According to Expert Nail Artists, August's Hottest Pedi Shades Scream Runway, Not Boardwalk
From trendy blues to fall-coded burgundies.
It's hard to beat the level of sophistication you feel after walking out of the salon with a fresh manicure and pedicure. The sun shines brighter, the possibilities feel endless, and you suddenly feel the urge to book up your social calendar. Or maybe that's just August.
The end-of-summer craze has us not only wishing for more warm months on the calendar but also leaning into the rich colors and bright trends that this season brings—even if we did say several times over the course of a sticky-hot NYC summer that we couldn't wait for fall. (We were just kidding; we promise!) As beauty editors, we most often prefer to incorporate these colors into our manicures before adding them to our wardrobes, and summer 2026 has proven to be a kaleidoscope of trendy hues. From buzzy aquamarines to trendy chartreuse, there's been no pop-of-color shortage in the fashion sphere—which only makes sense that it transfers onto our nails. More specifically, our toes.
We scoured the sites of some of our favorite professional manicurists to see what colors cool people have been putting on their toes this summer, and one thing is abundantly clear: These shades are giving runway sophistication, not coastal boardwalk nostalgia. Below, the six shades worth wearing before August slips away.
6 Summery Pedicure Colors to Wear in August 2026
1. Cherry Tomato
"Trending pedicure colors for August this year balance late-summer vibrancy with early transitional shades," says celebrity manicurist Pattie Yankee. One of her pedi shade musts for late summer is a cherry-tomato hue. "A balanced, bright red that bridges the gap between summer and early autumn wardrobes without looking too heavy," she explains. "These reds are classic but more saturated and 'juicy' than traditional reds," she adds. In short, the nail artist says they make a pedicure "look intentional."
Shop Cherry Tomato Polishes
The perfect poppy red.
A brighter iteration à la Chanel.
2. Baby Blue
Aquamarine is one of summer's top trending hues in fashion, and beauty lovers quickly followed suit on their fingers and toes. Case in point: Hailey Bieber's trendy baby-blue toes, documented in a recent Instagram dump that inspired us all to book our next pedicure appointments. This deeper iteration of summer's greenish-blue craze steers the conversation toward fall with a sea of moody teals and cobalt blues that Yankee says perfectly transition to fall. "These bold, ocean-inspired shades offer a moody choice for a late-summer transition," she explains. Shop a couple of our favorites below.
Shop Baby Blue Polishes
A denim-blue comparable to Bieber's.
This edgy teal takes things into fall territory.
3. Coconut Milk
Instead of paper white—a tired summer staple, in Yankee's book—the manicurist urges you to try the yellow-tinged variety. An airy coconut milk, if you will. "These shades give a clean and polished look with sandals and work particularly well with the tan you've worked on all summer," she muses.
Shop Coconut Milk Polishes
A 22-free, vegan formula editors love.
For those who crave a purer white.
4. Lilac Pink
Pink nail polish will never go out of style, but this slightly lavender-spiked hue is the perfect shade to wear as we close out summer. The slightly cool-toned iteration hints at the season to come while embracing the last pastel moments of summer. Though, it has legs year-round—looking stunning on every skin tone no matter the weather. For a trendier version, opt for a jelly nail polish formula in this lilac-ballerina hue.
Shop Lilac Pink Polishes
Obsessed with this cool-toned pink.
Like ballet slippers in a bottle.
5. Black Cherry
From "summerween" nails donned by Dua Lipa and Charli XCX to the "goth" manicure movement sweeping the style set, it's clear that one of summer's top nail trends has been moody, winter-coded nails. There's something effortlessly chic about going against the seasonal grain when choosing a nail color, and this black cherry pedi by celebrity manicurist Imarni Ashman for Lily Allen is a perfect example. Chic, understated, and moody, this is the perfect shade to welcome fall.
Shop Black Cherry Polishes
This Chanel shade is certifiably chic year-round.
A timeless OPI shade that transcends seasonality.
6. Papaya
No color screams summer quite like this chic orange hue. Whether you're heading on a late-summer tropical getaway or craving a pop of color, this clementine shade is a great option for the last days of August.
Shop Papaya Polishes
A chic, punchy coral.
A sophisticated pop of color.
Shop Nailcare Products
Pedicures involve nailcare, too. Moisturize your nail beds with this low-priced cuticle oil.
This stainless steel nail clipper from Tweezerman is a pedicure staple.
The perfect tool for a polished pedi.
