Nail trends move fast, and this season is proving it. Between a very online obsession with all things gourmand and a last stretch of beach trips before fall, manicures right now are somewhere between candy shop and coastline. Whether you keep it simple with a sheer wash of color or go all in on texture, one of these sets is about to end up on your mood board.
Consider this the dessert case of the manicure world. Sugar nails take a regular glitter mani and add real texture, superfine glitter powder layered over uncured gel so it sits on the nail like actual sugar crystals instead of lying flat. The finish is grainy and dimensional in the best way, catching light from every angle without tipping into full 3D charm territory. It's a favorite among Japanese nail artists right now, and it works just as well as a full set or mixed in with French tips for something more subtle.
OUR PICKS
MANUCURIST Green Flash Gel Top Coat | $22
GLITTERBELS Superfine Loose Glitter | $9
A classic French gets a coastal update here, with the tip painted in a loose, wave-like swirl instead of a clean straight line. Think foamy whites and soft blues blending into each other right at the edge of the nail. It's a good option if you want something that reads seasonal without committing to a full graphic set, and it looks just as good short as it does long.
OUR PICKS
OPI Nail Lacquer in I Cannoli Wear OPI | $13
ORLY Breathable Treatment + Color in Barely There | $10
Pulled straight from golden hour, this one blends warm pinks, oranges and a little gold shimmer into a soft gradient across the nail. It's been showing up everywhere from beach vacation sets to backyard dinner parties, and it's genuinely one of the easier at-home looks to pull off with a makeup sponge and a little patience.
OUR PICKS
ESSIE Gel Couture in Sun-Kissed Coral | $12
CIRCLE COSMETICS Nail Blending Sponge Set | $7
Beach nails have gone a little more literal this year, and we're into it. Think sheer, milky bases finished with tiny gold shell or starfish charms pressed onto an accent nail or two. It's a subtle way to bring vacation energy into an everyday manicure without going full 3D tropical.
OUR PICKS
NAIL REFORMATION Seaside Charm Press-Ons | $22
ETSY (ShellyNailArt) Gold Shell Nail Charms | $6
We said it back in the spring and it's still true: butter yellow refuses to leave. The shade has held on all summer because it's genuinely flattering across skin tones and pairs easily with tans. Right now we're seeing it paired with a glossy, glazed finish for something a little richer than the flat pastel version that kicked things off.
OUR PICKS
MANUCURIST Le Sweet Nail Polish in Butter | $19
DIOR Nail Glow Top Coat | $34
A quieter cousin of the ocean wave French, this one swirls soft blues, greens and creams together across the entire nail for a marbled, watercolor effect. It reads polished enough for everyday wear but still nods to the season, which is exactly why it's been such a popular pre-vacation salon request lately.
OUR PICKS
NAIL REFORMATION Ocean Marble Press-Ons | $20
MANUCURIST Green Flash in Lagoon | $19
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