With the summer sun beating down and a plethora of stylish looks topping the list of 2025 nail trends, choosing just one manicure for your next appointment or at-home treatment can be a daunting task. The team’s August nail picks are a testament to the diverse and vibrant world of nail art, with each design showcasing a unique blend of style, creativity, and flair.
The Inspiration Behind Our August Nail Looks
Our team’s nail designs are a reflection of the diverse and ever-changing world of beauty trends. From the classic and chic to the bold and maximalist, each design has been carefully curated to capture the essence of the season. Whether you’re looking for a subtle tinted manicure or a bold, eye-catching design, we’ve got you covered.
- Naomi’s Cobalt Blue French Manicure
- Aleesha’s Strawberry Ice-Cream Almond Nails
- Lucy’s Seashell Nails
- Fiona’s Chic and Classic Red Nails
- Sennen’s Pink Pearly Holiday Nails
- Luisa’s Maximalist Nails
The Nail Care and Polish Essentials
In addition to the team’s nail designs, we’ve also been loving and gravitating towards certain nail care and polish essentials this month. From the perfect base coat to the ideal top coat, we’ve got the inside scoop on what’s hot and what’s not.
| Nail Care Essential | Product Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Base Coat | OPI’s Nail Envy |
| Top Coat | Deborah Lippmann’s Gel Lab Pro Top Coat |
| Nail Polish | Essie’s Gel Couture |
The Team’s Nail Designs
Naomi’s Cobalt Blue French Manicure
“After two months of wearing milky pastels on my nails, I found myself feeling a bit adventurous and rather in the mood for a change,” says Digital Beauty Writer, Naomi Jamieson. “and for some reason, cobalt blue French tips were really calling to me – which could perhaps be down to having not seen the ocean yet this summer, and really craving it.”
“Despite the initial hesitation, Naomi opted for a sheer, milky-nude base to let the cobalt blue shine. The almond nail shape added a touch of elegance to the overall design, and the French tips were a perfect finishing touch.”
- Nail Shape: Almond
- Nail Color: Cobalt Blue
- Nail Polish: OPI’s Tiramisu for Two
Aleesha’s Strawberry Ice-Cream Almond Nails
“For Digital Beauty Ecom Editor, Aleesha Badkar, ‘August is a month of social plans, work events and even a friend’s wedding, so I wanted something quite neutral that would go with all my different outfits, but still fun and on trend. For me, Ice Cream nails seemed to tick all those boxes. The subtle twist on both French tips and ombré gives a chic impression that looks stylish but sophisticated, and suits my go-to long almond nail shape to a tee.’”
“Aleesha’s design was a masterclass in subtlety, with the OPI’s Bubble Bath base shade adding a touch of warmth to the overall look. The addition of a jelly strawberry pink shade on top added a pop of colour and created a fun, playful vibe.”
- Nail Shape: Almond
- Nail Color: Bubble Bath (OPI)
- Nail Polish: OPI’s Strawberry Sorbet
Lucy’s Seashell Nails
“I love nail art, as evidenced by my Instagram feed,” says Contributing Beauty Editor, Lucy Abbersteen. “It does make a manicure more expensive, so I try to ration my maximal manicures, but having a fun design at your fingertips is like wearing a semi-permanent accessory.”
“Lucy’s design was a stunning example of nail art, with the creamy base and faux pearls creating a beachy vibe. The 3D gel sculpting added a touch of drama to the overall look, and the shell design was a perfect finishing touch.”
- Nail Shape: Almond
- Nail Color: Creamy Base
- Nail Polish: Not specified
Fiona’s Chic and Classic Red Nails
“After a few months of busyness-related bare nail boringness, I decided enough was enough, booked in for Bio Sculpture and – excuse the hyperbole – I feel like a woman reborn,” quips Digital Beauty Editor, Fiona McKim. “The cheerful colour, the plump finish, the neat, neat cuticle work… swoon! Feeling risk-averse after my manicure hiatus, I opted for a classic-as-it-gets true red with cool undertones that’ll look good come rain or shine – handy, the way August’s shaping up so far.”
“Fiona’s design was a masterclass in understated elegance, with the Bio Sculpture polish adding a touch of sophistication to the overall look. The rounded shape added a touch of femininity to the overall design, and the neat cuticle work was a perfect finishing touch.”
- Nail Shape: Rounded
- Nail Color: True Red
- Nail Polish: Bio Sculpture
Sennen’s Pink Pearly Holiday Nails
“While I was tempted to dress my talons with a colourful hue for the peak of the summer months, with a holiday to the South of France booked in my diary for August, I opted for a manicure that was neutral enough to complement every vacation outfit,” shares Digital Beauty Writer, Sennen Prickett. “The manicure in question? Creamy soft pink BIAB nails with a pearlescent finish, with my favourite almond nail shape, of course.”
“Sennen’s design was a stunning example of understated elegance, with the creamy soft pink BIAB nails adding a touch of warmth to the overall look. The pearlescent finish added a touch of glamour to the overall design, and the almond shape was a perfect finishing touch.”
- Nail Shape: Almond
- Nail Color: Soft Pink
- Nail Polish: BIAB
Luisa’s Maximalist Nails
“For our Social Media Editor, Luisa Rossi, August was the perfect opportunity to embrace an array of vibrant, summery hues: ‘Whilst maximalist nails might not be everyone’s cup of tea – or cup of blue raspberry slushie, in this instance – they’re definitely mine.’”
“Luisa’s design was a stunning example of maximalist nail art, with the array of vibrant colours adding a touch of drama to the overall look. The mix of bright hues and bold designs created a fun, playful vibe, and the overall look was a perfect reflection of the team’s love of bold, eye-catching designs.”
- Nail Shape: Not specified
- Nail Color: Various
- Nail Polish: Various
The Verdict
Each of the team’s August nail looks is a testament to the diversity and creativity of the world of nail art. From the classic and chic to the bold and maximalist, there’s something for every style and preference. Whether you’re looking for a subtle tinted manicure or a bold, eye-catching design, we’ve got you covered. So why not take a look at our team’s August nail picks and find the perfect look to suit your summer vibes?
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