Let’s start with a white polish. I always love a good white polish, but it always feels so much more appropriate in the Summertime. Something about the clean crispness of it is just so refreshing in the heat. That sounds kinda weird, but that’s how I think. J This year I have chosen not just any old standard white, but a subtly shimmering white from Mineral Fusion. It is called “Dazzling Diamonds” and I really, really love it! It has a pretty good formula for a traditionally difficult color too! I did use 3 coats on my nails, but I think it would be opaque in two if you’re not rushing as I was. I really like the finish of this crisp, cool white because it’s not frosty or glittery; it’s really what I would call glimmery! So pretty and I think it will be perfect this Summer!
Sticking on the shimmery side, we have Julie G’s “Umbrella Drink,” which is a gorgeous orange-y peach with silver shimmer. Again, I used 3 coats on my nails, but it was opaque in two. I simply wanted to intensify the color a bit more. I love orange-ish shades in the Summer and this one is not right – not too loud, not too pastel. I guess it’s kind of a shimmering creamsicle and I love it! J
Moving on to some metallics because it’s not summer without a little bronze-y goodness, right? So to fit that bill, my choice is Butter London’s “Champers.” I love Butter London’s metallic polishes. They’re just so simple and easy to apply and almost always opaque in just one coat. I used 2 coats for this photo just to ensure there were no streaky patches, but typically I would only use one. Anyway, “Champers” is just a stunning, ever-so-slightly rose-tinted bronze that I find to be really flattering and just easy. You know, one of those colors that you never look down and realize your nails clash with your shirt, or scream, “look at me” in the sunlight. “Champers” is subtle yet beautiful.
I have another metallic, but this one is a bit more colorful. It is Zoya’s “Tinsley,” which is basically a rose colored polish with a golden metallic flash. Oh. My. God. So perfect for Summer! When the sun catches it and you see that golden flash? So, so beautiful! And again, it’s just so easy and pretty on the nails. I used 2 coats for the photo, mainly to intensify the color. It’s another one that can typically be done in one coat with no trouble. Also another one that just screams Summer to me! Love, love, love “Tinsley!”
Next up is a shade that’s not quite metallic, not quite shimmery, not quite glittery. It’s such an unusual and gorgeous finish. It’s a duochrome as well and I am obsessed with it! J It is another Butter London polish called “Scouse.” I’ve mentioned this shade before because it’s just that perfect! J It’s what I would consider the perfect blue – not too loud, but not too dark – and it has the coolest pink flash when the light hits it just right. The photos do not do it justice because it’s really difficult to capture that color shift in a still image. I think you still get the idea though. I used 3 coats of polish for intensity, but again, you could probably get away with only two if you’re not rushing or if you want a less intense blue. I think “Scouse” is probably one of my all-time favorite polishes!
Sticking with the blues, I have a new brand…at least to me. It is a color from Ginger + Liz and it is called “The Good Life.” It’s a pale, yet bright baby blue. There are a lot of shades similar to this, but I find this one has a brightness that others in my collection lack. That kind of white-based brightness is what makes it so Summery to me. It looks clean, fresh and somehow bold yet subtle at the same time. It’s an interesting take on a pastel blue. This is only 2 coats, which I find unusual for a pastel polish as well. I feel I should add that this polish chipped almost immediately. I’ve only worn it once and without a base or top coat, but the wear time did not impress me that one time. Still, the color is kind of worth it to a polish junkie like myself! J
Moving on to another pastel that is also somehow neon – what’s Summer without a little neon after all? J We have an oldie but a goodie: “Mint Magic” from Pop Beauty. This is another shade that simply screams Summer! It is in fact a mint shade, but it is so bright and neon that it is unlike any other polish I’ve ever seen. I need 3 coats to ensure the coverage was even, but it’s such an awesome and unusual shade that it’s so worth it! J “Mint Magic” is indeed magical.
So now we’re on to neons, which I have no shortage of! J My next pick is from China Glaze and it is “That’s Shore Bright.” This shade was released about 2 years ago, but you can still find it. It is a gorgeous medium purple neon. Again with that subtly pastel feel, but definitely not shy. J It can be a bit streaky, so I used 3 coats. It’s also a lot less pink and a bit deeper in person, but the sunlight just washed it right out no matter what I did for the photo. It also has a matte finish, which tends to accentuate the streakiness and isn’t how I leave it, so I added a top coat to the middle and pinky fingers so you can see it both ways.
Next is another China Glaze shade that is a bit of a cult classic. It is “Flip Flop Fantasy,” which is kind of a pinky-peach neon. I’m not gonna try to hide it, this shade is bright! Your nails definitely scream when they’re painted with “Flip Flop Fantasy.” It’s similar in formula to “That’s Shore Bright” in that it’s a bit streaky and kind of chalky without a glossy topcoat. I always add a topcoat, so I added one to my middle and pinky fingers again. If there is a shade that instantly gets you in the mood for Summer, it’s “Flip Flop Fantasy!”
Another shade that always screams Summer to me is a bright neon pink. My choice this year? “Bitch Fit” from Ginger + Liz! Firstly, I love the name. J Secondly, the formula…application-wise at least…was fantastic. Though I have used 2 coats in the photo, it is definitely opaque in only one. I’m not sure how it wears since I haven’t really worn it for much time yet, but I love the color! I should add that it’s not a terribly unusual shade, but I feel like the finish is somewhat unusual. It is shown with no topcoat. Every other polish I’ve tried that is a similar color has been matte. As I’ve said, mattes tend not to look that fantastic in terms of evenness. This polish has kind of a semi-gloss finish and it’s beautiful with or without a topcoat! Definitely feel free to throw a “Bitch Fit” and give this shade a try. J
Sticking in the pink family, another similar, but slightly darker and less neon pink is “Cupcake Queen” from Ciate. I love this color. I really couldn’t say exactly why, but it just looks so bright and cheery on the nails. Plus it has a really cool subtle blue shift that adds that little something extra when the light hits it just right. This is definitely a wearable bright pink that’s pretty without being too loud. Kind of perfect for Summer if you ask me! Again, not the most unusual of shades, but there’s something about this shade that looks much better on the nails than others that are similar. I don’t know what it is, but it’s just better! J It is shown with 2 coats, but one is probably sufficient.
Finally, I had to include a red. This is not just any red, but a slightly coral-red that’s perfect for Summer (shocking, I know)! J It is from Nails Inc.’s NailKale line and it is the shade “Hampstead Grove.” I absolutely love the Nails Inc. brushes! They are flat with a curved tip that makes it so easy to paint your nails. The formula is spectacular as well, not to mention the color is stunning! And, this is only 1 coat!!! Definitely check out “Hampstead Grove...” actually any polish from Nails Inc. is worth a try, but for a tomato-ey Summer red, “Hampstead Grove” is your girl! J
That’s going to bring this year’s Summer Polish Picks to a close. It actually took me a few weeks to come to a final decision on these shades (disturbing, I know), but I’m quite pleased with the dozen I have decided upon. J I hope you’ve enjoyed checking out these polishes and I would love to know what colors you reach for in the Summer! Let us all know in the comments because a girl can never have too many polish suggestions. J I hope to see you again soon and, as always, thanks so much for stopping by!!!
