With summer weather comes sandal season, and you know what that means: It’s time for a pedi. If you’re looking for some summer pedicure ideas—because if you’re like me, it’s been a while since your last nail appointment—I’ve got you covered with all the latest trends and some tried-and-true classic nail ideas.
Even though some celebrities and street style stars are breaking summer’s biggest pedicure rule and showing off bare toes lately, most are still opting for polish, from barely-there nudes to summery neons. As far as the trends go, pedicures are all about having fun this season. Think pretty pastels, sunset-inspired ombré, and so much more. After all, summer is the perfect time for experimentation with different nail colors, nail shapes, and even nail art for the toes.
Wondering what type of pedicure to get? In the summer, our toenails are exposed to a lot—from grassy lawns to saltwater beaches and everything in between—so it may be wise to opt for gel polish to make your pedi really last. But if you prefer to avoid gel nails, it’s definitely worth the time to finish off your pedicure with a good top coat to help the polish last a bit longer.
As Rebecca Isa, creative director at Zoya, tells Glamour, “The best summer pedicure color is one that feels joyful, saturated, and visible.” According to Isa, summer is a time to have fun with color because brighter shades pair so well with sandals, swimwear, and sun-kissed skin.
We asked Isa for all the ins and outs to this summer’s biggest pedicure trends. Here’s what she had to say…
What is the best color for a summer pedicure?
According to Rebecca Isa, some shades that feel instantly fresh and vacation-ready are bold turquoise, juicy red, vivid green, or bright yellow. “For summer 2026, specifically, I love the energy of Zoya’s Beachy Brights 3 collection,” she says. (That includes Zoya Marisol, a bold turquoise cream; Zoya Alora, a summer maraschino red; Zoya Avani, an extra bright key lime ice-cream green; and Zoya Taji, a vibrant yellow cream.) “All feel made for long days poolside,” says Isa.
