This Nail Trend Is the Most Joyful Thing You'll See This Summer

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(Image credit: @nnennaechem)

There's something about wearing bright colours—be it by way of your clothing or your beauty routine—that just puts you in a good mood. And right now, we can't think of a better time to lift our style with vivid hues and playful motifs.

Handily, you needn't invest in a whole new wardrobe to give your mood a joyful boost—in fact, one of the easiest and most-effective ways of elevating your style and making you feel happy is with a fun manicure. And recently, we've noticed that everyone seems to be opting for rainbow nails.

Perhaps it's the fact that many salons reopened last week but, over the last few days, we've lost count of how many rainbow-inspired nail looks we've seen. Some of the industry's top nail technicians confirmed that many of their clients are already choosing bright and punchy nail art designs, so it makes sense that rainbow nails are very much in-demand.

From painting each nail a different shade to ornate designs, there's a multitude of ways to wear rainbow nails. Scroll below to see a selection of our favourites.

Rainbow Nails

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

This rainbow French manicure is so much fun.

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(Image credit: @leatngu)

How pretty is this floral twist?

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

It's impossible to not feel cheerful with this nail art on your fingertips.

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(Image credit: @iramshelton)

Why not go for a different hue on every nail like this minimalist French manicure design?

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(Image credit: @imanrinails)

I love how subtle yet fun this colourful nail art is.

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(Image credit: @celmatique)

Aura nails looks amazing in rainbow hues.

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

Simple yet fun.

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

Floral nail art is always a winner.

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

I love this angular take on the French mani.

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

How cool is this outline French manicure design?

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(Image credit: @saha.mei)

These bright colours look great together.

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

Painting each nail a different colour is a simple way to achieve rainbow nails.

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(Image credit: @betina_goldstein)

How cute is this minimalistic take on rainbow nails?

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

These are so fun.

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

Mix and match with all the colours of the rainbow.

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(Image credit: @imanrinails)

Experiment with different placements of the nail art. They look great in bright colours.

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

Why not try a different design on each nail?

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(Image credit: @imanrinails)

I'm mesmerised by this ombre effect.

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

I'm taking this design to the salon immediately.

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

Alternate each fingertip with a clashing dot in bright neons.

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

Wear you heart on your fingertips with this rainbow heart nail art design.

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

This geometric nail art looks great in rainbow hues.

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

This is dopamine in nail art form.

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(Image credit: @devapollon)

Devin's glittery, rainbow-hued take on a French manicure is enough to make us swoon. 

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(Image credit: @oliveandjune)

This Olive and June-created manicure with square nails is perfection (as is that ring!). 

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(Image credit: @asos_lotte)

Lotte demonstrates the perfect rainbow manicure for beginners to try. 

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(Image credit: @heartzeena)

Who said rainbow nails needed to be bright and vivid? Zeena's pastel nails pack just as much of a happy punch.

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(Image credit: @aude_julie)

We can't think of a better backdrop for a rainbow manicure than a buttery Chanel bag. 

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(Image credit: @devapollon)

Don't let the traditional shape of a rainbow limit your creativity; take the colours and work them up in joyful patterns to create your own take. 

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

Set against a pale pink backdrop, this rainbow strip may be discreet, but it still makes an impact. 

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(Image credit: @sarah_novio)

You needn't stick to the colours in the nursery rhyme—select your favourite hues to create a rainbow manicure all your own. 

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(Image credit: @celmatique)

Celeste creates some of the most iconic nail art on the 'gram. We love this cartoonish take on a rainbow set of nails. 

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(Image credit: @betina_goldstein)

Betina never fails to put her own spin on a nail art trend. Case in point? This candy-stripe mani. 

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(Image credit: @browngirlhands)

Hannah's gorgeous rainbow manicure features rich, sunbleached-looking tones. 

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(Image credit: @buffcs)

The team at Buff give this rainbow-hued manicure a cool twist with a tie-dye finish. 

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(Image credit: @nnennaechem)

Barely a day goes by when Nnenna isn't sporting a rainbow manicure. 

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(Image credit: @charlottejacklin)

The contrasting hues of these daises also make for a pretty take on rainbow nails. 

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(Image credit: @emmanuellek_)

Emmanuelle gives her nails her own edgy take by filing her talons into a coffin shape. 

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(Image credit: @nnennaechem)

The little floral motifs are the perfect addition to this rainbow mani.

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(Image credit: @imarninails)

A the addition of a swirl makes this fun nail art trend even more playful. 

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(Image credit: @evemeetswest)

Ombré is one of our favourite nail art techniques—particularly when its rainbow-hued. 

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(Image credit: @fashionbellee)

Sophie's rainbow nails match her bright wardrobe perfectly. 

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

Shakey hands may not wish to attempt this at home, but there's no denying it looks amazing. 

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(Image credit: @slipintostyle)

Ellie lifts her tonal ensemble with a rainbow-tipped manicure. 

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(Image credit: @hannahlourobinson)

Hannah creates a cool, marbled rainbow effect by swirling two different shades of the same colour together. 

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(Image credit: @imarninails)

Why not upgrade your usual French tips with a rainbow motif? 

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(Image credit: @livpurvis)

Liv's rainbow nails instantly brighten up her classic jeans and cream blouse ensemble. 

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(Image credit: @oliveandjune)

Combine to nail trends in one with an ombré-effect rainbow going across your talons. 

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(Image credit: @buffcs)

This Edinburgh-based nail salon showcases a rainbow manicure unlike any other—via different colours of roses. Gorgeous. 

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(Image credit: @meganellaby)

One of the easiest ways to trial the rainbow nail trend is to paint a single line of colour down each nail. 

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(Image credit: @imarninails)

Powdery finishes always look chic. 

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

The Hang Edit expertly outlines her nails with gorgeous rainbow accents. 

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(Image credit: @aude_julie)

Aude-Julie enhances her rainbow manicure with bright eye shadow. 

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(Image credit: @himichelleli)

A simple look to re-create, take the brightest colours in your nail art collection and wear one on each nail to achieve Michelle's look. 

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(Image credit: @harrietwestmoreland)

From the ombré rainbow tips to the cute doodles, we love this playful nail art interpretation.

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(Image credit: @thatsaleaf)

Elif creates a pretty rainbow daisy chain with her floral mani. 

SHOP RAINBOW NAIL POLISH COLOURS: 

This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

Opening Image: @nnennaechem

Up Next: 15 Cool Nail Designs I'm Actually Going to Try This Summer

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over twelve years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories, and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, works closely with influencer talent on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media. Previously, Maxine appeared on TV in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o. 


Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship, she was offered a position on the Look magazine fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. She went on to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others. Maxine works remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh.