Painting your nails [1] is something you can do in a matter of minutes, and it instantly brightens your day. It's such a simple beauty task with a huge payoff. Simple, that is, after you select your nail polish color.
When it comes to nail polish, there are two types of people: the type who rocks the same two shades all year — one for the warmer seasons and one for the colder seasons — and the type who spends more time picking a color than it takes to actually give yourself a manicure. For those of you who fall into the latter category, your decision is about to get a whole lot more complicated as summer gets closer and there is a new batch of cool nail polish shades to choose from [2].
Summer is already shaping up to look a little different this year, but the nail trends are going to be just as big and bold as before — if not bigger. "For summer, I feel, in light of COVID-19, we are looking for a return of brighter colors that bring back a fun, happy feeling," Tom Bachik [3], the celebrity manicurist behind Jennifer Lopez's best nail moments [4], told POPSUGAR. "Originally, the color palettes I've seen have been a bit earthy or gray, but I believe we will see more trendy tones this year."
Think: colors that boost your happiness just by looking down at your fingertips [5]. Ahead, Bachik shared his predictions for the biggest nail color trends for the summer [6] of 2020.
Summer 2020 Nail Color Trend: Seafoam Aqua
This summer's nail color trends can be summed up best in one word: bright. They're colors that are impossible not to notice and will make you feel energized and excited. Seafoam aqua shades like Essie Nail Polish in Bustling Bazaar [7] ($9) will help transport us to somewhere tropical, even if we're just hanging out in the backyard.
Summer 2020 Nail Color Trend: Bright Coral
Coral nail polish and summer go together like white sneakers and sundresses, Rosé and picnics, and — well, you get the point. This tried-and-true shade is like the neutral of summer nail polish shades. When you're not sure what color to choose, choose coral, like the Dear Sundays No. 09 [8] ($18).
Summer 2020 Nail Color Trend: Intense Blues
The color blue brings feelings of calmness and serenity. With that in mind, it makes sense that Bachik expects intense blues to have a major moment this season. It's not a powder blue or a baby blue or even turquoise — it's a deep, relaxing blue that reminds you of the middle of the ocean or a midnight sky, like the Orosa Pure Cover Nail Paint in Midnight [9] ($12).
Summer 2020 Nail Color Trend: Vivid Lilacs
This isn't the deep purple hue you usually opt for in the fall; it's a whimsical, vivid lilac purple. If you're someone who tends to stay away from dazzling colors on your nails, this shade was made for you. Look for a delicate color like the Jinsoon Nail Polish in Birdie [10] ($18).
Summer 2020 Nail Color Trend: Sassy Pinks
Pink nail polish will always be trendy for summer, and that especially rings true this year. Why? "We need a little bit of sassiness right now," Bachik said. A nail polish shade that embodies the phrase "sassy pink" is the new Olive & June x Zeba Collection Nail Polish in Grateful and Kind [11] ($8) launching on May 14 as part of the brand's summer collection.