These Are the Most Popular Nail Colors Across the Country (2024)

If you've found yourself in a serious nail rut, look no further than the most popular nail colors of the moment. Sure, we all have our go-to shades, whether a classic (Topless and Barefoot), Instagram-inspired (heart nails), or a dark and moody hue (navy, deep wine) that's as sophisticated as it is cool. That's all well and good, but it's easy to find yourself slicking on the same shade again and again, and suddenly your mani pics are looking like something out of Groundhog Day. The answer? A fresh crop of color inspiration.

Looking to the runways (or social media) is a great source of cool new nail ideas, but if you want to know what's really trending, there's no better place to look than the salons across the country. We checked out local favorites from Seattle to Boston, in search of most popular nail colors for 2021. You may want to take notes for your next appointment.

Detroit: Denim Blues

“We've been getting a lot of requests for OPI's Less Is Norse,” says Kelli Coleman, cofounder of The Ten Nail Bar. “It's a dusky denim blue—if you compare it to cooler blues, you can see that it has a little purple in it,” adds cofounder Anika Jackson. They note that women in Detroit love to take risks when it comes to their nails, which is why the trendier shade is more popular. Clients at The Ten also love nail art, and have been particularly into animal print and abstract lines.

Los Angeles: Cherry Red

While moody hues like plum, navy, and chocolate have been popular lately at L.A. favorite Olive & June, founder Sarah Gibson Tuttle says the brand's cherry red CV polish has been consistently the most requested shade (and also a best seller on the brand's site). “Everyone is loving it,” says Tuttle. “Including me, and I never wear red!”

San Francisco: Iridescent Shades

“Our clientele generally goes more minimal, but we like to inspire people to take more risks,” says Jen Hall, owner of The Nail Hall in San Francisco. The trend there of the moment? Iridescent and metallic shades, which feel special without verging into full-on nail-art territory. While the salon has been doing a lot of glittery nudes, Hall says their most requested shade is Bio Sculpture's Mignon (pro only). “It’s a gorgeous, iridescent emerald green that looks great on any skin tone,” she says.

Austin: Pearly Nails

At Austin's Nail Art House, owner Natalia Bychkova says the most popular nail colors of the moment are the classics: cherry reds, sheer blush, and foil accents. But one trend on the rise when people are looking for something a little extra? Pearly nails with an almost chromelike finish. Looking at this photo, we get it.

Boston: Metallic Mauve

“People in Boston are generally very conservative with their nails, but there is a growing clientele that's starting to play around with minimal and abstract nail art, which is super exciting,” says Boston nail artist Nina Park. She says her clients are loving shades of nude, mauves, metallic, and different shades of blue. Her most-requested shade? “Deco Miami’s Champagne Mami is always a crowd pleaser,” she says. “It’s a gorgeous rose gold metallic polish that compliments all skin tones.”

New York City: Quirky Neutrals

New York City's Paintbox is known for its modern, minimal nail art that still packs a punch, and the salon's most-asked-for shades follow suit. “Our clients are really going for brick and terra-cotta tones,” says creative director Mabelyn Martin. “Our Like Spice polish has been our top seller and a client favorite.” When clients want to break out neutrals, Martin notes that the forest green Like Wild has been popular, as is the glittery Like Magic, which she calls “nail art in a bottle.”

Chicago: Classic Blush

Chicago women are all about nail art. “My clients tend to take risks and go outside their comfort zone with their nails because social media influences them,” says Tuyen Day, owner of T Nail Bar. She says different shades of nude are always the most popular, since they make the perfect backdrop to go all out on nail art. The most wanted shade? OPI's Put It in Neutral.

Las Vegas: Baby Pink

The women in Sin City apparently leave the risk to the slots. But can you blame them when baby pink looks so good on everyone? “We have a very diverse clientele,” says Samantha M., owner of Nohea Nails. “A lot of people will only wear baby pinks, but we do get others who love bright colors no matter what time of year it is.” The most popular color requests she gets: OPI's Funny Bunny and Mod About You.

Seattle: Mismatched

At Seattle's Urban Nail Box, it's not so much about one color but several—the mismatched-nail trend is going strong. “Mixing and matching different shades are a favorite at our shop,” says founder Rachel Dang. “This time of the year, people tend to go with neutral colors or very dark colors, but in different shades.” One of the more interesting popular colors people mismatch with? OPI's It's a Piazza Cake, a warm orange.

Bella Cacciatore is the beauty writer at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @bellacacciatore_.