How to nail a DIY mani-pedi with the prettiest nail trends of summer 2026

Open toe season is upon us, so get your favorite sandals out of the cruel prison of winter storage!

This spring has already seen a ton of fun nail polish colors popping up on our fingertips and toes. So, we’ve rounded up all the summer 2026 pedicure colors that should make your short list for warm weather. Some are predictable classics with a fresh twist, while others are slightly unexpected and downright fresh.

So please take this as an official warning. If your hands and feet (especially) aren’t ready to show off, now’s the time to get them trimmed, trimmed, and polished to perfection for summer. Read on for the best nail color trends for summer 2026 and some must-have tools. pond Mani-pedi you can do at home.

index:

• A vivid and vivid classic
• Creamy and dreamy neutral
• Bold pops of color inspired by nature
• DIY Mani/Pedi Essentials

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A vivid and vivid classic

Red gloss is always in style. But there are two special colors you’ll be seeing everywhere this spring and summer. Warm weather calls for big, bright reds like cherry and poppy instead of winter’s wines and burgundies.

Just like makeup, you can find the perfect red nail polish color based on your skin’s undertone. Although it’s not as important to match your skin tone to your nail color as it is with makeup, it may help you narrow down your choices if you: so There are many red options. cherryFor example, it is a cool, bluish color like Jinsun’s Ardor. poppy Like Orly’s Hit the Gas, it’s warmer with an infusion of almost neon orange. Poppy pedicures are a popular choice, especially for warm weather!

The essence of passion

price: $18 at JINsoon

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Orly from Heat the Gas

price: $7.87 at Ulta (originally $10.50)

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Creamy and dreamy neutral

Like red, you can’t go wrong with a nude neutral color. One of the hottest ways to show off your toes this summer is natural This is an atmosphere easily achieved with a transparent so-called milky sheen. definitely, the most milk white These shades, like ILNP’s Coconut Cream, take some inspiration from Pantone’s controversial color of the year pick, “Cloud Dancer.” But you can join this milky trend with just a little touch of color! nude, peach and pink jelly Polishes like Cirque Colors’ Rose Jelly are also popular for creating a milky look, giving you versatility no matter what color or style you wear.

This clear lacquer creates an almost jelly-like appearance that creates a bit of depth, especially when your nails catch the summer sun. But the best part is the buildable opacity. Apply one or two coats for a milky, jelly-like look, or one more coat for an opaque look. You can layer different colors of jelly polish for more interest, or you can dab different shades all over your nails for a gorgeous watercolor effect!

ILNP in Coconut Cream

price: $10 on Amazon

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Circus Colors of Rose Jelly

price: $12.50 on Amazon

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Bold pops of color inspired by nature

If you want to make a statement with your fingertips and toes this summer, you can get a little inspiration from clear skies, juicy fruits, and other things in nature that are all around us.

sky blue is emerging as one of the hottest pedicure colors for summer 2026, and it’s no surprise since it’s showing up everywhere this year, as predicted by Pinterest. But instead of the cool blues we saw in the winter, summer versions of shades like Gucci’s Lucy Baby Blue are more inspired by sunbathing on the beach, relaxing by the pool, or gazing at the clouds.

Maybe you call it matcha, maybe you call it matcha. pistachioBut there’s no denying that soft green nail polishes like Lakur from Lichen in Londontown are having a moment. From Carolina Herrera to Gucci, shades like sage were seen all over the Spring/Summer 2026 runways.

If you can’t decide between blue and green, somewhere in the middle is “Millennial Mint” A throwback, as seen in Essie’s Mint Candy Apple. Bold, bright colors are becoming popular again these days, just like other early trends!

If you want to warm up the mood with a brighter color, choose a color inspired by juicy citrus fruits. orange Nails will make your spring and summer days even brighter. This orangeade color (like China Glaze’s Orange Knockout) also plays a big role in the Aperol Spritz nail trend. Layer on glossy gold shimmer for an ode to the quintessential summer aperitif.

Gucci 716 Lucy Baby Blue

price: $35 at Sephora

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Lakur by Londontown Inn Moss

price: $16 in Londontown

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Essie in Mint Candy Apple

price: $10 at Ulta

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China Glazed Orange Knockout

price: $8.50 at Macy’s

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DIY Mani/Pedi Essentials

Ession on a Roll Apricot Cuticle Oil

Soften dry cuticles on your fingers and toes with this easy-to-apply, mess-free roll-on cuticle oil. Apricot and jojoba oils instantly hydrate and condition and absorb quickly so you can move on to the next step in your mani/pedi routine.

price: $15 at Ulta

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DrMode Angled Head Toenail Clippers

You probably already have some good nail clippers to use on your nails. However, if you need something a bit more specialized for your toenail care, it has wider jaws to accommodate thicker nails and an angled head with a non-slip handle for ergonomic clipping. They also collect claw clippings to keep your claws from flying across the room!

price: $12.98 on Amazon

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Puenne Nail Art Peel Off Cuticle Guard

If you’re not great at coloring inside the lines (guilty!), this peel-off polish barrier will make manicures and pedis a breeze. Apply this to the skin around your nails, clean your nails without discarding them, and peel away any mess to reveal a nice, clean manicure or pedicure.

price: $4.98 at Walmart

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Foldable foot bath with massage acupuncture points

To get a true nail salon experience at home, soak your toes in gently soaking water to remove dead skin cells and make nails easier to trim. while you could do Instead, splurge a little for a heat-and-bubbly option. I love the collapsible vanity because it’s easy to store, especially if you’re short on space. There are also many massage nodules on the bottom to relieve sore and tired feet.

price: $18.99 on Amazon (originally $28.98)

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Dr. Scholl Hard Skin Remover Nanoglass Foot File

If your feet have developed calluses and cracks due to winter boots and dry air, this foot file will help make your feet soft and smooth once again. The textured nano-glass surface gently cleanses and removes dead skin cells, while the comfortable, soft-touch handle makes it easy to use. Plus, it’s waterproof and rust-proof, so you can easily rinse it clean.

price: $8.47 on Amazon

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Baby Foot Original Exfoliation Lavender Scented Foot Peel

If your dry, cracked, calloused winter feet need special attention, prepare them a week before your pedicure using an exfoliating foot peel. Soak your feet in a bag of this special gel for an hour and watch as last season’s dead skin sloughs off to reveal baby-soft skin within 3-7 days.

price: $25 at Ulta

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ILNP Glass Candy Top Coat

No matter what color nail polish you choose for your manicure or pedicure, add a super shiny top coat at the end. Creating the high-gloss nail look that’s trending this summer is a must. This is true even (especially) if your colored nail polish has a matte finish. This Glass Candy top coat easily makes any polish stand out and sparkle in the sun.

price: $10 on Amazon

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