As the sun begins to shine brighter and the days grow longer, fashion enthusiasts and beauty lovers alike are eagerly seeking fresh trends to rejuvenate their seasonal look. This summer, one manicure trend is standing out among the rest: popsicle nails.
These syrupy-sweet manicures are one of the desirable nail trends for summer 2024. This year, we’re moving beyond pastel sorbet polishes and embracing bold, head-turning shades. Inspired by the carefree, popsicle-stained lips of summer, these nails call for vibrant colors like blood orange and candy apple red.
Juicy hues of red, purple, blue, and pink fit perfectly within this theme, and a high-shine lacquer adds an extra touch of brilliance. Any bright, snow cone-worthy hue works perfectly for this look, as long as you opt for a unique design and finish it off with a glossy top coat that sparkles in the sunlight.
Ahead is what you need to know about popsicle nails, from their origins and design inspirations to how you can achieve them at home or in the salon.
The Inspiration Behind Popsicle Nails
The popsicle nail trend draws inspiration from the beloved frozen treat that has been a summertime favorite for years. Popsicles, with their vibrant colors and melting, dripping appearance, have always fascinated kids and adults. It’s no wonder nail artists have found a way to capture this fun, nostalgic vibe in a manicure design.
In addition to recreating the fun colors of various popsicles, you can also enhance your nails with playful nail art and fun stickers. With this, the nail trend can perfectly capture a playful and vibrant spirit, which many are embracing in their manicures today.
The Appeal of Popsicle Nails
One of the main reasons why this nail trend has become so popular is its incredible versatility. Unlike some nail art trends that can seem complicated or difficult to apply, popsicle nails offer a simple and accessible approach that can be customized to fit various personal styles and preferences.
What makes the manicure trend so appealing is that there’s no one “correct” way to do them. You can opt for a minimalist look with just a few bold, contrasting colors, or you can get creative by layering different shades to achieve that iconic melted effect. The possibilities are endless!
photo: Instagram/ Overglowedit Furthermore, the popsicle nail trend perfectly aligns with the current trend towards playful and whimsical nail art, which has become increasingly popular in recent years. As we move into the summer season, people are drawn to nail designs that are fun, vibrant, and reminiscent of childhood memories. Popsicle nails tick all of these boxes, which is why the mani resonates so strongly with such a large audience right now.
How to DIY Popsicle Nails at Home
While achieving these trendy nail designs might seem tricky at first glance, the actual process is quite straightforward, especially for those with some nail art experience. To start, ensure your nails are clean and well-prepped by filing, buffing, and dehydrating them. This helps the polish adhere smoothly.
Next, choose your color palette, focusing on bold and contrasting shades reminiscent of classic popsicle flavors like orange and cherry or grape and lime.
Once you’ve picked your colors, apply a base coat and let it dry completely. Then, use a nail art brush or small detail brush to apply additional colors in a dripping, downward motion to mimic melting popsicle drips. Experiment with different placements and directions for varying effects.
Layer on the colors to build a gradient effect for depth and dimension. The more layers you add, the more authentic and eye-catching your popsicle nails will be.
Finish the design with a high-shine topcoat to smooth out any uneven textures and give your nails a glossy finish that enhances the colors.
Popsicle nails ideas to try
Pink Jelly Aura Nails
Whimsical aura nails are a major trend for 2024, adding an ethereal touch to the popsicle-stained manicure. Cohesively layering your trend is an art form, but these dreamy jelly nails make it effortless. This design complements any of the approved popsicle nail colors, but it looks particularly charming in a soft rose petal pink shade.
Rainbow Popsicle French Tips:
Colorful French manicures blend bright summer shades with neutral nail trends, making them perfect for popsicle-inspired nail designs. Don’t hesitate to incorporate blue and yellow for a true rainbow-inspired manicure.
Try alternating colors on each nail or opt for a two-toned French tip look for an abstract twist. Whichever design you choose, these summer French-tip nails are sure to be a hit with everyone.
Orange Chrome Manicure
The metallic chrome nail trend is hot right now and pairs well with almost any color, including bold choices like blood orange or neon tangerine.
Reflective chrome nails make a statement on their own, but when combined with daring shades like blood orange, they become even more eye-catching. Chrome nails strike a balance between minimalist and maximalist designs, making them perfect for a fun summer manicure idea, especially for shorter nails.
Candy Apple Red Manicure
Candy apple red nails look as tempting as they sound, staying true to the theme and exuding absolute fabulousness. Bright red nails evoke feelings of passion and confidence, according to the TikTok red nail theory. This vibrant candy-red hue is ideal for summer date nights and holiday outings with friends.
Popsicle Pink Ombré Nails
When you think of popsicle nails, you can’t help but envision the gradient colors of melting popsicles and slushies. Add an ombré twist to the mix with a pink-orange gradient nail design for extra flair.
(Photo: Instagram.com/erika.blushnailboutique)
