7 summer 2021 nail polish trends I can’t stop wearing

lauren-caruso-nails
lauren-caruso-nails

Our team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the products and deals we love. If you love them too and decide to purchase through the links below, we may receive a commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

Lauren Caruso is an In The Know shopping contributor. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter for more.

Unlike fashion trends, beauty trends tend to be a little more narrow. Think: Instead of “menswear-inspired suits” or a broad insurgence of sneakers, things like popsicle lipstick, thick neon eyeliner, bold, brushed up brows or those faux freckles that Gen Z couldn’t get enough of in 2019 usually top the list. The same goes for nail polish trends, which aren’t necessarily ones that go down the runway first before becoming international phenomena. Instead, they happen to be a mix of what editors and influencers are wearing (and posting) on Instagram, colors that brands tend to release at the same time and a bit of personal preference sprinkled in.

In fact, the top nail polish trends for summer 2021 aren’t exactly brand-new at all, and some of them have carried over from the winter. Summer-ready hues like lemony yellow, bright lime green and lavender have made their way to the forefront — but there are also some unexpected shades that have made their way back into the trend cycle, like a very ‘90s-inspired brown hue, a bright cornflower blue that we last saw make waves in the early aughts, and even fire-engine red, which is typically a color that peaks around the holidays.

Ahead, the top seven nail polish trends that I can’t wait to try again and again.

Summer 2021 Nail Trend: Fire-Engine Red

Sure, fire-engine red is technically always trending, but it’s enjoying an unexpected summertime uptick now, too. (I’m betting it’s because we couldn’t get to the salons during the holiday season, so we’re making up for it now.) I love wearing a bright red on my fingernails and balancing it with something more neutral, like an off-white on my toes for a fun summer vibe.

NAILS INC. Plant Power Nail Polish in Time For A Reset, $10

Credit: Sephora
Credit: Sephora

Buy Now

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Polish in Lady Is A Tramp, $20

Credit: Net-a-Porter
Credit: Net-a-Porter

Buy Now

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Color in Pirate, $28

Credit: Nordstrom
Credit: Nordstrom

Buy Now

Summer 2021 Nail Trend: Lavender

Lavender can veer a little saccharine — especially if your style is feminine. But something as cheerful as lavender can balance out masculine wardrobe pieces, like an oversized blazer, a chunky loafer or even a vintage leather jacket.

CND VINYLUX Long Wear Nail Polish in Wisteria Haze, $10.59

Credit: Target
Credit: Target

Buy Now

Côte No. 83 Heliotrope Purple Nail Polish, $18

Credit: Cote
Credit: Cote

Buy Now

Butter London English Lavender Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer, $18

Credit: PUR
Credit: PUR

Buy Now

Summer 2021 Nail Trend: Lemony Yellow

Halfway between butter and lemon, this shade of yellow looks great on darker skin tones. Still, it can be a tricky color to pull off — if the color’s too sheer, it might look like your nails are yellowing; too severe, and it can come off juvenile, not unexpectedly chic. For a foolproof choice, look for a creamy yellow that has white undertones, like this pick from OPI’s Hollywood Infinite Shine Collection called Bee-Hind The Scenes.

New Essie Limited Edition Summer 2021 Collection in Zest Has Yet To Come, $9

Credit: Ulta
Credit: Ulta

Buy Now

Olive + June Nail Polish in Bright & Focused, $8

Credit: Olive + June
Credit: Olive + June

Buy Now

OPI Hollywood Infinite Shine Nail Polish in Bee-Hind The Scenes, $13

Credit: Ulta
Credit: Ulta

Buy Now

Summer 2021 Nail Trend: Bright Blue

The bright blue nail polish trend isn’t for the faint of heart. In fact, some of the brighter blues out there are bold enough to feel like they’re part of your outfit. For those who want to get in on the action but can’t commit to cornflower, FOR TMRW’s more midnight blue can be a beginner’s blue.

New Essie Limited Edition Summer 2021 Collection in Juicy Details, $9

Credit: Ulta
Credit: Ulta

Buy Now

Christian Louboutin Nail Color in Baraboum, $50

Credit: Bergdorf Goodman
Credit: Bergdorf Goodman

Buy Now

For TMRW For Now Nail Polish, $18

Credit: FOR TMRW
Credit: FOR TMRW

Buy Now

Summer 2021 Nail Trend: Bright Lime Green

When OPI’s Malibu collection came across my desk and I saw that a creamy, bright lime green was one of the six hues, I knew it was on its way to trend status. I love how a citrus-inspired green instantly conjures vacation vibes. (I’m currently manifesting a tropical vacation with Pear-Adise Cove on my toenails.)

New Essie Limited Edition Summer 2021 Collection in Feelin’ Just Lime, $9

Credit: Ulta
Credit: Ulta

Buy Now

OPI Malibu Collection in Pear-Adise Cove, $10.50

Credit: Ulta
Credit: Ulta

Buy Now

Orly Nail Polish in Neon Paradise, $9.50

Credit: Orly
Credit: Orly

Buy Now

CND – Shellac Crisp Green, $14.60

Credit: Beyond Polish
Credit: Beyond Polish

Buy Now

Summer 2021 Nail Trend: Browns

Is there any nail color more unexpected for summer? Browns like warm sand or mocha latte are cropping up all over, and I love how sophisticated a muddy hue looks on a summer wardrobe backdrop of soft linens, ribbed tanks and silk slip dresses. J. Hannah’s cult-favorite Carob nail lacquer is one of my all-time favorites for mid-season, and OPI’s new Infinite Shine polish in Endless Sun-Ner is a more beige-based brown.

Mented Cosmetics Nail Polish in Yes We Tan, $8

Credit: Mented Cosmetics
Credit: Mented Cosmetics

Buy Now

J. Hannah Nail Polish in Carob, $19

Credit: J. Hannah Jewelry
Credit: J. Hannah Jewelry

Buy Now

OPI Infinite Shine in Endless Sun-ner, $8.25

Credit: Beyond Polish
Credit: Beyond Polish

Buy Now

Sage Green

Ok, fine: Sage green is a trending nail color no matter the season. I love how it feels like a true fall color but somehow feels more refreshing than tangerine or off-white. Plus, sage green feels like enough of a color for those who aren’t afraid of it — but it’s muted enough to satisfy the color-adverse minimalists among us, like me.

Essie Spring Trend 2021 Nail Polish in Cacti On The Prize, $8.69

Credit: Target
Credit: Target

Buy Now

J. Hannah Nail Polish in Eames, $19

Credit: J. Hannah Jewelry
Credit: J. Hannah Jewelry

Buy Now

Color Club Nail Polish in Olive Paris, $8.50

Credit: Color Club
Credit: Color Club

Buy Now

If you enjoyed this story, check out the 5 stores like Zara that nobody knows about yet!

More from In The Know:

Nordstrom shoppers say this is the ‘perfect face wash’ for dry and sensitive skin

BLK MKT Vintage shares one-of-a-kind vintage finds from the African diaspora

‘My favorite cleanser ever’: Nordstrom shoppers swear by this popular cleansing oil that’s now on sale

5 work-ready summer options currently on sale for less than $50 at Nordstrom

The post 7 summer 2021 nail polish trends I can’t stop wearing appeared first on In The Know.