It's like what Elle Woods said: Summer gives you endorphins [1]. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't kill their husbands — they just don't. (Or something like that.)
The same thing applies to the colour of your nails [2]. When you look down at your hands, the shade you're wearing [3] can have a profound, physiological effect [4] on your mood — just like sunlight, sex, or exercise. That makes painting on an electric orange or cool blue polish [5] the perfect way to get ready for the season. It's science. (Please don't put us on trial.)
"We are already starting to see our [Paintbox [6]] clients transition to brighter, bolder colours [7] for an early start to Summer — they're willing warmer weather to come," said Eleanor Langston, chief creative officer of Paintbox [8]. If you're curious to know the mood-boosting hues everyone will be wearing [9] this Summer, Langston is giving us her full nail colour forecast, ahead. What, like it's hard?
Summer Nail Colour Trend: Full-Spectrum Orange
Everyone thought the orange trend would fall like Fall foliage, but it's really just getting a punchy reboot for Summer.
"From poppy red to vivid peach, orange undertones signal that Summer's here," Langston said. "Corals, peaches, and salmon shades are the modern version of millennial pin and are ultraflattering on all skin tones. If you're fair, try a warm cherry red or even a terracotta colour. Medium and olive complexions would look amazing in salmon, tangerine, or cantaloupe shades. And a milky blush or bright grapefruit would be stunning on darker skin tones."
Sally Hansen Insta Dri Crayola Nail Polish in Sunset Orange [10] ($5)
Full-Spectrum Orange
Christian Louboutin Loubiflash Nail Colour [11] ($30)
Full-Spectrum Orange
Essie Neons Nail Polish Collection in Mark on Miami [12] ($8, originally $9)
Full-Spectrum Orange
Nails Inc. Kiss My Peach Duo Nail Set [13] ($15)
Full-Spectrum Orange
OPI Spring 2019 Tokyo Collection Nail Lacquer in Tempura-ture Is Rising! [14] ($11)
Full-Spectrum Orange
Butter London Glazen Nail Lacquer in Blaze [15] ($10)
Summer Nail Colour Trend: Neutral Territory
Think of this next trend like the Happy Days of nail colours. "Following '70s trends in interior design, we're loving a range of surprisingly flattering caramels, marigolds, butterscotch, and sepia tones," Langston said. "These colours make a cool statement as an accessory on your fingertips and are the new neutral for this Summer."
Nars Iconic Colour Nail Polish in Pastorale [16] ($20)
Neutral Territory
Essie Nail Polish in Mani Thanks! [17] ($8)
Neutral Territory
Oribe The Lacquer High Shine Nail Polish in The Nude [18] ($23)
Neutral Territory
Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Black Sugar [19] ($37)
Neutral Territory
Smith & Cult Nail Lacquer in Colour 1972 [20] ($18)
Neutral Territory
OPI Infinite Shine in Staying Neutral [21] ($10)
Neutral Territory
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro in Stargasm [22] ($20)
Neutral Territory
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Blanc White [23] ($28)
Summer Nail Colour Trend: Breezy Blues
Move over, cobalt. "The most modern blues are ones that are softer, such as sky blue, cornflower blue, or even cerulean," she said. "The gentler blues give your fingertips a seaside vibe that's really nice for warmer months — and isn't as jarring as Yves Klein blue. We're also super into dusty denim shades, too."
Deborah Lippmann Nail Colour in Blue Orchid [24] ($18)
Breezy Blues
Olive & June Nail Polish in BP [25] ($8)
Breezy Blues
OPI Nail Lacquer in No Room For the Blues [26] ($11)
Breezy Blues
Dior Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer in Junon [27] ($28)
Breezy Blues
Smith & Cult Nailed Lacquer in Exit the Void [28] ($18)
Breezy Blues
Zoya Nail Lacquer in Saint [29] ($10)
Summer Nail Colour Trend: Neons
The theme for Paintbox's 2019 Summer collection is "flying colours," which means "sheer bases with pops of linear and graphic neons, such as highlighter yellows, bold fuchsias, and vibrant limes," she said. "I think neon can be intimidating, but I'm loving these bright pops of colours on neon bases."
OPI Tokyo Infinite Shine Collection [30] ($13)
Neons
JinSoon Nail Lacquer in Tweety [31] ($18)
Neons
Smith & Cult Nail Polish in Plastic Beach [32] ($18)
Neons
Essie Neons Nail Polish Collection in Stencil Me In [33] ($9)
Neons
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Va Va Violet [34] ($5)
Neons
Zoya Nail Polish in Cana Neon [35] ($10)
Neons
CND Vinylux Long Wear Polish in Taffy [36] ($11)
Neons
China Glaze Nail Polish in Hang-Ten Toes [37] ($7)