Ditsy Floral Nails Are Summer’s Sweetest Manicure Trend

Miranda Priestly may have eschewed florals for spring, but she didn’t say anything about them for summer! The Devil Wears Prada editor’s infamous line about how cliché a floral print feels in warm weather is now legendary, but I can’t say I agree with it—especially after seeing the influx of precious ditsy floral nail art currently dominating my Instagram and TikTok feeds. It seems like everything is coming up roses… and daisies… and cherry blossoms. But what better time than summer to stop and smell the flowers, or at least paint them on your fingernails for a little reminder of the joy of nature?

The Trend

The world around us is bursting into bloom, so why not pay homage to those precious little posies with a floral-inspired manicure? This season, many nail trendsetters are gravitating to a simpler interpretation of floral nail art, centered around small blooms in subtle shades like white and pale pink.

Stars like Ariana Grande and Hailey Bieber have both worn mini blossoms on their nails in recent months, with Grande opting for a dainty white floral motif and Bieber choosing cherry blossoms. Rita Ora’s 3D floral nail art was larger in scale, but the pastel color palette made it feel delicate despite the bolder blooms.

Celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec predicted a rise in floral print manicures as a major summer 2024 nail trend, saying, “Summer floral nail designs are all about vibrant colors and playful patterns. You can go for a minimalist look with teeny buds adorning just a couple of nails, or you can go all out with sculpted 3D flowers that practically leap off your fingertips.” 

Celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik, who sculpts the nails of stars like Selena Gomez and Camila Cabello, is also a fan. “We love how cute these floral patterns look, as well as the pops of color they bring to the nails,” he tells Byrdie. The delicate design also sets them apart from the bolder nail art of the past. “I think we’re seeing a trend in nail minimalism overall with shorter nails and softer shapes, and these soft simple floral patterns are the perfect compliment,” Bachik says, adding that the ditsy floral pattern is a “soft, feminine, whimsical look” that can be both “elegant and playful.” 

How to Get the Look

This look can be easily recreated at your local nail salon, but if you want to stretch your nail art skills at home, it’s totally doable. Don’t stress about making your flowers look like museum-quality masterpieces. Have fun with it! “The thing I love about this type of floral print is the little flowers are meant to be imperfect, so they can be a lot of fun to do yourself at home,” shares Bachik. “Play with your favorite colors, keeping the flowers tiny and simple.” Daisies and little posies are the easiest place to start as they require less detail.

Bachik recommends using a dotting tool to create your blossoms, but in a pinch, he says a toothpick or the head of a sewing pin or teeny makeup brush works well too. To practice, try out a few designs on a piece of paper before moving on to your mani. “The small size of the flowers means they can be detailed without being overwhelming, perfect for those who want a more understated look,” says Bachik.

While stars like Grande and Bieber opted for lighter tones on their nails, you can truly do whatever you want, color-wise. Dreaming of baby blue nails with daisies dotted across each one? Go for it! Seeing red? Create little roses over a white base color. To add shine and sparkle, Bachik recommends Essie’s Nail Art Studio polishes, which come in a variety of fun finishes like jelly and iridescent. If you’re not super confident in your nail art capabilities, well, that’s why press-ons exist! Olive + June’s Rose Bouquets and Daisy Pop sets fit the bill perfectly.