This summer’s juiciest trend? Korean fruit nails
Nothing says summer quite like nails that match the sizzling season. On our radar right now? Korea’s juiciest trend: fruit nails.
Lifelike, vibrant, and mouthwateringly cute, these designs are inspired by real fruits—think peaches, grapes, even mangoes—served fresh on your fingertips… literally.
But what makes them different from the usual fruit designs? Last summer’s nails are more minimalist, with emoji-like fruits that sit on the tips of your fingers. This time around, however, it’s all about hyperrealism. It’s about capturing the details of their soft, multicolored skins, juicy colors, and glossy finish that make them look almost too good to eat.
Here are some of the nail looks that have caught our eye:
1. Peach nails
Plump, juicy, and fleshy, these peach nails look so realistic, you’ll want to sink your teeth into them. To achieve this look, you’ll need to blend pastel orangy-pinks with soft hints of yellow and white—gently blending the colors with a blurring effect that mimics its fuzzy texture.
2. Fig nails
Figs feature a more muted, almost mature color palette, with deep purplish reds that melt into soft yellows and greens. To achieve the jammy richness this fruit is known for, it’s best to use a glossy finish, complete with fine, organic lines that run down the actual fruit.
3. Grape nails
Achieve the look of these bite-sized, juicy fruits by blending together a mix of purples, greens, and touches of clear that mimic its succulent, glistening texture.
If you’re trying to go for a muscat grape look, lean into fresh, translucent greens. On the other hand, classic purple grapes call for richer violet tones with hints of blue. Remember to finish with a high-shine top coat to capture that just-picked freshness.
4. Strawberry nails
Sweet, delicate, and dyed in pastel pinks or vibrant reds, the strawberry look can easily fit your every mood. If you want a more feminine, gentle, strawberry shortcake kind of look, opt for more pastel pinks in gradient shades, complete with flecks of brown that mimic the seeds.
On the other hand, a more lush femme fatale look would feature bold reds with tiny white seed details, along with glossy green tips that echo the fruit’s leafy crown. The latter, of course, is optional.
5. Watermelon nails
Nothing says summer more than a luscious slice of watermelon. Achieve this nail look by using bright reds to mimic the juicy fruit, then gradually transition to the green fleshy rind by using light yellowish greens (or maybe a touch of white). Finish off with a more vibrant green color on the tips of your nails for that freshly-picked feel.
Optional: add tiny watermelon slices on top of your nails for a cute 3D effect.
When art imitates life
To guarantee the longevity of your fruit nails, we recommend getting this done by your trusted gel manicure salon. While pricier than a standard manicure, these can easily last you two to three weeks.
You can even bring the actual fruit or search up an image from the internet for your nail technician to use as a guide.
