As the temperature climbed in July 2025, the beauty world once again turned its eyes toward Hailey Bieber, the undisputed architect of viral manicure trends. Just as the “Glazed Donut” and “Butter Yellow” looks defined previous seasons, Bieber’s latest obsession—”Lemonade Nails”—has become the zestiest signature of the year. Unveiled during the launch of Rhode’s limited-edition Lemontini Peptide Lip Treatment, the look is a refreshing cocktail of high-saturation citrus tones, playful graphics, and the model’s trademark iridescent finish. Whether lounging by the Mediterranean or navigating a city heatwave, this vibrant yellow palette is proving that for Summer 2025, the most stylish way to beat the heat is with a manicure that looks as crisp as a cold glass of lemonade.
The Evolution of the Yellow Era
While 2024 was the year of “Butter Yellow”—a soft, creamy pastel that acted as a new neutral—2025 has turned up the volume. Hailey Bieber’s “Lemonade Nails” represent a shift toward a more saturated, “Limoncello” yellow that demands attention. This brighter hue was first teased in early July as part of a coordinated Rhode summer campaign, featuring matching yellow bikinis, “Lip Cases,” and the viral Lemontini lip tint. The trend quickly evolved from a simple solid color into a broader “Citrus Aesthetic,” encouraging fans to experiment with varying degrees of yellow intensity.
The brilliance of the lemonade trend lies in its versatility. For those who found last year’s butter yellow too muted, the 2025 lemonade look offers a bolder, more energetic alternative. It captures the “Dolce Vita” spirit of the Amalfi Coast, blending perfectly with the white linen and airy crochet sets dominating this year’s fashion cycle. According to beauty editors, the shift to a more vibrant yellow is a reflection of the “Main Character Energy” that has defined 2025 beauty, moving away from quiet minimalism toward expressive, joyful color.
The “Lemon Drop” and Polka Dot Twist
What truly set the internet ablaze in July was the addition of intricate nail art to the solid yellow base. Dubbed the “Lemon Drop Martini” look, Bieber’s manicure, crafted by her go-to artist Zola Ganzorigt, featured a sunny yellow foundation decorated with tiny, precise polka dots. Some versions utilized silver or gold dots to mimic the shimmering effect of a cocktail, while others incorporated delicate, hand-painted lemon graphics or 3D “water droplet” textures.
This integration of polka dots has sparked a secondary trend in 2025, with celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter and Dua Lipa adopting similar whimsical patterns. For the “Lemonade” look, the polka dots act as a bridge between high-fashion sophistication and playful summer fun. It’s a design that looks equally at home on long, almond-shaped extensions as it does on short, natural nails, making it one of the most accessible “Bieber-certified” trends to date.
The Glazed Lemonade Signature
True to the Rhode brand identity, no Hailey Bieber nail look is complete without a signature “Glaze.” To achieve the lemonade finish, the vibrant yellow base is topped with a fine dusting of chrome powder—often the same “White Glaze” powder that made her 2022 manicures famous. This adds a pearlescent, light-reflecting layer that softens the intensity of the yellow and gives it a sophisticated, mirror-like sheen. This “Glazed Lemonade” effect mimics the condensation on a cold drink, adding a sensory, refreshing quality to the aesthetic.
To recreate the look at home, beauty enthusiasts are reaching for specific 2025 favorites like Chanel’s Le Vernis in Ovni for a softer entry point, or Essie’s All Fun & Games for a more saturated pop. The process involves applying two coats of the yellow polish, sealing it with a no-wipe top coat, buffing in the chrome powder, and finishing with a final glossy seal. This multi-step process ensures the nails have the “expensive” finish that has become synonymous with the Bieber brand.
A Coordinated Summer Strategy
The success of the “Lemonade Nails” is also a testament to the power of coordinated beauty. By releasing the trend alongside the Lemontini Peptide Lip Treatment and a limited-edition yellow Rhode Bubble Bag, Bieber created a comprehensive visual world that fans could easily buy into. The “Lip Case” in matching lemon yellow became the season’s must-have accessory, proving that in 2025, a great manicure is just one part of a larger, curated lifestyle.
As we move into the latter half of the year, the lemonade trend is expected to transition into the “Spiced Cider” yellows of autumn, but for now, the citrus-yellow manicure remains the undisputed champion of the summer. It is a reminder that beauty should be fun, refreshing, and—above all—bright. In the words of the 2025 summer mood board: if life gives you lemons, make sure your nails are polished to match.
