From mermaid glam to the renaissance of jelly sandals, this year is all about reclaiming what we loved as children. So it’s no surprise that ice cream nails are well on their way to becoming one of summer 2026’s biggest nail trends.
According to Juli Russell, Sally Beauty DIY nail expert, the sudden popularity of ice cream nails is to be expected. “One of the hottest trends this year has been 3D nail decor and charms,” she points out, which play a major part in most ice cream nail designs. “The drippy, delectable ice cream dream manicure features chunky, 3D glitter over velvety smooth creme polish for a summer manicure that looks good enough to eat.”
Move over, glazed donut nails.
As for why this style is trending, aside from the obvious association with childlike wonder in summertime? Ice cream nails aren’t just cute but are completely customisable, super versatile, and most exciting of all, actually easy to recreate at home.
“They’re so easy to DIY and fully customisable,” says Juli. And they really are. Whether you prefer minimalist manis, French tips, pops of pigment, or mismatched nails, there is no shortage of ways to wear the trend.
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One of the most popular – and sweetest – ways to wear ice cream nails? Paint “dripping” ice cream on your nail tips in place of the classic French tip, resulting in what we like to call the ice cream French mani. If you’re feeling more adventurous – or have more of a sweet tooth – other ice cream nail designs incorporate fudge, doughnuts, sprinkles, and more. It’s really all about the aesthetic you prefer.
“The ‘secret sauce’ to creating the look is in the ice cream, which – in this case – is a chunky glitter polish like the sprinkles you’d get at your favourite scoop shop,” says Juli. “You can opt for an opaque coloured base polish that has chunky glitter or a clear glitter polish and paint it over a white or nude base.” It really is that simple.
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While DIY-friendly designs depend on your personal level of experience, Juli universally recommends investing in the proper nail tools ahead of time. “For intricate nail detail work like this, I recommend picking up a set of nail art brushes, which help you create tiny nail art details effortlessly,” she says.
Juli also suggests always starting with nail prep to properly prepare and set a strong foundation for the nail art that follows. “This includes pushing back your cuticles, filing your nails to your desired shape. Any shape works, but oval and almond works really well for this design.”
Next, you’ll want to apply a base coat to ensure your manicure doesn’t “melt away.” “Choose a creamy, pastel shade for your ice cream base,” she says. A vanilla colour like Westmoreland Cosmetics Vanilla Gloss Glass Polish 2 would work perfectly or even a pastel pink like Manucurist Green Hortencia nail polish for a strawberry-milk flavoured manicure.
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Apply two thin coats, letting the polish dry between layers, then grab your nail art brushes and a white or semi-white polish. “Create drips along the free-edge or cuticle area of your nail, or use an all-in-one product,” she says. “The trick to perfect ‘drips’ is to start with vertical lines and round out the bottom to create a ‘tear drop’ shape. Connect between the ‘tear drop’ shapes with smooth, curvy lines, and then fill everything in.”
Once you’re done, top off your nails with your chunky glitter polish of choice for a sprinkles-like finish. “You can apply it from the brush of the polish or use a nail art brush for precision,” Juli says. Then finish with a top coat to add an extra glossy finish.
More of a visual learner? Watch Juli’s tutorial below to easily follow along while you create your own ice cream nails at home.
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If dripping ice cream nails seem too complex, there are other easy ways to create the look. Consider a simple pastel base, like turquoise, adorned with sprinkles nail art, classic French tip – only slightly dripping – or sprinkled nail art, as seen below. There are many ways in which ice cream nails can be achieved, be bold, but don’t push too hard past the limits of your abilities. With that said, if anything goes wrong, you can always remove it and start again!
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Alternatively, if ice cream nails feel a bit juvenile for your taste, you can opt for the “dripping” aesthetic with other artsy designs. While the ice cream implication is there, it’s not as over-the-top. At the end of the day, there’s no wrong way to wear ice cream nails. If you’d rather keep things super minimal, why not lean into ice cream shades – like bubblegum ice cream or even sorbet shades – as a cute alternative without all the toppings. Much like eating ice cream in the summer, what really matters is that you’re enjoying it.
Say it with me: I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream nails! Shop our favourite nail products to easily create the sweet style below:
A version of this article originally appeared on Glamour US.
