Hands say a lot about us and about the way we perceive ourselves. They are the thermometer of the attention we give ourselves, and a lack of care is just as visible as neglected hair. Not to mention that they are another blank canvas on which to channel all our creativity, playing with colors, patterns and applications that have the narrative effect of makeup, from the ballet pink loved by clean girls to the phantasmagorical camp of nail art. Summer is also the season that best lends itself to extraordinary manicures, drawing quite literally with both hands from a palette of pastel nuances, with shiny finishes or hyper-saturated polishes in acidic and psychedelic colors. From a romantic soft lilac to a brighter chartreuse shade, here are the 5 nail polish colors for summer that will make the rainbow a magic trick at your fingertips.
Dusty Purple, Between Lilac and Lavender for Desperate Romantics
Manicurist Green Natural Nail Polish in Shade Iris, $ 14
2026 is the year of the lover girls, those who still know how to get emotional in front of a rom-com but temper their soft side by wearing a babydoll dress with black vinyl combat boots, thanks Olivia Rodrigo. For them, the perfect nail polish shade belongs to the spectrum of dusty purple, oscillating between powdery lilac and candied violet.
Sheer Pink Inspired by Ballet
Chanel Le Vernis Nail Polish in Shade 111 Ballerina, $ 34
It is always ballet season, even when theater doors close for the holidays. And what better way to carry a touch of dance’s charm than by distilling the typical pink nuance of a tutu into a bottle? Delicate and, above all, hyper-versatile, it is the ideal nail polish for anyone who wants to show off an extremely elegant manicure even at the beach.
Chocolate Brown, When Even the Manicure Gets a Tan
Hermès Les Mains Nail Polish in Shade Brun Bistre, $ 66
For those who adore the natural tones of the summer months, typically earthy, with shades that embrace browns and dark greens, there is chocolate brown nail polish, which recreates on the nail that same tan typical of sun-kissed skin. Perfectly in palette with the season, it is an impactful polish while also remaining very sophisticated.
Like a Mermaid with Coral Red Nails
essie Original Nail Polish in Shade Handmade With Love, $ 10
Mermaidcore does not stop at looks. If shells and marine prints monopolize beach fashion, the manicure dives into the depths of aquatic beauty by choosing the orange-tinged gradation of coral red nail polish. Bright, intense and almost iridescent, it is the original and bold variation of classic red polish.
Undecided Between Yellow and Green? Choose Chartreuse Nail Polish
Revlon Ultra HD Snap! Nail Polish in Shade Bright Side, $ 6.99
This particular color, often mistakenly considered green, is actually a very particular shade of yellow, one that seems almost to evoke the peel of an extraterrestrial lime. On the hands, the result is unique: bold and irreverent, it is the detail that makes the difference and, above all, knows how to get noticed.
