With everyone’s obsession with color analysis, it can be easy to chalk up summer nail colors to whatever shades are most flattering for your skin tone. But if you’re not the biggest fan of the season that’s been assigned to you or you just prefer to wear whatever color you please, you’re in luck. When it comes to our manicures and pedicures, you can throw out the rule book—anything goes.
Summertime, after all, is meant for adventures. Whether you’re going fully on jelly-nail or Montecito Mani-hued, there’s something for everybody.
Below are 9 summer nail colors that the pros predict will be huge as the temps start to rise. Read on to learn more.
Tomato Red
Are we gearing up for another tomato girl summer? According to celebrity nail artist and founder of her eponymous nail polish brand Jin Soon Choi, we just might be. “I adore the hot orange-red shade with a translucent finish,” Choi says. “It’s vibrant and lively, capturing the essence of summer like anything else.” We also like the Hermès Les Mains Nail Polish in Orange Poppy or the Dazzle Dry in Red Hot Chili for a very bright red with orange tint or the Addiction Tokyo The Nail Polish in Tokyo Vibe for a deeper shade.
Latte Beige
For mani minimalists, neutral nails will be your north star (just look to Pantone’s color of the year if you need even more inspiration). Goldstein loves the Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour Légende, which she describes as a “latte beige,” with its rich creamy tan color that will go with any look. If you want something a bit deeper with warm undertones, we like the Olive & June Long Lasting Polish in Caramel Budino. For something cooler or more neutral, try the Dior Vernis Gel Shine Long Wear Nail Lacquer in 402 Cashmere or the Côte No. 122 Caramel Clay Brown Nail Polish.
Yellow Taxi
Fellow New Yorkers know how magical the city can be in the summertime, and what better way to evoke the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple than with the iconic taxi cab yellow. “This refreshing hue adds a playful yet chic element, perfectly reflecting the contemporary style,” she says. “[It] demonstrates a keen understanding of the pulse of New York fashion, injecting a burst of energy into the fashion landscape. I adore it as a bold statement.” You can get this exact shade using the JINSoon’s Tweety or opt for something similar like Londontown Lakur in Mango and the Hermès Les Mains Nail Polish in Jaune Impérial. We also like the Habit Cosmetics Nail Polish in Yellow which is a deep mustard shade that’s super pretty.
Capri Blue
Are we expecting another Italian summer? Nguyen thinks so—and there’s no more perfect manicure than Capri Blue to match the moment. Aptly named, it is described as a “bright blue hue reminiscent of the azure colored waters of the blue grotto.” We like Nails Inc.’s Seabright Street Neon Light Nail Polish and Zoya’s in Breezi for a very bright blue, or Essie’s Offbeat Chic and Aprés Nail in Posei Donna for that ocean-like feel.
Silver Chrome
Who says silver shimmer is only a winter shade? Choi argues that it makes for a great summer mani. “Silver chrome and silver [shimmer] bring chicness and a modern look to your nails, especially when paired with pastel colors and vibrant shades for nail art,” she says. “[It] creates a great summer ensemble.” She recommends using something like JINsoon Halo, which is a sheer silver with a glitter finish. You can also use Nail Inc.’s Wherever I May Chrome and OPI’s Go Big or Go Chome for a more shimmery metallic look or Sally Hansen’s Color Foil to get that chrome effect.
Montecito Mani
Taking a cue from Megan Markle/Sussex herself, celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec says the Vogue coined “Montecito Manicure” will be the summer neutral we’ll all be wearing in the coming months. Per her ShopMy, Sussex layers two glossy white pink shades: CND’s Vinylux Satin Slipper and Romantique. You can also opt for classic white-pink shades like Essie’s Ballet Slippers and Chanel’s Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Ballerina to get a similar color combo.
Lilac Jelly
Korean jelly nails are having a moment this spring, and Kandalec is predicting they will continue to be big well into the summer season. Any color goes well with the translucent, juicy look of these nails, she suggests something like a pretty pastel lilac (a la Hailey Bieber at this year’s Coachella) for your summer nail look.
The best way to get jelly nails at home is to use Korean gel polish, like the GAOY Jelly Gel Nail Polish Kit. But you can also opt for a top coat that will help get you that translucent effect, like the O.P.I. Gel Plump Effect, when you mix it with your main base color.
Pistachio Green
Bright and happy, Kandalec says pistachio green is the perfect summer nail color to get you in the right mood for all your warmer weather adventures. “[It’s] a really fun shade that’s a bit unexpected yet fresh,” she says. She recommends a shade like Light Lacquer’s Bikini Bottoms. We also like Manicurist Paris’s Pistachio Green, O.P.I.’s The Pass Is Always Greener, or Olive & June’s Corrigan to get that lovely bright pastel green shade.
Aqua Shimmer
With its shimmer and velvet-like finish, the cat-eye nail has always been a mesmerizing choice for when you want to be bold with nails. Any shade works with this fun look, but we’re especially partial for a cool aqua blue. Kandalec recommends opting for something like Olive & June’s Aqua Velvet. You can also try something like Londontown’s Whipped Blueberry, Deborah Lippmman’s Gel Like Treatment in Galaxy Far Far Away, or Essie’s Nail Art Studio Special Effects Nail Polish in Mystic Marine.
