15 Intricate Gel Nail Ideas for July, From 3D Sea Foam to Butterfly Wings

Manicured hands with blue floral nail designs — Gel allows you to have more fun with designs and textures. Credit:
zhr.nails_

For your July manicure, opt for gel for a longer-lasting look and more detailed designs.
Stunning Summer French Nail Ideas That Are Like Tiaras for Your Tips.

Two things that always happen faster than you think: The start of summer and your manicure growing out. While opting for a longer-lasting gel manicure might not help you process the passage of time, it can minimize chipping, cracking, and trips to the salon. Plus, it allows you to have more fun with designs and textures.

“Gel gives me the freedom to do really detailed work,” says Zahra Nadeem, the nail artist behind ZHR Nails. “It doesn’t dry mid-stroke like regular polish. I can layer, blend, and create 3D effects, too. It’s super long-lasting, which is perfect for my detailed press-ons. Once it’s cured, it’s locked in.”

For July, Nadeem says she's getting requests for both minimalist looks and intricate designs. “Soft elegance is huge right now: chrome, sheer bases, and clean linework,” she says. From a soothing aloe green to a fun jelly sandal, we’ve rounded up 17 cool gel manicures to beat the heat this season.

Meet the expert

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01 of 15

Mughal Mirage

Hands featuring multi-colored, Desi inspired nail designs — zhr.nails_

“My work is all about storytelling and heritage,” says Nadeem, whose work is recognized for its detailed nods to her Desi heritage. “I take a lot of inspiration from Desi jewellery, textiles, and architecture. I recently did a set with Urdu poetry running across the nails, and another inspired by Wazir Khan Mosque—both hand-painted with gel.”

02 of 15

Summer Vibes

Close up of hands with summer inspired 3D nail designs — zhr.nails_

Nadeem’s summery set has it all—shells, tropical flowers, waves, and 3D dewdrops that make your nails look like they’re still shimmering with ocean water.

03 of 15

Ocean Eyes

Close up of hands with a blue and gold manicure — thehangedit

This iridescent gel emulates the dazzle of sunlight sparkling off the ocean at the end of a perfect beach day. A few nails feature an asymmetrical tip made with 3D gold that mimics a wave washing up on the sand.

04 of 15

Cherry Dipped

Close up of hands featuring a red, French style manicure — zhr.nails_

A red manicure isn't just for the winter months. The classically vampy color transforms into a warm, rich addition to your fingers as they reflect the summer sun rays.

05 of 15

Lahori Lustre

Close up of hands with green, gold, and pink South Asian inspired manicure — zhr.nails_

“I’m especially loving the rise of culture-inspired nails. I’ve had so many brides wanting mehndi-style or jewelry-inspired designs lately," says Nadeem. Reminiscent of the rich greens of Pakistan and the geometric arches of Mughal architecture and subsequently, the shapes and patterns that South Asian women traditionally adorn their hands with mehndi and henna, Nadeem created this press-on set using gel polish.

06 of 15

Renaissance Riviera

Close up of hands with a pink, floral manicure — zhr.nails_

Nadeem also created this renaissance-inspired, hand-painted set. Add to the Euro-Summer mood board and manifest that flight.

07 of 15

Santorini

Close up of hands with a blue, floral, 3D manicure — zhr.nails_

This delicate, white and blue-accented manicure mimics the iconic skylines of the Greek Isles, using negative space on the nail to make the blue pop against the skin.

08 of 15

Chrome Aura

Close up of a hand with a pink manicure laying on a pink sequined — rachelsuenails

These Elegant Ballerina Nail Ideas That Toe the Line Between Almond and Square This set of stiletto gel nails uses a combination of.

09 of 15

3D Fruit

Close up of hands featuring various fruits as a 3D manicure — thehangedit

Nail biters beware! A July nail edit wouldn’t be complete without the best the Summer has to offer—in-season, fresh, fruit that is truly best served this time of year. A dish best served cold, and even better when you’re hot.

10 of 15

Butterfly Effect

Close up of hands with a black and pink butterfly manicure — polishedbymckenna

Not your average butterfly print, this set uses the entire nails to map out wings, while adding gems and French tip accents to tie it all together.

11 of 15

Soft Like Butter

Close up of hands with a yellow floral manicure — klawsbysonia

Butter yellow continues to dominate this summer’s trends, and a creamy yellow ombré manicure keeps you ahead of the curve in any outfit.

12 of 15

Spill the Tea

Close up of hands with a blue and white floral and bear nails — only_hands_nails

Once it’s cured, it’s locked in.”&nbsp.

13 of 15

Pearly

Close up of a hand with iridescent pink nails with 3D white pearls — claudia_hrnandez

This iridescent set features pearls atop a chrome base to create a shimmering look fit for the perfect summer afternoon. Aperol Spritz, table fries, and oyster happy hour, anyone?

14 of 15

Sea Foam

A close up of hands featuring a blue green manicure with seashell designs — thehangedit

The Ancient Greek myth says that Poseidon created horses by shaping them out of sea foam. The color and semi-sheer factor of this set is a wave crashing on the beach that you can take with you wherever you go.

15 of 15

Cosmic Stilettos

Close up of a hand with a sparkly black French style manicure with 3D gems — fleuryrosenails

Awards & Events Once it’s cured, it’s locked in.”&nbsp for an eye-catching, out-of-this-world manicure.