Big World News

All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article

We asked a nail expert to round up the best colours to wear on your toes this summer. Plus, their tips for an at-home pedicure.

With summer feeling like it’s right around the corner and many of us planning our summer trips abroad, we’re finally feeling like the time has come to dust off our sandals and head out to the pub gardens.

After spending a long, cold winter with free-from colour toes that have been stuffed into house slippers, there’s no better time to give yourself a pedicure and paint job.

We run through the best pedicure colours for spring and summer. But first, here are the maintenance steps you should take before you start painting…

You may also like

Best products for dry feet: how to get rid of hard, dead skin on your feet

What are the most important steps to take before applying nail polish on your toes?

“Don’t forget to prep the feet – you want to have nice smooth feet for the polish to look even better,” says Lynn Gray, Mavala’s resident nail expert. “A foot scrub will remove any callouses or hard skin. 

“After exfoliation, I make sure that the feet are always moisturised. This is something you should continue doing, even with nail polish on, to ensure longer-lasting colour.”

You may also like

The very best foot creams, according to the owner of some thoroughly hydrated feet

What are your nail polish application tips?

“You should always use a base coat for pedicures,” says Gray. “This will not only protect the nails, but it will also act as a primer for the colour, making it last longer. It’s a particularly important step on your toes as we keep our polish on for longer, making the risk of discolouration greater.

“After applying your nail colour – two coats is usually fine – always apply a top coat. This will add a gorgeous shine and protect them from chipping. My favourite is those that provide a gel finish without the potential damage.”

You may also like

Meghan Markle wedding nails: the exact nail polishes used for her bridal manicure and pedicure

Vibrant corals

“A bright coral shade is always a bestselling spring/summer option for toes year-on-year and, as the weather is getting nicer, we’re seeing this trend rise again,” says Gray. “A coral not only adds a gorgeous pop of colour, it’s also great for elongating the toes.”

• Mavala Nail Colour Cream in Coral Bay

  Shop Mavala Nail Colour Cream in Coral Bay at lookfantastic, £5.50

  buy now

• Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Polish in Get Juiced

  Shop Orly Breathable Halal Nail Polish in Beauty Essential at Lookfantastic, £12

  buy now

• Peacci Nail Polish in Fired Coral

  Shop Peacći Nail Polish in Fired Coral at Peacći, £10

  buy now

You may also like

Press-on nails are the next best thing to a gel manicure. Here are some of our favourites

‘Very peri’ periwinkle purple

“When colour authority Pantone announced ‘Very Peri’ as their Colour of the Year 2022 – this officially made the dynamic periwinkle blue colour, with dreamy violet undertones the ‘it’ polish shade of the year,” says Nail Guru Leighton Denny MBE. “Replicate and inject some ‘Very Peri’ into your year with my almost identic al warm, vibrant, violet/blue shade Heiress that just exudes confidence and allure. If you want the polish of the moment…this is it.”

• Leighton Denny The Heiress

  Shop The Heiress at Leighton Denny, £12.50

  buy now

• OPI Nail Polish Xbox Collection in Achievement Unlocked

  Shop OPI Nail Polish Xbox Collection in Achievement Unlocked at Lookfantastic, £14.30

  buy now

• Mavala Pastel Fiesta Mini Collection in Rimini

  Shop Mavala Pastel Fiesta Mini Collection in Rimini, £5.50

  buy now

A ‘joyful’ colour palette

“Colour trends for this year in general – but specifically toes – are for bright colours that are full of energy,” explains Gray.

“I like to call this a ‘joyful palette’. With much of last year spent in lockdown, many have reverted to natural, free-from colour nails. But now the sun is out, people are wanting to express themselves through colour.”

Lynn recommends opting for shades like “an ardent red” or “a vibrant fuschia”.

• Jessica Nails Custom Colour Nail Varnish in Orange

  Shop Jessica Nails Custom Colour Nail Varnish in Orange at lookfantastic, £11

  buy now

• Orly Nail Varnish in Oh Cabana Boy

  Shop Orly Nail Varnish in Oh Cabana Boy at Orly, £11.75

  buy now

• Ciaté Plant Pots in Snatch

  Shop Ciaté Plant Pots in Snatch at Ciaté, £10

  buy now

You may also like

How to make your nails grow stronger and longer at home

Muted-yet-still-colourful pastels

If vibrant corals and bright hues aren’t your style, you can still bring a pop of colour to your toenails without feeling like it’s too much.

Pastel nail polishes are a huge trend this year, thanks to their ability to deliver fun colours in a softer, more muted way. Think minty greens, sunshine yellows and – one of this year’s most popular colours – delicate lilacs.

• Nailberry L’Oxygene Nail Lacquer in Minty Fresh

  Shop Nailberry L’Oxygene Nail Lacquer in Minty Fresh at lookfantastic, £14.50

  buy now

• Essie Nail Polish in 37 Lilacism

  Shop Essie Nail Polish in 37 Lilacism at lookfantastic, £5.55

  buy now

• H&M Nail polish in Lemon Parfait

  H&M Nail polish in Lemon Parfait at H&M, £3.99

  buy now

• O.P.I Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath

  Shop O.P.I Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath at Boots, £13.90

  buy now

You may also like

How to achieve an at-home manicure that looks salon-grade

Main image: brands

Source: Read Full Article