If You’re a “Summer,” These 14 Warm-Weather Nail Polish Colors Are for You

Sultry Reds

Sultry red polish may feel out of left field for summers, but hear us out. "Reds can be tricky for summers," Myers admits. "If they are warm or bright, reds can stick out in a way some might describe as 'clownish.' The best [reds for summers] are sultry and raspberry-adjacent."

Dark cherry shades work, too. "Cherry is the red that all summers stun in," Wang reveals. "On a summer, cherry red brings a beautiful contrast. It's cool, blue-based, not too bright, not too deep."

Mauve

If you prefer lighter, more neutral nail looks, mauve works beautifully for summers. "A summer has never met a mauve that didn't look good on them," Myers exclaims. "While any mauve will do, [OPI's] Simply Radishing is a great summer palette option that's cozy enough for fall."

Rose Brown

Leaning even more neutral, we have rose brown nail polish. "Brown is often seen as a warm color, but cool browns do exist, and they are so flattering on summers," Wang says. "Rose brown is cool, dusty, and almost a little pink, which harmonizes nicely with the naturally grayish pink tones in the skin."

While Wang says that rose brown is a great everyday color for summers, Myers especially likes it for summers in fall. "When fall rolls around, many summers crave the coziness of a brown, yet many browns lean too warm and make their hands go a bit orange," she explains. "Olive & June Patron of the Arts is a plum-brown hybrid that gives all the cozy of autumn while still looking amazing on summers."

Pastel Rose

A bit lighter and more demure, pastel rose has entered the chat. "Summers get all the softest, most elegant hues of pink, and pastel rose is a standout," Wang says. "It's like a shy blush or ballerina slippers, bringing out the natural flush in summers."

Hot Magenta

A fun summer manicure color for summers? Hot magenta! "For the summer who craves a hot pink, I'd recommend Olive & June Wild Orchid," Myers says. "Although it's technically a winter [palette] color, its medium depth and cool undertones make it a great branch-out color for summers who don't love a dusty finish."

Light Yellow

Moving right along in rainbow order, up next: light yellow nail polish. "The elusive summer yellow calls to mind a faded highlighter; it's citrusy, light, and has no golden hue," Myers says. "Le Mini Macaron Chamomile is a fresh, light yellow that fits the bill and is begging to be paired with a sundress."

Cool Greens

As popular as grass green and matcha nail colors are right now, Myers and Wang agree that cool, cucumber and sea green shades are best for summers. "It can be hard for summers to find a lighter 'happy' green shade for the warm weather that doesn't fall into the pastel, warm, or neon categories," Myers admits. "Olive & June Cucumber Sandwich is a refreshing cool green that feels pool party ready."

Overall, Wang says to look for cool-toned greens with "a soft, misty quality."

Powder Blue

If you love the idea of a light wash of color on your nails but prefer blues to pinks and yellows, powder blue is the way to go for summers. "Powder blue is the softest, most gentle whisper of blue, like the peaceful feeling of an overcast sky giving way to sunshine and the blue sky," Wang says. "Unlike bolder blues, powder blue enhances features without overpowering. It's subtle and ethereal."

Cornflower Blue

Going a bit brighter, cornflower blue will pop on summers. "A little more vibrant than powder blue, but still soft around the edges, cornflower blue adds liveliness while still staying true to the soft and dreamy colors of summer," Wang says.

Denim Blue

Delving into the dustier hues, Myers says summers should also consider denim blue. "It's bold without becoming the star of the show," she says, applauding Olive & June CNH in the process. That said, she admits that summer palettes can wear many types of blues, from baby blue and dusty to navy.

Blushing Purples

Lilac, lavender, and violet shades infused with cool pink are a must for summers. "No one wears a lilac pink as stunningly as a summer," Myers says. "Feminine and sophisticated, Essie's Suits You Swell is a grown-up take on this pinky-purple shade."

Meanwhile, Wang is a fan of lavender nails for summers. "Lavender is a soft, cool-toned purple, making it ideal for summer palettes," she explains. "It also has a slight grayness that keeps it from feeling too bright or bold. This muted quality is key for summer colors."

Plum

If you prefer darker nail looks but love the idea of a purple mani for summer and beyond, Wang suggests opting for a plum polish. "Plum is one of the darker colors that work well for summers; It's cool, soft, and provides depth without creating harsh contrast, which is important for summers, who tend to look best in lower-contrast colors," she says.

Neutral Taupe

A taupe manicure looks gorgeous on summer palettes, Myers says. "Many beige and taupe neutrals can be too warm for summers, but OPI's Berlin There Done That is a chic, taupe-gray hybrid that vibes with a summer's cool undertones and is perfect for the office," she explains.

Soft White

Last but not least, we have the cult-favorite milky white manicure. "Summer whites call to mind soft, laundered linen: A lived-in white that's neither bright nor cream," Myers reveals. "Milky White is a sheer color that would be heavenly on a Summer."