When the weather starts to warm, beach days aren’t such a distant thought, and sandal season gets soft-launched with a peep-toe or two. Sure, Succession has been off the air for almost two years now (miss ya, Greg), but the words of Kendall Roy will ring eternal: “Sails out, nails out!”
“Your toes are kind of your secret flex in the summer,” says Aja Walton, a manicurist and Essie ambassador. “You’re showing them off in sandals and poolside ’fits, so you can be more adventurous. Toes are where I go bold. They are low-stakes, high-reward, so you can get away with brighter shades and longer wear.”
The question is, how bold are you willing to go? We asked the pros to give us the down-low on the color trends they’re expecting to see on toes this summer. From bright neon tones to creamy pastels that flatter a sun-kissed finish, there’s something everyone will love—even the French manicure’s fiercest defenders. Keep reading to find out the nine pedicure colors you’ll see everyone wearing come sandal season.
- Aja Walton is a manicurist and Essie ambassador based in Brooklyn.
- Elle Gerstein is a nail artist with clients in Los Angeles, New York City, and Long Island, NY.
- Lily Nguyen is a manicurist and founder of Labo Beauté Salon in Los Angeles.
- Thea Green is a London-based nail expert and founder of Nails.Inc.
- Sarah Chue is a nail artist based in Los Angeles.
- Lia J. Smith is a Los Angeles-based manicurist and OPI North America brand education manager.
- Sigourney Nuñez is a manicurist and Sally Hansen global partner based in Los Angeles.
Ocean Blue
During the summer, calming shades of blue may as well be considered neutral given how frequently the color naturally appears in warm-weather activities—cloudless skies, pristine seas, blue-raspberry snow cones—not to mention how effortlessly blues pair with any look. “Ocean blue gives serene, mermaid vibes,” nail artist Elle Gerstein says. “It’s a universal color, and the core of what summer feels like.”
How dynamic you choose to go with a finish is, of course, up to you. An iridescent lacquer like The Siren’s Revenge by Mooncat Nails mimics the motion in the ocean, while crème-finish turquoise tones like Le Mini Macaron’s Blue Vanilla channel calmer seas.
Sunset Coral
There’s one big reason coral is a classic summer color: It looks great on literally everyone. The perfect happy-medium between warm pink and orange flatters all skin tones, and plays nicely with maximalist and minimalist wardrobes alike. “It’s a really bright color that draws instant attention and pairs well with a tan, channeling tropical beaches and sunsets,” says Gerstein. “For some, it’s not bold enough to wear on hands, but it’s always a perfect toe.” Saturated, glossy shades like Butter London’s Trout Pout, China Glaze’s Thistle Do Nicely, and Chanel’s Le Vernis in Premiére Dame go well with any sandal in your closet, whether you’re veering neutral or looking to play with color.
Mint Mojito
Want to put a twist on that classic summer-white lacquer? Opt for a mint mojito polish, a pale hue that throws St. Tropez vibes, but with an extra shot of flirty energy against a warm-weather glow. “This soft, pastel green feels refreshing and modern,” says Lily Nguyen, a manicurist and founder of Labo Beauté Salon in Los Angeles. “It’s perfect for beach days and summer brunches.”
You can choose a creamy, classic mint like Olive & June’s Sleeping Bag, or Nails.Inc’s It’s Topless Nail Polish in Camilla, which combines a base and topcoat into the one-step formula. Want some subtle shimmer? The Sally Hansen Color Therapy Polish in Cool as a Cucumber has a slightly pearlized finish.
Icy Lavender
Like mint mojito, icy lavender provides an alternate option to contrast your summer glow if you want something with a soft, lover-girl vibe. “Icy lavender is a pastel that feels very ethereal and coquette,” says Walton. “Soft tones speak to a gentler, more romantic side of beauty and fashion that’s trending right now, and lavender feels right at home with that aesthetic.”
