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We may be in self-isolation right now, but the truth remains: summer is almost here (open in new tab). This means the number of Insta-photos featuring your hands is about to skyrocket. Seeing pictures of bare nails clutching iced coffee, frosé, or ice cream cones is not exactly a crime against humanity, but it is a crime against passion - at least in our beauty books.

And while plain polish is perfectly fine (check out our pick of the most gorgeous colors you can try right now (open in new tab)), when it comes to photography, it's nail design that gets double-tapped. (If you're into nail art as much as we are, there are also designs (open in new tab) for specific nail shapes.) So, to get your hands ready for a close-up, take a Melfi (manicure selfie; see below).

Here's a cult classic with a bit of flair. Instead of brushing the tips of your nails like a classic French manicure, use a nail art brush (opens in new tab) to spread your design. Use the color of your choice to spread the design down the nail bed. The beauty of this design is that not all nails need to look the same.

Try: Winstonia Nail Art Brushes Set Liner Striping Brush for Strokes, $11

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Don't worry, to achieve this painterly paint job Don't worry, you don't have to be a skilled artist or paint Picasso on your nails to achieve this painterly look. With this design, the more imprecise the better. Once the base coat is dry, sketch some lines, shapes, and symbols on the nail with a black nail polish pen (opens in a new tab). Wait for that to dry, then apply the topcoat as usual.

Try: Sally Hansen I Heart Nail Art Pen in Black, $6

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This looks amazing on pure white or pastel colors, so minimalist Nail polish. To create the perfect half-moon, use the Hole Reinforcing Stencil Sticker (opens in new tab) and cut it in half to create a horizontal dome shape. To complete the diagonal shape, use a precision nail brush (opens in new tab) to apply the polish of your choice. When the color is dry, apply a clear topcoat.

Try: Avery Self-Adhesive Reinforcement Labels, $6.

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The gist is this: use two complementary nail colors and apply a quick-drying top coat. Apply nail art tape (opens in new tab) horizontally to the nail bed to create a line that clearly distinguishes the two opposite colors. Then fill in that space with the first color you chose. Next, place the reinforcement on the bottom edge of the nail and apply the second color over it. While the polish is still wet, gently peel off the seal and apply a topcoat to seal everything.

Try: clear double-sided tape, $12

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This design may seem a bit complicated, but a simple, stress-free breakdown goes like this: starting with the first nail color, draw a larger circle at the tip of the nail. To create a clean, precise curve, apply nail tape to the bottom half of the nail in the shape of a semicircle. Wait for the color to dry, then use a thin nail art brush to create a vertical line down the center of the nail. Before applying topcoat, use the dotting tool (opens in new tab) to dot the bottom right corner of the large circle to finish the design. Finished.

Try: two-way cutting pen tool set, $6

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ICYMI: Rainbow nails are all the rage this year. Celebrities like Kendall Jenner are taking up the most Instagrammable trends. It's honestly very convenient for those of you who are always indecisive when it comes to choosing nail color (*raises hand*). You can literally pick any color you want, and this design uses a precision nail art brush to give the classic French manicure a curved twist.

Try: Nicpro Micro Detail Brush Set, $13

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Jewelry for nails. After applying a clear base coat (opens in new tab) to the nails, glue mini seed beads (opens in new tab) to the nails with nail glue. Once dry, apply two coats of clear gel topcoat (open in new tab).

Try: SeedBeadExplosion Seed Beads, $5

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There is no real design aspect to this look, but the chrome is so intense that it stands on its own. Simply apply two coats of silver nail polish in opaque over the base coat, then apply Mega Shine Top Coat (opens in a new tab) and take a selfie.

Try: Essie Metallic Neil Polish in No Place Like Chrome, $9

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Mastering this look takes practice, but what else to do on a lazy summer Saturday? To recreate the watermelon design, cover the tip of the nail with tape (any kind of tape will do), exposing only the half-moon. Paint the half-moon red, or the main color of the watermelon, and let it dry. Next, use a nail polish pen to draw a green line across the cuticle, and when dry, draw a white border line over the green. Add a few black dots and finish with a coat of clear polish over the entire nail.

Try: StillCool Nail Art Pens , $15 for a pack of 6

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Speaking of nail designs this summer, tape is clearly your new BFF. To get this striped look, place two horizontal strips of tape on your nails, leaving just a small gap between them, and paint the gap with a light shade. When the stripes are completely dry, place the other piece of tape diagonally across half of the stripes and paint the rest of the stripes with a darker shade to create a two-tone look.

Try it: Sephora Line-Up Tape, $6

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