20 Best Summer Nail Colors You'll Never Get Tired Of

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Warm weather often inspires a certain playfulness and levity when it comes to beauty. Foundations are swapped for tinted moisturizers, matte lipsticks are traded in for shimmering glosses, and every look is topped off with glowing body oil. Of course, arguably the most fun aspect of all is indulging in fun summer nail colors. As the sunshine rolls in, a new set of bright, vibrant nail shades comes with it. No more deep vampy shades or minimal nail designs reserved for the cooler, gloomier months. Summer is the time to have a bit more fun and get creative with your nails by opting for colors you might not try otherwise.

“Say no to dark or heavy colors, like solid black, navy, and red nails as they’re too ominous this time of year. Lean into the mystical and sensorial shades—think clean and whimsical,” says Jan Arnold, co-founder and style director of CND. Go for bright oranges and yellows or vibrant shades of red and pink to add a pop of color to your outfits. You can even take it up a notch with daring designs as “a fun way to show off your personality and evoke tranquility, positivity, and confidence, all the while accenting your fresh and colorful wardrobes for this sunny season,” Arnold continues.

With so many options, narrowing down your choices can be tough. There is nothing more daunting than walking into the nail salon with no inspiration for your next manicure. Scanning the salon walls lined with polishes or shifting through what feels like hundreds of colors can be intimidating, to say the least. So, to help make the decision easier, we put together a list of the 20 best summer nail colors to add to your mood board. See our list below.

Silicon Valley Girl

Orange nail shades are for those who don't mind being seen. This tone of orange is reminiscent of a juicy tangerine and has a creamy finish that's not too glossy or matte. This polish can last up to a week with proper application and care.

Daisy

Party the night (or day) away with a burst of colorful confetti at your fingertips. Skip the tedious design process and reach for Daisy, which deposits an array of colorful confetti with just one swipe.

Keep An Opal Mind

Are you a fan of disco ball nails? Maybe you've been dying to try the Hailey Bieber glazed donut trend. This shade from CND gives you major glossiness and a chrome-like finish without the added steps. Cure the polish with a UV lamp and be on your merry way.

Glossy Nail Polish — 712 Melinda Green

Green is the color of abundance, refreshment, and peace. This green shade evokes images of limey margaritas and fresh grass, aka the perfect vibe for the upcoming season.

Expressie — Buns Up

A nude manicure is the perfect accessory to any outfit and occasion this summer. The muted tone doesn't steal the shine from your overall look and is flattering on all skin tones. Essie's Buns Up has a quick-dry formula busybees looking to switch things up between soirees.

Nail Polish — Darcy

What better than being the sunshine in the summertime? How about a zesty yellow shade that brings the sunshine wherever you go? Zoya's Darcy polish is basically happiness in a bottle, from its sunny hue to its 10-free formula that doesn't damage or irritate your nails.

Riverside

Tenoverten's Riverside is the only summer blues you should have this season. The polish goes on transparent but can be intensified with layers without the polish looking cakey or bubbly.

Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel, Rose Indien

Try this stunning hot pink hue from Hermes, which deposits rich color with one stroke using its large, rounded brush applicator.

Gel Lab Pro Nail Color — La Vie En Rose/Shimmer

White toes for the summer are a no-brainer. This gel formula enforces a no-chip policy that offers a long-lasting, salon-quality pedicure that's as strong as gel but not nearly as damaging.

Turquoise & Caicos

If you are counting down the days until your summer vacation and need something to hold you over until you can relax poolside, try a quick trip to Turquoise and Caicos. This beautiful mint green shade will transport you to your dream summer oasis.

Gel Nail Polish — Poppy Pink

This hot pink shade isn't for the faint of heart. Channel your inner Legally Blonde main character energy with Poppy Pink from Beetles' bestselling gel polish line. Although you'll have to get your own UV/LED lamp to cure, the polish is long-lasting and soaks off easily to reduce damage from nail drills.

Le Vernis

Nothing says sunshine like a fresh yellow manicure. This pastel yellow shade has a long-lasting formula that is designed to minimize chipping or fading for a glossy set of nails to last you until your next trip to the salon.

Angels Fight to Starry Nights

Clear skies call for a sky blue manicure to match. This shimmering blue has specs of green and purple glitter that creates an ethereal holographic effect that is great for any season but is will shine beautifully under the summer sun.

Willow In The Wind

The sun is out so tat mean it's time to grab a blanket and grab your friends for a day in the park to bask in the beautiful trees and fresh cut grass and of course to admire your manicure. This vibrant shade of green has a rich cream finish to enhance the color to match the vibe of a day outdoors.

Lilacism

Even though Spring is coming to an end, floral tones are still at the top of our list. This lilac is the perfect middle ground between a soft pastel purple and bright pink making a great shade to transition into the summer season.

Paddington Peace Out Quick Drying Nail Polish

From runways to beauty trends and even accessories no one can deny that we are witnessing the resurgence of red. Always a classic color, red nails are having a moment. The bold hue is the perfect eye-catching accent and is the perfect way to heat up your manicure.

gLITer

You know summer is here when you get the sudden urge to spend a sunny afternoon on a rooftop with friends enjoying good food, drinks, and gossip. This sparkling transparent orange polish with golden tones like an aperol spritz on a warm summer day.

Glazed N' Amused

Glazed nails took over our social media feeds last summer with celebrities like Hailey Bieber popularizing the trend with a variety of colors. If you didn't get the chance to try it out last year, you're in luck because this trend won't be going anywhere any time soon. This iridescent glazed color adds a slight sparkle to your nails. Use it on its own for a simple glazed look or over another color for extra shine.

Astral Aura

To answer your question, no we are not over Barbie pink. How could we be when it is truly the perfect summer pink. Pinky shades add an adorable pop to any look without clashing too much with other shades. If you are someone who is usually committed to neutral tones but are looking to venture out, starting out with a pink shade is a good introduction to more color. This polish also has purple shimmering pearls for a slight glittery finish.

Azure Blue Glossy Nail Polish, Poolside Dream

If you were to imagine your perfect summer day there a good chance an image of yourself relaxing poolside would come to mind. This luxurious cobalt blue nail polish captured that exact feeling in one little bottle. And with a vegan chip-resistant formula you can make that feeling last forever, or at least until your next manicure.

Why Trust Elle Beauty?

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com editors spoke with nail experts about the absolute best summer nail colors. The authors personally tested a number of these products and scoured reviews for the top-rated products on the market.

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