With everyone’s current 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. This season’s summer colors are all about experimenting and having fun with new colors and nail designs. We’re talking bright and vibrant shades like bubble gum pink, bright reds, neon orange, or baby blues. For minimalists and creatures of habit, you’ll find rich creamy neutrals and classic colors that will still make your nails pop. And as an added bonus, there will be some winter faves that you can carry on over if you’re particularly attached to those darker shades.There’s truly a nail polish shade for everyone.
Below are ten summer nail colors that the pros predict will be huge as the temps start to rise.Read on to learn more.
Jelly Coded
With their bright shades and translucent finish, jelly colors are some of the most fun options you can have for your manis this summer. Betina R. Goldstein, celebrity and Chanel nail artist, says you’ll want to mix a few sheer shades together to get that milky feel (her picks are the Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Skieuse, Diva, and Sundrop if you want to recreate one of her favorite sheer pink nail looks for Margot Robbie at this year’s SAG Awards) and finish it off with a top coat to give it an extra shiny gloss.
Vintage Green
Goldstein says if you’re feeling inspired by Apple TV+’s hit show Palm Royale, opt for a 60s deep olive green. She loves the CND Vinylux Nail Polish in Crisp Green to add a pop of color to contrast a pink or orange fit. We’re also loving Gucci’s 712 Melinda Green or the Color Dept Kiwi Juice Nail Polish to get that vintage-inspired green nail shade.
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.” She created this very look for Brandon Maxwell’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection at New York Fashion Week, using the JINSoon in Crush. 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. 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.
Off-White
Another great neutral to turn to is a classic white. “[It’s] perfect to rock from winter to summer as they go with everything and still feel so minimal, yet fresh,” says celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen. She recommends going towards an off-white shade for something a bit more unexpected. We like this Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro in Tenderness which has deep mauve undertones or the Sundays No. 48 which is warm and creamy with a tint of pink.
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. Choi created this very look for the Helmut Lang Spring/Summer 2024 collection at NYFW. “This refreshing hue adds a playful yet chic element to the runway, 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.
Fiery Orange
Bold and bright are just par for the course when it comes to hot weather. And nothing screams summer quite like a neon orange. Goldstein loves a fiery shade, like the Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Incendiaire, which gives you a bright red with orange undertones. You can also try ILNP’s Turbocharged Orange to get that neon shade or Essie’s To DIY For something a bit more muted but still just as bold.
Capri Blue
Nguyen loves taking inspo from Pantone’s fashion color trend report palette for all summer nail looks. There’s a fresh mix of soft pastels and earthy tones, but we especially love Capri. 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 pasted 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 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.
Deep Bordeaux
While we love a classic red nail, we say go for a dark and romantic with a deep Bordeaux. Goldstein especially loves bringing this popular winter shade over to the summer season and recommends pairing it when wearing your neutral linens or clothes with a pop of color like red or lilac for an unexpected contrast. She likes the classic Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Rouge Noir. But you can also try PLA’s Most Wine-derful Time of the Year or Essie Couture’s Spiked With Style for a dark wine-colored shade.
