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(Image credit: @Danielacamponails; @violette_fr; @kokohnailsbar)
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I’ve been counting down to
summer
since the middle of winter and what seemed like a never-ending onslaught of snow. As I enter the long weekend and warmer weather and I can officially see the end of the cold weather tunnel, I am prepping by spending hours on The Real Real for my
beach outfits
and scrolling IG for my ideal
summer manicure
.
This week’s best nail looks are all over my summer mani mood board, with vibrant colors and out-of-the-box, abstract designs. There’s a special throwback to my favorite sneakers, and there’s a couple of
fish-themed nail designs
(stay with me) that are so fun and chic, it makes me think, “Is summer 2026 going to be all about the fish nails?” Don't worry, I’ll be closely watching that space to see if there's a new nail trend percolating.
Until then, below are the 10 best nail looks of the week. Happy long weekend.
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Textured Summer Prints
Textured Summer Prints
A photo posted by on
How cool are these nails? Nail artist
Daniela Campos
created this intricate summer mix of bright yellow, pinks, and greens with abstract designs. And the raised decals really are just chef’s kiss.
Gucci
Vernis à Ongles Nail Polish in 402 Vantine Fuschia
Little Fish
Little Fish
A photo posted by on
Tinned fish is truly having a moment and this mani from founder of
Violette_FR
and makeup artist
Violette
just speaks to its chic rebrand (and I’m so here for it). The design is intricate with fine details, and really pops against a bare background.
“I love that nails can be an extension of self-expression,” Violette tells
Marie Claire
. “Ahead of my recent trip to St. Barths, I asked manicurist
Danny Tavarez
for a fun sardine design, which paired perfectly with my
Annelise Michelson
ring.”
Manucurist
Quick Dry Intense Color - Snow
Simple Mix & Match
Simple Mix & Match
A photo posted by on
Sometimes all I need is just a mix of different single shades to make me happy. Celebrity nail artist
Zola Ganzorigt
created a colorful mix for
Tracee Ellis Ross
that works so seamlessly to match her look.
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Hermès
Les Mains Hermès in 79 Jaune Imperial
Rainbow Fish
Rainbow Fish
A photo posted by on
This delightful mix of multi-colored fish designs from nail artist
Kiara Rodriguez Ortiz
is pure joy, reminding everyone how magical the sea really can be. “I was inspired by the Caribbean Sea, which surrounds the beaches of my island, Puerto Rico,” Rodriguez Ortiz tells
Marie Claire
. “And by the vibrant colors we see on the island during the summer.” And as an added bonus, some
glitter
at the base for an extra sparkle.
Kokoh Nails Shop
Boga Neon Pink - Gel Paint
Glossy Mix
Glossy Mix
A photo posted by on
I love
jelly nails
, especially this fun one that mixes and matches different shades and designs. Celebrity nail artist
Kim Truong
created a chic, cool-toned jelly mix for
Emma Chamberlain
that I’ll want to copy ASAP.
Cirque Colors
Olive Jelly
Velvet Bloom
Velvet Bloom
A photo posted by on
Combining two of my favorite
nail trends
, nail artist
Lucinda Victoria Greenman
created a warm, mesmerizing mix of lilac velvet and deep purple Japanese blooming gel. It’s a chic mix that’s super fun. “When I saw this
cat eye
creation from nail artist
Laura Jane
, I was immediately inspired and had to recreate my own twist,” Greenman tells
Marie Claire
. “I love doing fun sets like this and putting my own spin.”
Nailberry
L'Oxygéné Nail Polish in Le Temps Des Cerises
Converse Laces
Converse Laces
A photo posted by on
Me and elementary school best friends (special shoutout to my BFFs Chelsea and Katie) would claim a
Converse
color to add a pop of color to our mandatory Catholic school uniform. So this really fun nail look from nail artist
Ivana Ljoljic
brings back all the nostalgic feels.
“My landlady [told] me I should do Converse nails and I thought that was such a cute idea,” Ljoljic tells
Marie Claire
. “I’ve always been a huge Converse fan, and I love how these turned out.”
The attention to detail is amazing and the secret to those crisp shoe lace lines, she says, is the already integrated thin brush of the LA Colors Art Deco Nail polish and a dotting tool. “It makes straight lines so much easier,” she says. “Honestly, this whole look was super easy to do.”
L.A. Colors Cosmetics
Art Deco Nail Art Po

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Source: https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/nails/best-nail-looks-of-the-week-may-18-2026/