Summer holiday nails for your next getaway

Your nails are like an added accessory to your outfit, so it's understandable why choosing the right summer holiday nails, whether you're looking for manicure or pedicure ideas, can be a tricky decision. Do you go bright and bold? Or classic and minimal?

From deciding on the length and shape of your nails, to choosing the perfect colour, there are endless possibilities when it comes to your summer holiday nails. You might even want to add some fun nail art if you're feeling daring!

To help give you some ideas, we've rounded up some of our favourite ideas from Instagram, whatever your taste, for you to take to the salon on your next visit before you pack your suitcase and jet off to somewhere sunny.

Prefer to do your own manicure from home? Here's our ultimate guide on how to do a manicure at home.

Bright and bold holiday nails

You can't go wrong with a classic hot red or orange shade to heat things up for summer. These work great on both long and short nails and will look fabulous with a matching pedicure.

A mint green shade looks excellent with a tan, and it's something a little different to the pink or red tones you might be used to. It's a lovely colour for a seaside escape and chilling around the pool.

Bold blue is really having a moment in the nail world and it's here to stay. It might look a little bright at first, but you'll soon fall in love with your nails. Again, a blue also looks great on the toes, so if you're unsure about having both fingers and toes, dip your toe in with just the pedicure.

Feeling a little daring? Fluorescent shades are becoming popular for the summer season, particularly citrus shades like orange, green and yellow. We particularly love this bright yellow shade. Not only does it look fabulous with a tan, but it'll brighten up any outfit.

If the bright and bold blue isn't for you but you still fancy trying a blue shade, then why not go with a more muted, pastel blue? Pastel shades are a great set of colours to start at, especially if you're not used to having your nails done, and they look lovely in the spring and summer months.

Pay homage to nature with a little dash of green next time you're at the salon. There are so many lovely shades of green (a lovely dark green is our go-to in the winter months), but we quite like these brighter ones for summer.

Nude and minimal holiday nails

You really can never go wrong with a subtle pink that's not too in your face. They're very neutral without being nude and you will definitely be able to tell you've had a trip to the salon.

Love a classic French manicure but fancy something different? We love this chrome spin on the classic French, with very thin, silver chrome tips. Not only do these look super stylish, but they'll also sparkle in the sun a little too.

If you love the mint green shade from above but you're not convinced you could pull it off, then why not try something a little more subtle? These very pretty pistachio coloured nails provide just enough colour to brighten your day without the intense colour you might not be so keen on.

You can really never go wrong with a pinky nude nail, but for your holidays, you might want to add something a little more special. That's why we love the subtle shimmer on these nails. There's just enough sparkle to catch the sunlight while still looking very smart and sophisticated.

Like a pop of colour but don't want to go for the whole nail? This subtle manicure allows you to pick your two favourite, brighter colours and just have them in the corners of the nail.

Nail art ideas

Have some fun with a little bit of glitter for your holidays. Not only do we love this peachy orange shade for a holiday, but the bronze glitter finishes this manicure off beautifully.

Pink and orange really are a match made in heaven when it comes to summer holiday nails. We love this modern take on a French manicure with unusual coloured shapes over the nail. These are ideal if you have longer nails.

Who says you only have to pick one colour? This colourful set will really brighten your day every time you look to your hands. It starts with a colourful, pastel spin on a French manicure with added semi-circles below in a different colour!

Ombre nails are a huge trend and we think they look fabulous for summer holidays. This style uses a darker, purple/pink going into a more orange shade. It can be done with any shades and looks amazing.

No one said all your nails have to match. Mix it up a little by choosing your favourite colour and having something a little different on each nail.

Taking care of your nails

If you're going on your jollies, it's likely you'll be in and out the pool or the sea and regularly topping up on sun cream. To keep your nails in the best condition and keep your polish intact, it's a good idea to use a cuticle oil everyday. You might be wondering if a good hand cream will do the trick? While hand creams are great for keeping your skin moisturised, a cuticle is ideal for nail beds.