As someone who’s been getting her nails done since middle school (my mother owned a salon), I’ve never had the strongest natural nails. After years of acrylics and hard gels, every attempt at growing my nails out left them feeling paper-thin and painfully flimsy. That is, until I discovered BIAB nails. Short for “builder in a bottle,” the strengthening gel—also known as builder gel—creates a durable overlay that helps natural nails grow longer and stronger without sacrificing that glossy salon finish.

And now, with chrome finishes, aura nails, and modern French tips dominating trending nail designs, there are endless ways to make a BIAB manicure feel fresh. Think beachy motifs, fruity accents, or even melon-colored Frenchies. Not only does the builder gel provide a rock-solid foundation for nail art, but an almond shape keeps the look timeless (while subtly elongating your fingers, too).

Ahead, discover 10 BIAB nail designs to try out this summer.

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Beachy Motifs

A hand showing manicured nails with decorative embellishments
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Summer calendar filled with coastal getaways? Embrace a nautical vibe with beach-inspired designs over your BIAB base. Here, a metallic, gem-studded starfish pops against a nude base, adding just a subtle touch of seaside sparkle.

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Classic Neutrals

A person showing a manicure with almondshaped polished nails
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You can never go wrong with a tasteful light pink. It’s basically the ultimate “your nails, but better” moment. Plus, the almond shape makes things that much more elegant.

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Pretty Aura

Hand displaying manicured nails with a pink and silver design
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Aura Nails have been all the rage this year—and for good reason. A bright pink aura blooms over a milky pink base, finished with silver chrome accents for an extra hit of shine. Maximalists, meet your next set.

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Blooming Gel

Manicured hands with a floral nail art design
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Butter yellow, florals, and subtle decals? Mix all three for a manicure that feels as joyful as it looks. The soft, diffused floral detailing adds just enough artistry while the sunny hue keeps feeling fresh and up-lifting.

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Tortoise Tips

Closeup of a hand with manicured nails featuring gold and brown nail art designs
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Tortoise French tips will never not amaze me. For extra cool-girl points, opt for a gold chrome outlining to really make things stand out.

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Summer White

A hand with manicured nails and rings on the fingers resting on a table
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With Memorial Day on the horizon, white jeans and all-white manicures are on my mind. Whether you’re a fan of starky or milky shades, don’t be afraid to embrace your summer whites—they’ll effortlessly complement tan-skinned!

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Fruit Party

Hands with colorful fruitthemed nail art tattoos and rings
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The fruit nail trend is undeniably charming. For a maximalist manicure, opt for a different type on each nail.

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Pearly Accents

Closeup of hands with polished nails adorned with small pearl decorations held near a knitted sleeve
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Elevate a neutral manicure with delicate pearly accents. Using a French-framing technique adds just the right amount of subtle shine, bringing a girly, polished glam to an otherwise minimalist nail look.

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Fiery Red

A hand with manicured nails holding a black leather bag with a gold buckle
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There’s just something so powerful about a classic red. I’m picturing this fiery manicure out in the Miami heat. And if you ask me, they’ll go with any outfit!

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Trendy Polka-Dots

Hands with manicured nails and rings
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Yes, the polka-dot trend is still going strong! Upgrade a colorful French manicure by adding some white dots all over. The darker matcha-colored French tip and neutral base really allows the accents to stand out.