Manicure inspiration hits a whole new level come summer. As it’s the season of bold, bright, shimmer, glitter, nail art and beyond, there’s always something new to try. The latest trend, pool nails, is one of the most appropriate for the season. Named after the reflective, shimmery look of a pool’s surface, it’s the perfect manicure trend to liven up your routine. While most summer manicures rely on a classic or artistic design, pool nails lean into vivid shades of blue and a unique technique to create the illusion of light. Ready to dive in? Below, see how to recreate the look and a discover a few standout pool nail inspiration photos to add to your summer moodboard.
What are pool nails?
Like any good nail trend, pool nails draw inspiration from a simple and nostalgic moment. In this case, it’s the glimmering reflective look of a pool on a hot summer day. Pool nails feature a pattern that mimics the rippling of the water with a fun tie-dye appearance. The effect is created with blooming gels, which are designed to expand into a tile-like pattern when applied to the nail. While blooming gel designs are nothing new (they’re also behind the crocodile nail trend), the pool-inspired looks are unique for summer. Most often, pool nails are created with various tones of blue and white to mimic the contrast in shadows on a sunny day—think deep marines, crisp cobalt and soft pale blues. The combination of dreamy blue polish with the blooming effect results in a striking manicure perfect for summertime.
But perhaps the best thing about this seasonal nail trend is how easy it is to recreate. While some looks require a detailed skill set, pool nails are easy to DIY and beginner-friendly. All you really need is the polish and a simple dotting tool. Blooming gel polishes are used in between coats of color to disperse the polish and create the blooming effect. Using a dotting tool will ensure you get the signature tiled and tie-dye look that pool nails are known for.
Pool nail looks to try
