We Found the Perfect Summery Nail Polish Colors for Your Skin Tone

Plenty of hair and makeup trends can seem a bit daunting, but when it comes to nails, we’re ready and willing to experiment with any color that comes our way. As for summer polish choices, the possibilities are endless—and we’ve been known to get a little overwhelmed after the “pick a color” cue. Rather than hover indecisively in front of the display, we’ve narrowed down the options and found the very best shades for your skin tone, whether you’re opting for pink, red, nude, coral, or even blue. It is summer, after all.

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Pink
The bright poppy pink of Essie Nail Polish in Sunset Sneaks is perfect for fair and light skin, as it offers vivid color without looking garish or too Barbie-like. On medium and olive skin, cool, purple-leaning pink Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Nail Enamel in Vegas Baby bridges the gap between neutral pink and neon. For deep skin tones, we cannot get enough of Butter London Patient Shine 10X Nail Lacquer in Flusher Blusher. This shade is the ultimate fuchsia pink, and while we do love it on all skin tones, it’s beyond stunning on darker complexions.

Red
Vivid orangey reds are the perfect complement to light skin tones, and Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer in Smashing! is, well, smashing. Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Nail Enamel in Get Lucky is a bright, true red that really flatters medium complexions. The rich tones of Ciaté London x Olivia Palermo in Hutch take on a stunning, jewel-like quality on deep skin tones.

Nude
For that semi-sheer, natural-looking “your nails but better” look, Deborah Lippman Nail Color in Like Dreamers Do has all the makings of the ideal summer nail color for light-complected ladies who like to go the subtle route. The pink-leaning beige of Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Nail Enamel in Perfect Pair flatters all skin tones, but it really stands out on medium tones without looking chalky or too pale. Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer in Mum’s the Word is the perfect warm, deep-toned nude for darker complexions.

Coral
Just like its namesake in the summer, Ciaté London x Olivia Palermo in Nantucket is hot, hot, hot. The red in this bright coral makes it especially flattering paired with pale and light complexions. Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer in Jolly Good is the consummate classic coral shade, thanks to its perfect balance of orange tones, and it looks stunning on medium complexions. We love the look of pastels on deeper skin tones, and Essie Nail Polish in Peachside Babe is the prettiest pale, peachy coral we’ve ever seen.

Blue
Because there’s no better time than the summer to sport sea blue nails, the appropriately named Essie Nail Polish in Pret-a-Surfer is a true, vibrant blue that looks gorgeous when contrasted with light skin. The deep blue of Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer in Chat Up is a bit darker—think “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”—but just as appropriate for the season, especially on medium complexions. Essie Nail Polish in Salt Water Taffy looks amazing on deep skin tones (and we promise it isn’t too sugary sweet).

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