Summer is well underway, and it’s definitely a hot one. If you’re feeling seven inches from the midday sun, you can meet the heat with these unbeatable nail looks. With eye-catching deep yellows and oranges, struck through with true gold, solar nails are all about capturing the sun on your fingertips.
Which of these summer standouts is your next mani inspo?
What Are Solar Nails?
Nail Reformation
We’re not just saying yellow is in — though it definitely is.
Solar nails can vary in shade and are more about the *mood.* The vibe is free spirited, summer sun and driving with the top down, and that could mean loud yellows, burning oranges or glittering golds.
Solar nails are all about the play between bright and warm, so it’s best to look for yellows and oranges that are eye-catching and bold without verging into neon. But if you’re going for a big impact, consider using a base coat of white beneath your nail shade to really make that sunny color pop.
The Trending Nail Looks of the Summer
The solar nails trend is just one among dozens of high-profile nail trends that have crashed into your “for you” page this season. Nails and nail art has been trending for months, leading to some significant standouts among the pack, including jammy nails and the return of the traditional French manicure.
Recent reporting from beauty and wellness marketplace Fresha showed that the french manicure was eclipsing other major trends, with 9,406,341 combined views and posts across TikTok and Instagram showing off this iconic style.
How to Get Solar Nails
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Sunshine Daisy
Say “Hello, Sunshine” to this gorgeous set of nails that captures the bright, sunny summer and sneaks in a field of flowers moment. We love using just one nail for those daisies on each hand, letting the deep yellow color stand out on its own.
Don’t be afraid to go bold when it comes to solar nails — bright is a positive here. And just look at that subtle gradient where the colors shift from pale to deep yellow!
This color is the perfect ray of sunshine for anyone looking for bright, ultra-wattage solar power. Lemon Drop is carefully formulated, chip-resistant polish you can feel good about wearing. The vegan formula is quick-drying and packs a colorful punch.
This is what we mean when we say, “yellow can be a neutral.” The nearly mustard-y tone of this nail color is the perfect deep yellow for any solar nails look.
Would a solar nails list be complete if we didn’t include the sunflower? They’re the iconic symbol of sun-loving summer, and they belong on your next mani.
Early in the morning, the sun seems almost pale. That’s exactly what the Tiger Lily press-on set encapsulates in this gorgeous soft yellow tone. The French tip design adds an element of glamour, too.
The abstract gold tips on this press-on set gives rising sun vibes, the moment right before the day has begun. This set is designed for up to two weeks of wear and is even waterproof!
Have you ever been dazzled by a sunset? This shade, 24K, is the sparkling sun on water, the late-afternoon golden hour and nail treatment all in one. Packed with natural antioxidants and made for up to ten days of wear, this fine gold glitter is the key to solar sparkle.
It’s a photographer’s favorite time of day, but you can have afternoon golden hour always with Manicurist’s polish in Shimmer. The honey-glazed bronze with cool undertones mirrors the warmth of the late summer sun.
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