Sandal season is officially here, and there’s no better way to get your feet ready than with a fresh coat of nail polish—whether you do it yourself or get it done. New nail trends pop up every summer, but a few key shades always seem to hit the mark. After looking at the evidence (red carpets, paparazzi walks), here are the most flattering pedicure shades—approved by stars like Tyla and Dua Lipa.
Pink Punch
If you want a summer-ready pedicure that really stands out, go for a bright pink polish like Essie’s Jelly Gloss or Manucurist’s Rose. At the 2026 Met Gala, Tyla paired her pink pedi with turquoise open-toe heels.
Jet Black
Black nail polish might not be the obvious summer choice, but Dua Lipa knows a dark pedicure always looks chic, no matter the weather.
Satin White
If you love bold outfits like Zara Larsson, you might prefer a simple pedicure to balance things out. Enter satin white—a sheer twist on the classic shade that adds a modern touch.
Coral
Coral looks great against a fresh summer tan and instantly adds a little extra joy to your look. Maude Apatow wore hers at Wimbledon with a white ruffled dress.
Classic French
Despite what some might think, a classic French pedicure always looks simple, natural, and polished. Quinta Brunson is a fan too, as seen on the red carpet at the Disney 2026 Upfront.
Wine Red
A deep red is always a classy choice, as Dove Cameron proves. Bonus: this color looks amazing on all skin tones.
Nude
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley rarely strays from a French or nude pedicure—and for good reason.
Black Cherry Red
Black cherry works just as well in summer as it does in winter. Both Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone wore the shade at Cannes last year.
Bubblegum Pink
If you like nude shades but want a bit more color, a soapy bubblegum pink is the way to go—just ask Simone Ashley.
Clear
Bare nails never go out of style. Just clean up your cuticles, file your nails into a square or soft rounded shape, and apply two layers of top coat. Kendall Jenner’s barely-there pedi goes perfectly with her minimalist style.
Deep Purple
Leave it to the stars to make deep purple a summer staple.Trust Kristen Stewart to bring a little edge. This shade pairs beautifully with a black or cream leather sandal in the summer.
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Londontown
Lakur Nail Polish in Bell in Time
$16 AMAZON
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OPI
Nail Lacquer in In the Cable Car-Pool Lane
$12 AMAZON
Lilac
Photo: Getty Images
Fresh and surprisingly flattering, lilac is a versatile summer choice that looks great with a tan and on deeper skin tones.
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Chanel
Les Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Immortelle
$33 CHANEL
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OPI
Nail Lacquer in Polly Want a Lacquer?
$12 AMAZON
Chocolate brown
Photo: Getty Images
Earthy and effortless—take inspiration from Daisy Edgar-Jones.
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OPI
Nail Lacquer in Espresso Your Inner Self
$13 AMAZON
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Essie
Nail Polish in Sepia Retreat
$10 AMAZON
White
Photo: Getty Images
Rihanna often chooses a white pedicure to make her toes stand out. White is a great summer color because it enhances sun-kissed skin.
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Chanel
Le Vernis in Glaciale
$34 CHANEL
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OPI
Nail Polish in Funny Bunny
$12 $10 (17% off) AMAZON
Classic red
Photo: Getty Images
Classic red looks just as good with an evening dress as it does with Havaianas. Just ask Carla Bruni.
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Chanel
Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Pompier
$34 CHANEL
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Gucci
Vernis à Ongles Nail Polish in Goldie Red
$35 NORDSTROM
Have a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue’s senior beauty & wellness editor an email at beauty@vogue.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the 15 summer toenail colors that Alisters are loving right now written in a natural tone with clear concise answers
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What are the most popular summer toenail colors for 2024
Bright juicy shades are trending Think cherry red vibrant coral sunny yellow hot pink and glossy tangerine Alisters are also loving creamy pastels like butter yellow and mint green
2 Why do these colors work so well for summer
They complement tanned skin look great with sandals and opentoe shoes and feel fun and energetic The bright saturated shades also make your feet look more polished and puttogether
3 I have pale skin Can I still wear bright colors
Absolutely Bright colors like fuchsia coral and even neon orange can look stunning on pale skin They create a beautiful contrast If youre nervous start with a pastel or a sheer jelly version of a bright color
4 Whats the difference between a jelly and a creme finish
A creme is a solid opaque color with no shimmer A jelly is a sheer translucent color that gives a glossy jelly candy look Jellies are very popular for summer because they look fresh and modern
5 Are these colors only for toes or can I use them on my fingers too
You can absolutely use them on your fingers However many Alisters choose a more neutral or classic red for their fingernails and save the bold bright colors for their toes for a trendy contrast
Intermediate Advanced Questions
6 My favorite color is Red Delicious but it always chips on my toes How can I make it last
The key is prep Make sure your toenails are completely dry and oilfree before painting Use a good base coat apply two thin coats of color and seal everything with a highquality quickdry top coat Reapply top coat every 23 days
7 I love the look of Butter Yellow but Im worried it will stain my nails What should I do
Yes yellow and other bright pigments can stain Always use a highquality