The 14 Hottest Nail Polish Color Trends For Summer 2023

Neon nails have been having a serious moment (hello, Hailey Bieber’s vibrant yellow nails) — and Michelle Lin, the mastermind behind Mooncat’s otherworldly lacquers, says this of the rising trend: “While summer can be filled with neons and brights, we’re personally gravitating more toward orange, amber, and gold tones that mimic the warmth of sunshine.”

Lip gloss nails are typically a sheer, pinkish or brown-toned hue most similar to the color of your nail beds, topped with a layer or two of high-shine clear polish to create that juicy effect — and A-listers like Kylie Jenner, Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, and more are fans. Nadine Abramcyk, Tenoverten’s co-founder, notes: “We are loving this sweet and sassy approach to the ‘barely-there glam’ trend taking over the beauty scene. Reach for our Anne Polish for a glossy neutral nail that is timeless, with a hint of ballet slipper pink.”

Lin shares: “Because we’re coming off of a big minimalist nail moment, I think we’re starting to see more of a ‘more is more’ nail mentality. Mooncat’s flakies lacquers are some of my favorite shades for creating an easy maximalist look — it’s truly like a little work of nail art in a bottle.”

Recently, Kim Kardashian stepped out in some unexpected neon green press-on nails — and Bailey Stanworth, the founder of press-on brand Quickies, says the vivid hue is sure to be a summer staple: “If the [Spring/Summer 2023] runways were any indicator of what color is going to be the it color of summer, it’s key lime green. Get ready to see it in designs, the fine line French, even chrome finishes. It really adds a cool girl vibe to any look.”

Nothing complements sun-kissed skin quite like a coat of white nail polish, and Galdina Jimenez (OPI’s North America Education Manager) shares with Bustle that “white nails for summer have been popular the past couple years.” Consider the classic shade a timeless choice.

Chrome nails have been all over red carpets and beyond for the last few months, and Lin agrees that the trend will stay strong for summer. Stanworth agrees, saying that “spring classics like pale pinks, icy blues, and pretty pastels” will have that chromatic, glazed finish.

The soft girl version of a beloved traditional mani — vanilla French nails tap off-white colors to replace the more typical stark white polish shades. As for Jimenez’s recommendation? She shares that OPI’s Pink in Bio is the perfect go-to hue.

Sheer shades are definitely a minimal mani must, and Lin thinks that holographic iterations of the classic lacquer trend are “soft and ethereal, but still super shifty.” Hello, stunning summer staple that shifts colors in the sunlight.

Skittle nails have been trending for quite some time now, and Jimenez forecasts that the French version of the look will be major for summer. Need a manicure in a pinch? This Glamnetic press-on set is almost a near replica of Dua Lipa’s headline-making pastel French set.

Eunice Park, an Aprés Nail pro artist, shares: "This summer, jelly colors are going to come back in a big way, which also means extensions will be popular to really show off that translucent color. Aprés offers a wide mix of jelly colors, with some favorites being Bubblegum Glow or It's Cerulean that are perfect for a day at the beach."

ICYMI: Green is very much on-trend, and Abramcyk is sure summer will be defined by a pastel version of the popular hue: “Summer is the perfect time to get creative and play with different polishes. If you are easing into color, I highly recommend a soft mint green — [it gives that] joyful glow.”

Between on-trend micro bangs and shoulder-grazing power bobs — it makes all the sense in the world that French tips would get a shortened upgrade. Stanworth shares: “French manis will have their moment this season, but in fun colors and designs to make the trend more playful for the hotter months.”

Want your own Pamela Anderson-inspired Baywatch moment (but on your nails, instead)? Abramcyk says that you can never go wrong with red hot nails.

Want to upgrade a lip gloss nail moment with some easy-to-recreate daisy art? Jimenez explains: “Dot flowers are and easy way to get a cute floral look. For a bigger flower, use the back of an art brush or large dotting tool. For smaller dots, use a smaller dotting tool or even household items like a bobby pin or toothpick.”