The Coolest Nail Colors for Summer, According to Glamour Editors

Though I’m a year-round devotee of the royals-approved shade, Ballet Slippers, on my fingers, toes (IMHO) call for something less sheer. Enter Fiji, Ballet Slippers’ opaque sister. Something about the pretty pink shade just screams summer in the sand to me. —Brie Schwartz, commerce director

While you can never go wrong with a power red on your feet, this cheery orangey shade takes it from a perennial fave to a seasonal staple and pops against any sandal. Plus, the name Clambake alone evokes summer vibes. It’s a mainstay in my summer nail colors rotation. —B.S.

I appreciate an eye-catching red for nails—and MiniLuxe’s Big Poppy is my new choice for summer. Not too dark nor too orangey, the eight-free formula lasts about four days on hands before chipping but around two weeks on toes, and it really pops with sandals. —Talia Abbas, senior commerce editor

This is my no-nail-polish nail polish. It gives me a clean, natural-looking nail while hiding some of the discoloration I have, thanks to the lavender color that neutralizes spots. I constantly get complimented on how nice my “natural nails” look—that’s how good it is! —Gabriella Iannetta, associate director of audience development

We are seeing so much white this summer: white jeans, white dresses, white sneakers. It got me craving a little of my dark side. This season I’ve been going back to the tried-and-true Licorice by Essie. It goes with everything, and the shiny black finish looks luxe in the bright sun. —G.A.

My summer personality is vastly different from my winter personality. Instead of canceling plans to stay in and watch Netflix, I’m officially outside and up for anything. It’s party time—and this sparkly confetti polish is as fun as it gets. —A.Y.

The way this bright blue pops against my tan in the summertime is just *chef’s kiss* and I’m obsessed with the name “Cabana Boy Blue.” It’s fun, flirty, and bright—everything I hope to be this summer. —A.Y.

I’m obsessed with the pearly pink nail look right now. This shimmery pink iridescent shade is super minimalist and goes with anything and everything, but it’s also so pretty, feminine, and chic. You can’t go wrong. —D.S.

Blue jeans, wind-ruffled waves, and lazy drives down the Pacific Coast Highway: All of that comes to mind when I wear Orly’s Lost Treasure. It’s my favorite shade from the brand’s summer collection, Great Escape (true to its name, the collection really does make me want to escape my emails and book a long vacation). Picture the perfect denim blue, infused with hypnotizing shimmer and a slightly metallic sheen. I’ll definitely be wearing this one well past the warmer months. —Sarah Y. Wu, beauty contributor

I’ve been searching for an especially bright (but not neon) pink polish for summer, and I’ve finally found it in Gucci’s latest launches. This vivid fuchsia shade is perfect for living out all of my Barbiecore dreams. If you haven’t tried Gucci’s polish formula yet, it’s truly worth the splurge. It goes on fully opaque in one coat, dries to the glossiest, smoothest finish, and wears well—for at least a full week. —S.Y.W.

I gravitate toward red nails all year round and subtly change the undertones to suit the season. This month I’m reaching for Rouge Casaque on repeat. Instead of the cooler, blue-toned reds I usually wear, this one has a bright, warm base that makes me feel happy whenever I look at it. It’s equally pretty on fingers and toes, and just radiates joy. Also, as you can expect from Hermès, the formula is impeccable. —S.Y.W.

JinSoon’s Pop Orange is my favorite pedicure color for summer. It first reads as flaming hot red, but it’s actually opaque orange with a few hints of red mixed in. It’s bold and energetic, and immediately makes a fashion statement no matter the sandals you’re wearing (it even looks good with my Dr. Scholl’s), without feeling too over-the-top. I’m always getting compliments on this shade! —D.S.

Wearing yellow on your nails is like an instant dose of happiness, and Chanel’s take on the color is a softer, more wearable shade that’s equal parts bright and elegant. When I want to take a break from my regular summer neons, I’ll wear this shade that’s a bit toned down (but never boring). —A.Y.

During the rest of the year, I stick to classic red, but hot pink is one of my favorite nail colors for the summer. It’s bright and fun, and it looks so cute against my mostly neutral wardrobe. When I want to go full Barbie mode, this shade is great for a matching moment on both my fingers and toes. —B.C.

Now that summer is here and my wardrobe isn’t just black and white turtlenecks, I find myself experimenting more and more with bolder, neon colors. I really love this cobalt shade from Ella+Mia as an allover base color, but its vibrancy makes it the perfect color for a kooky French tip accent. —Ana Escalante, contributor

My vacation nails are usually some type of neon, and my favorite has to be tennis ball yellow. It’s loud, bright, fun, and so statement-making that it pretty much goes with any outfit. Neons are neutrals! —A.Y.

My philosophy this summer is “If I can’t choose one, I’ll wear them all,” and I’ve got to say it’s served me well so far. But if I absolutely had to choose a favorite, this bright lavender would have to be it. It’s not so pastel that it feels too soft for summer, but it’s not so dark that it feels more appropriate for fall. It’s perfect. And for a nontoxic nail polish formula, it holds up. —Lindsay Schallon, contributor

I am devoted to Olive & June’s incredible range of neutrals, and I particularly love this almond-toned polish in the summertime. The low-maintenance color lasts for two weeks—and bonus, doesn’t look overtly unkempt once it does start to chip. —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor 

I visited Hawaii three years ago and got my nails done with this pretty baby blue and immediately fell in love. It’s a little on the nose, but that’s what I love about it. It reminded me of the blue skies and clear water long after I made the 13-hour flight back home. —A.Y.

While it’s super sparkly in the bottle, this iridescent rose-gold glitter actually goes on quite sheer—even after three coats. It’s the perfect shade if you’re going for natural nails but slightly sparklier. What’s better, Sally Hansen upgraded its Miracle Gel Top Coat formula, so the finish is shinier and lasts even longer. Who doesn’t love that? —Macaela Mackenzie, contributor 

I’m all for wearing Go Ginza, a flawless white-based lavender, during any season, but it looks exceptional during the summer, when I’m not as pale. It’s not easy to apply myself—it needs two to three solid coats to make sure it’s totally unstreaky and as bold as I like it—so I often bring it with me to the nail salon just in case they don’t have it. —Perrie Samotin, digital director

Butler Please is an old favorite that I recently got back into. This polish really pops against tan or dark skin—but it’s so pretty on fair skin too. There’s something about wearing a vibrant electric blue on hotter-than-hot summer days that just feels cool. —Shanna Shipin, contributor

I’ve always admired Fanta soda bottles for the colorful label and, of course, the iconic bold orange of the drink inside.  In the summer I’ll always search for “Fanta orange” at the nail salon. It’s a bit of nostalgia, and a bit of my neon obsession, all in one beautiful color. —A.Y.

When in doubt, I don’t go for nude; I go for a bright red. There’s definitely something about it that gives off an Old Hollywood classic vibe; it’s such a versatile color (it’s glam, it’s casual, and it is definitely festive). But what I really love about a red polish is how energized I feel just looking at it. The color is electric, and this particular shade by Dior always puts a smile on my face. —Michella Ore, contributor

My nails and I are easing our way back onto the social scene—we still haven’t been to a nail salon since February 2020—so this low-key peachy pink strikes the right chord. While in summers past I opted for bright, splashy polish that screamed, “Let’s drink out of a communal fish bowl!,” I’d like this year’s mani to convey, “Let’s keep it six feet apart, shall we?” Plus, since I’m doing my own nails, it’s more forgiving when I inevitably paint a cuticle or the edges start to chip. —Kim Fusaro, director of branded content 

I’m not a bright-nail-polish person—let alone neon—but the slime green trend finally sold me. This one walks the line between a pastel and a Day-Glo and never fails to get compliments. I recently discovered it while trying to add more Black-owned brands into my collection and can safely say it’s earned a permanent spot. —L.S.

This shimmering blue reminds me of the movie Aquamarine, and teenage mermaid is the exact vibe I’m trying to channel this summer.  The shade is so bright and pretty, and as refreshing as a dip in the ocean. I may not be able to make it to the beach every day, but at least my nails can in spirit. –B.C.

I can’t recommend Sally Hansen’s Good. Kind. Pure. line enough—it’s my new favorite drugstore nail polish. The formula is highly pigmented, the brush is perfectly shaped for clean lines, and on top of it all, it’s a plant-based formula! I love the Sun-tastic color. It’s a dreamy, creamy yellow that looks (and applies) like vanilla ice cream. —S.S.

CV is hands-down the most used shade in my arsenal. It’s bright without being harsh and looks great whether I’m pale or have a touch of a tan—though it really pops when I have a little color. Most of all, I love how insanely shiny and opaque the formula is. It leaves my nails photo-ready (everything’s a nail prop) in five minutes flat. —B.C.

The formulas from Sundays are vegan, nontoxic, and 10-free, and shade number 17 is my go-to. It’s a deep shade of red (very elegant!) that goes on smooth and lasts at least a few days without chipping. —Talia Abbas, senior commerce editor

My favorite nail polish releases are always the Paintbox Power Couples. They’re so fresh and modern (but simultaneously retro), and truly complementary if you’re thinking about doing any kind of nail art. When this peach and golden-green duo came out, it was a no-brainer to add to cart. Paintbox says it’s “inspired by Palm Springs in the ’70s,” which is exactly where I wish I was right now. —S.S.

I know auras don’t exactly come in sage green, but if they did, I’d really want mine to be the color of this polish. It’s one of the most zen colors I’ve put on my nails, and every time I look at my mani, I just want to take a deep exhale. Bonus: The Insta-Dri claim is real. Grab this formula when you’re hit with an urge to do a midnight manicure. —S.S.

Ninety-nine percent of the time, my nails are painted red. The shade just makes me feel like myself, and it looks polished, sexy, and glamorous even on my stubby, bitten-down nails. I particularly love a vampy, Old Hollywood red like this one, which reminds me of lipstick and cherries and Valentine’s Day. It’s also a whopping 21-free, vegan, and cruelty-free formula. —B.C.

When my nails aren’t painted red, chances are I went with a cool blue shade. I’m obsessed with the early-2000’s vibes of this aqua shade, made with biodegradable glitter, that makes me feel like Lizzie McGuire. The shade makes me feel like I’m floating in a pool. —B.C.

The name of this polish is actually genius, and the color is just as good. It’s surprisingly hard to find a bright green that doesn’t veer either neon or olive. This is the perfect shade that reminds me of fresh-cut grass and flatters my skin tone, and it looks so cool on my shorter nails. Seriously—I rack up the compliments every time I wear it. —B.C.