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Getty/Launchmetrics Beauty Nails The Best Summer Nail Colors to Inspire Your Next Manicure The Best Summer Nail Colors to Inspire Your Next Manicure Shades this season take cues from the sea, sunsets, and strawberries
It’s high time to break out of your manicure rut. “Summertime is a great opportunity to step out of your comfort zone with your nail color choices,” says Gina Eppolito , a celebrity manicurist who has worked with Anne Hathaway and Sarah Jessica Parker. “Embrace the leisurely mood of the season and try a shade you wouldn’t have dared.”
This season’s top nail color trends range from subtle nudes and sheer washes of color to bold, energetic shades like ocean blue and strawberry red. Ahead, Eppolito shares her favorite nail polishes for summer 2026 to inspire your next manicure and pedicure.
Like body shimmer or a swipe of highlighter, glowy nail polishes are sheer and ever so sparkly, lending nails a healthy, subtle shine. “Summer equates to glowy, radiant skin, so why stop there? Glowy nails are a total summertime vibe,” says Eppolito.
Nude nails are always in style, but they’re trending right now for their elegant simplicity. “Nudie nails give off light and airy feels, much like the summer wind blowing through your hair,” says Eppolito.
The nail artist says that sunset-inspired polishes in peachy pastels signal “passion” and “boldness.”
Polishes in a range of depths and shades of cool blue “bring calmness and serenity, yet make a bold statement,” she says.
Brighter than cherry-red and a little more pink, strawberry shades are the fun, summertime equivalent of a classic red manicure. “Eye-catching strawberry shades exude playfulness with a sexy twist,” says Eppolito.
Lock it in: “My holy grail base coat is Orly Bonder and top coat is INM Out the Door,” adds the artist.
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