9 Cute Summer Toe Nail Designs & Ideas for Your Next Pedicure Project

For nail-polish lovers, there’s nothing like painting a sun-kissed, trendy summer pedicure on your toes.

And to paint on the pretty this spring or summer you don’t have to travel to the nail salon to pump up your pedicure.

Whether you are a nail polish newbie or a polish passionista, you can take your pedicure from boring to beautiful with a few do-it-yourself summer toe nail designs.

Half-Moon Nail Designs

When you want to make a statement with your pedicure, two-tone nails are the new neutral.

If you are painting your toes for a spring wedding brunch, combine a pink polish with a metallic silver to complement your pink and white clothing options.

1. First, paint your toes a solid pink.
2. Starting at the base of the toes, draw a semi-circle with the silver polish to create a half-moon shape.
3. Finish with a topcoat.

Try the Deck of Cards

You can use a basic deck of cards to inspire you for the color of your nails. You can use red, black, and white nail polish to serve as your palette.

If you don’t want your palette to clash with your different outfits, you can stick to black and white.

1. Paint your nails white, then allow them to dry before dipping a toothpick in red or black polish and outline any of the symbols of one of the 4 card suits (heart, spade, club, or diamond).
2. With the use of the toothpick, fill in the shape with the same color.
3. You can alternate the nail polish colors if you like or alternate the suit symbol for each nail.

Polka Dot Nails

Unleash your inner Betty Boop with retro polka dots on your toes. For a night of dancing with friends, you can easily paint on a little panache with polka dots.

1. Begin by painting on two coats of navy blue or black polish.
2. Wait ten to 15 minutes for the polish to dry, recommends the experts at NailDesignCode.
3. Apply dots of white or silver nail polish with a toothpick, or using the end of a bobby pin, to create the polka dot pattern.
4. Wait 20 minutes for the dots to dry, and seal the design with a clear coat of polish.

 Try Iridescence

You can try the different kinds of polish, such as shiny coats, primers, basic opaque polishes, and those that have semi-translucent, mother-of-pearl quality.

The latter has a texture and a definite look but can be used as a base coat that can shine through limitedly but in noticeable amounts.

You can combine a primer or basic opaque polish with a semi-translucent look polish to have an iridescent look.

1. Choose polishes that can blend well together. For example, a sky blue opaque polish can go well with a semi-translucent purple or green polish.
2. You can also try an opaque orange polish with a yellow or crimson semi-translucent polish.
3. Try to have your polish well coordinated to feature a textured appeal.
4. Finally, you can apply a clear topcoat to add more shine to your nails.

Lilac French Manicure 

A pale pastel polish hue flatters every skin tone and complements your summer white, silver, and nude-colored sandals beautifully.

1. Brush on two coats of lavender polish and let dry. Try OPI Nail Lacquer, Hue is the Artist to get the perfect lavender hue.
2. Using an opaque white polish like OPI's Alpine Snow Nail Lacquer, paint a half-moon shape on the tips of your toes.
3. Finish your pretty pedicure with a high-shine topcoat. If you are attending a summer picnic with the one you love, pair your lilac pedicure with a pair of denim shorts and a white and lavender checkered shirt.

 Add Words to Your Pedicure

You can also add letters to your nails to spell out a word.

1. First, choose a color palette that fits you, then apply one polish color on your nails as your base coat.
2. Let it dry before using another color polish to write a letter on each nail. If the brush is too thick or makes the letter vague, you can use a toothpick instead.
3. Be sure the letters on your nails spell out a word.
4. You can choose two five-letter words or a 10-letter word.
5. If it is less than ten letters, you can put a design on the nails without a letter which can be either a dot or a heart.

Decorative Nail Stickers

If you don’t have a steady hand, decorative nail stickers can add a little pizzazz to your nails without applying nail polish to your toes.

1. To cover the nail completely, choose a decal that is slightly bigger than your nail.
2. Place the side that is sticky on the top of your nail and press down firmly.
3. File away any excess to complete the nail look.
4. Showcase your art stickers with your favorite pair of flip-flops and a flirty solid-colored white summer dress.

Try Abstract Summer Toe Nail Designs

Abstract designs feature as many colors as well as designs that you like. You can even use different base colors for each nail.

1. First, apply a base coat on each nail and allow it to dry before putting a design.
2. Then, using your polish’s brush or toothpick, you can make a zigzag shape, multiple zigzags, dots or swirls, circle or swirl on top of the nail’s base coat.
3. You can have either the same designs on all nails or make a pattern of designs like putting polka dots on one nail, zigzag on the other, and swirls on another, and you can repeat the pattern accordingly.
4. You can use any color in painting the abstract, depending on your preference.

Edgy Floral Pedicure

Yes, it is possible for your pedicure to look both edgy and sophisticated. You can up the ante on your basic black, deep purple or dark blue manicure by painting on pretty floral designs.

1. Paint on three or four neon green, yellow or blue flowers, to put a cool-girl spin on your dark-colored pedicure.
2. To make sure that your polish takes center stage, pair these pop-art nails with a neutral-colored manicure in pale pink, buff or taupe.

Summer Toe Nail Designs: Tips & Tricks

• Never shake a bottle of nail polish vigorously before applying color. Bubbles will form in the polish. As a result, the polish will not adhere evenly to the nail.
• Instead of shaking the bottle, roll the polish between the palms of your hands to distribute the nail color evenly.
• To keep nails strong, apply a protective topcoat twice a week.
• Apply nail polish containing moisturizer to reduce the effect of brittle nails, according to the experts at BeautyCtr.com.
• If dark-colored polish discolors your nails, use denture-cleaning tablets to whiten. Dissolve a tablet into a bowl of water. Soak fingers for three minutes to lighten yellow-stained nails.

References and Resources