52 Fourth of July Nails That Are Perfect for BBQs and Picnics

From stars and stripes to fireworks and French manis—there’s no shortage of festive nails to choose from.

BY BELLA CACCIATORE AND LISA DESANTIS

Best Fourth of July Nails for 2023—See Pics

 

We’ve rounded up the coolest Fourth of July nail ideas to try including new takes on stars and stripes, ombré designs, and modern French manicures. But it’s not all about the nail art—there are also lots of summer polish colors to choose from that’ll look just as good with a beer and sparkler in hand as they will back in office. Scroll on for all the inspo.

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All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

  • Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/@nbt_studios
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    Abstract Stars 

    The best thing about these abstract stars? They don’t have to be perfect. Freehand with a nail art brush in different shades of blue and white—the more irregular the better.

    Try switching up which design or polish you put on each finger. We're obsessed with the unexpected cute cowboy smilies.

    Instagram/@polishedbypais
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    Mismatched Americans

    Try switching up which design or polish you put on each finger. We’re obsessed with the unexpected cute cowboy smilies.

  • Neutral lovers this pearly glazed number is for you.

    Instagram/@nailsbyzola
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    Pretty in Pearl

    Neutral lovers, this pearly glazed number is for you.

  • Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/@beautyby_cane
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    New Wave

    Create waves by layering red, white, and blue against a nude base color. Keep the design modern by adding baby blue accent nails on the pinkie and the thumb.

  • A subtle baby blue and white combo is super pretty for summer. Orly Bleu Iris and Sally Hansen Sugar Fish are good color...

    Instagram/@maddiej_nails
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    Blue Crush

    A subtle baby blue and white combo is super pretty for summer. Orly Bleu Iris and Sally Hansen Sugar Fish are good color matches that we love for toes too.

    Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/@nailsbymk_
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    Checkerboard

    Add some pop to red nails with graphic stars and checkerboard accent nails. Keep the finish matte for a more modern feel.

  • Because what better way is there to end a BBQ than with a sprinkletopped ice cream cone

    Instagram/@bigfreakyclaws
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    Rainbow Sprinkles

    Because what better way is there to end a BBQ than with a sprinkle-topped ice cream cone?

  • Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/@han.polished
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    Cherry Pie

    The French manicure gets a summer makeover with adorable cherry art. A white French tip paired with festive colors like red and blue makes this mani a subtle nod to the holiday.

 

  • Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/@nailart.bycaroline
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    Watermelon Sugar 

    Your nails will be the talk of the party with these picnic-themed nails. Blue gingham and watermelon nail art makes this look a true standout.

  • A fiery red polish is forever chic and this unpainted half moon base allows for seamless grow out.

    Instagram/@nailartbyqueenie
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    Inverted French

    A fiery red polish is forever chic and this unpainted half moon base allows for seamless grow out.

  • Fourth of July Nails

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    Tie-Dye Nails 

    Summer’s biggest new trend looks exceptionally cool in red, white, and blue. Pair it with a matching tee or tank and your Fourth of July outfit is set.

  • Red sequin star nails Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/@kiramoonbeauty
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    Simple Stars

    Add just a touch of sparkle with single sequin accents on clean nails.

  • 4th of july nails in red white and blue

    Instagram / @paintboxnails
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    Negative Space

    Perfect for photographs with Bomb Pops, Icees, rock candy—basically anything festive.

  • 4th of july nails in red and negative space

    Instagram/ @tipsnailbar
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    Red Stripes

    If you’re a little more conservative when it comes to nail art, red stripes and negative space are just festive enough.

  • 4th of july nails in red and blue

    Instagram/ @Paintboxnails
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    Color-Blocked

    This classic two-tone look from Paintbox screams summer, and the matte finish is so cool.

  • confetti nails Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/@alyssainthecity
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    Confetti Nails

    Put the fireworks on your fingertips with one of summer’s biggest nail trends.

  • Blue cuticle nail art Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/@betina_goldstein
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    A Hint of Blue

    A sliver of blue is a cool way to show your spirit, and won’t look silly come the 5th.

  • 4th of july nails in red

    Instagram/ @hollyfalconenails
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    Gingham Nails

    Picnic vibes without the hassle of actually having one.

  • Sparkle effect nail art Fourth of July nails

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    Graphic Sparkles

    Perfect if glitter isn’t your vibe but you still want to channel fireworks.

  • red tip nails Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/ @justgotneeshd
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    Triangular Tips

    Give an almond-shaped mani extra edge with cherry red tips.

 

  • White nails with stars Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/@oliveandjune
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    Classic Stars

    Gold stars pop on bright white (try Olive & June’s HD shade).

  • 4th of july nails in red white and blue

    Instagram / @paintboxnails
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    Mismatched Moons

    Put a fresh twist on the French tip with contrasting red, white, and blue half-moons.

  • 4th of july nails in red

    instagram/ @hollyfalconenails
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    Clear Tips

    Hot for summer: fire-red translucent nails.

  • Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/@themaniclub
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    Red, White, and Blue 

    Sure, it’s a little on the nose, but there’s no denying how cute this mani is. Plus, it’s so easy to re-create—all you need are some star decals.

  • cherry nails Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/ @nail_unistella
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    Cherry Bling

    This look, created by Korea’s star nail artist Park Eunkyung, isn’t for the faint of heart—but it’s sweet as cherry pie.

  • 4th of july nails in red white and blue

    Instagram/ @painted_zebra
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    Fine-Lined

    Up the fun of a two-tone mani with a single pop of blue.

  • 4th of july nails with blue stars

    Instagram / jennahipp
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    Cuticle Art

    Trace a single star at the base of each nail with Jenna Hipp’s dreamy blackened-blue polish, I Cast a Spell on Blue.

  • 4th of july nails

    Instagram/ @paintboxnails
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    Outline Nails

    The negative-space trend lives on this summer in the form of “outline nails”—empty space in the center with paint concentrated at the tips and cuticles.

  • Tye dye nails Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/ @nailsbymarysoul
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    Rainbow Tie-Dye

 

  • 4th of july nails with flowers

    Instagram/ @hollyfalconenails
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    Flower Power

    A delicate design that isn’t bash-you-over-the-head patriotic.

  • 4th of july nails with crystals

    Instagram/ @Unistella
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    Cuticle Jewels

    Just picture the way these will catch light in every sparkler boomerang.

  • 4th of july nails

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    Pop Art Nails

    Give red, white, and blue a Pop art feel by swapping royal blue for turquoise.

 

  • glitter nails Fourth of July nails

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    Holographic Glitter Nails

    If you want to give the illusion that your nails are longer than they actually are, this glittery mani is just for you.

  • Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/@color_camp
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    Glitter Stripes 

    For showstopping nails, go for glittering stripes on a pearly white base. The best part? You can buy these nails as press-ons from Color Camp.

  • blue striped nails Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/ @tipsnailbar
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    Blue Streaks

    We’ve all seen red, white, and blue stripes, but what about different shades of blue?

 

  • striped nails for 4th of July

    Instagram/ @tipsnailbar
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    Center Stripes

    With thin stripes in just the center, this mani is great for anyone with shorter nails.

  • evil eye nails Fourth of July nails

    Instagram / @thehangedit
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    Evil Eye

    It’s an on-theme color scheme but guaranteed not to look like everyone else’s nails.

  • 4th of july nails in red white and blue

    Instagram/ @imarninails
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    Mixed Lines

    Simple, festive, and impossible to mess up.

  • cherry nails Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/ @aliciatnails
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    Very Cherry

    Tiny cherries on a Creamsicle orange base look great against denim.

  • polka dot nails Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/ @hollyfalconenails
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    Gradient Dots

    Behold: A design you can do in 10 minutes flat.

  • 4th of july nails in blue

    Instagram/ @Paintboxnails
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    Blue Tips

    You can’t go wrong with a combo like clear and cobalt.

 

  • Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/@color_camp
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    Blue Shimmer 

    If you aren’t near a pool this year, at least channel shimmering water on your fingertips with a pearly blue polish.

  • red nails with polka dots Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/ @Paintboxnails
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    Ladybug Dots

    A split red and pink base gives polka dots an extra-feminine feel.

  • Fourth of July Nails

    Instagram/@themaniclub
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    Cherry Red 

    Bright red is a summer staple, but paired with cutoffs and a beer, it’s particularly fitting for a BBQ.

  • Fourth of July nails

    Instagram/@color_camp
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    Star Sprinkle 

    A sprinkle of star-shaped confetti brings the party straight to your nails.

  • This mani has a little bit of everything with solid polish glitter stars gingham and the piece de resistance watermelon...

    Instagram/@nailsbyjac
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    Fun with Fruits

    This mani has a little bit of everything with solid polish, glitter, stars, gingham and the piece de resistance: watermelon and strawberries. Yum!

  • Aura nails are trending and this adorable combo of pink and green conjures memories of Fourth of July picnics.

    Instagram/@heygreatnails
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    Watermelon Aura

    Aura nails are trending and this adorable combo of pink and green conjures memories of Fourth of July picnics.

 

  • With mostly red and white this mani could be for any time of year but the touch of blue gives it the Fourth of July feeling.

    Instagram/@nailsby.hails
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    Floral French

    With mostly red and white, this mani could be for any time of year, but the touch of blue gives it the Fourth of July feeling.

  • Theis chinoiserieinspired design is overthetop sure but we can't get enough of em.

    Instagram/@nailsbymei
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    Blue and White Beauties

    Theis chinoiserie-inspired design is over-the-top, sure, but we can’t get enough of ’em.

  • The nude base keeps these red and gold starbursts from feeling like too much.

    Instagram/@boycott_boringnails
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    Fun Fireworks

    The nude base keeps these red and gold starbursts from feeling like too much.

 

  • They're fun yearround but stars are especially fitting for the Fourth. We like the simplicity of one big pastel star on...

    Instagram/@overglowedit
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    Stars Sans Stripes

    They’re fun year-round, but stars are especially fitting for the Fourth. We like the simplicity of one big pastel star on each nail atop a coat of silver.

  • Just think how cute these will look with a pair of cutoffs.

    Instagram/@witchhandnails
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    Denim Nails

    Just think how cute these will look with a pair of cutoffs.