Summer nails: 8 Beauty Panel manicure inspirations that will have you reaching for your polish bottle

Date July 3, 2014

Summer usually calls for bold and bright nails (hello, neon!). However, on the Spring 2014 runways, neutral shades and pastels were getting just as much buzz in the nail world (like at Altuzarra and Alexander Wang). Trends aside, we all have our own preferences when it comes to manicures, whether we like to keep them neutral or loud and colourful. To help with a little beauty inspiration for this summer (because who doesn’t like more options?), this week we asked our Beauty Panel to share their favourite summer nail looks, from florals to pastels to one of Spring 2014’s hottest trends: metallics.

Challenge 68: How do you do your nails in the summer? See the answers now! »

Ombre may be a perennial hair trend, but the gradient effect is just as loved by the nail-obsessed crowd. Proving this is one go-to nail look for this summer, THISWASFOREVER’s Emily Chan’s shows us a step-by-step on how to tackle the ombre look. Pastels are no doubt another summer favourite, but up your game by following Gerry Xun of The Bunnie Hole’s tip with the addition of texture. Then check out Stephanie Lau of Fun Size Beauty, who shows us a foolproof way to master the skill of nail art. But if you’re looking to really stand out from the crowd and are not too crazy about the idea of nail art, Beauty PhD’s Maggie Ng’s metallic silver nails are right on trend.

Have a beauty question you want to see the panel answer? Send it our way at [email protected]. Read on for the answers to this week’s challenge and for more goodness, get to know all contributors on our Beauty Panel hub page.

Emily Chan
Toronto | THISWASFOREVER

Ombre nails are an easy and fun way to update your nails for summer. I love doing something bright and vibrant to match the season. To protect and prolong your nail colour, apply your preferred base coat first. Then apply your desired base colour. Wait until the base colour is completely dry before you start sponging. I used a foundation sponge because they have less pores compared to household sponges. I applied the base colour and another colour that I want to work with onto the sponge. Dab the foundation sponge on the nail in an up-down motion. Repeating the dabbing process when the first layer is dried can change the intensity of the colours. Then you can clean up the sides and around the cuticles with a Q-tip dipped in acetone. Lastly, apply a top coat (I used a glitter top coat) and you’re finished!

Product used: OPI Little Bits of Neon Kit

Gerry Xun
Vancouver | The Bunnie Hole

Get the coolest pastel nails this season with minimal effort. This quick and easy combination is simple and will certainly snag you a compliment or two.

1. Start with your choice of a pastel-hued base colour. Be it a creamy lavender, sky blue or sweet mint, apply two coats to get an even, opaque coverage.
2. Layer on a black and white multi-sized speckled top coat. You can use other coloured variations for a different twist, but I find the black and white type to be the most versatile regardless of what base colour you are wearing. You may require two layers of this top coat depending on the density of the specks in your polish.
3. Lastly, it’s important to seal off this whole look with a long-wearing top coat (especially important when wearing a textured nail polish).

Now go out and show off your art-inspired spring nail colour.

Products used: Maybelline Nail Polish in “Poolside,” Maybelline Nail Polish in “Clearly Spotted,” Seche Vite Top Coat.

Stephanie Lau
Toronto | Fun Size Beauty

I’m all for pastel nails all year round. I could never get bored of the mints, the lilacs and the baby blues. But since it’s the middle of summer, I’m motivated to try something a little bold and different. This season, I’ve been playing around with nail art tools and designs. Thus far, my favourite has been stamping plates. Stamping plates are one of the easiest ways to create intricate designs without the hassle and messiness of free-handing your nail art. They’re as simple as putting polish on a piece of metal, scraping of the excess, picking up the polish with the “stamper” and transferring the design onto your nail. Nail art stamping sets come in all sorts of shapes and sizes from flowers to cats and even cartoon characters. The results are amazing!

Products used: Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in “Mojito,” Sally Hansen I Heart Nail Art Striper in “Black,” Born Pretty Store Stamping Plate.

Eugenia Ragas
Montreal | Ommorphia Beauty Bar

The easiest and quickest way to update any look is with nail polish. While I love my dark and brooding shades, summer begs for a shift towards lighter and/or more vibrant hues with a bit of nail art thrown in just for fun. One quick way to embrace the season’s hottest trends is with a crisp and clean white shade – whether worn on your fingers, toes, or even as a base for layering other shades over. Another effortless yet totally eye-catching summer look is with neon shades. My picks: whatever makes you feel good; just have fun with it!

Products used: Chanel in “Easter Light,” Chanel in “#623 Mirabella,” Chanel in “#615 Sweet Lilac,” YSL in “#50 Bleu Celadon,” YSL in “#51 Bleu Cyclades,” OPI in “Life Gave me Lemons” and “You Are So Outta Lime.”

Maggie Ng
Toronto | Beauty PhD

When it comes to summer nails (or any season for that matter), I don’t necessarily look for trends, but just what stands out to me. I find I’m more drawn to bold colours for my nails, since my wardrobe colours tend to be a bit more monochromatic.

I didn’t watch the entire movie, but just caught a glimpse of The Counselor, where Cameron Diaz had her nails painted in a metallic silver chrome finish. So my nails for this challenge were totally inspired by her! Too bad I don’t have the bling that goes with it! However, you can bet metallic nails will still turn some heads.

Products used: Sally Hansen Triple Shine Nail Color in “#180 Oyster Bar”, Sally Hansen Triple Shine Top Coat.

Laurelle Alexandra
Toronto | Paint Me Pretty

As a nail technician, you can only imagine how much I love changing up my own nails, especially working in a salon where all our clients love bright colours and nail art. I used to lean on the simpler side when it came to nail polish, but now there are so many options that I can’t possibly resist.

I have a slight obsession with anything floral, so I absolutely love wearing the look on my nails, especially in the summer.

Products used: Artistic Colour Gloss Gel Polish, IBD Gel Polish and OPI Gel Polish

Alison Leong
Vancouver | Alison*Elle

In the summer, I absolutely love wearing bright white nails. However, for a more fun look, a simple colour-block can be a great way to incorporate another shade into your mani. First, I started with a good base coat to prep my nails and prevent staining. Next, I painted my nails white (if you are using darker colours for your colour block you might want to only paint half the nail because painting the second colour over it might not work as well). Once the white has dried, I added my second colour. Finish it off with a top coat to lock in the hard work and you’re done!

Products used: Nail HQ Base Coat, Essie in “Blanc,” Lacc in “1977,” Essie 3-Way Glaze

Genevieve Peeke
Montreal | Gen In The City

During the warmer months, I love bright neon colours as well as metallic shades. Nail art is definitely a big trend right now and this mani is perfect for those hot summer days. You can do it with literally any colour. Take the first shade and apply it entirely to the nail. Then take the second shade and swipe it in a diagonal across half of the nail. Go back to the first polish with a dotting tool and make little dots along the edge of the line over the second colour. Super simple and looks like a cute summer puzzle!

Products used: CND Vinylux Weekly Polishes in “Locket Love” and “Fine Vermillion”