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From Sheer to Statement, 16 Perfect Summer Mani-Pedi Polishes

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Our new weekly series Get Right for Summer has one aim: to make sure you're completely beautified before the thermostat hits 90.


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The first proper manicure/pedicure of summer should be a treat, whether you ball out at the nicest salon in town or just take a little extra time to do it right at home. Selecting the wrong polish for the job is a serious bummer, so our editors are chiming in with their go-to mani-pedi polishes. These are the colors we can't get enough of, from ultra-sheer pinks and milky pastels to vibrant corals and the blue hues that are actually flattering.

Ready for that pedi? Here are the best nail salons for the job in Boston, Chicago, DC, Dallas, Los Vegas, LA, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.

Coral & Peach

Tiffany Yannetta, Racked New York editor: Color Club's borderline-obnoxious neon hues are practically electric and you don't need to put a white base coat underneath to make them stand out (pictured: East Austin).

Natalie Alcala, Racked Los Angeles editor:: I love peach nails for summer—they're an instant mood-lifter. Don't Call Me Peachy by NCLA is sunshine in a bottle, plus it's 5-free and dries super fast when you use NCLA's Gloss It as a base and top coat.

Izzy Grinspan, Racked editorial director:: Because I am the approximate color of a glass of milk, I'm a huge fan of Essie's Capri, an orange-y red that feels summery and fiery even when you are incapable of sustaining a tan.

Opaque Whites & Pinks

Nicola Fumo, Racked market editor: I adore milky, nearly-white hues because they just make skin look so damn tan. Last summer, all I did was Essie's Blanc, and this year I'm stuck on their Fiji hue, which is the pastel pink of my dreams. Floss Gloss just released a color called Biscuits, which is an ever-so-slightly-yellow cream shade unlike anything I've seen.

Kristen Philipkoski, Racked San Francisco editor:: I'm with Nicola on the pale colors! I've become addicted to light pink gel manis. Gelish You're so Sweet You're Giving Me a Sweet Toothache is the ridiculous name of my recent color.

Ashley Brozic, Racked Miami editor:: I too love a good, white-based shade. I'm really into this local Miami brand, Gloss, which makes non-toxic, vegan and 5-free nail polish, all available online for $10.90. I'll be walking home with Fresia after my next mani/pedi at their brick and mortar salon.

Blues & Greens

Susie Kostaras, Racked Boston editor:: I've been digging cobalt blues for pedicures, particularly OPI Eurso Euro.

Eileen Sutton, Racked social media editor:: Once the third week of summer has hit (or however long it takes me to get some color), I go for Essie's Bikini So Teeny on my finger nails.

Julie Davis, Racked Philadelphia editor:: I've been stuck on Essie's Rock the Boat for the past two weeks. It's a light blue with just a hint of tonal shimmer. It looks good against my ghostly white feet, but I imagine it would pop well against tanned skin, too.

Chavie Lieber, Racked features reporter:: I do Mint Candy Apple by Essie all the time, every time. It's pretty and pale.

Nudes & Sheers

Laura Gurfein, Racked New York associate editor:: When my mom and I took a last-minute spring break trip to Florida this year I tried Essie's Cocktails & Coconuts on my toes. It's a tan shade with the faintest hint of sparkle from this year's resort collection. I love the neutral look and will probably repaint it all summer long.

Eileen Sutton, Racked social media editor: For toes, I use Essie's Angel Food. It's a little boring, but it's clean-looking, rather than attention-grabbing.

Kenzie Bryant, Racked National senior editor: Last summer I started a home mani with Essie's Ridge Filling Base Coat, fully intending to follow up with an actual color—one that even had a cute name! But I liked the base coat's clean, fresh look so much that I've been using it as my main polish since.

Tiffany Yannetta, Racked New York editor: There's something really liberating about going without toe polish. For that, I use Butter London's Handbag Holiday cuticle oil on the entire nail to keep them looking good.
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