I always switch up my beauty routine with the season. In the summer, I prioritize lightweight formulas and lots of SPF, but it's also the time I change up my nail color rotation. I prefer my summer nail colors to match the mood of the season: light, bright, and happy. Plus, I like to take stock of the summer's nail trends for added inspiration.
Now that summer is properly here, I've secured my lineup of go-to nail polishes for the season. Fruit nail art à la Hailey Bieber's farmer's market manicure is on the rise, however, there's nothing like a simple solid shade to get the job done. My summer color palette is still full of food-inspired nails—think: trendy butter yellow and shiny jellies. I also can't forget the bubble bath trend (it's a celebrity-favorite nail polish color), and I'll be giving my classic red nails a summery update.
Those are but a taste of all the summer nail colors I'm planning for my at-home manicures. For a full breakdown on all of my favorite nail polishes of the season, keep scrolling. Whether you opt for short nails or a dramatic coffin shape, the nail colors ahead are sure to provide fresh ways to kick off the warm weather.
Butter Yellow
Fashion's current obsession with butter yellow has crossed into the beauty world, and I'm not mad about it one bit. It's soft, fun, and can essentially be described as "sunshine in a bottle." My favorite polishes look good enough to eat.
Londontown always has the best nail colors—as proven by this pretty shade.
This polish is named after Jessie Loeffler Randall, aka the founder of shoe brand Loeffler Randall, so you can rest assured this color would look great on both your nails and toes.
I love Manucurist's Green range for its vegan, plant-based, and non-toxic formula.
Leave it to Chanel to create the ideal butter yellow shade.
Baby Blue
The only kind of blues I want in the summer are the ones on my nails. While there's a time and place for bright cobalt nails, my preferred summer manicure shade is more subdued—baby blue. When my nails match the sky on a sunny day, I can't help but be happy.
This sparkly blue shade has earned its status as an iconic blue nail polish.
This deeper blue is slightly more moodier for when I'm feeling bold.
Not only does is this blue shade so pretty, but I feel calmer and more serene every time I wear it.
This blue color is at the top of my polish wishlist.
Fiery Red
Red nails will always be a classic. When the temperatures start to rise, I like to choose a hotter, orange-toned red for a fiery look. The shade is bold and makes me feel like a total smoke show, no matter what I'm wearing—hence why I've requested it on my last two manicure appointments.
Hermès polishes look just as good on your nails as they do in the bottle.
I've seen this nail color called out so many times on TikTok, and I'd say the hype is justified.
If you've never tried Orly nail polish, the brand makes at-home manicures so easy with its ergonomic cap and wide brush.
Dazzle Dry nail polishes really do deliver on its promise over seven days of chip-free wear.
Coral
Anytime I head out on a beach vacation, I book a manicure with a bright, poppy coral shade beforehand. It pops against my tan from a mile away, so it never fails to earn a compliment or two. Plus, these shades are perfect to tackle the watermelon nail art I've seen all over my Instagram feed.
This bright shade makes me want to book a trip to Tulum ASAP.
As the name suggests, this color will transport you to a Brazilian party ASAP.
You may know H&M for its affordable fashion, but it's beauty offering it just as good—as you can see with this fun polish.
If you thought this neon shade was fun, wait till to see it under a UV light.
Bubble Bath Pink
The bubble bath nail trend has cemented itself as a hall-of-fame nail polish shade. What other color is as well-received by celebs like Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez, Charli XCX, and Kate Middleton? The princess-approved nail color, marked by a cloudy, pinky white mixture, is pure elegance and one I regularly turn to in the summer.
This is the Bubble Bath shade that started it all—consider it a forever iconic shade.
This is the exact nail polish Charli XCX is wearing above, so naturally, I'm a fan.
You can build up this sheer shade to achieve your preferred bubble bath color.
When a nail polish has over 2,000 reviews, I know it's a fan-favorite.
Shades of Jelly
In case you haven't noticed, nails have taken on a semi-sheer, glossy finish. These jelly-like colors have a somewhat transparent look to let the natural nail peek through. In turn, the effect is nothing short of playful—I want to try a jelly shade in every color of the rainbow this summer.
This shade reminds me of mint chocolate chip ice cream—a favorite summertime treat.
This polish pulls double duty with its pretty color and nourishing formula.
I'm convinced it would be impossible to feel sad while wearing this bright polish.
This lavender shade is my favorite purple, hands down.
Classic White
Whenever I'm overwhelmed with choice at the salon, I pick out a sheer, opaque, or pearlescent white. I can rely on the shade to look clean and elegant, plus they're versatile enough to pair perfectly with anything I'm wearing.
Pick up this luxe polish to turn to multiple times throughout the season.
With every flick of your hand, the subtle sparkles in this polish will dazzle.
This superb white shade is nothing short of bold.
This white shade has the subtlest of pink undertones to keep it from looking flat.
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