Summer’s Hottest Hues
From butter yellow to baby blue, the warm, golden rays of summer call for bright, airy pastels. To help you celebrate the end of the season (and savor it) before the weather shifts, we've gathered the perfect shades to keep summer alive just a little longer. Here are 10 trendy August nail colors to try—and 10 you might want to avoid until fall begins.
1. Yellow
No matter if you're choosing to paint your nails a pale butter or a deeper lemon, almost all tones of yellow are perfect for summer. After all, it adds a fun pop without being too loud and bold, and matches the beautiful sunny skies.
2. Coral
For something with a brighter pop, try a vibrant coral. This shade is the best of both worlds: not only is it similar to juicy sweet watermelon (arguably everyone's favorite summer fruit), but it also gives off summery and autumnal vibes, making it perfect for August.
3. Millennial Pink
If coral is just a touch too bold for you, try a classic millennial pink. Sheer neutrals are all the rage this season, so you don't need to make your nails sing too loudly—just a warm, dusty blush will do. Plus, this color is so versatile, it pairs well with almost every outfit.
4. White
For something even more simple? Go with milky white! Despite it being devoid of color, it's still crisp, clean, and elegant. You can choose to lean more beige for a warmer tone or ivory for a rich, creamy shade. Either way, you can't go wrong.
5. Peach
A muted peachy or apricot shade also screams summer vibes, giving your nails that subtle sun-kissed tone without being too vibrant. This barely-there touch of color is perfect for the beach, and you can even add a hint of shimmer if you're looking for a little extra glow.
6. Periwinkle
Periwinkle's soft lavender shade is gorgeous on its own, but when paired with added shimmer or a duochrome layer, what you get is basically magical. With all the vibrant greens you'll see in the summer, your nails are bound to complement the season beautifully.
7. Tangerine
Not about the pale peachy tones? If you're still looking for something orange-y but want a shade that's bolder and livelier, pick something brighter, like tangerine. Plus, as August blends into fall, this color complements the transition between both seasons perfectly.
8. Baby Blue
Summer might give us clear blue skies, but the sunshine weather isn't going to last forever, especially with the start of fall looming close. To give one last hurrah before the season ends, baby blue may just be the best nail color to wear.
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9. Sheer Berry
As previously mentioned, sheer nails are what's in this year, and neutrals, like soft berry, are the top picks. You can either choose to keep it simple with just a wash of color or layer different designs and patterns over it for a fun, personal touch.
10. Classic French Tip
Another nail color you can't go wrong with? The classic French manicure. This style works well with any season, but in the summer, it seems to shine the brightest. After all, it offers the best of both worlds: a blush pink with a clean, white tip that pairs well with every summer outfit.
What, then, are some colors you might want to avoid before the end of summer? Here are 10 shades we recommend wearing in other seasons beyond August.
1. Wine Red
A deep burgundy shade is always elegant-looking, but it's a color better suited for fall than summer. If you're hoping to enjoy the last few days of warm, sunny weather, leave the deep reds aside for now, or opt for a brighter cherry shade instead.
2. Matte Black
Matte black might offer a cool, punk-style edge, but in the summer it can come off too stark compared to the bright warmth of August. If black is still your go-to shade, you can try leveling it up with some shimmer to give your nails a bit of shine.
3. Forest Green
You might think green shades match the summer vibe perfectly, but we argue that bright pastels and vibrant corals complement the blooms around you better. Instead of doing a deep forest green, go for something lighter, like mint.
4. Slate Gray
Similar to black, slate gray may be too dull and muted compared to the bright days of August, especially if you're choosing a darker, deeper shade. If you're keen on sticking to gray, though, you can spice it up with some nail art to make it pop.
5. Heavy Glitter
In a time when sheers and neutrals are in, having heavy glitter on your nails might be a little too bold, even if it does reflect the bright sunshine beautifully. If you still want the sparkle, you can either add a shimmer to your nails or leave the chunky glitter on just a few fingers—and not all 10 digits.
6. Deep Navy
Deep navy might seem rich, regal, and refined, but it's a color that's more suited for colder days than the golden rays of summer. You don't need to give up the blue theme entirely, though: you can swap it out for a lighter shade, like sky blue or even turquoise.
7. Chocolate Brown
Chocolate brown screams autumn—and luckily for you, that only means you need to wait one more month. Leave the dark browns for when the seasons shift; for now, try a lighter beige or caramel shade that keeps to the summer theme and vibes.
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8. Plum
Just like wine red or burgundy, deep plum might be too dark for August. If you want to stick to purple, you can always try something lighter, or do a subtle gradient or ombré effect to combine both shades.
9. Deep Mauve
Just a hair lighter than plum, you might think deep mauve works, but we say it's a shade that's better saved for when winter comes. If you still want something dusty and rosy, pick a lighter pink, or better yet, go for a sheer berry.
10. Metallics
Metallics might lean too heavy in the summer, when things are brighter, fun, and airy. Save this style for when the colder season hits, and opt for a sheerer shimmer for now that still gives you that beautiful, signature shine.
