Everyone Will Be Wearing This Aquatic Nail Color for Summer (2024)

Wherever summer’s plot takes you, there is a manicure to match. Imagine the sun glistening on your metallic nails as you grasp a refreshing drink on a rooftop. Or perhaps you are enjoying some R&R in Turks and Caicos, and as you take a dip in the ocean, your glossy aqua-blue nails camouflage into the waves. Dreamy, no? “We’re shaping up for a vibrant season of nail trends,” says New York City-based nail artist Julie Kandalec.

With summer 2024 nail color trends taking inspiration from the liveliest scenes of the season, brands—including JinSoon, Olive & June, and Essie—are launching new collections to match. Vibrant shades like jelly pink, tangerine, and ocean blue “capture the essence, energy, and romantic allure of the warmer months,” says Kandalec.

And electric shades aren’t the only option. A pastel butter yellow is a shockingly wearable swap for your usual paired-back neutrals—plus, the shade pairs beautifully with a classic summer white pedicure. On that note: Experts predict fresh whites will be just as popular on your fingertips as the color has always been on your toes. Ahead, discover a rainbow of nail polishes to have on rotation all summer long.

Meet the experts:

• JinSoon Choi is a New York City-based nail artist.
• Lonna Janee is a California-based nail artist and V Beauty Pure educator.
• Julie Kandalec is a New York-based nail artist.
• Alexandra Rivera is a Florida-based nail artist.
• Amy Ling Lin is the founder of New York City-based salons and nail brand Sundays Studio.

Butter Yellow

Pass the butter (polish), please! This “dreamy pastel adds a touch of elegance with a playful twist,” says New York City-based nail artist JinSoon Choi who makes the perfect lacquer for the look JinSoon Georgette, a soft pale yellow. For a slightly bolder, sunshine-y hue, try Cirque Colors Buttercup, which has a fresh, glossy finish.

Tangerine

Reminiscent of Fanta soda and summer sunsets, tangerine practically screams summer. For California-based nail artist Lonna Janee, “it’s giving sunflower, it’s giving sun,” which makes it one of her go-to summer colors. We love Essie Break It Sundown, a beautiful orange polish with yellow undertones. Prefer a gel manicure? Reach for the V Beauty Pure polish in 081, a bold creamsicle shade.

Ocean Blue

Last summer, pool nails took over our feeds. This year, we’re headed to the shore. A coastal ocean-blue shade makes for a bold statement on its own or as an accent color. Florida-based nail artist Alexandra Rivera recommends a deep sea-inspired vertical ombré manicure, like the one pictured here—play around with different shades of blue to create a dimensional look. We love the Manicurist nail Polish in Ultramarine. For a gel option reach for the Madam Glam gel nail polish in Matty.

Chilli Pepper Red

The heat is on this summer—and we recommend a fiery, red-hot nail lacquer to match. Two favorites: No. 13 from Sundays (an Allure Best of Beauty winner) and Dior Vernis in 999 Rouge both provide an opaque, glossy finish in a warm, red hue. This chili-pepper shade is “an energetic and spicy mood booster that harnesses the vibrant energy of the season,” says Amy Ling Lin, Sundays Studio founder.

Molten Metallics

“Metallics remain a summer favorite,” says Kandalec. In the coming months, purple will have its shining moment. Kandalec loves Lights Lacquer Birthday Wishes (a cool metallic lavender) and KB Shimmer What a Pearl Wants (a multi-colored metallic polish).

Summer White

White linen sets, white sand beaches, a classic white pedicure…the fresh hue is practically synonymous with summertime. “It’s a versatile color that makes your skin appear tan and instantly brightens your overall look,” says Lin.

Allure editors love Sundays No.1, a pure white polish that takes inspiration from fresh linens, and OPI Funny Bunny. Going on vacation and looking for even longer wear? A few coats of Aprés’ gel nail polish in Baby’s Breath will carry you through.

Jelly Pink

A popsicle is an idyllic treat on a steamy day—and it’s become the inspiration for one of our favorite new manicures. Jelly nail polishes are an easy way to mimic the “popsicle-stained” effect and the formulas are especially pretty in pink. “The summertime is the perfect time to take advantage of all the different shades of pink… a soft pastel or maybe something neon but jelly pink will be the most popular,” says Janee.

Allure’s editor-in-chief Jessica Cruel recently traveled to Seoul where nail artist Park Eunkyung, aka Unistella, gave her the popular jelly nail treatment in a vivid shade of magenta. That said, you don’t have to travel the globe to get this look. We love JinSoon’s Whisper, a soft jelly rose shade for a subtle manicure, and Olive & June’s Jelly Baby for a slightly brighter jelly finish.

Turquoise

Looking for a shade that will pop with your favorite sandals or on a white sand beach? Turquoise is the answer. Lin predicts the minty blue-green shade will be on everyone's toes and is a big fan of the “happy, cheerful color.” Paint on Gucci Glossy in 713 Dorothy Turquoise or OPI Cactus What You Preach for a long-lasting pedicure that will hold up through several beach days.

More nail trends:

• The Prettiest Nail Polish Colors For Spring 2024
• 15 Bridesmaid Nail Ideas the Whole Bridal Party Will Love
• Jelly Nails Are Back Again

Watch Sydney Sweeney's 10-minute beauty routine: