goodness. We're talking about the color, which happens to be one of the season's hottest nail trends. Yes, butter yellow nails are popping up all over the place, and the soft, creamy shade is surprisingly wearable. From French tips to dreamy swirls, there's no wrong way to rock the golden hue. Scroll on for the chicest butter-yellow manicures to try at your next salon appointment.

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Classic Yellow

Butter yellow manicure. — @melanated.mani/Instagram

Feeling a bit intimidated by the bold hue? Opt for a standard single-color manicure to ease into the trend. Opt for a signature yellow polish that still brings on the classic butter creaminess.

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Desert Rainbow

Butter yellow nails with swirly lines in dusty shades of maroon, blue, orange, and cream. — @chalkboardnails/Instagram

Butter yellow isn't the only pastel trending right now. Pair the popular shade with some curves and swirls in similar muted shades for an of-the-moment manicure that feels equal parts trendy and unique.

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Block of Butter

Matte geometric nail art design in nude, deep yellow, butter yellow, and baby blue. — @heygreatnails/Instagram

Geometric, block nail art is never a bad idea—plus, we love the way this one plays with negative space. The manicure feels modern and minimalist, and is made all the more so with the matte finish.

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Black and Yellow

Channel your inner bumble bee with a black-and-yellow manicure. This free-form wavy design lends a laidback feel to a decidedly hardcore reference.

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Sunshine Ombré

Sunshine ombre nails. — @yo_keshh/Instagram

We always find ourselves going back to ombré manicures—they spice up a traditional single-color mani without feeling too out there. And this butter-y fade is no exception. Best of all, it's super easy to DIY at home.

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Studded Buttercup

Yellow triangle nail art with studs. — @chalkboardnails/Instagram

Toughen up a sweet buttercup yellow with some studded accents. And no, you don't actually have to pierce your nails. Simply snag a set of gold rhinestones and carefully place them after your polish has fully dried.

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Sunny Swirls

Nude base manicure with swirls in shades of yellow. — @digitzbydev/Instagram

There's something about the velvet-y, almost grainy texture of these sunny swirls that we can't stop looking at. It gives a sand-like effect that's perfect for summer.

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Flower Power

Is it just us or is there something about this French-and-flower manicure that screams early 2000s? Maybe it's the color combination or the classic French design, but we love this set that incorporates the trending shade.

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Pop of Blue

A nude manicure base with swirls of light blue and yellow. — @amyytran/Instagram

We love this surrealist take on sunny skies. The free-form blobs create a cloud-like illusion, while the negative space lends a breezy feel.

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Butter Marble

Yellow water marble manicure. — @melanated.mani/Instagram

Marble nails are one of those low-effort designs that's surprisingly easy to DIY from home. Best of all, we're willing to bet you already have all the tools you need to ace the swirling, whirling effect.

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Gold Details

Butter yellow nails with gold floral detailing on the ring finger. — @chalkboardnails/Instagram

This accent nail (plus the reminiscent shade of yellow) gives us serious Beauty and the Beast vibes—and we mean that in the best way possible. Channel your inner Belle and admire those nails while reading your favorite book.

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Splatter Paint-Inspired

Two matte blue nails and three matte yellow nails with white splatter paint detailing. — @heygreatnails/Instagram

It's giving Easter meets Jackson Pollack, and we didn't know how much we needed this combo. Let white polish randomly fall on top of your solid base for an unexpected accent.

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Funky French

French manicure with yellow tips and darker yellow flowers. — @heygreatnails/Instagram

When it comes to spicing up a French mani, you don't have to reinvent the wheel. A bold tip and some well-placed flowers always feel fresh and fun.

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Confetti Topper

Yellow and nude nails with glow in the dark confetti glitter on top. — @melanated.mani/Instagram

For a real party on your nails, layer a glow-in-the-dark confetti glitter on top of your butter yellow. Target the top coat to specific areas or do a full layer, depending on your desired level of sparkle.

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Brownie Points

Brown and yellow swirling manicure. — @lolo.nailedit/Instagram

Brown and yellow might be an unexpected color combination for some but we love the duo. To add a bit of extra fun opt for a free-flowing design as seen above.