8 Best Summer Nail Colors to Get Your Hands on in 2023, According to the Pros

As the temperatures climb and the days get brighter and longer, one way to usher in the change of season is by replenishing your summer nail colors. You can find the right burnished shade to complement your warm-weather wardrobe or add a retina-burning dose of color to really make your beachside look pop.

“Bold, vibrant, fun colors that feel warm come to mind first,” says celebrity nail artist Mo Qin, whose recent clients include Ashley Graham and Jodie Turner-Smith, of what feels right for the collective mood this summer. While Qin is feeling the pull of bright yellow,fellow editorial pro Betina Goldstein is all about sizzling citrusy alternatives to a classic red manicure, like vivid coral. In a similar spirit, New York City manicurist Jin Soon Choi thinks it’s high time to get experimental. “Go for a shade that is a little outside your comfort zone,” she says. “Summer is all about fun and adventure!”

Here, the industry’s biggest nail pros weigh in on the summer nail colors they can’t get enough of right now.

Fiery Coral

If you’re looking for a summery alternative to tried-and-true crimson, you can’t go wrong with a rich coral. Goldstein’s go-to is Chanel’s Le Vernis polish in Cruise, a highly pigmented orange she considers “sophisticated but playful,” while Choi’s fiery Pop Orange shade “works great on warmer skin tones,” she says.

Sheer Pink

“For a lighter, easy-breezy look, a sheer pink is beautiful and works great with every skin tone,” says Choi, whose shade Muse is a mainstay on many of her editorial shoots due to its universally flattering hue.

Turquoise Blue

A shade the Vogue beauty team recently spotted on Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele, turquoise is both fresh and timeless. “It’s refreshing yet bold,” says Qin of the azure hue. “It reminds me of a translucent ocean.”

Sun Yellow

The lemony shade has been everywhere. It’s no wonder why: “Yellow really evokes a new spirit of optimism and resilience,” says Qin.

Electric Green

“An electric green gives a white linen summer outfit the perfect pop of color but also goes perfectly with a black minidress for those summer nights out,” says Goldstein, who has been reaching for Essie’s limited-edition Feelin’ Just Lime polish as of late.

Off White

A pale off-white is perfect for a summer wedding or bridal shower. “When everyone else is sporting a basic nude, marshmallow puts a unique spin on your ideal summer look,” says Qin. For a touch of shine and dimension, Goldstein loves an “opalescent sheer” effect.

Periwinkle Blue

With its hints of pink and purple, Qin calls periwinkle a “showstopping” blue that also pairs beautifully with florals by way of flower crowns or corsages. Choi also loves a lavender-tinged blue for summer, calling her baby blue Aero shade “crisp and clean.”

Digital Lavender

The Y2K revival has inspired a new appetite for violet, with international trend forecaster WGSN even deeming “digital lavender” the color of the year. What’s more: Taylor Swift has been stepping out with the serene shade on her fingertips. So make like the pop idol with a paled-out purple manicure this summer.