14 mins
NOW TRENDING: 5 summer gel polish styles
Discover this season’s key gel polish nail art trends & recreate with handy guides, expert tips & product recommendations
Sara Pinto
Gel polish has quickly become one of the nail industry’s most used products, earning a spot as a client favourite thanks to its durability, versatility and high-gloss finish. “The product appeals to clients seeking long-lasting results with minimal maintenance,” shares Sara Pinto, product director at Andreia Professional. “Gel polish offers the perfect balance between strength and an aesthetically pleasing finish.” Beyond its practical benefits, the gel polish system unlocks impressive creative potential – enabling a wide range of nail art looks to be created.
Charlotte Edwards
What do you love most about the gel polish system?
“There are so many gel polish colours to experiment with,” says Charlotte Edwards, Scratch Stars Gel Polish Stylist of the Year finalist 2025. “I love the product’s versatility. For example, you can use it to create soft ombré effects, or to blend shades to add depth and dimension. It also offers a great tacky base on which to apply pigments and foils.”
Amy Martin
Gelish educator, Amy Martin, adds: “Gel polish allows for both control and creativity. It applies smoothly with thin layers and cures quickly – meaning professionals can build up designs without smudging. Its long-lasting shine and durability also allow clients to enjoy their nail looks for weeks without chipping.”
Tanya Jeskins
Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year finalist 2025, Tanya Jeskins notes: “Gel polish offers me the flexibility to work at my own pace, without worrying about products drying too quickly or flooding the cuticles and side walls.”
A floral gel polish design by the Glitterbels team, created using the brand’s Blooming Gel.
Glitterbels Blooming Gel £8.75 inc VAT
www.glitterbels.com
NAIL ART TRENDS: where do they come from?
Nail trends are constantly changing, being recycled and updated, with high-profile individuals often pioneering what is considered ‘trendy’.
In 2022, Hailey Bieber debuted her iconic ‘glazed donut’ nails, courtesy of nail tech, Zola Ganzorigt of @nailsbyzola. The subtle, pink-toned chrome manicure quickly went viral, sparking a wave of demand for chrome finishes among salon-goers.
Similarly, the jelly nail trend gained momentum in 2024 after actress, Margot Robbie, appeared at the
Screen Actors Guild Awards
sporting a Barbie pink jelly manicure by Chanel nail artist, Betina Goldstein. The look was widely shared on social media and requests surged amongst clients.
Gel polish techniques & tools
“Preparation is key to perfecting gel polish designs,” says Sara Pinto. “Thorough prep ensures optimal adhesion between the product and nail plate. If prep is inadequate, it may lead to lifting, compromising both the longevity and appearance of the nail enhancement. Begin with cuticle preparation, being careful as improper technique can lead to infections or dermatological issues. Then, gently remove the natural shine of the nail using a 180/180-grit file.”
NSI Endurance Nail Files 180/180-grit (10pk) £10.95 + VAT
www.nsinails.co.uk
Andreia Professional All In One Extreme Primer £4.99 + VAT
www.salon-services.comwww.andreiaprofessional.com Sara continues: “Primers are also vital. For most clients, an acid-free primer, such as the Andreia Professional All in One Ultrabond Primer, works well. Clients with more challenging nails may benefit from the All In One Extreme Primer for extra adhesion.”
Charlotte Edwards shares her top tool pick: “My go-to tool for gel polish designs is a 12mm liner brush, as it’s the perfect size for creating fine, intricate lines. I also love using a shading brush to seamlessly blend out colours.”
HD Professional Nail Systems Fine Liner Detail Brush £12.99 + VAT
www.hazeldixonnails.com
UNDER THE SEA STYLES
Kirsty Meakin’s ‘good sea witch’ nail creation.
Earlier this year, the Pinterest Predicts report named ‘Sea Witchery’ as a top trend for 2025, having detected that ‘sea-inspired nail’ searches had increased by 65%. Nail industry maestro, influencer & Scratch Stars Services to the Nail Industry award-winner 2024, Kirsty Meakin, partnered up with Pinterest to create two nail looks inspired by the trend: ‘good sea witch’ and ‘bad sea witch’ manicures. She shared the designs with her Instagram following of over 250k, further amplifying the trend and securing its place on the nail industry’s radar.
GET THE LOOK
Gelish Soft Gel Touch LED Light with USB Cord £99.99 + VAT
www.gelishmorgantaylor.co.uk
Tool tips
“I always have fine detail brushes on hand for painting waves and starfish,” says Amy Martin. “Dotting tools are great for creating pearl and bubble effects. I use the Gelish Soft Gel Touch LED Light to flash cure nail designs to prevent smudging.”
Tool tips
“I always have fine detail brushes on hand for painting waves and starfish,” says Amy Martin. “Dotting tools are great for creating pearl and bubble effects. I use the Gelish Soft Gel Touch LED Light to flash cure nail designs to prevent smudging.”
A tropical nail design by Amy Martin, created using Gelish products. She comments: “Sea and nature-inspired gel polish designs are popular this summer, due to their bright colours and fun artistic details.”
Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish in Pink Smoothie £16.99 + VAT
www.gelishmorgantaylor.co.uk
This ocean-tastic design took nail artist, Learnah Starbuck, four hours to complete using The GelBottle Inc products. She would charge a client £120-£130 for the style.
GET THE LOOK
The GelBottle Inc Clear 3D Studio Gel™ £12 + VAT
www.thegelbottle.com
CND Shellac
TM Gel Polish in Sleeping Mask £14.95 + VAT
www.sweetsquared.com
NSI Polish Pro Gel Polish in Blanca £10 + VAT
www.nsinails.co.uk
Speedy starfish style
Starfish details have soared in popularity, with over 20k Instagram posts featuring #starfishnails.
Nichole Reynolds
Lecenté Creator, Nichole Reynolds, shares how to create a starfish design at speed:
Step 1 Apply Lecenté Fusion Builder Gel in Tease over the nails and cure.
Step 2 Use Lecenté Create Glitter Gel Polish in Solar and the Striper Nail Art Brush S1 for the starfish shapes. Paint lines in a star shape, being careful not to be too symmetrical for a realistic effect. Cure.
Step 3 Use Lecenté Create Gel Polish in White Magic and a dotting tool to add white dots over the starfish shapes. Cure, apply your chosen top coat and cure again.
Lecenté Create Glitter Gel Polish in Solar £11.99 + VAT
www.lecente.com
ILLUSION EFFECTS
Aura designs
Lilly Nails brand ambassador, @fabulousbyalexandra, creates a seamless ombré blend on a client’s nails.
Nail Order Nail Art Sponges (25pk) £5 + VAT
www.nailorder.co.uk
Charlotte Edwards created this starry night design using aura techniques and chrome. She charged £17 on top of a standard gel polish manicure, and the artistic effects took 20-30 minutes.
The Manicure Company Ombre Nail Art Brush £10.53 inc VAT
www.themanicurecompany.com
STEP-BY-STEP: summer-ready ombré
The team at Lecenté shares a step-by-step guide to achieving an ombré design using neon shades from the brand’s FLEXE Gel Polish range.
Step 1 Prepare the nail for gel polish application and apply Lecenté Fusion Builder Gel in Bare. Cure.
Step 2 Apply FLEXE Gel Polish shades in Rio, Miami and Ibiza onto a sponge.
Step 3 Sponge the colours onto the nail and cure.
Step 4 Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have achieved the desired colour coverage, curing between each application.
Step 5 Apply your chosen top coat and cure.
Step 6 Use a liner brush and Lecenté Crystal Clear 3D Gel to add 3D accents. Cure.
Lecenté Create FLEXE Gel Polish in Ibiza £15.99 + VAT
www.lecente.com
Blooming gel
The application of blooming gel follows a consistent structure, allowing for the speedy creation of watercolour-effect and tortoiseshell-style designs. First, apply base coat and cure, then apply blooming gel – but do not cure. Add gel polish colours on top of the blooming gel, allowing the shades to ‘bloom’. Once you’re happy with how the shades have spread, cure, apply top coat and cure again.
Ashlee Drew
The design technique is surging in popularity, says Halo VIP, Ashlee Drew. “Blooming gel is popular due to its versatility,” she notes. “Around 80% of the nail designs my clients show me for inspiration can be created using blooming gel.”
Shelley Lewis
Fellow Halo VIP, Shelley Lewis, shares her top tip for nail techs who may not have a blooming gel in their kits: “If you already own a Halo Gel Polish Base Coat, it’s a great substitute for blooming designs.”
A summer-friendly design by Ashlee Drew, created using blooming gel.
Halo Gel Polish Base Coat £9.99 + VAT
www.purenails.co.uk
Gelish Blooming Gel £16.99 + VAT
www.gelishmorgantaylor.com
Shelley Lewis creates a swirl design on short nails using the blooming technique.
Scratch Stars Gel Polish Stylist of the Year finalist 2025, Carrie Williams, shares a step-by-step guide to creating this design, featuring blooming effects at the tips.
Scan to view.
Scratch Stars Gel Polish Stylist of the Year finalist 2025, Carrie Williams, shares a step-by-step guide to creating this design, featuring blooming effects at the tips.
Scan to view.
Cat eye creations
Cat eye and chrome finishes combine in this flaming design by Birmingham nail tech, Abbi Rogers.
Turn to page 64 to see how
Scratch
columnist, Jiak Hing, created this cat eye butterfly design.
Kirsty Meakin Cat Eye Magnetic Gel Polish in Lilac Lady £14.99 + VAT
www.kirstymeakin.com
The GelBottle Inc Gel Colour in Daisy Dukes Cat-Eye £17.95 + VAT
www.thegelbottle.com
Artistic Flash Glitter Magnet Gel in No Commet! £9.95 + VAT
www.sweetsquared.com
FRUIT FAVOURITES
Colourful and refreshing, fruit designs are taking the nail industry by storm – with clients dipping into the fruit bowl for summer nail inspiration. From strawberries and blueberries to kiwis and oranges, take inspiration from hand-painted and sculpted creations that look good enough to eat.
The team at Shoreditch salon, N’DAO Shoreditch, hand-painted the inside of a kiwi on nails for a fresh and fruity finish.
Instagram.com/ndao.shoreditch.nailsalon
The team at 14 Day Mani created this French tip design featuring hand-painted strawberries.
GET THE LOOK
The Manicure Company Gel Polish in Limetime £8.76 inc VAT
www.themanicurecompany.com
The Glitterbels team crafted this sweet nail style featuring 3D blueberry details.
Glitterbels Hema Free Gel Polish in Sky Scraper £8.99 inc VAT
www.glitterbels.com
Lecenté Creator, Sarah Gooderham, created this citrus sweet manicure, combining hand-painted oranges with a pretty bow.
Instagram.com/juliettesprettysets
GET THE LOOK
Can you spot the difference? California tech, Juliette of @juliettesprettysets, is behind this realistic, 3D strawberry design using The GelBottle Inc products.
The GelBottle Inc Gel Colour in Bloodgood £15.95 + VAT
www.thegelbottle.com GET THE LOOK
Light Elegance UK co-owner, Jojo Wickens, is behind this mix ‘n’ match strawberry and cherry design.
Light Elegance P+ Gel Polish in Heartbreak £14.95 + VAT
www.lightelegance.co.uk
OPI GelColor in Flex On The Beach £19.90 + VAT
uk.wella.professionalstore.com
STEP-BY-STEP: Citrus styling
Nail artist & content creator, Simu of @simlynail, shares a step-by-step guide for this deliciously summery nail look, using Mii Statement 1 Gel Polish:
Step 1 Apply Mii’s Primed + Ready Gel Primer and cure for 10 seconds, followed by Mii’s Strength + Shield Pink Builder Gel. Cure for 30 seconds. Paint a French-style tip on the index fingers using a peach gel polish. Cure.
Step 2 Using a liner brush and coral-red gel polish, paint a circle on the upper right side of the nail. Cure.
Step 3 Use a sapphire blue gel polish and the liner brush to paint a thin, slightly curved line from the circle towards the French tip. Cure, then paint two leaf shapes on each side of the curved line using the blue gel polish. Cure.
Step 4 Swap to a pastel mint gel polish and create thin lines within the leaves and on the lower side of the coral circle to add definition. Cure.
Step 5 Repeat steps 3 and 4 to add another set of leaves at the cuticle area.
Mii Statement Gel Polish in Peppermint Cream £15.50 + VAT
www.gerrardinternational.com
FUNKED UP TIPS
“This summer, micro-French tips are popular,” says Sara Pinto. “They are versatile, clean and allow for personal expression without being overwhelming.”
GET THE LOOK
Celebrity spotlight
Reality star & entrepreneur, Kylie Jenner, recently opted for studded, pastel blue nail tips, courtesy of LA nail artist, Zola Ganzorigt of @nailsbyzola. Scan to watch a step-by-step guide to creating the look.
OPI GelColor in It’s a Boy! £19.90 + VAT
uk.wella.professionalstore.com
Liverpool-based tech, @keelydecostamanicures, offers a subtle, chic finish with this micro-French design.
14 Day Mani Hema-Free Gel Polish in Blue Dreams £10 inc VAT
www.14daymanicure.com GET THE LOOK
Use code SCRATCH40 for 40% off 14 Day Mani gel polishes and builder gels!
Ombré effects are showcased in this tropical nail design by Charlotte Edwards.
The team at 14 Day Mani created this fun and festival-ready mix ’n’ match design using the brand’s Gentle Gels™ HEMA-free product range.
CND Shellac
TM Gel Polish in Cream Puff £14.95 + VAT
www.sweetsquared.com
Scratch Stars Gel Polish Stylist of the Year
2025, Sophie Donaldson, combines summer nail trends by hand-painting strawberry plants at the tips of her client’s nails.
Artistic Colour Gloss in Chasing Rays £9.95 + VAT
www.sweetsquared.com
Andreia Professional True Pure Gel Polish in T47 Vibrant Orange £7.99 + VAT
www.salon-services.comwww.andreiaprofessional.com
POLKA DOT PATTERNS & STRIPES
A stripe design, with alternating colours, by Hayley Rogers.
Hayley Rogers
Different coloured polka dots feature in this manicure by @getnailedkelowna of British Columbia.
Hara Professional Gel Polish in Neon Red £7.15 + VAT
www.astonandfincher.co.uk “I’ve seen stripes on nails a lot this summer, and believe this offers a fun way to incorporate bright shades into nail art,” says Mii pro ambassador, Hayley Rogers. “The look nods to holidays and trips to the seaside.”
Cuccio Veneer Soak Off Gel Polish in Flirt £8.99 + VAT
www.cuccio.co.uk Celebrity spotlight
OPI GelColor in Daffodil Duck Walk £19.90 + VAT
uk.wella.professionalstore.com GET THE LOOK
Hailey Bieber showed off a ‘lemon drop manicure’ courtesy of her go-to tech, Zola Ganzorigt, using OPI products. Scan to watch a step-by-step guide to creating the design.
This multi-coloured striped design was created by Indiana-based nail artist, Gracin Jessup.
Sabrina Carpenter chose a trendy polka dot design for the music video of hit song,
Manchild
, courtesy of Zola Ganzorigt. Scan to watch how she achieved the look.
Gel Junkie Gel Polish in Mystic Lilac £7.95 inc VAT
www.geljunkie.com
FLOWER POWER
Sophie Donaldson, Scratch Stars Gel Polish Stylist of the Year 2025, comments: “I love using gel polish to create different petal styles for floral designs. It’s the ideal medium to create realistic-looking flowers with dimension.”
Halo Create Dotting Tool Double Ended Combo £9.85 + VAT
www.purenails.co.uk
Hara Professional Nail Art Glass Mixing Palette £5.99 + VAT
www.astonandfincher.co.uk
en Vogue lac it! Gel Polish in Karma £POA
www.envoguenails.eu
Light Elegance Bling Stylus £7.95 + VAT each
www.lightelegance.co.uk Light Elegance UK co-owner & head of education, Jojo Wickens, says: “The Light Elegance Bling Stylus offers three different sizes of Jojo Wickens dotting tools, perfect for creating a variety of designs – from dots and fruits to flowers.”
FAN FAVOURITE: hibiscus flowers
Tropical and vibrant, hibiscus flowers are a major source of nail inspiration this summer, with clients requesting the flower hand-painted and sculpted on nails.
Scan for more hibiscus nail art inspo via Scratch’s website.
FAN FAVOURITE: hibiscus flowers
Tropical and vibrant, hibiscus flowers are a major source of nail inspiration this summer, with clients requesting the flower hand-painted and sculpted on nails.
Scan for more hibiscus nail art inspo via Scratch’s website.
Celebrity spotlight
Celebrity nail artist, Britney Tokyo, painted a multi-coloured floral pattern over nail tips for singer, Gwen Stefani’s
American Music Awards
performance.
LA-based nail artist, @inesxnails, features a 3D orange flower on long, square-shaped enhancements.
Be Creative The Green Brush £19.50 + VAT
www.becreativenails.com Co-founder of the Be Creative nail brand, Rebecca Orme, says: “I designed The Green Brush for those who want to create one stroke designs, but struggle with the technique. Its triangular shape means nail techs can simply press, lift and move the brush to create a leaf, petal or swirl.”
Green and pink hues complement each other in this French-inspired summer manicure, featuring hibiscus flowers by Leah of @leahbeautyrhitreat.
Blooming gel was used to create a hibiscus flower shape on short nails by Liverpool nail artist, @thegelnailtech.
Gel Junkie Gel Polish in Curvaceous £7.95 inc VAT
www.geljunkie.com
A floral gel polish design by Rebecca Orme using The Green Brush. Scan for a design tutorial.
STEP-BY-STEP: quick and easy floral fingers
Lecenté Creator, Nichole Reynolds, shares how to create speedy floral nail art in three steps:
Step 1 Paint three dots onto the nail using a small dotting tool and a gel polish of your choice. I used Lecenté Create Gel Polish in Boho Babe. Do not cure.
Step 2 Using a fine liner brush (I suggest the Lecenté Wooden Detailer Nail Art Brush D4, drag the dots to create petal shapes.
Step 3 Add three small dots of a gel polish colour of your choice to the centre of the flower. Cure. Apply your chosen top coat and cure to finish.
Marketing nail trends
Posting trending nail art is a great way to boost social media engagement, as nail enthusiasts often like, save and share this content for inspiration. To encourage clients to choose popular designs that you can create, showcase your work online and offline, advises Sophie Donaldson. “I have display books full of designs I’ve created to inspire clients’ nail art choices,” she says.
“I always wear my own nail art and talk about it – nothing markets my work better than my own hands,” Amy Martin shares. “It’s like a creative business card!” Charlotte Edwards adds: “I like to do my own nails every three weeks and create designs that are eye-catching and on-trend, to show clients what is popular.”