I don’t know whether it's the vitamin D boost that lifts my mood from sad sack to “walking ray of sunshine,” the longer, warmer days that have me begging for any excuse to get out of my apartment, or my deep desire to take an aesthetic picture of my perfectly polished fingers wrapped around the stem of a wine glass. Whatever the reason, when summer hits, I’m more than happy to book a manicure appointment. And this year, I’m even more excited than usual—because the nail polish colors for summer 2026 can essentially be described as “bottled happiness.”
This summer, the biggest trend in lacquers and gels is “bright shades with a wash of shimmer,” says Julie Kandalec, celebrity manicurist, educator, and co-owner of Star Touch Agency. Think Zara Larsson and the Midnight Sun aesthetic that’s currently giving us all a much-needed serotonin boost: “The aqua, the pink, the yellow — and some shimmery top coats to add extra reflection,” says Kandalec. Basically, a boardwalk airbrush t-shirt, but for your fingertips.
