Memorial Day weekend is basically the soft-launch of summer in the US of A, and your nails need to RSVP. For 2025 we’re doing florals, chrome, mix-and-match, fruity art, French tips and of course, stars and stripes—remixed in red, white, and blue (or close enough). Whether you’re grilling, parading, or just angling for the perfect nailfie, these 20-plus ideas prove you can be patriotic without looking like a literal flag. Screenshot, save, and get your Memorial Day nails booked before every nail tech is on vacation.
Floral Art
What better way to kick off both Memorial Day and summer than with floral nails? For a May set that actually fits the holiday, go red, white, and blue—like red French tips with white flowers and blue dot centers, or tiny flowers scattered on a milky base if you’re a minimalist.
Into festive nail art that means something? Red poppies are THE choice for Memorial Day (they’re a symbol of remembrance). Feeling classic? Rose nail art = instant Americana since they’re the US national flower.
And if you want your floral mani to look extra fresh on photos, opt for trendy 3D petals—big on NailTok, IG and salon menus everywhere.
Star Nails
Stars and Memorial Day? Name a more iconic duo, we’ll wait. If you want classic but cute, layer red, white, and blue stars on your nails, or just throw a few stars on feature nails.
Milky bases + gold stars are peaking on socials right now, but if you’re not here for tradition, go with cobalt blue or black stars for a twist.
Need sparkle? Rhinestone accents are giving full Y2K-core. You can go all-out or just sprinkle some on—no wrong answers, just more compliments. Add a glossy topcoat and you’re set for every BBQ invite.
Mix & Match
Mix-and-match Memorial Day nails are where every trend comes to play—checkerboards, cherries, ribbons, florals, polka dots, stripes, and, obviously, stars.
It’s maximalist, it’s playful, and it’s not just flag-core. You can tone things down with a milky or pastel base, or dial up the drama with royal blue and firetruck red.
If you want nail art that’s ptriotic but not too in-your-face, this is your sign to go full collage for the holiday.
Red Nails
Let’s be honest, if you’re keeping it simple (or just lazy), you literally cannot mess up a classic red mani for Memorial Day.
For 2025, red French tips are everywhere, especially with a chrome topcoat to make it extra. Or, if you need it to scream “patriotic,” toss on a few tiny stars or rhinestones.
Royal Blue
Royal blue is the saturated, scroll-stopping color for Memorial Day 2025. If you don’t want to look like a walking flag, just do royal blue solids—bonus, it still works after the weekend.
For more drama, combine with white for bold contrast, or go for blue Frenchies on a sheer base. Want to hit peak trend? Ask for a chrome or metallic blue finish and thank us later.
French Mani
French tips are the forever classic—just switch up your colors for the holiday. Alternate red and blue tips, go micro-French for that minimalist drip, or layer in 3D flowers and sculpted accents (the more texture, the better).
Stars, stripes, or a dusting of glitter turn your Frenchies into instant party nails. The best part? These are cute for July 4th, too, so you’re basically getting a two-for-one.
Fruity Nails
And to wrap up: fruity nails, aka the unofficial start of summer.
Red nails with tiny strawberries, blue bases with little blueberries, or blue French tips decked out with cherry art—if it looks like it belongs in a fruit salad, it belongs on your nails.
Bonus: you can keep wearing these long after Memorial Day, and nobody will know you were just here for the themed mani.
That’s the full inspo drop for Memorial Day nails. Let us know which one you’re booking and tag us in your manis—sharing is patriotic, besties!
