Summertime brings to mind lots of smells: fresh cut grass, sunscreen… and a fresh coat of nail polish. Professional manicurists often see their calendars book up when summer rolls around, and for good reason: it’s the summer of weddings and holidays, and therefore it’s the perfect time to get a fresh set of nails.

As always, TikTok is the destination for all the hottest nail trends of the season, from chrome nails to milky neutrals. No need to get overwhelmed the next time you sit down for a nail appointment or peer into your drawers full of nail polish to see an endless array of shades and shimmers – here are the season’s biggest nail trends.

Barbiecore Pink

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lights Lacquer (@lightslacquer)

It’s a big year for the colour pink: Pantone selected magenta as the 2023 color of the year, and the anticipated release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie later this month means bright pink nails are a key trend this summer. Bright and vibrant, pink polish is an excellent way to embrace the Barbiecore era. A cute twist on the trend? Barbie-pink French tips.

Milky Neutrals

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Melanie Graves (@overglowedit)

It’s not white and it’s not glittery – it’s a milky medium. Milk bath nails have officially taken 2023 by storm, with the neutral shade rising in popularity for about a year now. And, of course, there’s milk bath’s new cousin – blueberry milk nails – a name that ruffled a small corner of the internet. (Yes, it’s just baby blue!) Celebs like Sabrina Carpenter and Sofia Richie Grainge have been spotted wearing the milky-blue hue recently, so it’s no wonder the hashtag #milkbathnails has more than 17 million views on TikTok.

Citrus Chrome

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Zola Ganzorigt (@nailsbyzola)

Citrus + chrome = love. If you tried out last year’s “glazed donut nails” a la Hailey Bieber, here’s the 2023 refresh featuring sunny, summery brights to evoke a citrus vibe in shades like pink grapefruit, lemon yellow, lime green, and bright orange. Do one coat of colour and then finish it off with a chrome powder buffed over top. Chrome nails in general are probably the biggest nail trend of the year, in bold hues and understated colours alike. The hashtag #chromenails has more than one billion views on TikTok.

Clean Girl Nails

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by GEORGIA RAE (@raelondonnails)

Lately, Sofia Richie Grainge’s refined style has been screaming generational wealth. After her April nuptials to Elliot Grainge (with some dubbing it the royal wedding of 2023) Richie was lauded for her tasteful elegance and polished vibe. One subtle yet standout detail? Her wedding nails, a sheer minimalist polish that perfectly matched her skin tone. The key to this look is spending time shaping the nail to let your natural nails shine. Celeb manicurist Georgia Rae, who did Richie’s wedding nails, is the master of this chic look.

Vibrant Neons

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Alison • nailsbyalsn (@nailsbyalsn)

If you’re simply not into understated neutrals, go bold with a bright neon shade that brings to mind tennis balls. Selena Gomez has sported acid green neon polish this summer, and nothing screams endless, fun-loving summer like neon. If you want to dip your fingers into this trend, try out an accent nail or just do french tips. Blues, yellows, greens and pinks are all fair game!

Read more:
Blueberry Milk Nails Are Trending—and It’s Celebrity Approved
A Melanin-Friendly Guide to Hailey Bieber Nails
When Did Everyone’s Skin Get So Damn Smooth?