lemon nail design

Summer is upon us and what better way to embrace the sunshine than with a fresh, citrus-inspired Amalficore manicure? This lemon nail design channels European summer vibes, complete with cabana stripes. So whether you’re deciding on nails for an Italy trip or just searching out cute summer nail ideas to feel like you are, this is a look that can take you on any sunny escapade. Here’s what you’ll need to recreate this Amalficore nail art yourself, and the step-by-step breakdown.

Lemon Nail Design

nails for italy trip

Supplies:

  • Sheer neutral gel base shade
  • Cream gel polish
  • White gel polish
  • Pale yellow gel polish
  • Two shades of yellow deeper than the pale yellow gel polish
  • Pale pink gel polish
  • Deep green gel polish
  • UV lamp (for curing)
  • Thin nail art brush
  • Liner nail art brush
  • Dotting tool
  • Glossy gel top coat
  • Cuticle oil

Instructions:

(Maiwan / Summer Crush / courtesy of Epidemic Sound)

  1. Begin by prepping your nails. Ensure they are clean, dry, and free from any oils. Push back the cuticles and remove any excess skin from the nail beds for a smooth application.
  2. Apply 1-2 coats of a neutral gel base shade on your pointer and middle finger, and the cream shade on the remaining nails. Cure under a UV lamp.
  3. Create French tips on your pointer and middle finger using the cream shade and pale pink, respectively.
  4. Using the pale yellow gel polish, outline lemon shapes on your pointer and middle fingers. Fill in the shapes and cure.
  5. Add depth to the lemons by shading one end with the deepest yellow shade. Blend it into the pale yellow using the next shade up. Cure once satisfied.
  6. Use the deep green polish and a liner brush to draw curving vines from each lemon towards the top of the nail. Add leaves along the vine, overlapping the lemons. Cure.
  7. For the final touch, create small white flowers along the vines. Use a small brush and white gel polish for the petals, then add a dot of yellow polish at the center. Cure.
  8. On the remaining nails with a cream base, draw vertical pink stripes using the liner nail art brush and pale pink shade. Cure.
  9. Apply a glossy top coat to all nails and cure. Finish with cuticle oil for added nourishment.

With these lemon-inspired nails, you’ll be ready to embrace the summer sunshine in style, whether you’re jetting off to Italy or simply soaking up the sun at home.

Did you try this Amalficore nail design? Show us your cute summer nails on Instagram or TikTok @lulus using #lovelulus — and head to our Summer Fashion Shop to complete your look!

Melanie Graves is a self-taught nail art enthusiast who creates colorful, easy DIY designs for fellow home manicurists.