20 Hibiscus Nail Ideas For a Perfectly Y2K Summer Mani -by Abby Dupes

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Those of us who grew up in the ’90s and early 2000s will fondly remember the beachy energy that dominated summers. From Roxy board shorts to Billabong rash guards, surfer girl vibes were in full force à la 2002’s Blue Crush and 2006’s Aquamarine.

Now, we’re not only seeing clothes from the aesthetic sell for hundreds on Depop—we’re also seeing the vibes translated into tropical manicures. Specifically with hibiscus designs. Most associated with Hawaii and Polynesia, the vibrant hibiscus flower has stolen our hearts (and our summer nail real estate). Hibiscus blooms—which run the gamut of orange, yellow, pink, and red shades—first appear in mid-to-late summer, beginning in June and continuing into the fall. And while they’re in season, we plan to take advantage of their beauty to fulfill our beach Y2K dreams.

Ahead, find 18 hibiscus nail art ideas to recreate this summer.

Floral Aura

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Not a single nail trend was left on this look’s design docket. It has a bit of everything, including airbrushed aura nails, hibiscus flowers, and square nail shaping, to boot.

Neon French

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This set is so eye-catching. Green and pink (in this case, key lime and magenta) sit across from each other on the color wheel, making them complementary.

Abstract Hibiscus

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Who said that flowers must be perfectly attached and still growing to be enjoyed? This set proves that mixed and mashed petals strewn about are just as beautiful as full blooms.

Tropical Tips

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A classic, chunky French mani is always in style. With the simple addition of palm and banana leaves, these hibiscus short square nails are elevated and vacay-ready.

Romantic in Red

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These beauties draw inspiration from the reddish magenta and white variety of hibiscuses, with the center shading matching the crescent of the French

Short and Sweet

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Mani minimalists will adore this short set. It harnesses the power of glossy nude nails to support and highlight the delicate details of the four decorated nails.

Magenta Blooms

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To create this look yourself, use a dotting tool to create five extended dots that resemble petals. Finish by adding three white dots in the center of each flower to create the inner pistil of the hibiscus.

Chrome Hibiscus

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3D nail art is one of the most common manifestations we see of hibiscuses on nails. However, the magenta chrome really takes the look up a notch, adding sheeny shiny chrome on top to add definition.

Maximalist Set

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Quirky and oh-so-cool, this lengthy set incorporates some of the maximalist nail community’s favorite details: From 3D dewdrops in rainbow chrome to dramatic hibiscus blooms.

Chrome French

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These fauna green French nails are so shiny, they practically look like a mirror. “Hang ten” by painting each nail the same, as seen above, or place the focus on one finger with a fine line accent bloom.

Creamy Yellow

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Butter nails are all the rage right now. To make your colors mesh, choose nail polishes with a similar undertone, like this warm yellow and raspberry red, which are further tied together with gold beads.

Jungle Fauna

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Hibiscus isn’t the only forest flower worthy of your nails. Birds of Paradise (named for its beak-like, feathery appearance) and palm leaves are a welcome tropical addition as well.

Mix and Match Moment

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Not quite set on going all in on hibiscus? No worries—a mix-and-match mani is just as impactful. Aside from the ocean blue waves and floral bloom, this set serves surfer chic thanks to the Vans-inspired checkered print pattern.

Tri-Tonal Set

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Sea foam green, sky blue, and cerulean blue make for a serene, oceanic trio. Take your mani back to the shore by adding accent hibiscus blooms to select nails.

Aqua-Inspired

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Fading petals and an abstract dot print—which resembles the reflection pattern that pool water emits when the sun catches it just right—make this mani a keeper for summertime.

Orange Crush

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If you’re looking for a fun, standout set that incorporates all the colors of the rainbow, look no further. The orange French tips tie them all together.

Pink and Orange Fade

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To get this airbrush-like pink and orange faded look without an airbrushing kit, nail artist Aistė Haas used makeup sponges dipped in nail polish, dabbing until reaching the desired opacity. The chrome hibiscus florals were created by forming builder gel on top of chrome powder before brushing away excess product.

Sandy Beaches

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You can practically feel the sand in your toes when you admire this tropical design. The sunset shades of magenta, orange, and creamy nude are so soothing and stunning.

From Dusk ‘Til Bloom

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Toward the end of the season, it’s tempting to move away from bright tones and summery nail art in favor of autumnal shades and designs. Why not compromise with a hibiscus-adorned mismatched set in a fall-friendly hue? This golden manicure feels perfectly suited to the end of August or early September.

Black and White

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Speaking of the end of the season: We’ve long ditched the “rule” that you can’t wear white past Labor Day. A white manicure with black hibiscus nail art on the French accent tips is a sophisticated way to close the summer.

Read the original article on Byrdie.