They say you should keep your feet firmly planted on the ground, but when summer rolls around, we’re in the camp of sitting back and letting those puppies breathe (standing is way overrated). And since we’re sockless, shoeless, and kicking our feet up, a fresh summer pedicure will be key.
“This summer, we’ll be seeing more bright and playful pedicure colors rather than classic and neutral shades,” says manicurist and founder of her eponymous nail polish line, Deborah Lippmann. That means fewer French pedicures, more neon greens. Fewer sheer nudes, more canary yellows. It’s time to tuck away jewel tones and earthy hues for pedicures that really pop.
Below, we asked the pros what colors will be trending on toes this summer, and included a few of our own recommendations for polishes that will help you kick back, relax, and let your toes enjoy the season.
Meet the experts:
Peach
According to the fourth and final branch of our government, Pantone, peach fuzz is the color of 2024. And who are we to argue with our most important governing body? Luckily, it makes for a sugary-sweet pedicure color, explains Thea Green, founder of Nails Inc. “Apricot and peach hues evoke a sense of freshness and vibrancy, making this the perfect pedicure shade for the upcoming summer months,” she says. We like the subtle blush of Sienna Byron Bay in Carnation or Habit Nail Polish in 12 Bardot. For a riper fruit, opt for the juicy coral of Chanel Nail Color in Sun Drop.
Sky Blue
April showers bring May flowers and fresh baby blue skies. (Good thing. Those showers were getting old.) That airy, optimistic blue is a great option for toes this summer since it looks great on every skin tone and is light enough to play well with any outfit. Nails Inc in Sky’s My Limit has the pastel color of a Cape Cod beach day, while Lakur nail polish in Reverse the Charges is giving sunny summer skies in the Mediterranean. Olive & June Nail Polish in Bold and Unshaken is the same deep periwinkle you might see on a clear day on a hike in the mountains.
Neon Pink
There’s summer, and then there’s Summer with a capital S and three to five exclamation points. And also maybe a few fire emojis. Likewise, there’s pink, and then there’s neon pink — a vibrant way to up the ante for poolside, capital-S-Summer months. For those who normally wear warm colors, Loud Nail Polish in Kapowski is more of a neon coral. Atomic Polish in Pastel Neon (Ne) Hot Pink and Static Nails in Pink Is My Kink have cool, blue-ish undertones
White
If your summer is spent in silk sarongs and Hermès sandals sipping palomas on a yacht (or if you’d like for your summer to be spent that way) a clean, classic white pedicure will be perfect for the occasion. Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Color in Amazing Grace is a crisp paper white while JINsoon Nail Polish in Akoya has a glimmering, pearlescent finish. If you prefer a creamy vanilla, Le Mini Macaron in Vanilla Milk has a warm, ivory tone.
Jelly Pink
Now that Y2K is trending on TikTok — Peek-a-boo bras! Frosted eyeshadows! Low-rise jeans! — a sheer jelly pedicure is the perfect nod to jelly sandals of yore. “[Jelly Pink] is great for the wearer who normally loves a neutral but wants to add a little pop to their look,” says Los Angeles-based manicurist Stephanie Stone.
Essie Nail Art Studio Jelly Gloss Nail Polish in Blush Jelly is the sheer color of that cotton candy-flavored lip gloss you stole from the drug store and tucked in your baguette purse on a dare in 2002 (it’s okay, we’re probably past the statute of limitations) while Cirque Colors in Peach Jelly is a warmer, more coral hue. Lights Lacquer in Just a Tint looks red in the bottle, but dries in a sheer, light pink tint.
Poppy Orange
Jin Soon Choi, manicurist and founder of nail-care brand JINsoon, likes this punchy orange-red “perfect for those who want a bright and cheerful pedicure that still feels light and airy.” Paintbox Nail Lacquer in Like Coral is the enticing color of an actual red Poppy flower, while Dazzle Dry Lacquer in Red Hot Chili has a tinge more orange — like a monarch butterfly’s wings. Tood Nail Polish in Sharareh is that same warm orange but with a touch of shimmer.
Yellow
Choi also expects to see more cheerful yellow pedicures this summer. If you’re taking this pedicure somewhere reserved — maybe a country club in the Hamptons for a game of tennis — a pale whisper of yellow like OPI Natural Origin Nail Lacquer in Make My Daisy is the perfect subtle but sunny color. If you’re headed somewhere lively and vibrant — say, Jamaica or Rio de Janeiro — a spicier, more vibrant yellow like Color Club Nail Lacquer in Rum Runner will meet the heat. If you want a true sunny yellow for every day, we like Pleasing Nail Polish in Lion’s Underpants.
Lilac
Both manicurist Laura Malarkey and Nailing Hollywood CEO Mazz Hanna say lilac is an up-and-comer for summer 2024. “It’s the perfect transition shade from spring to early summer,” says Hanna, so it would be ideal for that first picnic where you break out your sandals. We like the coquettish hue of ORLY Nail Lacquer in Lilac You Mean It or, for an even subtler look, a super-sheer violet like Gelcare UV Gel Nail Polish in Lavender Water. For a delicate iris blue-purple, try Sally Hansen Good.Kind.Pure Nail Polish in Iris-istable.
Bright Green
When Hailey Bieber went to Coachella with her long nails painted in Day-Glo green, we knew we were about to experience a global green polish shortage (oh, the humanity!). If you do happen to beat the odds (we believe in you — she’ll be back to glazed donuts in no time) it also makes for a pedicure that enters the room before you do and lets everyone in the room know you’re there for the party. We like Morgan Taylor Professional Nail Lacquer in Go For The Glow for a punchy kelly green or Manicurist Paris Nail Polish in Brazil for a classic grass green. If you want to embrace the poolside season, China Glaze Nail Lacquer in I’m With The Lifeguard is a true neon.
Cobalt Blue
In summer, cobalt blue is almost like a neutral. It gives your pedicure a vibrant touch without stomping your foot on the gas into neon territory. Ella and Mila Nail Polish in Bags Are Packed is classic cobalt 101 while ILNP Nail Polish in Midnight Kiss is a 200-level class in blue—azure with a touch of shimmer if you’re feeling frisky. If you’re just taking an elective and want to keep it low-key, Kure Bazaar Nail Polish in Petrol is a deeper, quieter blue.
Primary Red
Classic American summers are all about lemonade, baseball (we hear), and cherry pie…pedicures. A clean, primary red pedicure looks great on everyone and meets every summer occasion with aplomb: Outdoor wedding? Check. Beach bonfire? Check. Baseball game? Fine — to each their own — check. With the perfect creamy red, you’ll look put together no matter what. Gucci Vernis a Ongles Nail Polish in Goldie Red and Emile Heathe Nail Artist Polish in The Perfect Red are reliable crimsons, or try Hermès Les Mains Nail Polish in Rouge Casaque to go just a tick or two brighter.
Summer Shimmer
You know how, in juuust the right light, the sand at the beach glitters a bit? These shimmery neutrals are just like that, but for your toes. If your feet are up to snuff (filed, clipped, moisturized, et cetera) it will look like you don’t have any polish on at all — just well-kept toes with a touch of pretty sparkle that glimmers like you’ve just stepped out of the water. CND Shellac Gel Polish in Night Brilliance has a nice neutral pink base with a diamond-like shine, while Karolin Van Loon Nail Polish in 45 Crushed Crystals has that same dazzle on a neutral beigey base. If you want a little gilded glow, Beauty Pie Wondercolour polish in Gold Drops has a subtle bronzy glimmer.
More nail inspiration:
