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I spend just about every day as a beauty editor looking at manicures. Whether I'm scanning my inbox for the latest polish launches, scrolling through my carefully curated feed of celebrity nail artists, or admiring my friends' fingers for inspiration, my brain is constantly cycling through the best nail polish trends and designs.
As much as I love an intricate manicure packed with maximalist nail art, sometimes my nails need a break with a single hue. Luckily, summer is the one season when a simple, one-color manicure never feels boring. From butter yellow to sky blue, there are so many unexpected summer nail colors to try this season.
Ahead, the best summer nail colors to inspire your next warm-weather manicure, plus some of the prettiest shades if you're planning to DIY it.
Sky Blue
Have your fingers match the clear summer skies (manifesting no more rainy weekends, please) with a bright blue manicure. “I think sky blue encapsulates that super chill, super breezy summer vibe that can be really comforting and calming to wear,” says L.A.-based nail artist Sigourney Nuñez. Some of our favorite blues for summer are Olive & June’s Brunch and Cirque Colors’ Doomscroll.
Lavender Milk
“Lavender milk nails are sheer, milky, and delicate, which is perfect for summer,” explains California-based nail artist Ramon Duran (aka @craftedbyaprince). Go with a light purple like OPI’s Polly Want a Lacquer, and you can start with a white base coat for an even creamier effect.
Pistachio Green
This nutty-inspired manicure reminds me of a frothy glass of pistachio milk. I think this muted green is an unexpected yet refreshing summer shade, especially with a glassy chrome finish. My personal favorite iteration of the color is Essie’s Turquoise and Caicos.
Butter Yellow
According to Cosmo’s beauty team, butter yellow nails are considered a summer neutral. The sunny shade is an unfailing choice, especially if you’re headed on a chic vacation and want your manicures to go perfectly with all of your bikinis and sundresses. Go for Essie Sunny Business or OPI Sunny Bunny.
Lychee Pink
There’s nothing like a sweet lychee martini, and why not have your beverage of choice match the fingers holding the glass? The sheer pink shade is a gorgeous go-with-anything choice for summer, and you can layer on as many coats depending on your desired opacity. Go for Gelcare’s Lychee or Manicurist’s Milky Pinkish Beige.
Fiery Coral
This sunset-esque hue is a bold change of pace from the classic summer pastels and milky shades. To get the look that emulates a fiery golden hour, Zoya’s Elodie might just be the perfect shade.
Meet the Experts
- Ramon Duran, aka @craftedbyaprince, is a California-based nail artist and content creator.
- Sigourney Nuñez (@nailartbysig) is a Los Angeles-based licensed nail artist and content creator.
Why Trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo, covering, covering all things nails—from the latest polish launches to trending designs. For this story, she spent hours researching the trending summer nail colors and tapped nail artists Sigourney Nuñez and Ramon Duran for their expertise and recommendations.
