Cool for the summer? Yup, this season calls for something refreshing and playful. We know it’s not easy to replace neutrals, but I dare you to be artistically different. Imagine a blue shade, inspired by the deep waters, giving a fun contrast to your nude summer nails! The best part is you can easily recreate this at home with your children for a cute little bonding activity. Come on, let’s get into the summer mood together with these beginner-friendly blue starfish cat eye nails! 1. Apply your nude base using Dip & Dap Duo - DD004 Linen A nude base is one of the easiest and most low-maintenance choices for summer nails because it keeps the overall look clean and natural. Whether you choose a warm or cool-toned nude, it will surely blend beautifully with bright summer designs. To start, apply 2-3 thin coats of our pinkish white Dip & Dap Duo - DD004 Linen until you achieve your desired opacity, then cure for 30 seconds. Make sure this base is smooth and free of dust or dirt before moving on to the next step. 2. Paint your starfish with Jelly Gel - JG08 Ocean Blue Getting into the blues? Grab your trusty thin line brush and Jelly Gel - JG08 Ocean Blue. Start by drawing five simple lines that resemble petals or a star. These lines will act as a guide for your starfish shape, so don’t worry about making them perfect right away. Once the shape is mapped out, connect and slightly thicken them to create a fuller starfish design. Add more of the blue jelly gel where needed to make the shape look softer and more defined. Flash cure the design for 15-30 seconds. 3. Enhance color using Cat Eye Gel - CE40 Sapphire Our Cat Eye gel adds extra depth and shimmer that makes the starfish look more ocean-inspired and reflective under the light. Before applying the polish, hold your iGel Cat Eye Multi-Angle Pro Magnet near the brush bristles first to help activate the magnetic particles. Using your thin line brush, carefully apply the Cat Eye Gel - CE40 Sapphire over parts of the starfish to add dimension and contrast. Gently spread the color where needed, then use the magnet again over the nail to bring out the glowing cat eye effect even more. Just like the previous step, cure for 15-30 seconds once you’re happy with the placement and shimmer. 4. Draw dots on the starfish using a white gel liner Now it’s time to add the tiny details that make the starfish more realistic and cute! Using a dotting tool like the Rhinestone Picker Tool and the 01 White on White shade from the Line Art Gel Kit - 24 Colors, create small dots (in different sizes) across each arm of the starfish. Keep the dots light and evenly spaced. Once finished, cure the nail for 15-30 seconds under a reliable flash-curing lamp such as the PRO-X Mini Lamp before the final step. These tiny accents help the starfish stand out more against the blue tones underneath. 5. Finish with a no-wipe top coat or add more accessories Seal your creation with our best-selling iGel Beauty No Cleanse Top Coat, a glossy no-wipe top coat, to give the nail that smooth, glass-like summer shine. If you already love how the set looks, you can simply give it a full cure for 60 seconds and call it finished. But if you want to add more bling or beachy details, you can still apply accessories like the sapphire gem from Nail Art Charms - 059 using Jewelry Gel before sealing everything in. Once everything is in place, as mentioned earlier, do a full 60-second cure with the top coat for a long-lasting finish. If you want to skip all the spring feels and already jump to saltwater therapy, start by bringing the ocean to your nails with this beginner-friendly starfish design. Which design tutorials would you like to find in our blogs and reels? Share your thoughts in our iGel Beauty Facebook Community or comment on this IG reel. Just like you, we can’t wait for the days of no shoes, no news, just views. These nails are your first encounter with summer paradise! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Written by Alyssa Bueno on May 15, 2026 Alyssa Bueno, a true beauty enthusiast, brings her passion for writing and beauty to life as a writer for iGel Beauty. With a diverse editorial background and industry expertise, Alyssa shares the latest trends and curates tutorials and tips to inspire nail lovers worldwide.
