Summer's Trendiest Nail Polish Colors Include Metallic Pastels and Food-Inspired Hues (2025)

• Juli Russell is a nail expert and brand ambassador for Sally Beauty.
• Elle Gerstein is a celebrity nail artist whose clients include Jennifer Lopez, Blake Lively, and Lindsay Lohan.
• Alex Jachno is a celebrity nail artist whose clients include Sarah Paulson and Ellen Pompeo.
• Julie Kandalec is a celebrity nail artist whose clients include Jessica Chastain and Maren Morris.

Tiffany Blue

One might argue that Tiffany Blue is forever in style, but this is the summer of pastels, and it feels especially relevant this year. Nail expert Juli Russell describes the shade as "equal parts playful and polished, instantly recognizable, and forever tied to elegance with a wink." She continues: "This color thrives in sunlight and is reminiscent of ocean water. It pops against bronzed skin, pairs beautifully with white linen and denim, and brings a breezy, upscale vacation vibe without trying too hard."

Russell also credits the hue's resurgence to the general wave of nostalgic luxury in fashion and beauty. "The return of Y2K styles is making anything iconic and retro feel fresh again," she says.

Lilac

Celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein shares that one of her favorite pastels at the moment is lilac. She describes the hue as a "soft shade with a lot of extra shine" that can "play neutral" on those with olive undertones.

She recommends spicing it up for summer and reaching for a metallic finish, like Mineral Fusion's Lilac It Hot. "It's a super unique texture for a pastel, and I love it," she says. "For a more classic lilac, go with Mineral Fusion Fun & Games."

Hot Coral

Bright coral—or, as Russell refers to it, Cajun Shrimp (like OPI's fan-favorite discontinued polish)—will be heating up manicures this summer. "Cajun Shrimp is a vibrant coral red with a spicy, tropical twist," Russell explains. "It's fun, flirty, and packs a bold punch, the kind of color that instantly says, 'I'm here.'"

While this color has always been present in summer styles, it feels especially relevant for summer 2025 as resortwear makes a major comeback. "[Coral] is a classic in the beauty world, and it's back in the spotlight thanks to the popularity of bold summer pedicures and retro resortwear," she adds. "It's the go-to for a lively, confident pop of color."

"Soft Serve" White

And suddenly, I'm craving the beach and some ice cream. "'Soft serve' white is a creamy, off-white, neutral, slightly sheer shade," explains Russell. "Think melty vanilla ice cream on a summer day. It's softer than stark white, which gives it a more wearable, elevated vibe."

This classic shade works because it essentially goes with anything and everything. "It lightens up any outfit, reflects the sun, and plays well with every color in the palette," she says. "Whether it's a breezy button-down or a red blazer, 'soft serve' white adds a clean, effortless feel. Think of it as a blank canvas... timeless, but never boring."

Pistachio Green

Pistachio flavors have taken over the food industry, and now pistachio the color (alongside its sister foodie hue, matcha) is ready to conquer the rest of the world. "Pistachio green is a really fun and fresh color for summer," shares celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec. "It's a little similar to sage green, but packs more of a punch." She recommendsManucurist Paris's Pistachio, "a rich and stunning bright pastel green."

Butter Yellow

Butter yellow became that girl in summer 2024, but she's somehow even more relevant in 2025. Russell describes the color as a soft, creamy pastel with a touch of gold. "It's gentle and sunny, and brings instant warmth without being too loud," she notes, comparing the shade to golden hour: "It's flattering, light, and pairs beautifully with neutrals, whites, and light wash denim," she says.

"Butter yellow is having a moment in fashion and beauty, and part of its staying power is how wearable it is," she continues. "It's not just pretty, it’s surprisingly practical. There's real versatility in the color. Yellow adds freshness and warmth, but in this soft shade, it also works beautifully as a pop against neutrals like brown, navy, and gray."

Citrus Yellow

Accompanying butter yellow on this list is citrus yellow, a more neon, but equally popular, version of the shade. "My standout color [this summer] is citrus yellow," shares Gerstein. "I love this because it's energetic, happy, complements a tan, and vibes with the fabrics of summer clothing." She says the color will be popular across all wearables this summer, and is a great way to bring happiness to a look. Plus, "It's so fashion forward," she adds.

Nude Manicure

The trendiest color for summer is... no color at all? Celebrity nail artist Alex Jachno says the chicest mani this time of year is simple, clean, and bare. "Naked manicures are definitely having a moment," she says. "But make no mistake, classic doesn't mean boring—you're still haping, hydrating, and polishing everything to perfection, and this kind of simplicity takes skill."

"For this look, since there's no polish to 'hide' your nails, I recommend the Epres ePhd Bond Repair Treatment to ensure your natural nails' actual health and strength are on point. ePhD... helps strengthen the nail from within, reducing splitting and preventing breakage, which is huge for anyone choosing natural nails."

That said, if you can't get behind a totally naked manicure, a barely-there nude will do the trick. "Neutral nails will forever be trendy, especially now that we can spice it up with gel and chrome designs," says Kandalec. "Nudes are beautiful because you can keep it simple and classy with just the color, or incorporate 3D designs, chrome, French tips, or flowers, perfect for summer. I saw [many] beautiful manicures in Japan with neutral bases and such cool 3D gel detailing. The shadeCluelessfrom Lights Lacquer is a neutral light pink I personally love."