You can get a summery, salon-like manicure at home with these polish colors and designs
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When the summer months roll around, you may feel a renewed sense of excitement around your fashion or beauty products. During the warmer seasons when manicures aren’t covered by gloves, fun additions like nail stickers and trendy press-ons make their reemergence, which makes deciding what to do with our nails all the more fun.
Knowing this, we searched for summer nail trends that lean into the bolder and brighter tones—think neon orange, pink or yellow—you’ll see this season. Keep reading for 10 cheery nail ideas to try this summer.
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1. This hot pink polish from Chanel
Swap out your spring pastel pink for hot pink in the summer months. Pink is popular in fashion this year, and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t cross over into your summer nail palette, too.
This polish is available in a barrage of hues, ranging from an ultra-loud fuschia to somewhat-subdued flamingo pink, making it customizable to your style. Chanel’s “Camelia 560” shade is a top pick if you plan to stay on-trend, as it’s bold and purports a high-shine, long-wearing finish.
2. This set of patterned press-ons from Chillhouse
Looking for a summer-inspired manicure on the go? Apply these Chill Tips whenever a salon appointment is out of the question. While saving you some major money on nail art (it can be expensive!), these promise an easy application and results that look like you spent hours in the salon.
For a seamless application, begin by cleaning your nails, pushing back your cuticles and measuring which of the Chill Tips fits best on each finger. Apply the included glue to the press-on and your natural nail, then press and hold until it adheres. The set should last between seven to 10 days.
3. This sunny yellow polish from Sally Hansen
Yellow is one of those colors that instantly sparks happiness, which is why it’s a go-to for the summer season on many manicurists’ accounts, including celebrity nail artist Betina Goldstein.
Take this trend for a spin this summer with this bold, radiant yellow from Sally Hansen called “Mellow Yellow.” The color packs a punch and claims to have a long-lasting, chip-resistant formula with a glossy finish.
4. These nature-inspired nail stickers from Olive & June
To take your manicure up a notch, apply some of these Olive & June stickers. These are a great alternative to the nail art trend you’ll be seeing all summer long—and are much easier and cheaper to achieve at home.
The kit comes with 75 stickers to choose from—including butterflies and sunflowers—and are easy to put on. Apply them onto your bare or painted nails and seal them in place with a clear topcoat.
5. This metallic hue from Essie
If you want a manicure that highlights a gorgeous summer glow, opt for metallic tones. Use your color of choice in place of the white in a French manicure, apply it to your entire nail for a uniform color, or create some abstract splotches on a neutral nail.
Grab the shade “Good as Gold” from Essie for a bronze hue that’ll complement any look. It claims to be opaque and chip-resistant for a professional-looking mani.
6. This pop of orange from Orly
Orange conjures up visions of popsicles and pool floats, which is precisely why it’s an amazing choice for a summer mani. To maximize its effect, reach for shades in vivid orange hues, like this one from Orly called “Kitsch You Later.”
Use it however you’d like—all over the nail, in a half-moon shape near the cuticles or in swirls that create whimsical nail art. Whatever you choose, it’ll become your new favorite color.
7. This bright red nail polish from O.P.I.
Whenever you’re unsure what nail color to choose, red is a great option, whether you prefer a bright orange-red or a subdued strawberry-red. For the former option, go with the warm-toned shade “A Red-vival City” from O.P.I. and choose “Cajun Shrimp” from O.P.I. for the cooler shade.
Both colors are from the brand’s “Infinite Shine” line, which means they boast a high-shine finish that should last for 11 days when paired with the Infinite Shine ProStay Primer underneath and Infinite Shine ProStay Gloss on top.
8. This linen-inspired white polish from Nails Inc.
There’s something about freshly laundered linen sheets that bring about a cool breeze on summer days, so why not bring that with you into summer? Aside from providing a versatile, sleek manicure, a creamy linen hue matches all your summer whites and amplifies the appearance of your tan. Nails Inc. offers a wide variety of light neutral tones, with the bright white shade called “Free Time Is Me Time” acting as a great starting point.
9. This bold green from Revlon
Another color taking over this year is green. Any hue works, but many influencers have accessorized with a rich leaf-like green.
Try this one called “571 Posh” from Revlon for an eye-catching hue. It claims to be chip- and fade-resistant for a longer-lasting manicure.
10. These logo stickers from Gucci
Hailey Bieber introduced us to "glazed donut nails" at the Met Gala in 2022, but the nail trend is still in vogue all these months later. To get the chrome effect on top of any nail color you have at home, Bieber's nail artist recommends mixing O.P.I.'s shimmery "Kyoto Pearl" shade with the brand's top coat on a clean service, then using the shimmery shade's brush to pick up the mixed polish and apply a layer onto the nail bed.
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