To help narrow down the literal rainbow of summer manicure trends out there, we’ve tapped a group of in-the-know beauty editors to share their favourite nail polish shades. Whether you’re looking for pedicure ideas or just want your fingers to match your iced matcha, these editor-approved picks are worth adding to your nail polish rotation this summer.
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This story was originally published on Refinery29 US.
Nails. INC Sun Street Passage Neon Nail Polish
“No one does neon nail polish quite like Nails.INC — the shades are seriously eye-catching. I love wearing them on my toes in summer; there’s something so satisfying about seeing this bright pink polish peeking out of the sand. I honestly think Nails.INC is underrated when it comes to staying power. Its formulas last on my toes for weeks (don’t tell my pedicurist!) without fading or dulling. Even better, the wide brush makes application a breeze — it only takes two swipes to coat each nail perfectly.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, beauty director, Refinery29
Nails Inc. Sun Street Passage Neon Nail Polish, $, available at Nails Inc.
Manucurist Green Natural Nail Polish in Ultramarine
“When it comes to summer nails, my mantra is always ‘go flashy or go home’, and this electric blue really is that girl for turning heads and attracting compliments. I love pairing it with matching blue mascara and eyeliner because it really makes all the blues pop. It’s not always easy to find vibrant, punchy shades in regular polish, but Manucurist offers a fantastic option for just £14.” — Vanese Maddix, contributing beauty writer, Refinery29
Manucurist Green Natural Nail Polish in Ultramarine, $, available at Manucurist
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Poète
“Nothing feels more summery to me than biting into a perfectly ripe peach. Poète, a blush orange hue from Chanel’s spring-summer lineup, perfectly captures this juicy, sweet fruit. I like that it’s not the kind of highly saturated neon orange that commands too much attention and makes it difficult to match my outfit. It’s the ideal crossover between orange and pink, and looks so lovely with the friendship bracelets and jade bangles I like to wear in the summer.” — Venus Wong, senior writer, Refinery29
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Poète, $, available at Chanel
Mooncat Nail Polish in Mermaid Bait
“I am obsessed with the dynamic finishes in Mooncat’s collection, and this chromatic turquoise has been my favourite, especially for beach season. It’s so shiny that every time I wear it, people think it’s gel and ask how my manicurist achieved the effect. I love how the chrome shifts between pink to gold and even lime green depending on how the light hits, and the lacquer itself has serious staying power. I can go almost two weeks with minimal wear.” — Marianne Mychaskiw, beauty writer and TV host
Mooncat Nail Polish in Mermaid Bait, $, available at Etsy
Mavala Mini Colour in Jaipur
“This is the juiciest orange shade, and I actually love that the bottle is only 5ml. so it’s easy to slip into your luggage and perfect for quick top-ups if you get any chips. Even better, I never have to worry about it drying out, since I get through it much faster than larger bottles. It looks great on fingers and toes, but I prefer it on my feet — it really livens up my mostly black sandal collection!” — Jacqueline Kilikita, beauty director, Refinery29
Mavala Mini Colour in Jaipur, $, available at Amazon
Essie Expressie Quick Dry Nail Colour in Take Controller
“While I’m a bit of a creature of habit when it comes to my go-to nail polish colours, seeing so many incredible green manicures trending this year has me itching to switch up my reliable reds and trusty neutrals for something a little more fun. Enter: Essie Expressie Quick Dry Nail Colour in Take Controller. Punchier than the more pared-back matcha shades that we’ve been seeing for spring, this is a vibrant lime green that feels fresh, fun, and perfect for summer. While it isn’t quite as neon as some of the Day Glo-inspired brights that I’ve seen taking off for the season ahead, it’s undeniably joy-inducing. Plus, this fast-drying formula from Essie is perfect if you have no patience to sit still and wait for your nails to dry like me.” — Mica Ricketts, freelance beauty journalist
Essie expressie Quick Dry Nail Colour, $, available at Cosmetify
OPI Infinite Shine Nail Lacquer In Alpine Snow
“A crisp white polish is my default pedicure colour when I go on an extended summer holiday. It’s a no-brainer shade that goes with everything and looks so good peeping out of brown leather sandals. One thing I will say is that white polish tends to scratch and chip quite easily, and can look streaky if you’re not careful enough. That’s why the OPI Infinite Shine range is my favourite: the gel-like formula stays put for up to 11 days without chipping, and the brush design is very beginner-friendly. It’s practically foolproof.” — Venus Wong, senior writer
OPI Infinite Shine Alpine Snow, $, available at Ulta
Nails.INC Super Dew 4-Piece Nail Polish Set
“After flirting with all the colours of the rainbow with my manicures over the years, I’ve settled into a groove with my nail colour of choice — and it’s very much in the minimal, clean vibe. Nails.INC is always on top of the trends, but where they excel, in my opinion, is with this fresh, clean manicure that always looks well put together. The brand’s Super Dew combo, £22, is an ideal foursome that features a sheer pink and bright sheer white polish that can be topped with a glow-enhancing sheer pop of pink and contains a nourishing cuticle oil for soft, supple cuticles. I’ve been applying two layers of Knightsbridge Nights Out (the peach pink on the bottom left) on my fingers and toes, and the effect is chic, clean, and goes-with-anything.” — Emma Guns, podcaster, beauty editor, and presenter
Nails Inc. Super Dew 4-Piece Nail Polish Set, $, available at Nails Inc.
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