Make your manicure your chicest summer accessory with these nail picks

Summer is right around the corner and with that brings party szn. Yep, you'll be cracking out all your glitziest dresses and getting ready to style your stands to the nines but most importantly, you'll be picking mani colour after mani colour. And of course, you want your nails to be totally on trend every single time.

Whether it be matching the tones we saw through the Northern Hemisphere summer (butter yellow and bold citrus, welcome to Aus), branching out with some cool-girl nail art, or letting your nails experience brat summer at last, there's a perfect shade out there for you this season.

But we don't expect you to find it yourself! That's why we're here: to guide you in the direction of the polish picks, decals and nail accessories that anybody (including yes, you) would be thrilled to be treated to...

2024's Top 3 Summer Nail Colours

1. Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in 'Ovni', $48, David Jones
2. Dior Vernis Paris in 'Blue Star', $47, Myer
3. Hermès Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in 'Orange Poppy', $78, Myer

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in 'Ovni' 

from $48 at David Jones



Best for: A neutral-but-better Selena Gomez-approved shade

Butter yellow is everywhere RN. It's the colour of the season and we are so here for the pastel, nude-adjacent pop of colour. This soft, soothing shade is matched by the unbeatable formula that leaves you with seriously shiny, longwearing coverage.

Key features: 

Enriched with camellia eco-ceramides

Ultra-pigmented

Redeveloped flat, wide brush 

Available at:

• $48 from David Jones

Dior Vernis Paris in 'Blue Star'

from $47 at Myer

Best for: Being ahead of the colour trends

We're dubbing this shimmering blue shade the colour of the summer. It's a big call, sure. But it's made us think of sunshine rippling across the ocean so of course we needed our nails to be matching that vibe.

Key features: 

Gel-effect hold 

Infused with extracts of peony and pistachio

Glossy finish 

Available at:

• $47 from Myer

Hermès Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in 'Orange Poppy'

from $78 at Myer

Best for: A summery citrus-inspired mani

Think of the aura points you'll gain when you rock up with these bold, bright IDGAF nails. This shade's giving aperol spritz (AKA, summer in a glass) and we're very here for our nails to be on theme. 

Key features:

Made in France

Made from 71 per cent natural ingredient origin

Bottle that looks like art

Available at:

• $78 from Myer

OPI xPRESS/ON in 'Charging My Crystals'

from $25 at Sephora

Best for: A fresh take on chrome colour

There's one thing we know for sure and that's that iridescent, chrome-y, pearl finishes aren't going anywhere. So, if you've not hopped on the trend yet, it's about time you did. But don't worry, it won't involve an exxy salon appointment. Nope, these chic press-ons are actually totally affordable, seriously eye-catching and last for up to two weeks.

Key features: 

Tips and packaging made from 94 per cent PCR materials

Pack includes: nail glue, cuticle stick, dual nail file and buffer, OPI prep pad and 30 nails in different sizes

Salon-quality design 

Available at:

• $25 from Sephora

Gucci Beauty Nail Art Stickers

from $34 at Sephora



Best for: A designer manicure for less than $50


Do we desperately want to stock our shelves will all things Gucci? Um, absolutely! But the budget doesn't always quite extend that far, so instead we're getting our Gucci where we can, with nail stickers! With four iconic designs, let your fingers do the talking. We can hear them whispering, 'she's expensive'.

Key features: 

Limited edition collection 

Four iconic designs 

Each design comes in five different sizes

Available at:

• $34 from Sephora

Instant Mani Bewitched Press On Nails Set

from $30 at Sephora



Best for: A saturated chrome option

We're busy girlies okay, so all we want is a fresh set of acrylics that only takes moments to create. Is that too much to ask for?! Turns out, nope! Because these salon-quality tips are seriously easy to apply and make for the quickest nail transition possible. Plus, baby pink with a fresh tan is an elite summer combo. 

Key features: 

Reusable 

Trending designs

Pack includes: nail glue, Adhesive tabs, double-sized file, cuticle stick and 24 nails in 12 sizes

Available at:

• $30 from Sephora

Gucci Beauty Vernis a Ongles Nail Polish in 'Vantine Fuchsia'

from $57 at David Jones



Best for: Bringing the Barbie era into 2024

You know what? We're not letting Barbie pink die just because Margot Robbie hasn't treated us to a movie this year. It's the perfect colour to make an impact and still be so chic. Plus, like, look at the bottle, it's to die for!

Key features: 

Quick-dry formula 

Vibrant shade 

Smoothes out ridges and bumps on nails

Available at:

• $57 from David Jones

Paintlab So Strawberry Press On Nails

from $30 at Sephora

Best for: Recreating Hailey Bieber's strawberry nails

ICYMI: tiny fun fruits, veggies and even bugs have been spotted on nails everywhere. But you know what we so don't have time for? Sitting in a salon and forking over major cash for an intricate cute design. Enter: strawberry-covered press on nails.  

Key features: 

Cute, easy way to wear the fruit nail trend 

Salon-grade acrylics

Under five minute application 

Available at:

• $30 from Sephora

OPI Infinite Shine in 'Limelight'

from $24.95 at David Jones



Best for: An Aussie brat summer

It's giving brat, need we say more? TBH, no. This shimmery green tone will be on everyone's nails when they hit up Laneway. We're finally getting the brat summer we've all been waiting for.

Key features:

Pearly shimmer finish

Classic OPI glossy shine 

11 days of wear 

Available at:

• $24.95 from David Jones

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm

from $43 at David Jones


Best for: Elevating bare nails

Alright, alright, we know this isn't a trending nail colour per se. But well-groomed, bare or clear gloss nails are always going to be on-trend. And how are you going to get those exactly? By ensuring your hands are seriously hydrated. And what better way to get there than a deliciously-scented, ultra-nourishing hand cream?

Key features: 

Scent notes: citrus, woody, herbaceous

Enriched with nourishing mandarin rind and rosemary leaf and tocopherol

Rich, thick texture

Available at:

• $43 from David Jones

How to nail the summer mani trends?

Well, look at you go, you've already done step one (AKA you've read our guide). But if you're looking to follow the nail trends this summer then picking up a bottle (or several) of bright, fun, colourful polish will have you heading in the right direction. Whether you're having your own brat summer or opting for a more demure butter yellow tone, a fresh coat of colour is where it's at. And don't be afraid to mix, match and change it up often to be your own damn inspo. 

Main image credit: @nailsbymh

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