When the weather climbs above 25 degrees, I sport a juicy, vibrant nail colour. It happens like clockwork—I feel the sun on my face, then feel the urge to book a nail appointment. And I know I’m not alone! It’s incredibly common to celebrate changing temperatures with a fun nail colour, and summer inspires all the fresh, playful, tropical-themed hues. In 2026, however, it’s clear the fashion set is feeling even bolder.
Don’t just take my word for it. According to celebrity manicurist Gina Edwards, this season’s trending nail colours are all about loud luxury. “In recent summers, we saw a lot of ‘clean girl’ neutrals and barely-there manicures,” she tells me. “People still love healthy-looking nails, but they’re adding more colour, shimmer and personality. It’s less about perfection and more about self-expression.” Licensed nail artist Sonia Sanchez echoes the sentiment, noting that this summer “feels much more expressive than previous years.” She adds, “Instead of sticking to a single colour palette, people are embracing mixed tones, unexpected colour combinations, and texture-focused designs.”
In terms of exact colour combinations, you can’t go wrong with any of these on-trend shades below. From watermelon to chilli to milky chrome, these are the most stylish polish colours you can wear for the next three months.
Watermelon Pink
“Bright, feel-good shades are definitely leading the way this summer,” shares Edwards. Think spicy corals, cool blues and vibrant pinks. When it comes to the latter camp, nothing looks more stylish than a juicy watermelon shade. As Edwards adds, “it’s bright without feeling neon and looks amazing on all skin tones.” If you’re craving something rather playful but don’t want to wear anything too “loud,” this is certainly the polish to pick.
Butter Yellow
Nope, butter yellow manicures aren’t going anywhere. Take it from Edwards, who says they’re “fresh, flattering, and surprisingly wearable.” Don’t listen to the naysayers—butter yellow, you will always be famous! That said, if you’re hoping to give the shade new life for summer 2026, you can’t go wrong with French tips or a chrome finish.
Chilli Red
“If I had to recommend just one colour, it would be a vibrant red-orange shade,” declares Sanchez, who considers Soulful Ginger by Aprés her number one pick. “It’s bold, flattering on a variety of skin tones, and instantly gives a confident summer vibe. It’s also one of the colours that consistently receives the most compliments from my clients and performs exceptionally well on social media.” Not that you should select your nail colour based on Instagram comments alone, but hey, the extra praise certainly doesn’t hurt.
Lavender Grey
You might be surprised to see such a cool neutral on this list, considering summer nail colours typically fall under the “bright neon” category. That said, Edwards swears a lavender-grey is one of the chicest polishes you can wear in the scorching weather. A “sophisticated twist on purple,” the polish gives your nails just a hint of pigment, like fruit-infused water.
Milky Chrome
Chrome manicures cast a rather wide net—some have an opaque, mirror-like shine, while others are much more sheer and seaglass-inspired. According to the pros, this summer’s polishes will lean towards the latter. Edwards specifically calls them “milky chrome” shades, or pigment with a “soft, pearlized finish that catches the light without looking overly metallic.” You can choose any base colour you please, but she does say that a pink glaze looks particularly expensive and suits every summer outfit, from casual beachwear to evening holiday looks.
Sanchez agrees, predicting pearly, iridescent polishes to be among the most requested colours this summer. “These shades work beautifully for seashell-inspired and mermaid-inspired nail trends that we’re seeing everywhere right now,” she says. Need inspiration? Look no further than Chanel’s runways.
Chocolate Brown
I know what you’re thinking: Chocolate brown? In a summer nail polish roundup?! Yes, the rich hue does typically scream autumn and winter, but according to Sanchez, deeper tones are actually gaining traction this season. “I think clients and social media are embracing these colours because they’re unexpected and create striking contrast when paired with brighter summer shades, metallic accents, or playful nail art,” she explains. Consider it a commitment to “summerween” manicures. There’s also something inexplicably cool about going against a seasonal colour story, right? Not to mention, you can pair it with icy blue or baby pink for a chic, mix-and-match set.
Pistachio Green
A soft pistachio green never fails to look chic, and it surprisingly suits every outfit. Bright yet creamy, it effortlessly adds a pop of colour to your ensemble without overpowering the entire aesthetic, which is exactly why Edwards considers the shade a “fresh alternative to neutrals.” If you’re hoping to switch up your go-to pastels (pale pink, baby blue, butter yellow, et al.), I definitely recommend giving pistachio a try—and if you’re feeling extra fancy, go ahead and add a velvet finish like Sanchez above.
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