Style Beauty The Best Nail Polish Colors for Summer 2022 Take a summer vacation from your go-to shade. By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on January 19, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Getty Images/Jena Ardell Out of all the seasons, summer offers the best opportunity to step outside your go-to beauty routine, whether it's through a pretty rose lipstick to replace your usual nude or a bright nail color to don with your open-toed sandals. There's no better time to tap into your bright side than when beach days and lake trips are on the horizon. From freshened-up takes on classic neutral to colorful pigmented shades just waiting to make a splash, these nail colors are ready to take on summer 2022 on both your fingers and toes. See the our favorite summer nail colors to serve as your next salon—or at-home manicure—inspiration below. 01 of 18 OPI "Hue Is The Artist?" Ulta One editor cannot stop raving about this new neutral shade that's beating out Funny Bunny in her book. BUY IT: $10.50; amazon.com 02 of 18 Olive & June "Angelfish" Olive and June Be as calm and bright as a cloudless summer day with this opaque, creamy, icy blue. BUY IT: $9; oliveandjune.com 03 of 18 Essie Expressie "Strong at 1%" Target This quick-dry shade is the ultimate orange for summer fun to come. BUY IT: $8.99; target.com 04 of 18 Olive & June "MM" Olive & June This toasted sand color is a summery neutral that updates your usual go-to. BUY IT: $9; oliveandjune.com 05 of 18 OPI "15 Minutes of Flame" Essie It's hard to resist this fuchsia pink from OPI's Hollywood collection. It's got just a touch of pearlescent shimmer. BUY IT: $10.50; amazon.com 06 of 18 Essie "Spring Awakening" Essie Inspired by romantic soft hues, Essie's spring 2022 collection featured this dreamy muted pastel coral shade for your nails. BUY IT: $9; ulta.com 07 of 18 OPI "My Chihuahua Doesn't Bite Anymore" Amazon This update on a legendary OPI shade is the ideal color if you love making a bright, colorful statement. BUY IT: $13; amazon.com 08 of 18 Olive & June "Strawberry Scone" Olive & June Olive & June's collection—inspired by afternoon tea—includes a barely-there sheer pink that's bound to become a favorite at-home mani staple. BUY IT: $9; oliveandjune.com 09 of 18 Gucci "Dorothy Turquoise" Sephora This minty haint blue has us feeling ready for a breezy porch hang on the Southern coast. BUY IT: $30; sephora.com 10 of 18 Sally Hansen "Soak At Sunset" Ulta This metallic coral-orange is almost as awe-inducing as a beach sunset. BUY IT: $6.99; walmart.com 11 of 18 OPI "Hollywood & Vibe" OPI If you're a Ballet Slippers or Bubble Bath fan, this bright pastel pink puts a little extra oomph into the classic shade for summertime. BUY IT: $10.50; amazon.com 12 of 18 Essie Gel Couture "Rock the Runway" Essie Get festive for the Fourth of July barbecue with a classic red. BUY IT: $11.99; target.com 13 of 18 Zoya "Abby" Ulta A soft lavender should be in everyone's nail kit, and you won't find a more perfectly creamy, opaque version than this one. BUY: $12; ulta.com 14 of 18 Smith & Cult "Fosse Fingers" Dermstore.com Whether it's your jewelry or your nail polish color, rose gold feels right for summer. BUY IT: $18; amazon.com 15 of 18 OPI "You Had Me at Halo" OPI Choose something out-of-the-box with this pearlescent purple-blue nail polish. BUY IT: $10; walmart.com 16 of 18 Smith & Cult "Cool Your Jets" Amazon This marshmallow white looks just as good with one coat as three coats, depending on if you prefer a more transparent or opaque look. BUY IT: $18; amazon.com 17 of 18 Olive & June "GH" Olive & June Try out a new goes-with-anything baby pink with this flattering shade. BUY IT: $9; oliveandjune.com 18 of 18 Essie Expressie "Air Dry" Target This denim blue is a unique choice for summer. BUY IT: $8.99; target.com Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit