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.She earned a B.A. in Journalism at the University of Georgia. She hopes to inspire your travel bucket list with her features on road trips through Texas Hill Country, bourbon tours in Kentucky, and the best beach getaways on the Gulf Coast. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on August 25, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. 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. OPI "Hue Is The Artist?" Ulta Buy Now 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 Olive & June "Angelfish" Olive and June Buy Now Be as calm and bright as a cloudless summer day with this opaque, creamy, icy blue. BUY IT: $9; oliveandjune.com Essie Expressie "Strong at 1%" Target Buy Now This quick-dry shade is the ultimate orange for summer fun to come. BUY IT: $8.99; target.com Olive & June "MM" Olive & June Buy Now This toasted sand color is a summery neutral that updates your usual go-to. BUY IT: $9; oliveandjune.com OPI "15 Minutes of Flame" Essie Buy Now 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 Essie "Spring Awakening" Essie Buy Now 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 OPI "My Chihuahua Doesn't Bite Anymore" Amazon Buy Now This update on a legendary OPI shade is the ideal color if you love making a bright, colorful statement. BUY IT: $13; amazon.com Olive & June "Strawberry Scone" Olive & June Buy Now 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 Gucci "Dorothy Turquoise" Sephora Buy Now This minty haint blue has us feeling ready for a breezy porch hang on the Southern coast. BUY IT: $30; sephora.com Sally Hansen "Soak At Sunset" Ulta Buy Now This metallic coral-orange is almost as awe-inducing as a beach sunset. BUY IT: $6.99; walmart.com OPI "Hollywood & Vibe" OPI Buy Now 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 Essie Gel Couture "Rock the Runway" Essie Buy Now Get festive for the Fourth of July barbecue with a classic red. BUY IT: $11.99; target.com 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 Smith & Cult "Fosse Fingers" Dermstore.com Buy Now Whether it's your jewelry or your nail polish color, rose gold feels right for summer. BUY IT: $18; amazon.com OPI "You Had Me at Halo" OPI Buy Now Choose something out-of-the-box with this pearlescent purple-blue nail polish. BUY IT: $10; walmart.com Smith & Cult "Cool Your Jets" Amazon Buy Now 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 Olive & June "GH" Olive & June Buy Now Try out a new goes-with-anything baby pink with this flattering shade. BUY IT: $9; oliveandjune.com Essie Expressie "Air Dry" Target Buy Now 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