Nail Colors That Will Make You Look More Tan This Summer

When it comes to enjoying a great manicure, there's no season quite like summer. Bright colors, fun nail art, glossy shades, we love 'em all. Plus there's the challenge of finding the perfect shade to complement your glowing summer tan. As we learn more about just how dangerous a sunny day at the beach can be, though, we're also slapping on more SPF 40 (or 80). The downside is that this can sometimes mean that we're saying goodbye to the coveted natural tan that comes with weekends under the sun.

It's always better to be on the safe side when it comes to the sun's rays, but it means looking for other tips and tricks to get that healthy glow. A little faux tan or extra bronzer are two of the easiest way to get the look, but there are also a number of nail colors out there that will instantly make your skin appear more tan.

You've probably heard that neon polishes are great tan enhancers, but that's not always true. Neons can be so bright they create too much of a contrast between the polish and your skin — which is why we've ditched them from our list. Instead, whether you like to stick with traditional hot weather nails (such as summer 2024's fruity nail trend) or you prefer something a little darker and more sophisticated, we've got the nail colors to flatter and enhance your tan for years to come.

Ever thrown on a white outfit and instantly felt more tan? Well, white nail polish will do the same. The pale shade will naturally help pick up the darker tones in your skin. An opaque shade will work best here, as you'll want some depth to the polish to get the best affect. There is a little differentiation depending on if your skin is cool toned or warm toned, though. For those with cool-toned skin, opt for a bright white polish. If you're warm-toned, try something that's just off-white.

If you want more color on your nails to make your tan stand out, try variations of blue. There's some leeway here too, as there are a few different shades of blue that can work. Bright blues are great for making your tan look deeper, as are blues with a little more green in them, such as cyan. Baby blues are also a solid choice for those with a lighter skin tone and lighter tan. Again, an opaque lacquer will work best here, so go for creamy polishes that will properly coat the nail.

Coral is notorious for bringing out a tan. This shade works particularly well if you already have a darker skin tone or a deep tan because it will really bring the brightness of your skin to life, helping to balance out the darkness for a stunning glow. If you're not quite feeling the coral look, though, you can tone it down slightly by painting on a more peach shade.

When you opt for a nail color to enhance your tan, you're looking to be appear more bronzed, so it only makes sense that actual bronze is a great shade to bring out the darker pigments in your skin. In the same way we might pair red shoes with a dress with red flowers in to pull them out and make them pop, bronze nail polish will do the same with your skin, highlighting your gorgeous tan with its brown undertones.

Though lilac has a bad rep when it comes to enhancing a tan, it's actually a great color to wear if you have very light skin and want to enhance a lighter tan. That's because lilac is naturally bright, but not too bright, so there won't be too much of a contrast between your skin and the polish. Another reason to go lilac this summer? This shade is particularly on trend, as purple nails are super hot for 2024. What a win!