Sky Blue

@SAMMISMANIS

Côte’s founders, Mary Lennon and Leah Yari, predict blue polish will be all the rage for summer. But just what shade of blue should we paint our fingers and toes? According to Lennon and Yari, we should opt for polishes “reminiscent of clear skies and clean seas,” such as powdery blue hues like Côte’s No. 71 Blue Periwinkle Nail Polish ($18).

 

Handful of Gold

@AMYLE.NAIL

Ditch your solid base color and stick to your topcoat. A glimmering orange-gold with flecks of confetti is playful in the sunlight. Try OPI’s Mexico City Nail Lacquer in Slinging Mezcal Gold ($11) for a glossy finish.

 

 

Bold Metallics

@DEBORAHLIPPMANN

For a mani-pedi befitting a summer night out, manicurist Frances Liang recommends swiping on a chunky glitter polish over a neutral-toned base. Deborah Lippmann’s Glitter Nail Color in Happy Birthday ($20) is a party in a bottle.

 

Positive vs Negative Space

@NAILS_AND_SOUL

Expert nail technician Nia Ho says, “I think negative space with abstract art looks very artsy on nails. Black, white, and yellow are my favorite color combos.” Taking up small space on your nails makes a huge impact. A neutral base like Essie’s Bare with Me ($10) allows your nail designs to stand out.

 

Nude Peach

@NAILARTBYQUEENIE

Give an ode to summer with a peachy nude polish. Essie’s Low Tide High Slit ($13) is a muted peach that speaks volumes. The even color coverage will save you from adding multiple layers.

 

 

 

Watermelon Sugar

@JODIESBEAUTE

Fruit coated nails are an exciting and welcoming step into the season. A watermelon shade is a fun break from the popular citrus-themed nail. The Gel Bottle’s August ($19) is a sweet red nod to warmer weather.

 

Neon Lights

@EMBRACE.NAILS

For nail artist Teerah Lopez, one perfect trend for summer is neon nails. “They are so bright it makes me want to talk with my hands more. It brings confidence! Neon colors pop without needing assisting colors to make a design,” Lopez explains. A bright color nail color like the China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Tropic Like It’s Hot ($8) is sure to stop traffic and work as a fun conversation starter.

 

Multicolor French Tip

@AMYLE.NAILS

“French tips in different colors and different kinds of shapes that go along not only the tip but along any angle of the nails allow for just the right amount of color distribution,” Ho explains. Create this look using pastels with cool undertones like Olive & June’s CS, BP, and KMC (all $9).

“When doing a mix-and-match mani, I like to have some complexity and simplicity to pull the look together,” Lopez says. “I strategically design the tips, leaving the bottom as the negative space.”

 

 

Baby’s Breath

@THISISNYAO

A soft, hushed pink is versatile, classic, and simply chic. For your day-to-day effortlessness, Dior’s Diorlisse Abricot ($30) is a must-have. This Diorlisse promises to strengthen your nails and smooth small imperfections while giving a natural flush.

 

Make it Graphic

@NAILSBYMEI

A creamy grape nail polish is just what your manicure needs. Animate your nails with Essie Handmade With Love Nail Polish Collection in In Pursuit of Craftiness ($10). The electric purple makes a loud statement both on its own and combined with fresh graphics.

 

Deconstructed Rose

@ADAKISS

“I created this design inspired by flower petals. I layered contrasting colors using Orosa Beauty’s summer shades,” expert nail artist Ad Yeung says. Orosa’s Desert Rose ($12) shade has calm violet undertones, and the curve of the brush guides your hands to ensure precision.

 

Golden Hour

@EVEMEETSNAILS

A warm, golden shade looks great on all skin tones, and the honey-like color complements a summer tan beautifully. Try China Glaze’s golden mustard in Mustard the Courage ($8).

 

Chic Terracotta

@VM.NAILARTIS

“I like minimalist designs (such as fluid shapes and lines, human body silhouettes) in terracotta and pastel colors,” Yeung says. “My favorite nail polish brands are Zoya for their treatments, smooth toxin-free formula, and a wide selection of shades.” Zoya’s nail polish in Flowie ($12) is a muted earth tone that gives off a clay color with a glossy finish.

 

 

Stormy Sage

@HELLOGLOSSY

This gray-blue with green undertones gives all the drama and feels. Essie’s moody seafoam in Air Dry ($10) is like a cloudy beach day.

 

Unicorn Glow

@NAILS.BAB

Yeung is a fan of a barely-there coat of iridescent polish. “I tend to favor one to two coats of Dermelect’s Makeover Ridge Filler Base Coat ($18),” she says. “It’s a sheer pink with a hint of fine iridescent shimmer, and I finish it with a quick-drying top coat like Seche Vite ($9).” An iridescent shade is buildable, creating an opal sheen for your nails.

 

Tortoiseshell

@LOLO.NAILEDIT

A tortoise colored nail is not a trend to shy away from. For a traditional look, the first layer is commonly a turmeric-like color. You’re then able to build upon it using browns and oranges. J.Hannah’s smoky yellow, Fauna ($22), mimics a tortoiseshell perfectly.

 

Cow Print

@THEHOTBLEND

“Dimension Nails is another brand that stands out. This brand has an incredible line of crème polishes, while being cruelty-free, and almost every collection is centered around animals,” Lopez says. Revlon’s Nail Enamel in Elegant ($6) shade is a spot-on lacquer to use for this playful trend.

 

Wandering Eye

@NAILSBY.HAIL

A white nail shade is a summer staple for any nail polish collection. A stark white works for every skin type, no matter the undertone. Spice up the white foundation with eye-catching graphics using expert favorite, Cirque Colors in Lafayette ($13).

 

Chocolate Mood

@HOLLIEBARKERNAILARTIS

Dark nail polish in summer might seem taboo, but a lovely brown will always secure its place as a contemporary shade. Olive & June named its silky chocolate, CN ($9), after Sprinkles Cupcakes founder, Candace Nelson. We love their shade, Obsessed, ($9) too. The sweet touch satisfies any cravings for a new look.

 

Bright and Abstract

@NAILSBYCANISHIE

“Summer trends seem to always have bright mix match colors combined with one another,” Nguyen says. “I think the mix match trend of putting random art with one another is also going to be a continuing trend.”

A successful manicure doesn’t have to be uniform on each nail. Nguyen suggests using polish to create a color story with swatches you love to mix together. Try using Nails Inc’s Regal Lane ($15).

 

Royal Blue

@E_A_NAILS

Jewel-inspired nail colors brings high-end elegance to your manicure. A royal blue nail polish stands out during the day and summer nights. Duri’s Fire Sapphire ($9) delivers the color payoff with a metallic shimmer and drugstore price.

 

Mod Mauve

@NAILARTBYSI

Embrace the ’60s with a nostalgic lavender nail polish. OPI’s mod purple in Do You Lilac It ($13) is a blue-based shade that provides a gel-like finish you can create from home.

 

Cherry Picking

@_SLAYEDBYJAYDE