Not all nail art can evoke that warm, breezy feeling you’d get from sailing along the Amalfi Coast, Aperol Spritz in hand — otherwise, employers would probably throw salon appointments into its benefits packages instead of PTO. Then again, you’ve yet to meet the easiest nail art trend of the Summer: the geometric sun design. “This design is a new take on geometric nails, which traditionally have straighter lines,” said Hannah Roxit, celebrity manicurist and Sally Hansen ambassador. “It is eye-catching enough to make a statement without being too overwhelming, and the combination of the sun shape — plus the mix of vibrant red and cool blue polish colors — makes it a perfect accent for Summer looks.” If you’re more into sunsets than sunrises — and, like Cheryl Strayed would say, there’s beauty in both — Roxit suggests you opt for purple or mauve colors in lieu of blue. Either way, this is the one Summer nail art look you won’t want to miss — and we’re walking you through exactly how to recreate the magic, ahead.
Step 1: Paint the Tip of Your Nails
First up, paint on your first layer of polish. “You can outline the half circle first for a guideline, then fill it in after with color,” said Roxit. She used the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in O-Zone You Didn’t ($10) to half of the nail. Can’t get your lines right? “To help with shaky hands, place down your pinky to add stabilization when polishing or designing,” she said. Or, might we suggest the Olive + June The Studio Box ($50) for even more control, even on your nondominant hand.
Step 2: Create the Half Sun Design
Then, use a thin nail polish brush like one from this Winstonia Striper Set ($8) to create the half sun. Choose a red hue, like the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Apollo You Anywhere ($10) we used here “to the other half of the nail, leaving some negative space,” said Roxit. To make the DIY process easier, apply scotch or painters tape across the nail before you layer on the polish. Another great alternative: “Apply polish in the shape of a half circle onto a plastic sandwich bag and let dry, then peel off and apply to the nail over top coat so that is sticks,” she said. “Trim to fit your nail if needed.”
Step 3: Finish With Top Coat
Let the polish dry for at least a minute, and then complete the look with a clear top coat for a long-lasting, glossy finish and chip-proof wear.
The Final Look
There you have it: the cutest Summer nail art under the sun, in three easy steps.