Jammy Nails Are the Next Big Summer 2024 Manicure Trend

With jelly manicures being the biggest nail trend right now, we’re predicting jammy nails are next. Think jars of your favorite fresh Bonne Mamman or Sqirl jam—more saturated than jelly nails but still with a hint of globby opacity.

Featured experts

• Julie Kandalec is a celebrity nail artist
• Olivia Van Iderstine is Olive & June’s mani trend expert and VP of content and creative
• Amy Ling Lin is the CEO and founder of Sundays
• Elizabeth Garcia is a celebrity nail artist

Celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec tells us she recently returned from a trip to Seoul, South Korea, and their summer nail trends are “all about vibrant colors, unique textures, and striking designs like jammy nails.” Kandalec says she fell in love with jammy nails, “which feature rich, sheer jelly colors that offer a more subdued yet colorful look.”

It’s not new to see beauty trends echoing food, notes Olive & June’s mani trend expert and VP of content and creative Olivia Van Iderstine, and “summer is for fresh fruits from the farm stand with a mani to match,” making jammy nails a perfect seasonal pick.

“Effects manis (especially jelly/semi-sheer looks) are still going strong, and jammy nails are a sophisticated, richer/deeper take on this trend. The semi-sheer wash of color keeps the look fresh and easy for summer,” says Van Iderstine. “This trend also matches the pretty stains we’re seeing in color cosmetics for lips and cheeks—so gorgeous and tonal.”

CEO and founder of Sundays Amy Ling Lin says jammy nails “are a really creative way to combine the translucent allure of jelly nails with darker, moody shades for a sophisticated but still playful look.” She adds, “the blend of jelly’s lightness with the depth of darker shades allows for endless creativity and is perfect for those who love to experiment with their nail art. It’s inspiring to see how people continuously come up with fresh ideas.”

While we’re not quite there yet, celebrity nail artist Elizabeth Garcia notes that jammy nails could “be a magnificent transition for fall” especially when paired with different colored foils or gems, so we see this trend sticking around for the long haul.

We rounded up a few top picks to achieve the jammy nails look. Pro tip: “Layer a combo to create your own custom mixed berry flavor,” suggests Van Iderstine. “The key is to paint thin coats to achieve that sheer, jammy effect.”

Manicure colors for jammy nails

1 / 10

Ella + Mila Suga Suga ($11)

Garcia gives a shout-out to this sheer fuchsia with a matte finish that’s deep burgundy for a raspberry, plum jammy twist.

• BUY NOW – $11

2 / 10

Olive and June Hibuscus ($9)

If you’re looking for a more pink-leaning raspberry jam shade this Hibiscus hue is fun for a summer mani.

• BUY ON OLIVE & JUNE – $9
• BUY ON WALGREENS – $10

3 / 10

F Gel Deep Sea Collection Magnetic Color Set ($168)

Inspired by her trip to Seoul, Kandalec recommends these toned-down but rich colors. “These sheer gels have the opacity of maple syrup in various shades, combined with magnetic (cat eye) particles for a mesmerizing effect,” says Kandalec. “Perfect for those who want that mysteriously dark magnetic gel look as well as bright shimmering pigments.”

• BUY NOW – $168

4 / 10

Ella + Mila Spread the Love ($11)

If citrus jams are more your jam than the berry varieties, try this sheer bright orange for more of a marmalade meets peach vibe.

• BUY NOW – $11

5 / 10

Lights Lacquer Balou ($11)

Kandalec recommends this ocean blue sheer polish with a jelly finish for a brighter take on blueberry.

• BUY NOW – $11

6 / 10

Olive and June Luxe Loafer ($9)

Van Iderstine thinks this crimson jelly sheer shade would be the perfect way to replicate blackberry jam.

• BUY NOW – $9

7 / 10

Essie Apricot Jelly ($13)

Berry jams are getting all the love, so we’ll shout out the apricot variety. You can mirror your favorite apricot jam with this deep orange shade with a jelly finish.

• BUY ON ULTA – $13
• BUY ON AMAZON – $13

8 / 10

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri X Jelly Belly Nail Polish in Blueberry ($6)

For a more traditional take on blueberry jam, try this collab between Sally Hansen and Jelly Belly.

• BUY NOW – $6

9 / 10

Sundays No. 17 ($18)

“Because this trend is inspired by jam-like colors, I love our No.17 shade for strawberry-like nails,” says Ling Lin. It’s perfect for recreating the magic of a fresh bright red strawberry jam.

 

• BUY NOW – $18

10 / 10

Sundays No. 19 ($18)

Ling Lin recommends this shade for a gorgeous grape jam-inspired nail. The photo she shared is almost giving a PB & J color aesthetic, which we love.

• BUY NOW – $18