Nail Art Trends Summer 2008

By Melissa Goldberg

Tired of your standby mani? Need a break from Ballet Slipper pink? StyleList presents the newest summer trends in nail art inspired by everything from lingerie to your local hardware store! We spotted cool Pop-Art, feathers and lace, and even chains!

Shiori Nishi

Boudoir

New York Jewelry artist Fumic who calls herself a "nailist" uses bright pinks and purples for an unabashedly feminine look. If those colors aren't girly enough for you, her feather-boa look may be just your style.

Shiori Nishi

Boudoir

Fumic experiments with black lace to create a sensual mood. Raid your local craft shop or fabric stores for remnants to recreate fun and inexpensive embellishments in your own masterpiece.

Shiori Nishi

Bedazzled Chain Gang

Fumic creates another jaw-dropping look with this pretty-meets-gritty addition of pierced and chain-like embellishments. The beauty of her work is how each nail is completely unique.

Shiori Nishi

Bedazzled Chain Gang

Nailist Fumic says contrast is what draws you to her art: the silver polish and white tips are a stunning background to the gold sequins and chain.

Shiori Nishi

Bedazzled Chain Gang

If you're clueless about where to start, Fumic says gold is a favorite base for her three-dimensional nail art.

Shiori Nishi

The New French Mani

Gone is the perfectly painted classic French manicure. Show off your individuality by using a deeper color on your tips, and try painting a different design on one of nail of each hand like they did at a recent Baby Phat fashion show (left).

Photo Courtesy of CND

The New French Mani

The black Goth nail polish of the past has been reborn as as the go-to French tip color for this season.

Photo Courtesy of CND

The New French Mani

Dress-up a classic French with a line of gold glitter and crystals for a more subtle yet stunning nail art variation.

Photo Courtesy of Kiss

The New French Mani

Nail artist and owner Patricia Amato of Ohio's Glitz & Glamour salon created this splashy standout mani that looks inspired by summer's brightest polka dot swimsuits.