:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-13361466651-b8e0a998c688499b99f7fbc739b7aeab.jpg)
Christina Radcliffe/Getty Images
If you're like us, you'll take any excuse you can get to get a little festive with your nails. While Christmas, New Year's, and Valentine's Day are often thought of first when it comes to holiday manicures, the summer-lovers that we are can't resist an Independence Day mani. If you feel the same, it's time you peruse our favorite nail designs for the 4th of July. Whether you fancy French tips, abstract ideas, or loads of dots, you'll find an option worth copying, below.
Gold Star Appliques
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/100996773_271081224259433_8455177431900654375_n-89112693df0446d18dfe94d9d2590866.jpg)
Shine bright with these pink nails featuring gold stars, which feel celebratory long after the holiday is over.
Petite Popsicles
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/19534535_702417286608761_8917040366415249408_n-5e75c4e545724199b48bf5e2b42b57c9.jpg)
What's more American than accent nails dotted with tiny red, white, and blue popsicles?
Baby Blue Stars
We love the softness of these subtle stars, which look as great under a blue sky as they do when you're watching fireworks.
Red and Blue French
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/35521389_1504374443000557_6162933755116781568_n-c3ef1bcaba744acf939ac59d0ded8fe6.jpg)
Double up your French design with red and baby blue for a minimalist mani that pairs especially well with white outfits.
Floral Fireworks
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/94486472_232467631152398_3672533662748804783_n-8fbae3b70b254834844025eb27c4221e.jpg)
We love how this floral manicure gives off firework vibes at the same time.
Slanted French
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/66209244_2301208876873688_2652250776292047369_n-43d7092bac3444c28eefe031d9f9af9d.jpg)
This simple yet incredibly chic design is sure to turn heads, whether you're having a backyard celebration or spending the day in the city.
Coral Cuties
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/84826384_483750345630145_5306634260224071474_n-536659e5577e48879eb13798c69e6669.jpg)
Prefer coral tones? Consider this boho take on red, white, and blue nails.
Bronze With Stars
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/81449116_2602795983337546_8790989869776091538_n-a2ca85f7d8e64c10b240d8f6aa19d994.jpg)
There's no better time for summer metallics than the fourth of July, when you're standing under glittering fireworks galore.
Patriotic Love
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/82451315_855095871582542_5620037592442653442_n-c09a486d7c6a411d8b562b189ef7958a.jpg)
A periwinkle base is the perfect backdrop for tiny pink, red, and navy hearts.
Red, White, and Blue Tie-Dye
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/65390227_126138021960111_914877931603729601_n-441e15c2e756440d94b3ab30294a42e5.jpg)
How pretty are these patriotic water-marble nails? Learn how to create your own with our water-marble tutorial.
Negative Space Stars
Prefer to stick to just one patriotic color? Navy blue is a stunning choice, and we love how this mani features star accent nails against a bare background.
Minimalist Moment
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/90344125_825008024680036_2707694531440293889_n-d166651dddbe4335ac8b6ec532a07c6f.jpg)
Rocking patriotic nails doesn't have to be over the top. These negative space standouts prove that.
Abstract Patriotism
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/65018353_153291365797248_6602161624679280802_n-42fdfc6b224948538d3ab9a4b7942a80.jpg)
If stars and stripes aren't quite your thing but you still want to wear a festive nail look, consider this coral and teal alternative.
Dots a Plenty
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/64751305_433218074192953_1145552213458839695_n-e4ba54ba5b0445c8ab60dfeefdd8100f.jpg)
Looking for a bolder nail look? This dotted, negative-space manicure will do the trick.
Stripes and Space
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/87649695_489331268615952_506320517874873603_n-a306018f756a44a0a6c96af637a5ff71.jpg)
You can rock a patriotic manicure without dousing your nails in white. Simply opt for a negative-space design like this striped option.
Pretty Patterns
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/71058823_415931258979017_5067024695046949755_n-f39937dc7b0b435d8183b3640c237fde.jpg)
A patriotic manicure doesn't have to be confined to stars and stripes. Here, nail artist Amy Tran uses an intricate, tile-like design to get the colors across.
Red, White, and Blue Stars
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/65387457_145812216602960_1229298306568692126_n-7ed8883b1e5e4dbf8b6433e5f567b359.jpg)
Don't want to fully paint your nails? A negative-space star design will be right up your alley.
No Red, No Blue
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/95488435_807432163117447_1187286339633367228_n-155a82171ab543b8acd92c688f7677ca.jpg)
If you want to keep it simple, go for an all-white look—it fits right in with whatever you're wearing and is a classic look for all summer long.
Turquoise Swap
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/66145574_1809236622555267_7178571004172216123_n-829a999f1f954aba87eee9d472e0e8fc.jpg)
You can flaunt a patriotic nail look without royal blue. Take a peek at this turquoise swap if you don't believe us.
Peach Stars
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/104121592_593818481556729_3091382750684115333_n-0fea34db94a24493855359f26e95527c.jpg)
Stars automatically have a patriotic feel, so you can pick whatever color you want for your Fourth of July manicure. We love the summery vibes of this peach tone.
Navy and Red
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/87594323_3080190878680058_6271146484092045713_n-a10312004a4a4f6eb560a22f620a6158.jpg)
Navy tips lined by negative space and thin red lines make for a modern French design we can't take our eyes off of.
Red Outlines
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/66781690_495539824584990_1995149530338547645_n-8953d09dbe514b51a0ecd46674e66d9b.jpg)
Sometimes putting forth a patriotic beauty statement is as simple as a swipe of red polish on each nail paired casually with your favorite vintage blue jeans and a plain white tee.
Red Lines
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/66142525_2192075827749618_1419232015554482729_n-812deb16faee467d951a40e5cc2fc872.jpg)
Speaking of simple red manis, this lightly lined version will show off your tips.
Blue Details
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/56408665_2625854557487290_2234609799153045534_n-8071b313dee54de08033724eed6c0794.jpg)
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you can stick to blue on your nails and pair it with a bold red lip for a fully patriotic look.
Pastel Blue with Red Accents
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/56400592_2040109689439524_3670603662957882431_n-173a0a10f89d4c4cafc66c3b6a8db81b.jpg)
Prefer pastel to royal blue? This geometric manicure will fit your fancy.
Red and White Swoosh
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/52569320_247388752875940_2607938969187747429_n-3497047739ef4898879c3902640ad361.jpg)
If you prefer a festive Fourth of July nail look that's just as stylish after the celebrations are over, look no further than this simple squiggle mani.
Blue and Gold
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/42905755_2197165293689155_1786494429140138822_n-aeeb61b56dde456fbbf4da3b17043bcc.jpg)
This negative space nail look makes us think of Wonder Woman. Pair it with a red dress or jumpsuit for a festive OOTD.
Geometric Layers
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/40101182_680917225619128_1133088668483846144_n-15f8383447a645cb834dea7469e0751a.jpg)
Who knew two colorful triangles layered over top of each other could make for such a head-turning red, white, and blue nail look?
Baby Blue and Red
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/36877352_498111810643548_6192412095649153024_n-09d67f8d57a84aa58d3b537217ad8883.jpg)
We love this high-contrast red-and-blue nail look. To recreate it yourself, use striping tape and the polishes of your choice.
Red and White Gingham
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/30829722_451021885333762_8672225306397900800_n-9d49b0bf528547d29180c507c7f7f450.jpg)
Give a nod to retro Americana with this red-and-white gingham mani. Pair it with denim or a little blue dress for a fully festive ensemble.
Red, Taupe, and Blue
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/26385742_160086118103061_4889382557788930048_n-a3cdaebcf251454186cd6b59119f7756.jpg)
Not one for white? Swap it out for taupe polish and you'll be able to create your own take on a patriotic nail look.
Delicate Dots
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/65094112_2292712567712616_2545080511465667368_n-bd08a6e37e6f41d29810d42e0654b42e.jpg)
This neutral mani gives us major beachy vibes, complete with tiny red, white, and blue dots.
Stars Galore
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/65301907_721348938296232_2273915703334013274_n-ea4f1c5a4c92477cbd21507b1b937c33.jpg)
Start with a nude base and accessorize it with red, white, and blue stars. It's admittedly easier said than done, so you might want to use a stencil.
Decorated Cuticles
Instead of getting fancy on your tips, consider tracing lines and stars along your cuticles. Or, more realistically, ask your manicurist to do so.
Pool Floats
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/34392586_173834769963913_835879040429588480_n-fcdaa8bb2660422bb5971e6c60b9fe5c.jpg)
One look at these pool-float nails and we're dreaming of summer and the Fourth of July.
Artistic Layers
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/67382149_497658627458582_3491172206319381803_n-dc96a53db9cb4d299c6279b02996308d.jpg)
Can't quite decide how you want to wear red, white, and blue polish? This abstract design offers an artistic option.
Three-Toned Blue
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/67940495_350774889161745_2151402720430864695_n-115c5bdd71ee481193a0cf5e96a3c6f5.jpg)
A double French mani done up in blue? Paired with a bold red lip, this manicure is a stylish addition to any Independence Day beauty look.
Blue French
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/106087645_3169960836415605_1640850397245603644_n-2bda066a1ea7410eba97124eb59fdbe4.jpg)
A red and blue French manicure is the perfect choice for the festive minimalist.