9 Summer Nail Colors To Try This Season, According To Nail Artists

Forbes

24-04-2025

Summer is a great time to go for a vibrant, playful manicure. If you're not yet keen on trying a bolder color like aqua blue or tomato red, warm beige tones and sheer colors never go out of style and are easy to wear. Some favorites for the season ahead include a creamy, pale pink from Dazzle Dry, OPI's cheerful yellow and Dior's bright coral.
The best summer nail colors are vibrant, playful and help usher in warmer weather.
While sheer, subtle shades are always a timeless, universally flattering option, experts like nail artist Erica De Los Santos predicts a mix of neutrals and the currently on-trend butter yellow as well as pops of color. 'Along with caramel colors, light creams and light yellows, we're also seeing a bold comeback of neon colors like hot pinks, fiery oranges, electric blues and vibrant reds—but not as a solid nail, more as an accent-colored effect.," she says. "It lends a playful energy but still feels luxurious when done right.' Whimsical nail art, such as butterflies and ladybugs, and sheer bases with subtle accents are also popular. Here are the top summer nail colors, whether you're looking for something especially eye-catching or more minimal.
Amazon
Butter yellow has been a major color trend this year, and we can expect this shade to remain in our wardrobes as we head into summer. Daisies inspire this cheerful shade from OPI that brings a sunny warmth to your hands and toes. The long-lasting vegan formula promises up to seven days of wear and has a shiny finish.
Chanel
Vibrant tomato red is another eye-catching hue that's synonymous with summer and warm weather. Chanel's formula is enriched with camellia eco-ceramides, providing a shiny, long-lasting finish that users say dries quickly and resists chipping well.
Nails Inc London
Jelly nails—which add a translucent splash of color to your nails—are glossy, buildable and easy to recreate at home. 'Nails Inc.'s Gel Oh Gel jelly polish is a sheer lavender that is a great substitute for a nude,' says nail artist and founder of Nailing Hollywood Mazz Hanna. 'The translucent lavender gives just a whisper of color—fun yet still understated.'
Manucurist
This muted green is a fresh, less expected shade to try going into the warmer weather. 'If you're looking for something a little bit different, Pistachio from Manicurist is a super chic green,' says Hanna. 'It looks great on all skin tones, but I especially love it on super short nails.' If you typically opt for neutral-colored manicures, pistachio green is a nice way to incorporate more color without diving head-first into bold, neon hues.
Olive & June
While this shade is a touch lighter and warmer than Pantone's Color of the Year mocha mousse, it's an excellent option for minimalists or those who prefer a subtly, luxurious look. The surprisingly flattering shade is in between tan and brown. Additionally, it gives excellent coverage and features a gel-like finish that lasts up to ten days.
Amazon
As our experts point out, sheer tones are still popular for summer since they are classic and elegant. 'My all-time favorite summer nail color is Alluring Charm by Dazzle Dry,' says Hanna. 'As soon as the weather warms up and sandal season arrives, you'll always find this shade on my toes. It's not quite white and not quite pink—just the perfect summer color.' As a bonus, it's more opaque, so it hides any discoloration on your nails.
Olive & June
Three-dimensional designs are becoming increasingly popular, but if you want to try something less time consuming, press-ons are a great option (Olive & June is our top pick in our roundup of the best press-on nails). 'Design-wise, insect-inspired nail art is having a moment—think butterflies, ladybugs and delicate wing patterns,' says De Los Santos. 'Last year, fruit-inspired designs were everywhere, so it's refreshing to see insects trending this summer—it's a fun, unexpected twist!'
Nordstrom
If you're ready for a nail color that's fresh, bold and uplifting, you can't go wrong with Dior's Coral Pop. 'This rich coral tone pairs beautifully with bright summer prints and flatters every skin tone,' says Hanna. 'For me, it's the perfect blend of playful and chic—it instantly brightens up any look.'
Amazon
This stunning blue color has an ocean-like feel that instantly transports you to Italy, the French Riviera or somewhere faraway with sparkling turquoise waters. While blue is admittedly a bold statement, it looks great with both neutral-colored outfits and jewel-toned skirts and dresses.
At Forbes Vetted, we've researched and written dozens of nailcare stories, reporting on the best nail polish brands, press-on nails, fall nail colors and more.
For this list of summer nail shades, we researched trend forecasts, interviewed nail artists, studied runway reports and combed through nail expert recommendations online.