Whether you want to go full theme ahead with a patriotic pattern or keep your look bright and summery, the 4th of July is the perfect time to debut a new mani. Browse 30 of our favorite looks.

Go full theme ahead, or keep your look subtle.

For some, a Fourth of July barbeque is the epitome of summer. The vibes are Lana Del Rey’s Honeymoon album, heart-shaped sunglasses, and classic Americana. We enjoy time with friends and family while soaking up the sunshine, eating oh so many hot dogs, and—if you’re like me—showing off a fun and festive manicure.

“The 4th of July is one of the cuter, and more popular holidays for nail designs,” says celebrity manicurist Fleury Rose. “People often experiment with patriotic colors, and most frequently—stars! In general, stars are a very cute nail motif, and there are many ways to use them: stickers, airbrush, painted, or star-shaped gems!”

Meet the expert

• Fleury Rose is a celebrity manicurist and founder of an eponymous nail-care brand.
• Sharon Ladokun is a nail artist who works with Aprés Nail.
• Mo Qin is a celebrity manicurist who has worked with stars like Julia Fox and Selena Gomez.
• Hannah Lee is a manicurist and content creator.

Even if you don’t want to go full theme ahead with a patriotic pattern, you can still create a look that’s a bit more subtle. Manicurist Sharon Ladokun shares that good alternatives would be “something super bright, especially a design that has reds and different shades of blue.”

Alternatively, use this time to embrace the unofficial start of summer with neons, fruits, and nautical themes. We consulted the experts to get the final word on 4th of July nail trends and rounded up 30 of our favorites below.

Starry Blush

I absolutely love this manicure—the shape, the design, and the colors. Claudia Hernandez used a star stencil to create a negative space detailing with a shimmering blue and pink, creating a subtle nod to the holiday. She used What’s Up Nails’ star stencils to get the look.

Seeing Stars

This minimalistic set is a perfect clean-girl aesthetic meets Fourth of July. The fine-line work and dimension of the stars give a neat, polished effect, using Aprés Nails’ Sparkles n’ Stripes July Gel Nail Couleur Set. 

Watermelon Sugar

If you’re looking to kick a nail-biting habit, this one is not for you. This set looks good enough to eat and channels the carefree energy of one of the most iconic symbols of the season. 

Patriotic Picnic

It’s all in the details! The summer elements on this set—stars, stripes, and gingham—are focused on the tips of this manicure. 

Brat Girl Summer

If 2023 was the summer of Barbie, 2024 is officially a Brat Girl Summer. And since the Fourth signals the unofficial start of the season, there’s no better time to debut this neon green mani by Stephanie Kao. Rose shares that “since it’s the beginning of summer, a lot of people will opt for neon shades.”

Classic Red

Celebrity manicurist Mo Qin says that shades of red are very popular for July. A classic red look is an easy way to show your festive side without going all-out on nail art.

Seafoam Sparkle

Nothing says summer like a trip to the beach. This mani looks like a crashing wave at the tip of your finger. 

Festive Combo

This set mixes solid colors, stars, and a flag banner that’s reminiscent of your classic Fourth of July celebration, even down to the decorations.

Juicy Fruits

Qin’s grapefruit set screams summer. One look at this manicure and you’re suddenly enjoying an in-season fruit off the coast of Southern Italy, even down to the juice-on-your-hands dewy detailing.

Flowers & Fruit

Another tip-focused set, this design showcases white-and-blue flowers against a red tip, juxtaposed with red-and-blue cherries against a white tip. It proves that you don’t always need to go with classic flags or fireworks for the holiday.

The Butterfly Effect

Summer is peak butterfly season. The neutral background on these nails makes Rose’s butterflies pop for an elegant yet seasonally appropriate set.

Picnic Points

The classic gingham-picnic elements are given an edge with the elongated shape of the nail. It’s reminiscent of a park picnic with friends, some fresh fruits, and a bottle of wine.

Berry Claws

The longer shape of these nails allows for a bit more flexibility and creativity in design. This genius look features the tip of a strawberry in place of a French tip on the ring finger. 

Daisy Bling

To deviate from stars and stripes, what better way to ring in the official beginning of summer than a butter-yellow shad daisy set?

Hearts & Stripes

Ladoukun absolutely nails this patriotic mani, using Aprés Nail products and a mixture of stars, stripes, and negative space hearts to create an eye-catching and chic set.

Party in Pink

“Vibrant pinks have been a popular choice this year and I can see that continuing for July,” says Lee. “I've also had a lot of requests for subtle shimmers.” 

Minimalist Stripes

Manicurist Hannah Lee’s simple but effective set offers a subtle nod to the classic stripe factor. “Minimalist nails are still very popular so these are the most requested currently,” she says.

Fourth of July Maximalism

This is a look for those who don’t shy away from bright colors. Multiple blues, reds, stripes, and stars, give this set dimension.

Butterfly Pink

This not-so-neutral butterfly nail set reminds me of something Paris Hilton would wear circa Y2K. That’s hot!

Pastel Party

Stars and stripes are out in full force here but toned down to a light and airy pastel palette. It's the perfect, go-with-anything look for the long weekend ahead. 

Florals in the Foreground

Why not play with a little bit of texture this season? Rose calls this set her “coconut girl nails,” and I couldn’t have said it better myself. 

Colorful Cowboy

With western-inspired boots dominating the streets this summer, this manicure is perfect for capturing your inner cowgirl while still nodding to the color theme of the holiday. 

Classic Americana

It’s giving 1950s, classic Americana, polka dot bikini. Pin up your hair and pop open a Coca-Cola on the beach with this time-capsule manicure. 

Strawberry Shortcake

Continuing our vibrant pink trend, this mani mixes the brights of pink and red. To add a bit of breathing room, the look features a cute strawberry detailing on a clear background on the middle finger.

Pearlescent Glow

Imagine you’ve cracked open an oyster during a summer happy hour, found a pearl inside, and added it to your mani. That’s the vibe this mani is giving.

Cherry Stars

Rose created this set with blue stars and juicy red cherries. It’s perfect for your Fourth of July festivities, but will endure for the rest of the month. 

Flora & Fauna

To add a little more dimension to the butterfly trend, Kao adds some faux pearls with milkweed accent nails and a close-up of a monarch butterfly wing. 

Blue Shimmer

For those who want to go the solid route but add a little bit more pop, add a glimmer or shimmer! “It's a great way to create a more eye-catching manicure that celebrates the 4th, especially if you love bling!” says Lee.

Gone Fishin’

This look features a cheeky little goldfish peeking out of the corner of your personal pond. 

Mermaid Nails

Remember childhood summers playing mermaids in the pool? This set is for you. It looks like it jumped out of 2006’s Aquamarine, and I am here for it.