Summer puts a white-hot spotlight on manicures and pedicures. The pedicure part is obvious; toes are exposed during sandal season. The manicure part might be too; summer is an opportunity to swap soft, basic neutrals for bold nail designs and vivid pops of color. This year, like every year, I’m rotating out my nail polish collection. I’m saying goodbye to dark wintery hues and springy pastel shades, and hello to the most stylish summer ones.
No surprise here—99% of the chic summer shades in my collection are from Chanel. This year, I’m focusing on eight in particular. To me, they’re the most stylish set to embrace this season. Keep scrolling to see each one, from sparkling pink to fiery red and butter yellow (because yes, the latter is still trending in 2026).
Solstice is described as a semi-transparent soft peach, but I’d call it “jelly peach.”
Make no mistake: butter yellow is still one of the biggest color trends for summer 2026. The internet can’t get enough of it, and I can see why. It’s light, sunny, and chic. Chanel’s Ovni is an obvious and on-trend choice—I love the cheerful shade.
Chanel’s iconic blue-red nail polish, Pirate, gets all the internet hype. Don’t get me wrong! It’s definitely deserved, but in the summer months, I prefer a fiery, poppy red, AKA Incendiare. I find it incredibly flattering against sun-kissed skin.
Could it be that I’ve found my #1 nail shade of the summer? Chanel’s limited-edition Cristalline nail polish is a sheer, sparkly pink with multi-faceted shimmer.
This tender pink is the stuff of summer daydreams. It’s sweet, soft, and pretty.
I love a cheery pop of fuchsia. Chanel’s Désirable is my #1 designer pick.
Pistachio perfumes are everywhere right now (searches are up over 850%). As with most beauty trends, pistachio isn’t sticking to a single category. Pistachio nail polish is also on the rise, and I’ve personally spotted it on some stylish toes on the streets of NYC. Chanel’s muted, gray-tinged version is unexpectedly chic, especially when it’s paired with a glossy top coat.
If I were to create a list of things I find chic, navy blue nail polish would be at the top. It’s so sophisticated, and even though it’s darker and deeper than other summer shades, it has a nautical vibe that I love. It’s the color I’d wear to a seaside brunch in the South of France or to attend a breezy boat regatta. You get the picture.
