20 Glittery Nail Ideas That Will Sparkle in the Summer Sun (2025)

Table of Contents

Glittery Aura Blinged-Out French Decadent Rhinestones Sparkly Nude Sheer Glimmers Holographic Golden French Simple Silver Sparkle to the Stars Dreamy Iridescence Case of the Blues Silver on Silver Creative Chaos Glittery Gold Lines Taste the Neutral Rainbow Stained Glass Shimmer Sparkly Starfish Pink Velvet Warm-Toned Swirls Never Enough Bling References

20 Glittery Nail Ideas That Will Sparkle in the Summer Sun (1)

Glittery, sparkly, and shiny nails are decidedly maximalist, but they never go out of style. No matter the time of year, there's something magical about a party-ready manicure that you can practically see from space. You'll find countless variations this summer—from sunny tones to bold pops of color to radiant iridescence—that feel as joyous as the warm weather. Ready to sparkle up your mani? Ahead, check out 20 standout glittery nail ideas for summer, spanning options for every taste.

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Glittery Aura

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If you love a glitter finish and aura nails, why not combine the two? To achieve this look, apply a pink polish to the middle, then top it with chunky glitter polish and gold star decals.

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Blinged-Out French

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You'd be hard-pressed to find a more blinged-out set than this one, which is precisely the appeal. This look requires a lot of patience if you DIY, so if you don't have the time to glue on each individual stone, consider hiring a professional or finding a similar press-on set.

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Decadent Rhinestones

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These beautifully maximalist tips feel creative and luxurious, yet they're fairly easy to recreate, as no uniformity is necessary. Start with a base coat of your choice, then glue on rhinestones in a variety of sizes and colors, all positioned towards the upper portion of each nail.

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Sparkly Nude

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Summer neutral manicures are timeless for a reason, and this sparkly version adds an extra touch of fun while remaining versatile. After applying a few coats of nude polish, top your look off with a sparkly coat in silver or gold.

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Sheer Glimmers

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A subtle glimmer is always a good idea, and this sheer set is like a slightly more glittery cousin to glazed donut nails. Once you've painted on two or three coats of a light pink shade, add a shimmery topper (one coat for sheer, or two for a bit more drama).

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Holographic

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Holographic glitter will make a head-turning splash this summer, whether you try it on a longer manicure as above or embrace the finish on shorter nails. Start with a few coats in a holographic shade, then finish off the look with some white swoops for some abstract intrigue.

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Golden French

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All that glitters just may be gold with these French tips, which will undoubtedly make you feel like the main character this summer. To recreate the look, sponge on gold glitter polish in an ombré manner, leaving the base of each nail bare. Outline the tips in solid gold, then seal everything in with top coat for a shiny, long-lasting finish.

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Simple Silver

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Basic doesn't mean boring, and these simple nails feel elevated thanks to a bit of extra sparkle and shine. Start with two coats of a muted pink hue, then add some chunky silver glitter for an eye-catching result.

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Sparkle to the Stars

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For funky summer glitter nails that will get you compliments left and right, just add multicolored stars. From the mismatched tips to the rhinestones and spaced-out glitter, this mani is truly out of this world.

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Dreamy Iridescence

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These glittery, iridescent glass nails are impossible to ignore. Start with a silvery-blue velvet polish, curing it with a magnet and a lamp. Top it off with some blue butterflies to take the look into summer-approved territory.

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Case of the Blues

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Looking for a less expected take on a monochromatic manicure? Go for this blue-on-blue design, starting with a coat of blue shimmer polish. Next, use a detailing brush to paint on wavy baby blue lines, dividing the sparkle into abstract, oversized blobs.

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Silver on Silver

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Who said you have to choose between a glittery polish and gemstones? To achieve this silver set, apply one or two coats of silver velvet polish, then cure it with a magnet and a lamp. Next, glue a few silver rhinestones onto each nail.

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Creative Chaos

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These 3D nails contain multitudes, and the nostalgic energy they exude make this mani ideal for summer. Get your hands on a myriad of different glittery gems, from studs to rhinestones, pearls, and more—or head to a nail artist who can recreate the look of your dreams.

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Glittery Gold Lines

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If you want glittery nails that are a bit more minimal, you're going to fall head over heels for this mani. Stick with a clear or light pink base coat, then draw a vertical, sparkly gold line on each nail.

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Taste the Neutral Rainbow

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It's hard to ignore the appeal of crushed glitter, such as via this gradient set that feels like a neutral take on Skittle nails. Get your hands on five glittery neutrals, painting one on each nail in order from darkest to lightest.

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Stained Glass Shimmer

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Stained glass nails feel like a work of art, and this concept takes the shimmer, chrome, and floral elements to a revelatory level. Given the complexity of this mani, we recommend taking this inspiration to a pro to achieve the most exact recreation.

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Sparkly Starfish

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The beach and summer go hand in hand. To get this ideal set of vacation nails, start with a pink base coat. Next, paint on a silver glitter topper, then finish off with thick white starfish.

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Pink Velvet

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Velvet nails bring a glittery effect to new heights using a magnet, and this pink take is a sweet and festive option for summer. While any shade will do, we suggest sticking to lighter shades during summer for an effortless feel that aligns with the season's airy outfits and pared-back hair and makeup routines.

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Warm-Toned Swirls

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With in-your-face color and just a touch of glitter, this swirly set feels energetic and fresh. The color combo seen here is bold yet versatile, featuring purple, pink, and red solid swirls surrounding a final curved stripe in sparkly gold.

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Never Enough Bling

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Be it as subtle pride nails or as a chromatic masterpiece our favorite Y2K characters would embrace, this manicure is an undeniably fun choice. It's easy to recreate, too: Start with two coats of a light pink base, then add an array of colorful rhinestones to each nail.

20 Glittery Nail Ideas That Will Sparkle in the Summer Sun (2025)

References

https://www.byrdie.com/glittery-nail-ideas-for-summer-11741970