The Gist

• With summer on the horizon, it's the perfect time to experiment with your manicure, from bold colors to shimmery finishes.

• An InStyle writer spoke with a top nail artist on how nail design lovers can infuse playful touches to their summer manicures.

Tuck away your spring pastels because summer is finally approaching. After months of pared-back neutrals, summer dives head-first into vibrancy with bright, warm shades. Think bold oranges, fiery reds, and stunning yellows that veer from butter territory (but, don’t worry, you can still wear the trending shade, too).

To elevate your manicure for the season ahead, nail artist Hang Nguyen says to look to abstract art, summer classics like vivid florals and coastal seashells, and niche themes for inspiration. "Some of the elements that reflect fun and playful summer nails include bright colors, summertime activities, food and fruity treats, and overall just art that activates chill holiday feels," she says. You can also incorporate unique techniques like aura patterns and sheer jelly finishes to ensure your mani is anything but boring.

Meet Our Expert

• Hang Nguyen, a professional nail artist and content creator

Ahead, 12 nail designs to add to your summer moodboard, from touches of vibrant color to whimsical patterns and designs.

01 of 12

Butterflies

Credit: @sugamama_nailz

Butterfly prints are the latest animal-inspired design taking over tips, and it's all the more stunning when paired with an aura nail moment. Give this look the summer treatment by swapping spring pastels for saturated hues like this style above.

02 of 12

Rainbow Fish

Credit: @onenailtorulethemall

Looking to h ave another sardine girl summer? Turn to this multicolored look that features whimsical fish designs. Pro tip: to make this look more glamorous, add a subtle shimmer with a pearlescent top coat.

03 of 12

Funky Fingers

Credit: @nails_and_beauty_by_daisy

Summer is the perfect time to play with vibrant tones and abstract shapes. Try a nude base to let them take centerstage, or use a bold shade to amplify this bold look.

04 of 12

Picnic Basket

Credit: fiery_nailbar

Some of the best al fresco snacks are as aesthetically appealing as they are tasty, meaning that you can make a manicure meal from your picnic picks. This can veer Mediterranean, all-American, and more—choose your preferred locale and menu a nd let your nails be your proverbial picnic blanket.

05 of 12

Pool Toys

Credit: nailrmoon

Nails that mimic a pool's wavy, wate ry light are a huge trend for summer, as are designs that celebrate the timeless pastime of swimming. Like many items on our list, this theme invites you to go wide: choose between beloved blues, 3D additions, gel droplets, or so me combination all your own.

06 of 12

Vivid Abstractions

Credit: m.o.n.a.j

Summer is a vibrant, splashy season, so why not opt for a mani that colors outside the lines? Curate a collection of bright colors, applying in dots, blobs, and splotches for an elevated art school vibe. Your nails are your canvas, and there are absolutely no rules here.

07 of 12

Micro Fruit Salad

Credit: lindseysbeautylounge1

As with picnic nails, fruity nail art is charming for its campiness. Fini shing a neutral nail with a teensy 3D lemon, opting for a berry motif, or adorning each nail with a different fruit is a fun way to nod to the sweetest aesthetic trends (and your favorite farm stand).

08 of 12

Color Combos

Credit: peachinails

Love pops of color but can't commit to just one? Pairing bold shades in swirls, geometric blocks, or multi-ton al tips makes saturated manicures more playful and memorable.

09 of 12

Slender French Tips

Credit: fayelouisedennis

Fun Fre nchies are here to stay. This summer's top tips celebrate the season's coolest colors, from cobalt to Tiffany blue, lemons and oranges, and all of the jellies (we'll get to that later). The slice allows you to choose any shade while remaining minimalist, or mix and match for a funkier look.

10 of 12

Aura Nails

Credit: avrnailswatches

Aura nails are ethereal, groovy, and as effortlessly hypnotizing as a lava lamp. Summer's aura is of course colorful, which makes a Skittled take on auras, aka a different ombre shade on each nail, a perfect fit.

11 of 12

Citrus Shades

Credit: polished_yogi

The season's citrus doubles as the year's primary palette. Oranges are trending, along wit h yellows, including butter, the more punchy lemon, and the slightly subdued limoncello. Lime and grapefruit are very much welcome, too.

12 of 12

Jelly Nails

Credit: worldofcolorx

The sheer flair of a throwback jelly sandal now has a place in your mani routine. Jelly shades transmute any color into something cutesy and cool, whether you favor neutrals (iced coffee, anyone?), watery blues, or jam-inspired swipes of red.

Read the original article on InStyle