10 Trendy Pedicure Colors That Scream Summer
Summer is in full swing, and while we all tend to focus more on the cutest fashion trends and manicures we can rock when the weather gets hot, there's one summer beauty staple that is often overlooked: pedicures.
Warmer temperatures mean we often ditch sneakers and boots for sandals and clogs, which in turn usually translates to toes out. Whether you opt for kitten heel flip flops or Birkenstocks, having the right pedicure color can take a casual 'fit from basic to elevated with little to no effort, since pedis do last way longer than manis.
If you are unsure about what color to choose, fret not. We've consulted the experts to answer your most pressing questions and also found the cutest pedicure colors so that you can give your summer toes some TLC right at home. Ready to land on the perfect pedi color that will take you from beach days to brunches? Let's dive in!
Meet the expert- Natalie Minerva, a celebrity nail artist and OPI global ambassador based in LA
What are the key things to keep in mind when looking for a pedicure color?
Minerva, who works with the likes of Demi Lovato and Addison Rae, says the key to picking the right pedicure color for the season is to pay attention to your summer plans.
“I think pedicure colors are all about what your lifestyle is looking like at the moment,” she tells Teen Vogue. “Are you heading on tropical vacation? Maybe pick a fun and bright hot pink to show off your tan. Are you wearing a lot of open toed shoes? Perhaps just pick a more subtle milky tone that matches with a lot of outfits but also elevates your feet.”
How is the upkeep of a pedicure different from a manicure and how can that affect color selection?
The key is planning ahead and choosing a shade that will work for plans across at least a few weeks.
“I usually find that pedicures tend to last a bit longer than a manicure just simply because your toenails grow out a bit slower,” Minerva explains. “I keep that in mind when choosing a color because I may live with it a bit longer than my nails. I also think that pedicures are a great way to be a bit more exploratory with color since you aren’t necessarily staring at them all day like you do with your hands.”
1. Passion Reds
“Red is forever timeless, no matter what the season!” says Minerva. However, not all reds are made equally, and that should be taken into account when picking the right one. “For summer, I’ll usually lean brighter in my red tones; maybe I’ll choose a tomato red like OPI’s Cajun Shrimp instead of something with more blue undertones.”
2. Milky Whites
Milk nails have been having a moment for months, so it's no surprise that they would also work well for pedicures. “White always looks good with a tan in the summer,” Minerva says, suggesting a sheer white like the uber-popular Funny Bunny for those looking for a “sleek” take.
3. All Pink Everything
In the same realm as milk nails, we find pink pedis. However, you don't have to opt for baby pink to stay trendy. “Hot pink, baby pink, sparkly pink: it all works for the summer months!” Minerva says, reinforcing the idea that barbiecore is alive and well. “Pink is my typical go-to pedicure for me personally, and I usually lean in the softer world like It’s a Girl or Cotton Candied Clawz.”
4. Citrusy Oranges
Orange blush is coming in hot for summer, so of course, orange pedis would too. “Orange is kind of a fun and quirky twist on a fresh pedicure,” Minerva says. “It’s not the norm, which I like! Silicon Valley Girl by OPI would be a really cute summer orange.”
5. Bright Corals
In between pinks and oranges, we find coral — one of the most quintessential summer shades of all time. “I will forever correlate a coral pedicure with growing up on the beach in the early 2000s. It’s very throwback to me, which I love,” Minerva shares, picking Suzi is My Avatar as her favorite shade in this family.
6. Baby Blues
If you want a pop of color but prefer something a bit more subtle than orange or coral, baby blues are the way to go. “Baby Blue is a cute way to have a light tone on your toes that isn’t white. This way, you get a little color while still having the impact of something bright against your tan. Try It’s a Boy on your toes, it’s so flattering!” Minerva says.
7. Violet Hours
One often underrated summer pedi color is violet. “I’m wearing Vogue En Violet as my current pedicure, and I am in love with it,” Minerva shares, making a case for the shade. “This is actually my second time in a row wearing this color. Violet toes remind me of being a kid: it feels very young and sweet.”
8. Key Lime Pie
If you want your pedicure to feel and look extra fresh, look no further than lime greens. “Any neon in summer will be eye-catching, especially a lime,” Minerva says, picking RapiDry Screen-Grab Green as her go-to. “If you have fun, bright swimwear [when] you are rocking, this is a great combo.”
9. Chrome Silvers
Chrome manis have been on the up, and chrome pedis are following suit this summer. “A chrome pedicure will always be sleek to me,” Minerva says. “I think it’s nice because it adds some flair, and it looks really good with a pair of heels or open-toed sandals. OPI’s Chrome Clawz would be so chic for this look.”
10. Mellow Yellows
Another quintessential summer color is yellow — it is the color we associate with sunshine, after all! However, people have been gravitating towards softer, muted yellows too this year. “Yellow is just a very happy color and cute for this season,” Minerva says. “For myself, I might choose a more butter yellow like OPI’s Daffodil Duck Walk over a brighter version for my skin tone.”
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