Our Favorite Summer Nail Polishes at the Drugstore
July 07, 2020If you're still waiting for your nail salon to reopen or just like DIYing your own mani, there are seemingly endless summer nail polish shades, many of which you can find at your local drugstore. Indecisiveness anyone? Do you go with a bright yellow that’s reminiscent of the sun, stick to a classic, stark white, or opt for a hot pink hue? To help you narrow down your search and pick a color that’s both affordable and on-trend for the season, take a look at our editors’ favorite drugstore nail polish shades for summer, ahead.
Choosing the perfect summer-appropriate red shade can be a tricky feat. You don’t want your shade to be too dark, too mauve or too Christmas-time red. To make your decision easy, reach for this shade from Essie. It’s an orange-red that’s vibrant, bright and goes with every summer outfit.
Essie Longwear in Atelier at the Bay
If you subscribe to the longwear-or-bust mentality, we recommend choosing a shade from the Essie Gel Couture collection. The two-step system (longwear polish and a top coat) is great for long-lasting, chip-free wear. As for the perfect summer hue? We’re obsessed with Atelier at the Bay, a soft pastel yellow that’s subtle, sophisticated and on-trend.
Essie Expressie in Misfit Right In
Some people stan darker nail polish shades year-round. Sound familiar? We challenge you to opt for a metallic color like Misfit Right In from Essie. The black undertones and rich copper color will keep your mani grounded and within your dark-polish comfort zone, but the shimmery-bronze finish makes the color summer-appropriate.
Essie Treat Love & Color in Glow the Distance
Weak nails? We feel you. Get a great mani and strengthen your fingernails using the Essie Treat Love & Color line. It’ll help with peeling and breakage and has a collagen and camilla extract-infused formula. For a summer shade, we love this champagne, gold hue. It’s metallic, reflects the light and is a chic addition to any look.
Maybelline New York Fast Gel in Tease
For a DIY gel-manicure-like look that is easy to apply and dries down fast, we love the Maybelline New York Fast Gel polish, sold exclusively at Dollar General. One of our go-to shades is Tease, a bright white. There’s nothing that says summer is in session quite like a white polish — you can’t go wrong.
Maybelline New York Fast Gel in Royal
If bright and bold is your summertime motto, then the shade Royal is a must-have. It’s a rich blue that is sure to make a statement. It’s a great color to rock to the beach (#nautical). To ensure your mani stays chip-free for as long as possible, make sure to follow up with the Maybelline New York Fast Gel Top Coat.
For a vegan, non-toxic, paraben-, cruelty- and an acetone-free nail polish option, consider this mint green option from Tenoverten. The sea-like hue is muted, subtle and ultra-chic. It’s a great way to play with color if you don’t want to commit to a bright and intense hue.
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