Whether you’ve got grand plans to grill hot dogs and hamburgers, are hitting the city for a fireworks bonanza, or you’re keeping your Independence Day more low key, a thematic mani is always the perfect accessory.

“Fourth of July nail art is a great way to showcase your patriotism and get creative with your nails at the same time,” notes Juli Russell, a nail expert for Sally Beauty. She says you can use the iconic trio of red, white, and blue in all sorts of ways, or you can opt for an unexpected spin. Not sure where to start? Let these cute Fourth of July nail ideas inspire your own patriotic polish.

Fourth of July Nail Designs

Retro Patriotic Swirls

If you’re aiming for classic American chic, this is the Fourth of July nail idea for you. Start with a creamy beige base, then draw red, white, and blue swirls across the nail using nail art brush. “After the nail is cured, draw tiny stars with white, then rub silver chrome powders over the stars to create metallic accents,” instructs Hemi Park, manicurist and brand educator for LeChat Nails. “You can also try silver metallic lacquers for the stars!”

Simple Fireworks Mani

Is it even the Fourth of July without bombastic, glittery displays of fireworks? We argue no! One surefire way to get your fireworks fix is to paint some onto your nails. For this design, start with a white base and then draw varying stripes of red, blue, and silver from the base of your nail upward. Finish with tiny stars.

Negative Space Red, White, & Blue

Prefer a subtle Fourth of July manicure that still feels true to the flag? Consider this simple negative space design. “Begin painting your nails with one light coat of a sheer nude polish that suits you and your skin tone to achieve your perfect base color,” says Rianna Basurto, nail expert for Bellacures. Once dry, use a nail art brush to create curved shapes of color on the tip and base of each nail.