The Summer Pedicure Colors of 2026 Are an Ode to Indulgence

Our summer plans this year? Indulge. Have the extra margarita, check out that smutty beach read (or three!), give yourself an extra hour to nap in the hammock, and swim until your fingers prune.

By that measure, our toes will follow suit, taking sugary cues from our favorite sweet treats. The summer pedicure colors of 2026 are inspired by our favorite desserts, whether you crave a luscious scoop of creamy French vanilla, the perfect bite of pale green pistachio mochi, or a classic slice of deep red cherry pie. If you’ve never had much of a sweet tooth, there are still ways to indulge. Take yourself on vacation and try a pedi that matches the clear blue sky at the boardwalk or a pink coral reef while snorkeling. Buy yourself the bouquet of poppies and get an orange pedicure to match. You deserve it!

Below, the experts break down this summer’s sweetest pedicure colors to indulge in.

Creamy white

A scoop of vanilla ice cream is a quintessential summer treat, and while the dessert may get a bit sticky on our nails, the creamy white color makes for a warm, clean pedicure. “The key is choosing a softer, more wearable white rather than anything too stark,” says Juanita Huber-Millet, founder and creative director of Townhouse. Much like with ice cream, there’s a spectrum to this color.

Courtesy of @nailnazi.mtl

Sky Blue

Picture a perfect, breezy day, complete with cotton candy and a Ferris wheel ride. Your toes, we imagine, are likely the same light, crisp blue as the sky. After multiple summers of cobalt and cornflower blue, “soft blues feel fresh, calming, and slightly unexpected for summer,” says Huber-Millet.

Pistachio

With comforting salty-sweet gourmands and creamy scent profiles trending in fragrance, it’s no surprise that colors have followed suit. Several of our experts predict this sweet pistachio green will appear on toes this summer. “The shade reflects a modern-day lacquer with a ’50s vibe,” says Elle Gerstein, a New York-based nail artist, who likes the brighter matcha-esque hue of Essie Nail Polish in Crunch Crunch.

Courtesy of @bran.___momoko

Cherry red

Stand in line for a cronut or crookie if you will, but there’s something to be said about classic desserts—pies, chocolate milkshakes, and banana splits—all with a cherry on top. If those treats are what you crave, you’ll want a cool, cherry red pedicure to match. “It feels juicy and slightly moody,” says nail artist Sofiia Mazur, and that makes it perfect for those who like to stay in familiar territory without being too boring.

Poppy

We’re focused on brighter summer buds like nasturtiums and cheery poppies. That fresh orange-red will also feel perfectly at home for hot-weather pedis. “A fresh pedicure with a pop of color is unbeatable,” says Analysse Hernandez, a Los Angeles-based nail artist, who loves the orange tint for a fun, neon-leaning twist on classic red.

Courtesy of @yourtime_yourbeauty

Coral

Life on land has become a little complicated as of late. So we might just file a change of address and dive beneath the surface of the sea to live among the coral reefs. “Summer always brings a return to vibrant corals,” says Thea Green, founder of Nails.Inc. And the same is true for our toes: “It’s one of the most universally flattering pedicure shades because it instantly warms up the skin tone.”

Milky nude

Believe it or not, not everyone loves chocolate and caramel. Some prefer the lighter touch of a marshmallow, a meringue, or a coconut sorbet. For them, a milky nude pedicure will be a perfect match. “The best part is that it goes with anything,” says Katie Masters, a Santa Monica-based nail artist and founder of Nail Thoughts, who notes that you can go cooler or warmer depending on your skin tone.

Gerstein adds that it’s also a great anchor for nail art (if, perhaps, you like your coconut sorbet with a vibrant, fresh-fruit topping).

Courtesy of @nailnazi.mtl

Meet the experts:

Elle Gerstein is a New York-based nail artist.

Thea Green is a London-based nail artist and founder of Nails.Inc.

Analysse Hernandez is a Los Angeles-based nail artist.

Juanita Huber-Millet is the founder and creative director of Townhouse.

Katie Masters is a Santa Monica-based nail artist and founder of Nail Thoughts.

Sofiia Mazur is a Scottsdale-based nail artist and educator.

Hang Nguyen is a Los Angeles-based nail artist.

Originally published in Allure US.