The 4 Fruit Nail Trends to Try This Summer

Sometimes, less is more. If you tend to gravitate toward minimalist nails—and the sheer thought of veering away from OPI’s Bubble Bath or a classic French tip sends shivers down your spine—then ultra-subtle mini fruit designs may be what you’re after.

Adorable and intricate, mini fruit nails are sweet yet subtle—an understated way to get on board with the trend without sacrificing your preferred clean, neutral base—so you’re not venturing too far out of your comfort zone. Nail artists can delicately paint the shapes from scratch, or use little fruit stickers for ease.

Commit to a theme (limoncello cocktail nails featuring tiny little lemons and butter-yellow French tips are all the rage right now) or go all out with different types of fruit dotted all over to achieve a chic fruit salad-inspired look.

If you’re after a manicure that looks good enough to eat, then look no further—3D fruit nails are a deliciously maximalist option.

The look is achieved by intricately sculpting and layering coats of gel polish to emulate the juicy textural quality of actual fruit. The gel can even be used to imitate little 3D water droplets—for that added splash of mouth-watering detail.

Whether you opt for juicy lemon wedges, sweet bunches of berries, or even little bananas complete with a 3D banana peel, the result is a manicure brimming with drama and dimension.

Behold summer’s most thirst-quenching manicure: fruit water nails are a simple, hyper-glossy, and wearable look that we’re drooling over right now.

Perhaps not quite so literal or self-explanatory as other fruit-inspired manicures, fruit water nails are inspired by the color and fluid consistency of different fruits rather than their shape and form—this look captures the freshly squeezed quality of fruit juice and bottles it up in a sheer, liquid-like manicure tinged with citrusy sunrise shades. This sleek and refreshing variation on fruit nails shares similarities with Korean jelly nails—another of our favorite manicure trends for summer.

Giving nail “art” a whole new meaning, fruit skin nails beautifully and precisely imitate the multicolored, soft-blur appearance of real fruit skin. This painterly look—like many of the most innovative beauty trends—was popularized in Korea, and it’s easy to see why it’s taking our social media feeds by storm.

Whether emulating the outer layer of fuzzy peaches, crisp apples, or juicy grapes, fruit skin nails always have a watercolor-like finish. Each nail becomes a canvas for a delicate fusion of soft, blended colors that look deceptively realistic.

If you choose to go for fruit skin nails at your next nail appointment, don't be surprised when you constantly catch yourself staring at the mini masterpieces on your fingertips.