Summer can be too hot and too humid for some while the chill of autumn brings sexy and cozy colours to the office. But for those who enjoy the sheer sensuality of warm, refreshing water, the spring and summer months are simply the best time to experiment with water-based nail designs. Water-based nail art allows you to match colours with water droplets or paint and add elements such as sequins and beads in a dramatic and memorable way. We looked at some of the most striking water-inspired designs on Instagram this summer, which we think look just as good as those done on the wild and wooly waters of nature.

The Split

Cute stripes are a fabulous way to represent rivers, which can be as strong as California or as murky as London. Here, the lines become horizontal stripes between water hues on the nails, while the stickers added for stripes could be pink or white, for example. It all ends in a nice blob of rosy pink-hued water.

The Crotch

If you are daring enough to take the plunge and try a colour on the tip of your nails, without the stress of choosing a solid colour, this DIY-worthy little design could just be the one for you. Simply paint a trim of the colour to the edge of the nail and then move in on the back edges of that to create the shape of your penis. This two-pronged design can definitely be applied in a double-pinch too.