23 Skittle Nail Ideas for a Fun, Easy and Colorful Summer Mani

A summery skittle manicure. — @cirquecolors / instagram

Whether you wear them, accessorize with them, or rock them on your nails, experimenting with bright colors infuses a sense of carefree fun into any summer ensemble. And if you don't want to shell out your hard-earned cash on new seasonal garments, why not embrace the Skittle nail trend?

For those who don't know, Skittle nails are manicures that feature a different color on each nail. In most instances, Skittle nails showcase shades of the rainbow; in some, creative neutral combinations make their debut. To show you the many ways the trend can be worn this season, we rounded up 23 Skittle nail ideas for summer. Check them out, below.

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Hot and Cold Skittle Nails

Vibrant Skittle Nails in cool and warm tones — @pop_polished / Instagram

We're starting strong with a vibrant rainbow Skittle nail look. Here, you can see how cool-toned and warm-toned hands can still look cohesive (and stunning).

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Jelly Glitter Summer Skittle Nails

Jelly Glitter Skittle Nails in Purple, Blue, Pink, Green, and Red — @melanated.mani / Instagram

Looking for a little texture? Opt for a chunky glitter Skittle mani. This one was created with jelly confetti polishes in purple, blue, pink, green, and red.

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3D Swirl Ombré Summer Skittle Nails

Ombre Skittle Swirl Nails with 3D builder gel accents — @disseynails / Instagram

One of the hottest manicure trends of summer is 3D nails. If you really want your Skittle mani to stand out, consider topping it with builder gel swirls.

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Cobalt Contrast Skittle Nails

Remember: Not all Skittle manicures have to be bright and colorful. Here, you can see how neutral shades pop alongside high-contrast cobalt and navy polishes.

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French Tip Skittle Nails

This color-block French manicure is giving Easter, but considering pastel, sun-washed shades have been a hit this summer, we say it works for this season, too. To DIY this look, start with your full-color base. Once dry, use a nail art brush (or French manicure stencils) to perfect the contrasting tips.

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High Contrast Skittle Nails

We love how vivid this Skittle manicure is. With vibrant neon shades (very Miami-core) and rich jewel tones, it's one high-contrast nail look we can't get enough of. The ultra-glossy top coat definitely helps, too.

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Jelly Aqua Skittle Nails

If you're a fan of seasonal nail looks, consider a cool-toned jelly Skittle mani. The sheer finish and blue tones bring images of crashing waves to mind.

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Summer Brights

A skittle manicure in a summer bright color palette. — @melanated.mani / instagram

If I were Barbie (I'm not, but let's pretend) I think this is the Skittle manicure I'd go for. It has the bright pink, but the other colors are surprising! Surprising, but delightful.

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Moody Mauve Summer Skittle Nails

Already mentally in fall? Opt for this moody Skittle nail idea. The mix of neutral mauve and rich navy and plum make for a gorgeous transition to autumn.

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Negative Space Color Block Skittle Nails

Here's another Skittle nail idea that perfectly straddles the seasonal divide. Where periwinkle, daffodil, lilac, and bubblegum pink nod toward summer, chartreuse, burgundy, mustard, and evergreen look ahead to fall. To create this look, use two French manicure stencils per nail. Paint below one of the stencils for your cuticles, and above the other for your tips.

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Pastel Chrome Skittle Nails

Chrome finishes continue to mesmerize nail lovers. Top a muted Skittle mani with a plain white chrome powder for an ultra-shiny look that sparkles in the light.

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Pastel Neon Skittle Nails

Of course, slightly subdued pastel neon polishes look gorgeous without a chrome topper, too. Just look at this grape, lime, bubblegum, mint, and sunshine combo.

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Polly Pocket Skittle Nails

Skittle nails in hot pink, purple, light pink and teal — @pop_polished / Instagram

This hot pink, purple, teal, and pale pink Skittle mani has us feeling nostalgic with its Polly Pocket-coded colors. We love how it combines finishes to create a summer set with depth.

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Rainbow Ombré Nails

Rainbow Ombre Nails with thermal polish — @melanated.mani / Instagram

Why stick to one color per nail when you can get creative with two? This summer Skittle nail look features color-block and ombré designs for a rainbow manicure that's instantly head-turning.

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Rainbow Shimmer Skittle Nails

Speaking of head-turning, check out this rainbow shimmer Skittle manicure. The vibrant neon polishes look even more eye-catching with their ultra-fine shimmer finish.

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Rose Gold Skittle Nails

If you prefer neutrals, consider this rose gold Skittle nail look. Ultra-fine mauve glitter pairs with creamy nude and metallic rose gold for a femme mani perfect for the summer-to-fall transition.

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Skittle Swirl Nails

For this negative space look, you'll need five polish colors and a nail art brush to trace them on. If you're worried about rough or messy edges, keep another brush nearby for acetone touch-ups.

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Sunwashed Skittle Nails

Here we have another sun-washed summer Skittle mani. It's soft yet bright, pastel yet neon. It reminds us of the well-worn tie-dyes of our youth, making for a nostalgic mani that perfectly encapsulates those end-of-summer vibes.

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Two-Tones French Tip Skittle Nails

If you love sun-washed shades as much as you enjoy brighter hues, consider combining them for a two-tone French Skittle mani. To DIY the look, start with a sheer nude base, then paint on your tips. Outline the tips with a fine-lining nail art brush dipped in a darker shade of each color and lock it all in with a top coat.

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Faded Days

If you want to really go all in on the theme, give yourself a color changing Skittle manicure. The vision is a candy that's lost a little of its dye—a novelty, but still delicious.

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Two-Tone Jelly Skittle French Tips

Don't have a super steady hand? Skip the outline and opt for a standard two-tone French Skittle mani instead. Start with a sheer or lighter color for your base, then go in with a darker color for your French tips.

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Yin-Yang Skittle Nails

Remind yourself that summer—and life—is all about balance with this fun yin-yang Skittle mani. It can be crafted with a fine-lining nail art brush, or you may want to make it easy on yourself with a professional appointment. It's up to you.

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