Sandal season is officially here, and there’s no better way to get your feet in check than with a fresh coat of polish—DIY or otherwise. New nail trends emerge every summer, but a few key shades seem to consistently hit the mark. After reviewing the evidence (red carpets, pap walks), here are the most flattering nail polish shades for pedicures—approved by stars like Tyla and Dua Lipa.

Pink punch

If you’re looking for a summer-ready pedicure that packs a punch, choose a bright pink polish like Essie’s Jelly Gloss or Manucurist’s Rose. At the 2026 Met Gala, Tyla paired her pink pedi with turquoise open-toe heels.

Jet black

Black nail polish may not be the obvious first choice for summer, but Dua Lipa knows a dark pedicure looks chic, regardless of the weather.

Satin white

If you, like Zara Larsson, love a bold outfit, then you may prefer a simple pedicure to balance it out. Enter: satin white, a sheer variation of the classic shade that provides a modern touch.

Coral

Coral looks great against a fresh summer tan and quickly injects a little extra joy into your look. Maude Apatow wore hers at Wimbledon with a white ruffled dress.

Classic French

Contrary to what some may think, a classic French pedicure always looks simple, natural, and elevated. Quinta Brunson is a fan, too, as seen here on the red carpet at the Disney 2026 Upfront.

Wine red

A deep red is always a classy choice, as proven by Dove Cameron. Bonus: This color looks fabulous on all skin tones.

Nude

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley rarely strays from either a French or a nude pedicure—and for good reason.

Black cherry red

Black cherry works just as well in summer as it does in winter—both Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone wore the shade at Cannes last year.

Bubblegum pink

If you’re a fan of nude shades but want a little more color, then a soapy, bubblegum pink is the way to go, like Simone Ashley.

Clear

Naked nails will never go out of style. Simply clean up your cuticles, then file your nails into a square or soft, rounded shape, and apply two layers of top coat. Kendall Jenner’s barely-there pedi goes perfectly with her minimalist outfit.

Deep purple

Leave it to Kristen Stewart to deliver a little edge—this shade works incredibly well with a black or cream leather sandal in summer.

Lilac

Fresh and surprisingly flattering, lilac is a versatile choice for summer that works well with a tan and on deeper skin tones.

Chocolate brown

Earthy and effortless, see Daisy Edgar-Jones for inspiration.

White

Rihanna often opts for a white pedicure to make her toes pop. White is a great color for summer because it enhances sun-kissed skin.

Classic red

Classic red looks just as good with an evening dress as it does with Havaianas. Just ask Carla Bruni.

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