Most of the year, I keep my pedicure simple: inky blacks, stark whites, sheer creams, and the occasional classic red if I’m feeling festive. I sit down in the chair already knowing the drill. But summer? Summer is where I loosen my grip. The second sandals come out so does my willingness to experiment with nail polish, specifically on my toes. After months caged in sneakers and boots, my visible toes deserve something a bit less predictable, which is precisely why a whole new crop of summer pedicure color trends feels so exciting. This year? That’s high-gloss corals, lacquered cherries, barely-there blues, and muted greens.

For 2026, the mood is less about loud-for-the-sake-of-it and more about intentional color—unexpected shades that still feel polished. Think updated brights, soft-but-strange pastels, and neutrals with just enough edge to make you do a double take. From muted greens (yes, still going strong) to creamy shades with a twist, these are the pedicure colors defining summer right now.

1. Peach Jelly

Currently on my toes rn is a sheer wash of this bright coral shade. It gives a watercolor effect to your toes that usually would only be reserved for your fingers. FYI: You can mix in a few drops of your go-to top coat to help sheer out the color if you choose a non-jelly polish.

2. Butter Yellow

I’m willing to bet you already know about butter-yellow nails and their massive takeover for summer. But have you tried it on your toes? It’s a step away from a usual white or cream, with the same level of brightness but just a teensy bit of yellow for a sunshine twist.

3. Turquoise Waters

Want your toes to blend in with the ocean water? Try this aquamarine shade. It is already one of the hottest summer makeup trends and really plays into the fisherman-core vibes we’re seeing in fashion and beauty.

4. Poppy

Your toenails deserve to get a lil sun-kissed too! Although it was quick, the return of Essie’s popular-but-discontinued “Clambake” shade ignited a revival for the fiery, orange-based red manicure. It’s sadly already sold out again (pls, Essie, we’re begging you to make this permanent again), but dw, I found some similar hues you can shop above.

5. Milky White

So not all neutrals are out for summer. This milky nail polish shade is sheer and soft compared to the bright whites you might be used to. It is subdued and fresh but still looks “clean,” if that’s your thing.

6. Matcha

Green toes seem a little unconventional, but that’s precisely why they look so cool. This pistachio, sage-y green color was all over runways in fashion, so why not test it out on your toes?

7. Orangeade

Aperol Spritz this, Hugo Spritz that—when are we gonna make a boozy orangeade the It drink of summer? I’ll keep campaigning, but for now, I guess I’ll just wear the bold, juicy, pure orange color all over my toenails (and also fingers, let’s be real).

8. Cool Blue

Light-blue nails have been at the top of our trend lists for the last few summers, and it’s not going anywhere this year. Go with a sky shade for summer 2026—it’s more striking than the “blueberry milk nails” of the past, so it really screams beach getaways and pool days. FYI: Pinterest predicted cool blue as one of the biggest trends of 2026 across fashion and beauty.

9. Powder Pink

If you’re looking at all of these punchy shades above and feeling a bit overwhelmed, walk on over to the calm, sensible side of things with this twist on the classic “Ballerina” pink nail color. Powder pink is more opaque but still feels soft and romantic.

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Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from natural nail designs to Japanese gel nails.