Summer nail trends 2026

There’s something about a great summer manicure that changes the mood entirely, and this year we’ll be seeing a satisfying mix of the familiar and the unexpected, a few shades you’re already loving, and one or two that might just become your new favourites.

Butter Yellows

Having trended all spring, it’s no surprise butter yellow manicures are set to define summer 2026.

With a creamy warmth that feels softer and more wearable than you’d expect, butter yellow nails have that rare quality of reading almost like a neutral without being one. Playful yet polished, Elle describes it to be “sunshine in a bottle,” and once you try it, you’ll understand why.

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Sheer finishes

One of the biggest nail trends of 2026 has been healthy-looking, barely-there manicures, and they’re staying for summer. From milky whites to blush pinks and Japanese-inspired natural manicures, sheer nails tap into a broader move towards beauty that feels effortless, enhancing rather than overpowering.

With Pantone naming Cloud Dancer the 2026 Colour of the Year, and Vogue, Who What Wear and Marie Claire all calling out sheer nails as one of the defining shades of the season, it’s a must have for the season.

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Pastel blue

Don’t reach for cobalt just yet. The blue worth knowing this summer is softer, hazier and cooler-toned. Think less ocean, more blueberry milk. A diffused pastel that feels fresh, modern and quietly chic.

Marie Claire and Elle are both calling it one of the standout shades of the season, and with #blueberrymilknails already clocking millions of views on TikTok, it’s clear this shade is only just getting started.

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Chrome Nails

Chrome is another standout for summer, with Vogue calling this season’s iteration the “Glass Manicure,” and Harper’s Bazaar describing “whisper-thin metallic washes” that sit beautifully over nudes and warm tones.

With its liquid, luminous finish, chrome feels far more wearable than it sounds. It’s the perfect choice if you want a summer manicure that feels a little more playful.

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Peach & Coral

Summer always brings coral back, but this year it’s the softer peach-toned versions taking the lead, with Vogue highlighting “Peachy Neutral” as one of the year’s biggest trends, reflecting the wider quiet luxury mood shaping beauty right now.

Warm, flattering and easy to wear, these peach-coral tones have a way of making skin look glowing. It’s easy to see why this will be the shade of the season.

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Earthy tones

Don't save your earth tones for autumn. Harper's Bazaar predicts warm mocha and chai latte tones will have a major moment this summer, and Who What Wear calls chocolate brown "chic, elegant, and not as dramatic as black. In warmer weather, these shades take on a richness that looks anything but heavy.

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Red nails

Red doesn't need a season. But if you've been waiting for the right moment to commit, this summer is it. Cosmopolitan puts red at the very top of their 2026 nail trend list, and it's easy to understand the appeal. Warm and confident, red nails works at the beach and still holds its own at dinner.