48 Cute Summer Nail Colors To Inspire Your Next Manicure
Colorful summer nails are just around the corner.
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Whether summer is already here or you’re eagerly awaiting days filled with shorts and tank tops, it’s safe to say that there will be many manicures and pedicures in your future. With these hotter months approaching, you might be feeling encouraged to try something a little different. Bold, bright neons, pearly whites, deep blues, or fiery oranges can create an array of colorful summer nails. Or, you can keep it simple with soft pastels, neutral colors, or sheer, baby pinks. Whatever your mood is, these summer nail colors may seem endless, but don't limit yourself. Instead, it’s time for a little inspiration.
If your nearby nail shop has a wall filled with polishes in a rainbow of colors, trust us, it can be a difficult place to start and it can often feel overwhelming. So where do you begin? With this list of nail colors, of course! Cute summer nails are just around the corner. (Seriously.)
What Are The Best Nail Colors For Summer?
Fashion trend experts explain that the best summer nail colors will most often be the eye-catching hues, along with detailed and intricate nail designs. Also, don’t get caught up in trying to match your manicure to your wardrobe. It’s okay if your nail color offsets your outfit—your nails will only stand out more!
Eye-catching colors can best be described as bright, vivid, or even neon—think of colors that you won't want to take your eyes off of. Whether you're stepping out to treat yourself at a nearby spa or buying nail polish for an at-home manicure, these are the colors that should be at the top of your list this summer.
Bright Blues
Let’s start with a blue nail color for summer, reminiscent of tropical vacations, deep ocean waters, or wide open skies. It’s a color that definitely makes a statement, but it looks great on almost any skin tone, making it perfect for fingers or toes. If you’re not ready to dip your manicured toe into the blue waters, considering using the shade for a subtle, yet eye-catching French tip nail design.
Image: H&M
Blue Planet
H&M
An affordable (under $5!) and versatile blue to add to your manicure rotation.
Image: Amazon
Ripple Reflect
Essie
A lighter shade of blue with a creamy finish. It is the perfect color to mix and match with or try a fun nail design with white accents.
Deep, Bold Reds
There is something about a bright red manicure that makes any outfit look more put together. Like its lipstick counterpart, bright red nails are timeless, sexy, and empowering—three words to describe the ultimate hot girl summer. In fact, there are almost too many reasons why a red manicure or pedicure is the perfect go-to look for the hottest months of the year.
Image: Amazon
Cajun Shrimp
OPI
A spicy, bright red polish that goes on smooth—the ultimate in fun summer nails.
Image: Nordstrom
Incendiare
Chanel
The perfect red nail polish to pair with a matching red lip for a classic, timeless look.
Image: Amazon
Maraschino Cherry
LONDONTOWN
This summer color will complete your outfit, just like the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae.
Pretty Shimmers
Looking for a new summer nail trend? Try experimenting with colorful, shimmery nail polishes. Also described as micro-shimmers, these polishes are a standout combination of metallic tones, mixed with small specks of glitter. Pick from yellows, rainbow, or cool purples to be extra shimmery this summer, literally from head to toe!
Image: Amazon
Disco Ball
Sally Hansen
A shimmery polish with a white base and specs of red, blue, and yellow.
Image: Amazon
Ruby - Pink Shimmer
Nails, Inc
One part pale pink, one part gold glitter. A great summer choice for the beach.
Soft Lavenders
Lavender has recently become popular throughout the fashion world, which makes it the ideal choice for cute summer nails. The light purple (also frequently called lilac) is a soft color that looks good on most skin tones, thanks to a wide variety of undertones, ranging from blue to pale gray. Not sure which hue to try? Try an ombre nail design, such as lavender fading to white at the tip or deepening to a rich plum shade.
Image: Amazon
Graffiti Sweetie
OPI
A lavender shade that’s mixed with a gray hue for a subtle purple manicure or pedicure.
Image: Amazon
Lana - Lilac Shimmer
Combine two favorites for the summer: a shimmery metallic and a lilac shade.
Rich Turquoises
Turquoise is the seamless mix of dark blue and green, reminding you of deep island waters. (Or maybe you think of mermaids, or is that just me?) Whatever the cool color reminds you of, it is a shade that will make your whole ensemble pop. Or, if you prefer a lighter color, try mint green.
Image: Amazon
In The Cab-ana
Essie
Wherever you are this summer, this pretty turquoise will be flattering from head to toe.
Florida Oranges
This bright orange color screams summer nails and sun-filled vacations! Pick a hue reminiscent of Florida oranges or a lighter shade that feels like a sweet orange creamsicle. For darker skin tones, bright, neon orange colors will pop, while the more pastel shades will stand out against lighter skin.
Image: Nordstrom
Orange Boite
Hermes
The sophisticated and bright jelly orange nail polish to try this season.
Image: Amazon
Orange Knockout
China Glaze
A creamy, neon orange that will make your fingers and toes stand out in the best way.
Soft Baby Blues
Much like lilac, baby blue is becoming a summer favorite—you’ll frequently find it on everything from bathing suits and cover ups to linen trousers and hair accessories. But, let’s be honest, manicures and pedicures are the real understated fashion accessory. Baby blue is another summer color that matches well with a variety of different styles and looks good on many skin tones. Much like lilac, experiment with different shades of baby blue by playing with the undertones.
Image: Amazon
Tease Me Opaque
OPI
An ultra-light, almost minty shade of blue, it’s also extra versatile to wear on your nails any day this summer!
Image: Sephora
Lucy Baby Blue
Gucci
A baby blue that matches the clear, sunny skies on your summer schedule.
Decadent Chocolate Browns
If bright shades and eye-catching neons don’t match your vibes, keep your summer nails simple by choosing a cool chocolate or warm shade of brown for a subtle pop. These neutral colors also create the ideal blank canvas for many nail art designs, like swirls or stripes, with white, beige, or colorful accents. Or, create an ombre manicure by varying the shades of browns and tans on each of your fingers or toes.
Image: Nordstrom
Particuliere
Chanel
If you’re more into a soft milk chocolate, try out this lighter shade.
Image: Amazon
Fall Browns Set
CANNI
If you can’t choose just one polish or your want to try summer ombre nails, this 6-piece set has every shade you need.
Sweet Bubblegum Pinks
Pink has always been a go-to color for some of the prettiest manicures, but have you tried this one? Along with classic chewing gum, this pink is reminiscent of a tropical hibiscus or maybe even your favorite strawberry ice cream. Some people may even describe it as Barbie pink. If you’re looking for a fun and unique nail design, consider trying a pink gradient manicure by choosing different pink shades for each finger or alternating between two different pink hues.
Image: Amazon
Fairy Floss
Le Mini Macaron
A creamy pink for when you want a softer, more buttery finish.
Image: Amazon
Birthday Girl
Essie
This is an iridescent, bubbly pink that you’ll want to wear this summer when you’re ready to shimmer!
Image: Amazon
Pink jelly
Beetles
Not only is this soft pink gorgeous, but it can be used as a nail strengthener to repair damage, too.
Grassy Greens
After April’s showers, we’re left with May’s flowers and summer fields of green grass. Why not take a cue from Mother Nature herself and use the color palette for your nails? This green can be as bright or as muted as you want—let it fuel your summer nail inspiration. For a more minty green, you will want to use a polish with blue undertones as a polish with more yellow will give you a shade closer to a certain famous talking frog.
Image: Amazon
Cactus Jelly
Essie
This nail color has a little taste of matcha—one of my favorite greens!
Barely There Nudes
You really can’t go wrong when choosing a nude nail polish—summertime or not. However, picking the right shade for your skin tone is the tricky part. You can choose between neutral or nude nail polishes with pink or brown undertones to complement your skin or your favorite summer looks. They are also ideal for any summer weddings or special work events you may have this season as they’re always effortlessly classy.
Image: Amazon
Taupe Priority
Sally Hansen
This warm tan has a soft pink tone that is ideal for when you want a barely-there look.
Shiny Silvers & Golds
Whether you prefer silver or gold, now is the time to wear metallics on your nails like an extra piece of jewelry. While many people think that gold and silver polishes are only for the holidays, a metallic set of nails will add the extra glow that you didn’t know that you were looking for—think of it as being as bright as the summer sun. With a set of shiny silver or gold summer nails, the only accessory you’ll need is a pair of bold sunglasses!
Image: Amazon
Holiday Less, Bitter More
Sally Hansen
Forget what it says about the holidays, bring this polish out for summer.
Image: Amazon
Happy Anniversary!
OPI
A light silver that is great to mix and match with this summer (and into the holidays)!
Image: Amazon
Laser Silver
SAVILAND
Undeniably silver—almost platinum, really—that will make a bold statement this summer.
