August is that golden time of year– when all things are a bit more mellow, a bit more noisy, and a lot more demonstrative. And what could be more appropriate to capture that energy than a new set of nails that will address the late-summer vibe of the season? August 2025 nail art trends are all about big, bright, and bold individuality, nostalgic fun, and no-fuss glam, whether in dreamy pastels and juicy fruit motifs or electric neons and golden swirls. Going to the beach at the last minute, brunching in the city, or feeling yourself at home, these designs will bring the mood, and the manicure.
Olive Leafy Minimalism for Late Summer Calm
This hand-drawn white leaf motif on an olive-toned short manicure is something deeply grounding. It reminds me of the calm after a sunshower, it is clean, earthy and low-key. The square form makes it neat and easy to maintain, and the white botanical accents give it a little bit of purposeful softness. It is one of those august nails designs that simple lovers will screenshot right away- quiet luxury, but make it nail art.
To re-create this I would use OPI Suzi-The First Lady of Nails as the olive base and a detail brush dipped in Essie Blanc as the leafy artwork. The top coat must be shiny, there is no way around it, no elegant fresh-out-of-the-salon look without it.
If you’re steady with a brush, go freehand for the white vines using a fine-liner tool. Otherwise, minimalist nail stickers or stamping kits with a similar theme of nature are worth a shot. Nail artist Hang Nguyen advises putting on a matte topcoat first to give you more control during drawing and then glossing it on top- genius.
It is one of my personal favorites to get me through transitional months such as August. It goes with all the clothes, soft-linen neutrals, and khaki cargo skirts. It is soft girl and modern woman and I am not mad at it.
Electric Jungle Party with Maximalist Animal Print
Bold doesn’t even begin to cover this one. These almond-shaped talons are a wild party of summer, with contrasting animal prints on a palette of neon pink, yellow, green, orange and turquoise. It is retro rave meets jungle safari and I am ready to embrace the mess. The energy is at its peak, yet somehow balanced, this is how you do august nails designs 2025 almond with edge.
You’ll want highly pigmented, matte finish colors here. ORLY has a neon yellow called Glowstick, China Glaze has that punchy pink Flip Flop Fantasy and Zoya has a bright aqua base called Cecilia. Layer on zebra and giraffe style stripes with a black striping polish or stamping tool.
At home, to achieve this appearance, begin with a solid acrylic base or with acrylic coffin tips to give length and strength. Then get crazy with the layering: put on the base colors, wait until they are completely dry, and then draw in the animal patterns with dotting tools and stripers. Seal it off with a matte topcoat to make it look big, crazy-editorial.
This design brings me to mind of that one friend who is always overdressed- and we love her to bits. It is not for the weak hearted but when you are ready to end the season with a bang then this is it.
Whimsical Blue Butterfly Vibes with Touch of 2025 Magic
A pastel purple, blue and fresh white dream, with golden butterfly accents, this set is like drinking lavender lemonade in cotton candy skies. The square shape with a medium length keeps it wearable, while the butterfly decals nod to this year’s fantasy-meets-feminine trend. It is certainly one of the best august nails designs 2025 square lovers and it is cute, floaty and not trying too hard.
You’ll want a translucent lavender base (think Essie’s “Gossamer Garments”), plus a bright sky blue like Olive & June “OMG”. In the case of the butterfly foil decals, you can find such brands as Daily Charme or Born Pretty Store. They have dreamy gold designs which slide directly on top of polish or gel.
One trick I learned by celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt: put on your foil or decals when the top layer is still sticky. Then seal with a thick gel top coat to have the design floating just beneath the surface.
Whenever I am wearing something like this, someone will stop me and ask me where I got my nails done. It has that gentle 3D shimmer—light reflects off the metallic butterflies, and it feels like something you’d wear to a wedding, a boat brunch, or a Taylor Swift concert. It’s sweet with a wink.
Forest Green Meets Wild Pink Leopard Energy
This is a combination that you never knew you needed: shiny, green nails and a pink and black leopard print accent. The juxtaposition is surprising, yet it is a charmer. It’s bold, but not overdone. The small length of the nail makes it fun and functional, and the square form provides a framework to all that attitude. Certainly falls under the short square category of the august nails designs with attitude.
I would apply OPI Stay Off the Lawn and Lights Lacquer Cherry Jelly to get that deep green and neon pink respectively. The leopard spots? Freehand with a black nail pen, or cheat it with nail wraps (yes, they still exist and they’re way better now).
They must also be flat and shiny to a T so ensure your green polish is 2 to 3 coats opaque, depending on your brand. The last step is to paint the leopard design on the accent nail after everything is dry so you do not smear your masterpiece. Top it all with a glossy, hard-wearing seal.
I believe this one is meant to be worn by the cool girls with vintage rings and thrifted jackets. It’s low-effort, high-impact—easy but unforgettable.
Purple Stardust with Celestial French Tip Flair
And in case you were waiting on a manicure that would bring late summer, spacecore, and catch me under the moonlight, this is it. A glossy purple base extends into black crescent-shaped French tip forms that resemble phases of the moon. The elongated almond silhouette only adds to the drama. It is one of those august nails designs stiletto or almond styles that you will find everywhere on Pinterest this month.
This palette requires highly pigmented purples, you can use ILNP Walking Home with the sparkle, and a creamy black such as Essie Licorice. Cut that little half-moon out with striping tape or freestyle with a rounded detail brush to create a less jagged edge.
Pro nail artist Tom Bachik suggests using light coats of shimmer polish so as to prevent streaks. “Don’t overwork it,” he says. “Let the shimmer build—it’ll glow more that way.”
This collection brings to mind warm evenings in August when you can almost sense the change of season. It has a slight witchy feel to it, but in a manifest good vibes sort of way. Dreamy, striking, and totally on brand for 2025.
Glossy Marble Waves in Deep and Minty Greens
This design captures all that we like about the lush greenery of summer and covers it in a whirl of sophistication. These square nails are an equilibrium of cool mint and green and marbled movement and glints of gold foil- late-summer sun glinting on water. The finish is deep, textured and so wearable, bringing a big august nails vibe to acrylic nails with a luxury spin.
I prefer to achieve this effect by layering Essie Mint Candy Apple over Zoya Hunter and white striping gel. It is all in the drag: apply a toothpick or marble tool when the polish is wet to swirl the shades together in a natural way. Add flecks of gold foil (I get mine from Beetles Gel Kit) and seal with a glassy topcoat.
Patience is key here. Allow each layer to dry only enough so that the marbling does not smear too much. Press-in foil to the bottom when it is still tacky and cure using a UV lamp. I have worn this set to a rooftop birthday of a friend and someone said I looked like a luxury wallpaper, in a good sense.
High-Contrast Jungle Pop with Neon Confidence
The energy here? Bold, rebellious, and unapologetically 2025. It is a long acrylic square pink set that combines soft lilac, bubblegum pink, matte purple, and wild pops of neon yellow cheetah. It’s giving august nails designs ideas for those who don’t want to whisper—they want to roar. Think of it as Y2K meets high fashion editorial.
You will desire a strong and long acrylic base. To get color, use Holo Taco purple slushie and ILNP hi-fi. In the leopard effect, you can hand-paint using black polish or use a dotting tool. I occasionally cheat using nail decals- when the morning latte is taking too long.
Whenever I use matte finishes such as this I always suggest using a matte topcoat, such as OPI Matte Top Coat. It preserves vibrancy without dulling the look. And remember: with animal print, it is all about clean edges or it will look sloppy rather than stylish.
This design screams personality. It is ideal when you are dancing your way through the last festivals of summer or simply when you want to dress up denim in the most satisfying way.
Color-Blocked Cuties with Back-to-School Nostalgia
This one makes my heart do a little hop. It’s playful, nostalgic, and surprisingly modern. These square nails are short and square, and they are summer tennis vibes, with clean lines and juicy color blocks of blue, green, pink, and yellow. It is one of the most brilliant august nails designs short square updates I have ever seen this season, it is graphic, stylish, and completely uplifting.
Use ultra-bright, high-gloss polishes like Olive & June’s “Yes Please” (green) and Lights Lacquer’s “Bikini Bottoms” (blue). You will also require striping tape to maintain the borders of the color blocks sharp. The bright colors are not cartoonish because of a neutral jelly base.
The best way to do this at home? Paint all the nails in solid colors and allow thePaint to dry totally, then come back in with barred white striping tapes or a nail art brush with fine lines. Finish with a jelly topcoat for that glassy finish.
I wore something similar to a Sunday market and received compliments of strangers of all ages. It’s cheerful without being immature—just like August should be.
Mint Cherries on Top of Sweet Simplicity
Okay, this one is pure cute. It has simple lines, new color and a touch of charm. Soft mint polish is combined with pale nude foundations and small red cherries that are painted on two accent nails. This is short gel done right, not too flashy to wear to the office, but cute enough to wear on ice cream dates.
My favorite is Essie- Mint Green with Envy with a sheer base such as Butter London- Mum s the Word. A small dotting tool and a fine brush are necessary in the case of the cherries. There are also cherry sticker decals when you are not ready to free hand.
Use the mint color on all the nails except the accents and then use a nude base and dot on cherry clusters carefully. Trace some thin stems using a green polish or a nail art pen. End by sealing with a glossy gel topcoat in order to make the cherries pop.
This design takes me back to my childhood when I used to go to my neighbor to pick fruits in his garden. Sweet, nostalgic, and totally wearable all month long.
Neon Glitz and Glam with Rhinestone Drama
Let’s close this set with a firework. This appearance is a fusion of yellow, orange, pink and green neons with long, smooth nails and rhinestone accessory on the center that is runway-worthy. These are acrylic coffin nails with attitude, and when you want to have a pool party or a night out in the summer, this is your time.
You will require very saturated neons such as China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy, Color Club Almost Famous and ILNP Tropic Like It is Hot. Cover the nails with self-adhesive rhinestone tape or glue gem glue to hand-apply small crystals.
Once the colors are laid down and cured, create a fine line of the base coat down the middle of the nail and press in the rhinestones. Push them into a perfect position using a silicone tool and seal it all with a sealing gel. Celeb nail artist Julie Kandalec tip: when doing rhinestones, apply top coat around them rather than over them to make them last longer.
These nails are pure energy. I would dress them up to a summer wedding or rooftop soirree or simply to pick up a drink in a sundress. They shout party–and we ought to have a bit of that in August.
Fierce Bubble Leopard on Short Gel Tips
This is a playful-punk statement. These mini gel nails reveal a poppy pink and orange animal print that seems like Lisa Frank and high-fashion nail art had a baby. The unevenly placed bubble spots on top of clear and blush colors render it among the most excellent august nails designs short that does not sacrifice fun or edginess.
In this look, I adore working with the Color Club in the color Warhol to get that neon pink base and China Glaze in the color Orange Knockout to contrast. The leopard dots? Easy with a black nail pen or dotting tool. You can also mix your base a little into nude or clear polish to maintain the depth.
The advantage of this design is that it can be very mess free. Use clean short square nails, paint a gradient of pink at the ends, apply blobby spots of orange and cover with black dots. Cure with a thick glossy gel top coat.
I took this ensemble on a weekend road trip and I could not stop smiling each time I looked at the wheel. Love quick, big patterns and need something not too serious and easy? This set meets all the requirements.
Citrus Splash for a Zesty August Mood
When life gives you oranges—put them on your nails. These bright acrylic tips have juicy orange segments combined with creamy white and leaf-green accents that simply exude summer freshness. It is a flirty, happy interpretation of august nails designs ideas that is as refreshing as drinking fresh juice in a beach cafe.
That saturated orange is OPI A Good Man-darin Is Hard to Find. With neutral white base and fine detailing brush, you can draw curved citrus wedges. The small green lines act as leaves and this manicure has a complete summer fruit-bowl dream.
To DIY, paint two nails completely orange, alternate with white nails and make half-circle orange slices with white detailing. Use gel for sharper lines and to avoid smearing.
I believe this is the most surprising set of the season- it is graphic yet sweet, and it is a perfect set to take a selfie on the pool or go out on brunch with your besties. It instantly lifts the mood.
Retro Swirls in Sorbet Orange and Pink
Groovy, glossy, and 2025 short approved. These square nails provide some serious retro vibes in the form of curvy ribbons of pink, orange, and white. It reminds me of a dreamsicle, but in nail form, cool yet bright and just the right amount of color into late summer.
To achieve this swirly perfection, I would apply Lights Lacquer in the shade of Peach Fuzz and Olive and June in Wild Orchid. With a striping brush, run in curved white lines between the colors, that groovy ripple. The high-gloss topcoat is what makes the hues sing.
In DIY, use a pink or orange base, cure and then freeform curves in alternating shades. Make lines free and secure-the beauty of this is in the flow, not in the accuracy.
Whenever I have attempted this style, I have received the reactions of where I had my nails done. It is retro-inspired, yet completely new, a dreamy Y2K meets 70s swirl.
Pink Glitter Fade That’s Pretty and Practical
Sometimes you want simple, and sometimes you want sparkle. This style strikes a balance between the two with a light pink ombr in fade that has silver glitter edges. It is super-feminine and super-wearable, the simple solution to the question of what to wear everywhere, the august nails designs simple answer to that question.
Begin with the base of Essie Ballet Slippers and blend up to Zoya Barbie. Gently press silver holographic glitter on the cuticle and blend it with a sponge or a brush to achieve that soft fade.
Apply a gel builder base if you’re using acrylic square pink nails to give the fade structure. Layers of glitter cure between to smooth texture and finish with a thick, high-gloss layer.
This is my personal go-to when I’m indecisive. It goes with sundresses, denim or even a bridesmaid dress. Glitter without being gaudy? Count me in.
Lime and Love: Neon Green with Heart Accents
Let’s wrap up with something striking. These square nails are short and have a highlighter yellow-green, solid black, and white base with cute black heart designs in them. It is high-contrast and super fun, a bold august nails designs 2025 square idea that is nonetheless super cute.
I adore the Color Club We Never Be Royals because of that electric lime pop. Apply a white foundation such as Olive & June, White Tips and a small detailing pen to sketch irregular hearts. With the black nail, all you require is one-coat coverage nail polish-go with OPI, black onyx.
Apply paint to each nail separately, cure each coat and do not hurry with the heart detailing. You may also apply dotting tools to just perfect the curves. Seal it in a wear and tear proof topcoat.
This one always gets compliments. It is daring, surprising and playful, which makes it ideal to wear at the final summer parties, but it can also be worn even when you simply need to feel fresh and courageous.
Swirls of Strawberry Quartz
This marble swirl is magnetic-like strawberry milk and rose quartz with a side of attitude. The pattern is further accentuated by the elongated almond shape, which gives a smooth flow of the cuticle to the tip. It is artistic and effortless, an ideal option to anyone who would like a design that is on the cute side, but not childish. This is a grown-up pink, layered with soft rebellion.
I would recommend a milky pink base such as OPI Bubble Bath and then marbling in gel-based marbling with colors such as the Essie 2025 line Positive Vibes Only. The most important thing here is a thin liner brush there is no cheating with decals to get that dimensional effect.
Swirls can look chaotic if not mapped out. I begin with a thin base coat, and then drag shades in small S-patterns with a fine nail art brush. After I have mixed it just right so I do not muddy the colors, I seal it with a glassy gel top coat.
It is one of those august nails designs almond that is cool and character. I would wear it to a rooftop dinner where you need your hands to look only kissed by creativity.
Botanical Brushstrokes on a Summer Nude
This design is a basic nude gel base with hand painted botanical art that resembles a sketchbook of flowers. The shimmering background gives it a near sandy shine as though the sun had struck a flower petal. I am fascinated by the way it combines short gel practicality and art. Every leaf and petal is bursting in the primary colors, leaving you with a fresh, yet not excessive summer moment.
If you’re going DIY, you’ll need a pale nude gel like “Put It In Neutral” by OPI and a fine-tipped art brush. Designwise, use gel paints in yellow, blue, red and green–the basics, but high pigment.
I have attempted this style once after seeing a similar one in a Soho nail bar. Pro tip I learned the hard way? Then cure each leaf under the lamp and proceed. Otherwise, the colors begin to merge into one another, and not in a good manner.
It is such a good short gel alternative in august nails designs when you are going to something casual but cool like a Sunday art market or a patio bridal shower at a friend.
Twilight Blue with Elegant Black Stems
It has this nice duskiness to the color scheme–icy pink into soft blue, with fine black silhouettes of leaves on top. It takes me back to twilight walks, when the air is filled with the smell of sunscreen and jasmine that blooms at night. The nail shape is more inclined to 2025 square, and the whole design is more like a sigh of relief after a long sunny day. The glittery finish? Just enough sparkle to catch golden hour light.
You will want to create this using gel polish: blush base and two shades of baby blue on the accent nails. I recommend The GelBottle’s “Daisy” and “Skyline.” The black detailing could be assisted by a stamping plate unless your hands are rock steady.
Nail artist Steph Stone once stated that the key to making botanical nails balanced is to allow negative space to breathe. She’s right. Do not overdo all the nails, make one or two the canvas and the others the supporting act.
The design is now a favorite of mine in late summer. It’s that easy transition from day to night—perfect for when you’re not ready for fall but not clinging to flamingo neons either.
Silver Shimmer and Baby Blue Beads
What feels cooler than blue and silver shimmer? The solution: blue and silver shimmer edged with fine golden beads. This range is glamour with a twist, imagine the lights of the city reflecting in the window of a rooftop or the bubbles in a champagne glass. The square shape is longer, which gives it a touch of glam, but the palette remains soft and breezy August nails designs simple never looked this lux.
To achieve this, apply Blue-tiful Horizon by Olive & June and Tin Can Glam chrome gel. The tiny golden studs? Seek Swarovski crystal beads or their cheaper Amazon relatives.
You will want to cure every layer thoroughly, particularly when embellishments are to be added. Pick up each bead with a toothpick dipped in gel topcoat, then place it, tedious, but worth it.
This is one of the cutest august nails designs 2025 square sets this season to me. I had something like it on at a late summer engagement dinner of a friend, and they were the best icebreakers–everybody took notice, nobody forgot.
Raspberry Fade with Sparkling Foil
Let’s end this set with something deliciously rich. This raspberry to pink ombr with silver foil details is juicy, dramatic and super fresh. The square shape is small and wearable, but the combination of creamy polish and glitter positioning gives it a touch of the look at me. It is fun, it is cute, it is clean august nails designs short square perfection.
Experiment by layering Big Apple Red over Tickled Pink and adding foil flakes around the base and then seal with a topcoat. The contrast makes it pop without going into holiday land.
There are occasions when you simply desire nails that are a bit festive and these are the perfect compromise. Perfect date night or even a bit of self-care evening. Believe me, even takeout will taste more fancy with such nails.
Sun-Drenched Leaves in Yellow and Olive
This short almond manicure has a healthy, earthy feel to it with soft matte white, painterly green and yellow leaves. It is providing late August strolls, herbs on your fingers freshly picked in the garden and sunlit afternoons when everything simply moves more slowly in the most delicious way. The shape is functional yet elegant, which makes it one of my favorite august nails designs almond that is earthy and bright without being too much.
In order to achieve this I prefer to begin with a matte base coat such as Zoya, Leah and then apply fine tipped brushes and highly pigmented gel polishes in olive green and buttercup yellow, No More Film by Essie is a good leafy green and Sun-day Funday by Lights Lacquer will always get compliments. Top it all off with a velvet matte topcoat to give it that soft-touch.
This is a look where less really is more. To get a clean DIY, I would recommend painting the leaves using quick flicks of the brush using a liner brush and letting one color dry before adding another. You do not want to blur that light and airy feel.
This design feels like a soft reset. I had something like it on when I was about to go on a long weekend trip, and it went with every single outfit I brought, which is no mean feat in late summer.
Groovy Color Melt with a Modern Twist
This set is pure energy. Sculpted to perfection, acrylic covered in retro wave patterns that resemble a heatwave in motion. Neon-dreamy hues of bright pink, citrus yellow, teal blue, and minty greens mix and match on every nail in a palette that can only be described as festival season. The style is daring, not afraid of color and the ideal interpretation of august nails designs acrylic in 2025. I adore the way it feels structured with the sharp square tips even though the color is chaotic.
This type of work will require high-pigment gel polish or gel paint. I suggest the Beetles Gel colorful summer collection, it is full of neon pastels. Swirling is necessary with the help of a silicone nail art tool so that the color is not dragged too far.
In case you are attempting this at home here is what has worked for me: I put on my base colors, then I put drops of various shades on each nail. Swirl randomly small movements with the silicone instrument or a dotting pen. Then cure at once, and finish with a high-gloss topcoat to seal in the marble effect.
It is such a mani that will immediately make any outfit look better. I was in a super simple white tank and wide-leg jeans, and strangers were still asking me where I got my nails done. It is one of those august nails designs 2025 square that tastes like summer in a bottle on your fingertips.
