We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
Cherry Nails - How To Recreate Summer's Cool Girl Manicure, Plus 13 Ideas For Your Next Appointment
A guide to the juiciest nail art of the season.
If you're looking for a fresh summer manicure idea to take to your next appointment, the glossy cherry nails trend is a must-try. Endorsed by none other than certified cool girl and beauty trendsetter Hailey Bieber, these juicy tips add a playful twist to the classic red manicure. Plus, everything about this simple nail art design perfectly captures the essence of summer.
Here, celebrity manicurist Michelle Humphrey shares her expert tips for recreating the look at home, along with 13 vibrant cherry nail designs to explore if DIY isn’t your style.
How To Do DIY Cherry Nails: A Step-By-Step
Good news! Whether you're a seasoned at-home manicurist or a complete nail painting novice, this simple nail art design is easy to achieve. It requires only basic skills and can be recreated effortlessly using regular nail polish. Just follow these easy steps:
'Start with a soft nude or French base, ensure your base shade is dry, then dot two small red blobs next to each other using a dotting tool or bobby pin,' says Humphrey. 'Use a fine brush to draw a tiny green stem connecting the cherries, you can add a leaf at the top if you’re feeling confident. Add a teensy white dot on each cherry for the 'shine'. Finally, seal with a glossy top coat - Essie Gel couture is my go-to.'
For a longer-lasting manicure or a more detailed design, visit your favourite salon. Since this fruity nail art trend has been popular for some time, your nail tech should have no trouble recreating the delicate look with precision.
The Best Cherry Nail Trends For Summer 2025
A simple nude base works beautifully for this juicy cherry nail design, but it can also be paired with other seasonal trends to create an elevated, modern twist.
'Cherry nail art works super well over a French tip as the white is a great contrast,' Humprey says. However, it doesn't have to be white - you can opt for any contrasting shade for a unique look. 'I also think Cherries look cute over a chrome or iridescent base. You could also paint your cherries over a contrasting base colour, like a baby pink or baby blue - try Essie Fiji and Bikini So Teeny.'
Below, explore the best cherry nail ideas and inspirations to bookmark for your next summer manicure refresh.
13 Cherry Nail Ideas To Take To Your Next Appointment
Cherry Nails With Chrome
This sleek manicure design combines three of Hailey Bieber's go-to nail trends: sophisticated French tips, modern chrome and cherry nail art. You won't find a set of tips more 2025-coded than this.
Crystal Cherry Nails
If you're looking for a cherry manicure idea for an upcoming party, why not blend the design with a scattering of diamanté decals. Fruity nail art and a touch of sparkle? Sign us up.
Cherry Butter Nails
The butter nail trend dominated in spring 2025, and it's not going away any time soon. Want to dial up the playfulness? Add a few tiny cherries for a sweet, fruity twist.
Black Cherry Nails
Whether you choose a glittery or glossy finish, a deep black cherry hue is the ideal companion for matching nail art. Timeless and versatile, it's a reliable choice any time of year.
Red Cherry Nails
A classic letterbox red paired with matching cherry nail art is a natural combination. It adds a fresh twist to the traditional tone while maintaining a sophisticated look.
Bright Cherry Nails
If you're looking for a cherry manicure that makes a statement, try blending the classic French tip with a generous application of red crystal berries.
Asymmetrical Cherry Nails
Remember: your cherry nail art doesn't have to be perfectly symmetrical. Get creative with unexpected placements, such as two neighbouring nails or mismatching designs across your hands.
Dramatic Cherry Nails
For a touch of drama, try blending numerous nail art designs for an unexpected mix-and-match mani. Think glitter, swirls and even a stylish base of aura nails.
French Tip Cherry Nails
If in doubt, you can't go wrong with a classic French manicure. As Humphrey previously mentioned, the white will only amplify the pop of your cherry nail design.
3D Cherry Nails
Fans of sculpted manicures will love this combination of cat-eye nails and 3D gel art, giving this glossy cherry design a sleek, futuristic vibe.
Detailed Cherry Nails
Going all in on your summer manicure? This collection of gingham, floral and cherry designs effortlessly sings summer. Perfect for anyone trying to level up their nail art game in 2025.
Simple Cherry Nails
Cherry nails don't have to be complicated. Just add two dots and a fine connecting stem for an easy, chic look. Keep it minimal by decorating only a few nails, and finish the rest with a glossy coat of crimson polish.
Cherry Colour Nails
If you want to lean into cherry nail season, but nail art isn't your thing, take inspiration from their mirror-like shine and rich red colour. A uniform, high-shine finish and opaque coat of colour is more than effort to capture that juicy allure.
Katie Withington (she/her) is the Beauty Writer, at ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar. Working alongside the ELLE UK Beauty Team, she covers all things beauty for both print and digital, from finding backstage make-up trends at London Fashion Week and investigating buzzy skincare ingredients, to unzipping the beauty bags of Hailey Bieber and Margot Robbie. Prior to joining ELLE UK in 2022, Katie studied (BA) Fashion Journalism at London College of Fashion and has previously contributed to Red, Good Housekeeping and Prima.
Victoria Beckham Puts Her Own Spin On The 'Soap Nail' Trend
5 Sunny Nail Designs For The Summer Heatwave
The 4 Juicy Fruit Nail Trends To Try
7 Polka Dot Manicure Trends To Try This Summer
