These Cheery Nail Shades Will Get You Oh-So Summer Ready

Believe it or not, the moment to transition from spring nail colors to the brighter, beachy hues of summer is just around the corner. And this year, there's no shortage of trendy shades to try on your fingers and toes.

There really are no rules when it comes to choosing the right summer-ready shade for you, says Rachel James, founder of Pear Nova. But as a general rule of thumb, brights—like citrus shades—look great on dark skin, she says. On fair skin, try berry shades or jewel tones. And nudes always look great, whether you're skin skews pale or dark.

Designs and easy nail art is top of mind this year, too, as people continue to embrace at-home manicures. "We are seeing a ton of swirls in an abstract design," says celebrity manicurist Maria Salandra. Mismatched nail art—a trend that's also known as "indie nails"—is also big right now, says James.

If you're looking for a little more guidance as to what specific colors to hone in on, we asked the pros to share their favorite shades for summer 2021. From a modern twist on a classic white to wear with your go-to sneakers, a dusty blue that will complement your beach tote, a pearlescent holographic polish to pair with your summer dresses—as well as nail stickers that will make DIY manicures a breeze—these popular summer nail colors will be a welcome addition to all your cute warm weather outfits.