Summer is officially here! Even if it feels like March 109th! Which means it’s time to (safely) embrace some of the hottest summer nail colors. That’s a weather pun, by the by.
So what colors should you focus on this season? Nail expert Lina Bukovza, founder of Nail Art Gear, recommends picking a pop of color that complements your skin tone. If you’re fair-skinned, try a blue, grey, lilac, pink, or purple hue. Olive or darker skinned? Bukovza suggests coral, orange, yellow, bright pink, or red.
Add some metals into the mix for a shimmery summer manicure. “Reach for the bottles that will make your nails sparkle,” she says. “Glitter or gold flakes can add that extra bit of flair to keep your nails insta-worthy for every moment!” They’re also harder to remove so that’ll give you something to do for five minutes!
Or throw out the rulebook and pick whatever summer nail color you want. It’s been a long few months and you deserve day-glo green nails if you want ’em. Then sit around watching the paint dry. You’ve got time.
Summer Nail Colors for 2020
1. Copper
This sparkly copper nail polish looks good on literally everyone. Paint on two coats for metallic nails, or use it as a shimmery coat over another color.
Nail color to try: Like Spark by Paintbox
2. Toffee
Coral nail polish is kind of like a sangria hangover — it’s a summertime classic, but maybe you want to tone it down a bit. By which we mean adding more fruit so it lasts longer. We love this warm, matte toffee polish as an alternative to the usual tropical orange.
Nail color to try: Dream Come True by Dazzle Dry
3. Sky Blue
This blue hue perfectly straddles the line between pastel and vivid, and it’ll give you “sitting in a lounge chair, staring at the sky, ignoring your boss’s texts” summer vacay vibes. Wait, didn’t you have a presentation today?
Nail color to try: What’s Good by Deborah Lippmann
4. Sunny Yellow
Channel the sunshine (or vodka lemonade, whatevs) with this vibrant yellow nail color. If a full set is a little too sunny for you, use yellow for a colorful french tip, make it a bold accent nail among a hand full of black or navy, or stop being so shy. The choice is yours!
Nail color to try: Color Me Curious by Smith & Cult
5. Lilac
This light, bright purple is the perfect gateway into bold hues for people who normally gravitate towards neutrals. This lilac polish — part of Essie’s Summer 2020 collection — was inspired by the bustling Bazaars of Marrakesh. Or World Market, which is the closest thing you’re getting to there this year. Oooh, is that a pizza oven shaped like a fish?
Nail color to try: Worth the Tassle by Essie
6. Holographic Sparkle
OPI’s Summer 2020 Hidden Prism collection features 12 shimmery shades — plus six pro-only gel colors — that change as you move. Wear it alone or over your favorite nail color for a unique effect that will dazzle your quarantine buddy, Mittens.
Nail color to try: Optical Illus-Sun by OPI
7. Sea Green
This pastel hue has the retro beach vibes of a vintage postcard. Fetch our flannel bloomers, we’re going bathing!
Nail color to try: Sea Foam by Morgan Taylor
8. Ocean Blue
If your summer vacation was “indefinitely postponed,” bring the ocean to your fingertips with this shimmery, sea-blue polish shade. Which is good, since your entire bottom half is a fin and who paints that?
Nail color to try: Infinite Shine Aber-Green by OPI
9. Bold Pink
VSCO girls will love this bright fuchsia hue that instantly transport them to summer in the early 90s. When you come back, can you bring us some Sun-In?
Nail color to try: The Fuschia is Bright by Essie
10. Off White
This pretty vegan nail polish reminds us of a pink sand beach. It’s the perfect hue when you want to try a bold summer nail color, but don’t want to bring neon tiki bar vibes to your next work Zoom because your boss is still mad at you for ignoring her texts.
Nail color to try: Coconut Milk by Sally Hansen
In addition to being quoted in numerous bridal and lifestyle outlets, such as Brides, Bridal Guide, SheFinds, and Refinery29, she also has a diverse writing background, which includes clips for Inverse, Bustle, GadgetReview, Ovia Health, Healthline, and The Drive. When Dorian's not writing you can find her traveling across the country or abroad, spending time with her husband and daughter, or creating makeup wizardry on herself. Follow her on Twitter at @bigapplestyle
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