Ice cream nails are taking over summer with pastel swirls, sprinkle designs, and dessert-inspired colours. Discover the trend and match your mani to your favourite flavours!
Ice cream — it’s the universal symbol of joy, comfort, and creativity. From childhood cones at the seaside, the iconic sound of the ice cream van in the distance, to late-night scoops with friends, it’s a flavourful part of life’s best moments. And now? It’s turning heads in the beauty world, too.
That’s right. The latest Pinterest and Instagram obsession is ice cream nails — bright, pastel, swirled, and sprinkled, they look good enough to eat. This trend has taken off in a big way, and we’re fully here for it.
As lovers of all things frozen and fabulous, we couldn’t help but wonder: What if our own homemade flavours were turned into nail art? From pistachio swirls to Neapolitan ombrés, the crossover between ice cream and manicures is officially a thing — and it’s sweeter than ever.
So grab a spoon (and maybe a nail file), and let’s dive into the dreamy world of dessert-inspired nail art, complete with a scoop of homemade flavour inspiration.
What Are Ice Cream Nails?
Imagine your favourite summer flavours reimagined on your fingertips. That’s the essence of the ice cream nails trend — a celebration of all things ice-creamy, colourful, and fun.
Here’s what’s trending right now:
- Pastel ombrés – Soft blends of strawberry pink, peach, pistachio green and vanilla cream.
- 3D nail art – Think tiny cones, melting drips, and actual sprinkle embellishments. It’s nail art that literally looks like a sundae.
- Glossy sorbets & metallics – Chrome finishes in lemon, lavender or blueberry tones that feel like scoops of frozen magic.
- Waffle cone textures – Criss-cross patterns on tips or accent nails mimicking the classic cone.
Whether you go subtle or full-on dessert bar, these looks are unapologetically joyful and oh-so-Instagrammable.
Why Ice Cream Nails Are Trending This Summer
Ice cream nails have arrived just in time to rescue us from the sea of neutrals and minimalist manis.
For summer 2025, it’s all about:
- Nostalgia – These designs tap into playful childhood memories and carefree summer holidays.
- Colour and creativity – Maximalist nails are back, and they’re as bright and bold as your favourite sorbet.
- All-ages appeal – Whether you’re 9 or 99, there’s an ice cream nail style for you. Long, short, almond, squoval — this trend works for every nail shape and mood.
And let’s be honest, we all need a little more joy right now. Ice cream nails deliver that in swirls, scoops, and sprinkles.
When Flavours Meet Fingertips – Ice Cream-Inspired Nail Art
Here’s where things get deliciously fun. We’ve matched some of our homemade flavours with nail design ideas, so your next mani can taste (almost) as good as it looks.
1. Neapolitan Stripes
- Nail inspo: Pink, white, and brown ombré or stripes — retro, fun, and instantly recognisable.
- Pair It With a Scoop: Try our Classic Neapolitan Ice Cream — layers of strawberry, vanilla bean, and rich chocolate.
2. Pistachio Rose & Dubai Chocolate
- Nail inspo: Start with a pale pistachio base, layer in a soft chrome finish for a chic, Middle Eastern-inspired glow, and add rich brown chocolate-drip accents on one or two feature nails.
- Pair It With a Scoop: Pistachio ice cream infused with a whisper of rosewater, swirled with rich chocolate inspired by the “Dubai chocolate” — that ultra-smooth, glossy chocolate ganache made famous by viral dessert reels. Scoop into our Pistachio, Rose and Chocolate Ice Cream.
3. Sorbet Rainbow
- Nail inspo: Pastel-bright lavender, peach, lemon, and raspberry shades in a fruity ombré or French tip. Mix ‘n match pastels across each nail for a sun-drenched summer palette.
- Pair It With a Scoop: Whip up our Rainbow Sorbet Medley — made with real fruit and no refined sugar. Think lemon-lavender, peach-mango, and raspberry-lime – Naturally Sweet Sorbets For Summer – Healthy, Easy Dessert Ideas
4. Sprinkle Sundae
- Nail inspo: Nude or pastel base with rainbow dot sprinkles, glossed to perfection.
- Pair It With a Scoop: Go for our Birthday Cake Ice Cream — packed with vanilla, sprinkles, and swirls of cake batter fudge. It’s a party on your spoon and your nails. – Homemade Birthday Cake Ice Cream Recipe
5. Waffle Cone Tips
- Nail inspo: Tan criss-cross lattice art, French tips with “scoops” on accent nails – strawberry, chocolate, mint, or lemon!
- Pair It With a Scoop: Make your own Waffle Cone Ice Cream Sandwiches — fill crispy homemade cones with your favourite ice cream flavours. (Bonus: add sprinkles or chocolate rims.) – Learn How To Make Homemade Ice Cream Waffle Cones
💅 DIY: How to Create Ice Cream Nails at Home
Want to give this a go at your kitchen table — maybe while your cherry ripple churns in the background?
Here’s how:
The Basics:
- Nail prep: Buff, shape, and moisturise those cuticles.
- Pick your palette: Choose 2–3 colours that reflect your favourite flavour combo.
- Techniques to try:
- Sponging for ombré (The ombre effect, also known as degradé, is created by blending two colours seamlessly)
- Dotting tools for sprinkles
- Striping brushes for cone patterns
- Top it off: Use a glossy top coat for that melted ice cream shine — or add a matte coat for a soft sorbet finish.
Want to go all out? Make a party of it and invite your local nail tech to recreate your favourite ice cream flavours on your fingertips!
🎨 Kid-Friendly & Family Fun – Ice Cream Nails for All Ages
This is such a fun summer activity for families and parties and the little ones will love it.
For little ones (or the young at heart):
- Smiley scoops – Add faces to your ice cream designs.
- Cartoon cones – Playful, bright, and packed with personality.
- Edible-effect nails – Sprinkles, glitter, and pastel polish that mimic favourite toppings.
Why not make a day of it? Mix up a batch of homemade ice cream and have a mini mani session in the garden, and summer sunshine.
Seen a flavour you love? Screenshot your favourite combo and take it to your next nail appointment — or better yet, match it with your next homemade batch!
The Final Scoop – When Ice Cream Meets Manicure Magic
Who knew your love of ice cream could extend all the way to your fingertips? This trend is all about having fun, getting creative, and showing off your sweet side in a whole new way.
Whether you’re pairing your nails with your favourite flavour, throwing a DIY ice cream nail party, or just looking for a new way to enjoy dessert culture, ice cream nails bring the vibe.
So go ahead, grab your polish, swirl your scoops, and let your creativity drip!
Want more homemade ice cream inspo? Follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and X — and tag us in your own ice cream nail creations!
We hope you’ve enjoyed our article on Ice Cream Nails – The Sweetest Trend of the Summer. We’d love to see your take on this trend, so tag us in your photos and leave us a comment below!
We hope that you have enjoyed our article – Ice Cream Nails – The Sweetest Trend Of The Summer – and that we have inspired you to try out the ice cream nails trend when you go for your next manicure! If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below, and we will be happy to get back to you.
Stay connected for more homemade ice cream inspiration! Share your homemade ice cream masterpieces with us on social media, and connect with a community of ice cream enthusiasts. Join us for mouthwatering recipes, expert tips, and exclusive updates. Follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and X by clicking on any of the social media icons below.
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Dear Cherie,
Thank you for this delightful and insightful post on the “ice cream nails” trend! Your vivid descriptions and practical tips truly capture the essence of this sweet summer manicure. The way you likened the gradient blend of soft pinks and whites to melting strawberry and vanilla ice cream was both charming and evocative.
I appreciate how you highlighted the versatility of this trend, noting its alignment with the minimalist “clean girl” aesthetic while also allowing room for playful creativity. Your suggestions for achieving the look at home, including the use of sheer pink or nude polish transitioning into a soft white tip, make it accessible for readers eager to try it themselves
Considering the popularity of this trend and its adaptability, have you explored incorporating other pastel shades or subtle embellishments to personalize the look further? For instance, integrating a hint of lavender or mint could add a unique twist while maintaining the delicate ombré effect.
Thank you again for sharing this sweet trend; your post has certainly inspired me to experiment with this style for the summer!
Sincerely,
Steve
Hi Steve,
Thank you so much for your sweet (pun totally intended!) and detailed comment.
So glad that you enjoyed our article, and can I add, your thoughtful take on the “ice cream nails” trend made me giggle!
Love your idea of adding pastel twists like lavender or mint—that’s such a great way to personalise the look while keeping it fresh and summery. It’s definitely a fun way to play with colour while still embracing the soft ombré vibe. We may just have to do a follow-up with a “pastel scoop sampler” edition!
Let us know if you give the look a go—we’d love to see how your summer manicure experiment turns out!
All the best,
Cherie