8 Summer 2024 Nail Polish Colors You'll See Everywhere This Season (2024)

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• Lesley Stanger is a beauty creator, nail artist, and ambassador forNailboo
• Elle Gersteinis a celebrity nail stylist based in New York and Long Island
• Thuy Nguyenis a celebrity manicurist with clients including Nicole Kidman, Gabrielle Union, and Joey King.

Jelly Nails

Jelly nails are making a comeback yet again, and according to Stanger, this fun nail look will show up everywhere this summer. “The main difference is that for summer, we are going to see jelly nails with shimmer rather than just a solid color, which adds a little extra flare to the trend while glistening in the sun,” she says. No color is off limits when it comes to jelly nails, and shimmer-tinged variations in bright blues and pinks will lead the way. But color isn’t the only way to sport jelly nails. Metallic and chrome finishes will make an appearance, too. To take jelly nails to the next level, Stanger proposes addingsmall fruit detailsor a layer of cat-eye glitter polish for added texture.

Sheer Pink

Pink is a summertime staple and this season it's all about lighter shades of the color. Gerstein’s go-to summer pink polishes are universal, see-through blush shades, likeEssie Blush Jelly in PinkandArtistic Oh, So Vague, which she says gives some camouflage to the nails while working for every skin tone. For a bit of a brighter pink nail, Nguyen recommends opting for a color likeMineral Fusion Pretty in Pink, “It gives enough of a pop of color to the nails for fun in the sun.”

Mint Green

“Mint green is such a fun summer nail color, but it can look different [depending on your] skin tone,” shares Stanger. For paler skin tones, opt for brighter, more neon mint green shades. Medium skin tones can usually pull off more of a true, classic mint green, likeEssie Mint Candy Apple. “Darker skin can wear a mint green with blue undertones, which is the best fit and complements the undertones in the skin nicely,” she adds. For less color and commitment, a thin layer of mint green on the tip of the nails, á la a colored French manicure, is an easy way to integrate a splash of the color. No matter which variation of the shade you lean toward, Nguyen recommends always keeping the cuticles moisturized to finish off the look.

Bright Poppy Orange

Your summer manicure mood board is complete if it features bright orange shades with undertones of red and coral. Stanger calls these perfect-for-summer shades bright and eye-catching. “With a summer tan, bright orange-reds pop off the hand,” she says. “But, it’s important to stay close to colors with a coral undertone so that the nail polish color doesn’t pull too orange.” We likeNailboo Sunset Star, for a more muted look, andChanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color in Incendiairefor full-on brightness.

Colored Metallics

A welcome departure from the deeper metallic shades sported on the nails duringwinter, like sparkling garnet or deep gunmetal polish, comesummer, it’s all about a lighter, more airy take on colored metallics.Cool metallic lavender will have a moment, and so will pastel metallic shades like pink, yellow and iridescent silver-basedmetallics. “I think we will also see this manicure in greens and blue this summer,” Nguyen adds. Unlike chromes, which boast a sleek shine, metallic nails echo more of a pearlescent look.

Aquatic Colors

There’s nothing more fitting for summer than the oceanic water tones of the beach. Coastal blues, greens, and shades of turquoise, ranging in intensity from are destined to be in high demand this summer. Rather than matching a shade to your skin tone, Elle says to choose colors you like. “For example, if you want to wear the aquatic trend, try taking your favorite blue or teal nail polish colors and give them a pale, frosty finish,” she shares. Or, add in some glitter for a next-level aquatic manicure.

If you are shyabout wearing a bold blue or green color on your nails, Nguyen suggests an ombré look that fades into the base of the nail so that the colors are easier on the eyes. “Start at the free edge towards the middle of your nails and gently dab the colors on so that the look of fading color is easier to create," she explains. "It’s about a manicure that gives off the look of the ocean meeting the shore but on your nails.”

Butter Yellow

Give butter-yellow nails a try for a bit of muted color that’s still appropriate for summer. Butter yellow works for all skin tones, and there are many different ways to wear it. According to Gerstein, a meticulous manicure is perfect for showing off yellow, which she says can be tricky to paint because can look streaky. “One way to ensure butter yellow nail polish remains streak-free is to properly prep the nails before painting them. I suggest using a great ridge filler or rubbery base coat to avoid streaking,” she says. From there, layer a creamy yellow color onto the entire nail or trim just the tips in yellow against a nude base for a colored French tip.

Bare-Looking Nails

“Clean girl nails have been trending for a while and will continue to do so into the summer,” Stanger says. The fresh, soft look can be worn in many shapes and lengths, although Stanger and Nguyen prefer this type of manicure on shorter-length almond-shaped nails. The key to getting a transparent-looking base is to apply a couple of thin layers of a very sheer pink, neutral, or milky white nail polish so that the color peeks through without being too transparent or pigmented.