Summer nails are a THING! For summer 2021, we are seeing neons and ombre and “Skittle” nails (a different bright color on each nail) coming in hot. And I for one am here for all of it.
We’ve talked a lot about which nail polish brands are formulated with the best ingredients, but I failed to mention which brands come out on top for me personally.
I have two personal faves. One is Dazzle Dry which is a gel alternative nail system that delivers manis that last up to 14 days. More here. But my everyday go-to is Olive & June. Let me count the ways…
- O&J has the hottest and most on-trend colors.
- O&J is longer lasting, with my mani averaging 5 days.
- O&J has the BEST brush, which delivers a pro salon finish even to someone like me who can’t paint their nails for crap.
- O&J polishes are only 8 bucks!
- They are accessible and stocked in most Targets (or Target online).
- O&J dries fast and even faster with their Dry Drops.
- Love their Clean Up Brush (BRILLIANT).
- One of the better formulas on the market when it comes to ingredients.
I mean, at this point I’m like, when is O&J going public because I’m ready to invest! Lol.
TOG X O&J Collab
So you can imagine when O&J asked if I wanted to create a TOG Summer Nails Collection, I was like YAAAASSSS!
Nicolle and I had so much fun choosing colors for this collab and I think we nailed it. We have some hot and trending neons, colors selected for some ombre action and, of course, a metallic and a neutral too because #obviously.
RELATED: Read our complete guide to nontoxic nails here, to get our take on the 3-free, 5-free, 12-free marketing for natural nail polish, and learn about what to look for in nail polish.
Summer nails for 2021: Olive & June x TOG Mani Kit
Lava
Lava pulled on our heartstrings as a fresh take on a classic red. This color has brilliant orange undertones and sits warm on the skin. We love how it can appear bold and understated at the same time. If you’ve never tried a red nail, this is a gateway color!
Hot Strawberry
My inner Strawberry Shortcake took center stage when I saw Hot Strawberry for the first time and I was left with no choice but to include it here. This neon pink pushes every boundary when it comes to pinks; it’s so hot, so neon, so loud, so…pink. It sits in that space where when something is so wrong it becomes so right. I love this about Hot Strawberry and I’m not alone. It’s the first shade my mom and sister picked too. File this one under #summermusthave.
Orange Wedge
I included Orange Wedge as a straight up outlet to channel your inner bada*s. I mean, hot neon orange?! YAASSSS. Plus as a side bennie, you can walk around all day asking people, “Orange you glad I didn’t say banana?” And let’s be honest, that’s what it’s all about.
KMC (Light Teal)
This shade is our wildcard but it turned out to be one of my overall faves. This sneaky light teal (pictured here with Orange Wedge) can be worn as a neutral or as a statement color which sounds like an oxymoron but for some unknown break in physics, it’s actually true. In that same vein, KMC wears like a warmer cool color and is so easy to wear. And it’s not chalky or matte, which is my personal nemesis when it comes to pastels. Love this as a pinky color paired with Orange Wedge, HELLO!
RP (Greige)
I love the idea of neutrals but most of them wear too cool on me and wash my skin out or the color just looks too chalky on my nails. RP is more of a greige. It’s a warmer neutral with gray and brown undertones that looks phenomenal paired with sun-kissed summer skin. Love this on both toes and nails for the ultimate classic look.
OJBH (Metallic Warm Gold)
I love love love a good metallic and OJBH is soooo where it’s at. This is a light gold with a shimmery finish. It’s not rose gold and it’s not orange gold and it’s not solid gold (🎵😜)—it’s on the lighter end of the spectrum almost pointing toward silver a bit. The shimmer is really fine, it’s not like huge glitter flecks so it reads appropriate yet fun. Wearing this shade is like walking around in that unknowing moment before you open the doors to your own surprise party.
RELATED: The best fall nail colors.
TOG x O&J Mani Kit
To make it easy on you, we’ve compiled all the summer’s hottest colors into ONE KIT. Even better? That kit contains EVERYTHING you need for a perfect at-home mani. Check it out:
- Mani-perfecting CLEAN UP BRUSH
- Acetone-free POLISH REMOVER POT
- Straight-edge NAIL CLIPPER
- Dual-grit NAIL FILE
- Salon-quality NAIL BUFFER
- Patented bottle handle, THE POPPY
- SUPER GLOSSY TOP COAT
- Award-winning CUTICLE SERUM
PLUS 6 long-lasting, 7-free polishes, curated by TOG for Summer 2021.
Ready to treat yo’self a kit that will actually stop you from needing a “professional” mani? Let me help you out, girl: Use code THISORGANICGIRL at checkout and save 20% off your O&J x TOG Mani Kit (which includes all my favorite colors 🤯).
Mani Masterclass: Learn to give yourself a profesh mani at home
And we’re still not done! Get your TOG x O&J kit and then join us for our joint Mani Masterclass on July 27 at 8 p.m. ET! Olive & June’s painting expert will guide us through how to get the perfect mani at home, with your Olive & June kit. Trust me—you don’t wanna miss it!
What colors are on your hot list for summer nails?
