The Best Summer Nail Colors and Designs to Try in 2025

There’s no denying it, neon nails are the main character of summer. Shades like electric blue, tangerine, and Barbie pink are turning every sidewalk into a runway and every pool party into a color-splashed photoshoot. These vibrant hues flatter every skin tone and are especially striking as summer toe nail colors.

One of our favorite picks? Londontown’s Lakur in Cabana Boy. It’s richly pigmented, goes on smooth, and adds just the right level of pop to sandals or slides. If you’re looking for fire, Olive & June’s polish in Lava brings a hot-orange punch that dries quickly and wears well through weekend plans. Get a deal on both with an Amazon promo code. 

Neon’s trending status is no surprise: just check out Megan Thee Stallion or Dua Lipa’s latest mani pics. This look is loud, proud, and practically made for summer concerts and rooftop nights. (Image credit: @kreativelykoated) 

The glazed mani hasn’t lost its sparkle, but it has gotten an update. This year’s twist on the trend adds soft peach or pastel tones beneath that glossy, chrome-like shimmer. The result? A luminous finish that feels ultra-fresh but still minimal enough to wear with anything.

Try layering a sheer base like OPI Nail Lacquer Nude Crème in Movie Buff with Essie’s Studio Effects Chrome Polish in Gilded Galaxy. Together, they deliver that clean-girl glow in just a few swipes, no UV lamp necessary.

Hailey Bieber may have made this trend viral, but it’s the versatility that’s keeping it alive. From grocery runs to garden weddings, glazed nails work for any calendar event and every outfit in your closet. (Image credit: @shehairsalonkos)

Green is trending, and pistachio milk is the pastel shade everyone’s craving this summer. This dreamy, creamy green isn’t loud, but it’s definitely a vibe. Think brunch with friends or a spontaneous beach weekend where your mani subtly matches your matcha.

For a soft finish, ella+mila Nail Polish in Pistache brings a breathable, 7-free formula with salon-level payoff. Not up for painting? A Glamnetic Press-On Set in Mint Green is glossy, reusable, and comes pre-shaped for easy application.

This is one of those June nail colors that flies under the radar but turns heads—consider it your new favorite neutral. 

If your nails could wear lip gloss, they’d look like this. Jelly nails are sheer, shiny, and full of Y2K energy, with squishy-looking finishes in juicy shades like cherry, orange soda, and pink punch. They’re nostalgic, playful, and perfect for nails for summer vacations and nights out with the group chat. Bonus: these shades also make fun summer toe nail colors for the peeking out of sandals.

For easy layering, try Wahrshei’s Jelly Nail Strips in Jelly Baby Pink, which cure under LED lights and can stay put for weeks, or the Translucent Sheer Gel Polish in Ocean Song for a buildable wash of color. 

Seen on everyone from Keke Palmer to TikTok beauty creators, jelly nails are proof that sometimes, more shine really is more fun. (Image credit: @madnails.ut)

Meet the mood-boosting mani you didn’t know you needed. Lemon yellow is bold, cheerful, and surprisingly easy to wear, especially when paired with crisp whites or breezy summer linen frocks. It’s a hint more saturated than last season’s “butter yellow” trend.

We love Essie Nail Polish in Meditation Haven for its creamy, opaque coverage and soft-glow finish. If you need something quick-drying and citrusy for your next weekend getaway, OPI’s RapiDry Quick Dry Nail Polish in Proceed With (No) Caution offers a bold hit of color in one coat.

This zesty shade is one of our favorite summer nail polish colors for pedis because your toes deserve to shine, too. 

For a mani that’s both soft and on-trend, lavender latte nails might be your new go-to. This popular summer nail shade sits somewhere between muted lilac and creamy beige, making it feel fresh but totally wearable, kind of like your favorite iced lavender latte in nail form.

We’re big fans of Essie Nail Polish in Lilacism for this look. It’s creamy, glossy, and lasts through whatever your week throws at you, from back-to-back Zooms to weekend brunch.

Feeling playful? These Le Mini Macaron Mini Nail Stickers are the perfect add-on (and a deal, too, with an Ulta Beauty discount code). They're delicate enough for minimalists but still add a fun, personal touch when layered over pale purple. The end result: a pulled-together mani that works for pretty much everything on your calendar. (Image credit: @lovefreshpaint)

Glossy turquoise, pearl accents, and subtle hints of shimmer are what this ocean-inspired mani brings to the table. With Caribbean shoreline inspired shades like seafoam green and sandy beige, this trend is dreamy, delicate, and perfect for anyone channeling their inner mermaid.

Start with Londontown Lakur Nail Polish in Reverse the Charges—it’s a warm, shimmery blue polish that captures beachy bliss in a bottle. Not into polish? The Sea Star Press-On Nails feature built-in ocean decals and shimmer tips for an instant upgrade.

This trend is a refreshing update on last year’s nautical look and one of our favorite summer nail designs for vacations and staycations alike. (Image credit: @dimsumnails)

If your nails could book a flight, they’d choose a tropical destination. This floral-forward trend brings the heat with bold hibiscus prints, leafy greens, and fuchsia blooms. It’s vibrant, fun, and practically screams “vacay mode.”

Try this for an easy floral mani: swipe on Essie Nail Polish in Bachelorette Bash for a punchy fuschia base, then add instant flowery detail with Hibiscus Nail Stickers, which layer seamlessly and stay put. It’s the fastest way to get a hand-painted summer nail design, no salon required. (Image credit: @nailtysia)

Bold red nails are a classic, but in 2025, they’re getting a fruity makeover. Think glossy cherry-red tips, tiny hand-painted fruit, and gingham accents, that’s part retro, part sweet, and fully eye-catching. Try it for date nights, summer selfies, or any time you want your mani to feel just a little extra.

If you're going classic crimson, Essie Nail Polish in Not Red-y For Bed is richly pigmented and dries with a candy-like shine. For art lovers, these rhinestone Cherry Nail Stickers offer a fast, fuss-free way to lean into the fresh-picked look.

Pair the polish with a Target promo code to get a sweet deal on your new picnic-core lacquer. (Image credit: @dazeynailco)

French tips are having a renaissance, and the options are anything but basic. Think vibrant tips, double lines, diagonal edges, even baby French styles in unexpected summer nail colors.

Create the look with Eternal Pastel Nail Polish Set in Candy Pastels for soft, mix-and-match tips, and a fine nail art brush set to keep your lines clean and crisp.

It’s subtle, chic, and one of the most wearable summer nail ideas if you want something elevated but low-maintenance. (Image credit: @bycheznails)

If high-shine drama is your thing, chrome nails are calling. Chrome is still one of the most popular nail colors right now, and this year’s versions go beyond silver: think green chrome, rose gold, and pastel metallics that catch all the summer rays.

We’re obsessed with Artdone’s Chrome Nail Powder Set for layering over gel polish for custom-chrome tips, or a Glamnetic Press-On Nail Kit in Something Blue for a one-step mani that looks like it took an hour. Don’t shop these cat-eye press-ons without a Sephora promo code, so you can get a set in every color. (Image credit: @naildby_t) 

Neutrals, but make them summer. This season’s nude nails lean warm and baked, with sun-washed shades like terracotta, peach, and golden beige that are the perfect match for every summer outfit. These tones look gorgeous against bronzed skin and make great nails for summer if you’re more “natural glam” than bold color.

For a warm glow that works on all skin tones, try Nails Inc Caught in the Nude polish in “Maldives Beach,” a creamy formula that gives instant summer vibes. Shop with a Free People promo code for a discount on your polish (and maybe a dress to match). Top it with OPI Matte Topcoat for a velvety finish that stands out. (Image credit: @nail.kandy)