We Identified the 12 It Nail Colors for Summer, and Yep, They’re Really Good

With summer right around the corner, I’ve been thinking it’s time to upgrade my list of go-to summer nail colors. Don’t get me wrong, I love bold shades or classic french tips more than anyone, but it also doesn’t hurt to keep things fresh by adding more nuanced hues to the mix.

To get a better sense of the colors I should be showing my nail tech, I decided to reach out to a few of my favorite nail artists to get the scoop on what nail trends we’ll see more of in the warmer months. The shades they shared look good on their own or when paired with an on-trend design.

1. Butter Yellow

It’s pretty safe to say that butter yellow is everywhere, and celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein agrees. In fact, she predicts a variety of yellow shades will be popular this summer. “From a neon [yellow] to vanilla [yellow], you can’t get it wrong,” she says. “It’s a happy kind of feeling and color, and we’re all looking forward to brightness.”

2. Hot Orange

I love this almost reddish shade of orange. It reminds me of a juicy tangerine in the best way possible. What screams summer more than a bold, fruity shade like this?

3. Baby Blue

Similar to the hype around butter yellow, baby blue is right there, too. There’s something about the color that screams fresh yet elevated. “This soft, ethereal hue with icy undertones exudes both serenity and sophistication,” says Molly Romah, head nail artist at Chillhouse. “It’s grabbing everyone’s attention.”

4. Sage Green

Romah is a big fan of sage green for several reasons. For starters, it has an undeniable earthy and relaxing vibe to it. But if you want to take it up a notch, you can opt for mor shimmery shades of green to really make it pop.

5. Soft Bubblegum Pink

LeChat Nails brand educator Hemi Park foresees pinks making an appearance in a big way this summer. “As seen in [recent] fashion trends, pinks are definitely going to be playing a huge part in summer nail trends,” she says. For starters, this softer shade of bubblegum pink is about to take over. “[It’s] slightly muted for those wanting to go pink but [who] aren’t adventurous enough to try Barbie shades. It’s creamy and lightly textured, and it is literally the perfect base color for anyone who wants to try glazed nails. If you haven’t jumped on the trend yet, this is a must-try!”

6. Pearlescent Chrome

Whether you like a simple pearlescent chrome look or more of a neon chrome, Gerstein says these types of nail shades will continue to reign supreme as we move into summer. “Any color chromes such as bright neons [will be big]. It’s more about texture than color, with 3D effects being really big and chromes give colors a new kind of feel. Pearls are big as well.”

7. Electric Purple

I’m definitely counting on electric shades of purple being everywhere for summer. It’s vibrant and an easy way to make a bold statement. Although lavender shades are always extra pretty, the deeper, bolder shade above almost leans blue—and I completely love it.

8. Deep Cherry Red

Delicious cherry red is a nail color I just can’t quit. Sure, it’s typically more of a formal or glamorous shade, but it feels just right for summer with a neutral design accent or a negative-space design like the one pictured above.

9. Colorful French Tips

Colorful tips are a fun way to jazz up an otherwise classic French manicure, and folks are catching on. I’ve seen a ton of nail artists rocking these styles recently, and they even add a design or two to give it an edge. Make your own French tips summer-ready by incorporating brighter colors like blue, purple, pink, yellow, or green.

10. Seafoam Green

Soft and muted pastels are gorgeous year-round, but seafoam green, in particular, is a teal-green shade you won’t want to skip this summer. It makes a statement without being too harsh and looks great with any vacation outfit.

11. Magenta

For those feeling a little bolder, Park says magenta is the shade to try this summer, especially if you’re interested in trying trends like jelly nails. “Jelly nails are always so popular in summer, and this year there’s no exception,” Park explains. “The only difference from past years will be that these sheer, clear colors will be more playful than ever. “[LeChat’s] hot magenta pink jelly color has a very deep pink base with a touch of purple. What is great about this particular shade is that it can be layered to deepen the depth to create a patent leather look with a high gloss top coat, or one coat can be applied to vibe together with Y2K-inspired jewelry. I would recommend wearing hot magenta jelly nails over longer, almond-shaped nails.”

12. White

Now I know what you’re probably thinking, but when you really think about it, white manis make their way back every summer for a reason. It’s bright, crisp, and sophisticated. In short: they never go out of style. Romah also loves the idea of taking a basic white to the next level by using a polish that has glitter for an iridescent effect.

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.