courtesy
We’ve been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Sprucing up your nails with a new coat of nail polish is one of the easiest, most refreshing ways to play with your beauty look. With summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to jump on fun nail art trends for manicures and pedicures while transitioning from spring polish looks. Here, nail experts give insight into the top, most popular nail polish colors and polish finishes that will shine for summer — and the best tips on how to get the looks at home!
This season, it’s all about twists on bold nail colors, from eye-catching brights to interesting neutrals inspired by natural elements. This year’s best daring colors are different from the blinding neons of the past: shades like muted peaches and cornflower blues are having their time in the sun, too. Scroll down for the hottest trending summer nail polish colors of 2021 to wear now, including shades that are in for toes and all skin tones, from fair to dark.
1Lemon Yellow
OPI Nail Lacquer in Exotic Birds Do Not Tweet
1Lemon Yellow
OPI Nail Lacquer in Exotic Birds Do Not Tweet
Now 14% Off$9 at Walmart$11 at Ulta Beauty$11 at Macy’sCredit: OPI
“For summer, it’s the best time to go a bit bolder with your color choices– without going too far outside of your comfort zone,” says Eleanor Langston, the Chief Creative Officer of Paintbox, a nail salon in New York City. "Lemon yellow is surprisingly flattering on all skin tones." Just looking at this happy color, from Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab test winner OPI, will help brighten your day.
2Cornflower Blue
Essie Nail Polish in Bikini So Teeny
2Cornflower Blue
Essie Nail Polish in Bikini So Teeny
$10 at Walmart$10 at Ulta Beauty$10 at Macy’sCredit: Essie
Bring out a soothing blue that looks good year-round. Cornflower blue shades like this one from Essie (a GH Beauty Lab test-winning formula) are effortlessly chic, and might just give your go-to red manicure a run for its money.
3Beachy Bronze
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish in Terra-Coppa
3Beachy Bronze
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish in Terra-Coppa
Now 46% Off$5 at Walmart$10 at JCPenney$11 at Ulta BeautyCredit: Sally Hansen
Sally Hansen’s GH Beauty Award-winning iridescent bronze nail polish, a favorite summer shade of GH’s beauty director, is like a glowing "tan" for your hands and toes (minus the sun damage). "It works as a warm neutral with a little bit of spark," she says.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below4Sizzling Red
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Arancio Vibrante
4Sizzling Red
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Arancio Vibrante
$28 at Macy’sCredit: Chanel
Take your classic red up a notch with bright orange undertones, a la this chic shade from Chanel. It’s wearable on both hands and feet (even matching!).
5Dusty Peach
Smith & Cult Nail Lacquer in Forever Fades Fast
5Dusty Peach
Smith & Cult Nail Lacquer in Forever Fades Fast
$18 at DermstoreCredit: Smith & Cult
Match your beauty look to the dusky summer days with a pretty polish that helps turn up the heat. This warm peach Smith & Cult color is eye-catching without being too dramatic.
6Jungle Green
OPI Nail Lacquer in Rated Pea-G
6Jungle Green
OPI Nail Lacquer in Rated Pea-G
$12 at Amazon$9 at Walmart$11 at Ulta BeautyCredit: OPI
Channel the lush tropics by painting on OPI’s creamy leaf green. If you’re hesitant to wear the bolder shade on your nails, try it on your toes to, well, dip your toe in.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below7Punchy Watermelon
SpaRitual Nourishing Vegan Nail Color in Wellness Warrior
7Punchy Watermelon
SpaRitual Nourishing Vegan Nail Color in Wellness Warrior
$14 at Amazon$16 at WalmartCredit: SpaRitual
For a vivid take on pink, try a saturated watermelon shade, like SpaRitual. It looks equally gorgeous on fingers and toes.
8Warm Sand
Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer in Ladies Night
8Warm Sand
Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer in Ladies Night
$18 at NET-A-PORTERCredit: Marc Jacobs Beauty
Long gone are the days where nude polish strictly means matching it to your skin shade. This rich neutral from Marc Jacobs Beauty compliments every skin tone (it looks especially flattering on dark skin) and will go with anything you own. Langston calls cinnamon-caramel colors like this one "the new neutral."
9Nautical Navy
Essie Nail Polish in Infinity Cool
9Nautical Navy
Essie Nail Polish in Infinity Cool
$7 at AmazonCredit: Essie
Not every summer nail polish has to be light and bright: Essie’s inky navy blue looks both nautical and understated chic at the same time.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below10Floral Confetti
Jin Soon Nail Polish in Daisy
10Floral Confetti
Jin Soon Nail Polish in Daisy
$18 at JINsoonCredit: Jin Soon
This multi-colored flower confetti polish from nail artist Jin Soon is like a party for your summer mani. Wear it alone or as a top coat over an opaque neutral shade to let the shapes pop.
11Vivid Orchid
Paintbox Nail Lacquer in Muse
11Vivid Orchid
Paintbox Nail Lacquer in Muse
$22 at paint-box.comCredit: Paintbox
The perfect fresh purple for summer, Paintbox’s cool-toned orchid nail color looks striking on skin. It hits the sweet spot between both bright and sophisticated.
12Creamy Seafoam
Orly Nail Lacquer in Day Trippin’
12Creamy Seafoam
Orly Nail Lacquer in Day Trippin’
$9 at Walmart$10 at Ulta BeautyCredit: Orly
Conjure thoughts of turquoise seas with this opaque sea green from Orly. The pastel hints provide a pretty contrast against the skin.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below13Milky Iced Latte
Nails Inc. Coco For Real Chocolate Scented Nail Polish in No Fear Chocolatier
13Milky Iced Latte
Nails Inc. Coco For Real Chocolate Scented Nail Polish in No Fear Chocolatier
$8 at TargetCredit: Nails Inc.
A new take on minimalism, this Nails Inc. color combines cream with a dash of chocolate for an effect that’s similar to gray, yet warmer for summer.
14Watercolor Pink
Dior Nail Glow
14Watercolor Pink
Dior Nail Glow
$28 at Sephora$38 at Walmart$30 at NordstromCredit: Dior
Think of this unique Dior nail polish as a sheer gloss for your nails: It gives tips a light, healthy rosy tint— ideal for balmy days (or when you don’t want to worry about chipping).
15Cloud Blue-White
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Woke
15Cloud Blue-White
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Woke
$20 at Amazon$20 at Macy’sCredit: Deborah Lippmann
Nail artist Deborah Lippmann melds milky white and hints of baby blue for a neutral that’s anything but basic. Its cool undertones add a hot weather-perfect lightness and brightness.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below16Vibrant Fuschia
LeChat Dare to Wear Nail Polish in Private Escort
16Vibrant Fuschia
LeChat Dare to Wear Nail Polish in Private Escort
$9 at WalmartCredit: LeChat
Bring your basic pink up a few notches for the season with a bold, bright fuschia like this one from LeChat. This updated version of a classic looks just as eye-catching on both toes and fingers.
17Light Rose Gold
Smith & Cult Nail Polish in Call Me Poetry
17Light Rose Gold
Smith & Cult Nail Polish in Call Me Poetry
$18 at AmazonCredit: Smith & Cult
Like "no-makeup" makeup for nails, this sheer golden pink from Smith & Cult leaves behind a subtle glimmer that makes nails look put-together but doesn’t scream "polish".
18Sunny Tangerine
Revlon Ultra HD Snap Nail Color in Hot Stuff
18Sunny Tangerine
Revlon Ultra HD Snap Nail Color in Hot Stuff
Now 20% Off$7 at Walmart$8 at JCPenneyCredit: Revlon
For something a little spicier than red, swipe on this vibrant citrusy shade from Revlon. It acts as an eye-catching accessory against an otherwise minimal look.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below19Modern Neutral
Olive & June 7-Free Nail Polish in EC
19Modern Neutral
Olive & June 7-Free Nail Polish in EC
$8 at Olive & JuneCredit: Olive & June
A classic nude shade is the go-to for anyone looking for a neutral. Try a muted pastel like Olive & June for an updated look that will make you feel summery while still safe in your neutral-toned comfort zone. “We love a neutral mani any time of year, and especially in summer," Gibson says of her company’s polish collection. “When we started treating lighter shades of blue, lavender and pink as neutrals in the salon, a whole world of mani possibilities opened up.”
20Cool Cobalt
LeChat Dare to Wear Nail Polish in Into The Deep
20Cool Cobalt
LeChat Dare to Wear Nail Polish in Into The Deep
$8 at WalmartCredit: LeChat
This striking cobalt blue from LeChat is equal parts nautical and exotic. It especially pops as a pedicure in a simple pair of sandals.
