Ah, spring break. Even if you’ve been out of school since 2011, there’s something universally nostalgic about the idea of taking a full ten days off of real life to jet off somewhere warm and sunny with your friends. The realities of 2019 spring break may be less than glamorous — maybe you’re carpooling home to see mom and dad, or stuck somewhere frigid — but you can still feel the vibes with a fresh mani-pedi.
Before polish indecision sets in and you reach for classic black, consider one of the brightest, most fun, beach-perfect polishes ever made, according to the nail pros. From Essie’s cult-favorite poppy Geranium to Sally Hansen’s glistening ocean blue, we’ve broken down nine bottles of nail polish that basically scream spring break, ahead. Scroll through to find the one that matches your sunglasses mood — without the cost of airfare.
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This red-orange polish is a top pick in nail salons from New York City to L.A., especially around spring break season. "Essie Geranium is the OG of coral vacation polish," says nail pro and Olive & June founder Sarah Gibson Tuttle. "It’s not quite red and not quite orange, but it’s definitely universally flattering." As manicurist Nadine Abramcyk says, "It just screams vacation."
Essie Essie Nail Polish in Geranium, $6.3, available at Rite Aid
If you’re looking for a neutral mani-pedi, you can’t go wrong with the classic blush-toned Tiramisu for Two polish by OPI. "We’re always recommending OPI Tiramisu for Two for both hands and feet," says Tuttle. "It’s just clean and chic — perfect if you opt for a toned-down vacation vibe."
OPI O.P.I Nail Lacquer in Tiramisu for Two, $8.69, available at Target
Think of your spring break as the perfect excuse to wear crisp white polish before Memorial Day. "Our clients love rocking white before a winter or springtime getaway," says Tuttle. "We love Nars’ Ecume polish for a creamy, muted white manicure, or Essie’s Blanc if you’re looking for a brighter, almost neon white."
NARS Nail Polish in Ecume, $20, available at Bloomingdale’s
Sparkles are season-less, but silver glitter polish feels especially on-trend and inherently festive before a trip. "If you want to go bold, Kendra Scott’s Drusy Platinum is sparkly and fun," Tuttle says. "Plus, fixing chips in a glitter manicure is so easy."
Kendra Scott Nail Lacquer in Platinum Drusy, $18, available at Kendra Scott
Abramcyk says this milky beige is a vacation-perfect neutral, because it guarantees your nails will look good with everything you wear on vacation. "Plus," she says, "chips won’t be super noticeable if they happen."
Tenoverten Nail Polish in Canal, $12, available at Target
If you’re going for a grown-up hot-pink mani, consider Chanel’s Camelia. "I love this polish because it’s that bright pop of magenta that makes the perfect fun vacation accessory," says Abramcyk.
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color in Camelia, $28, available at Barneys New York
Celebrity manicurist Skyy Hadley calls Lauren B.’s Baja Sunrise summer in a bottle. "It’s a sheer Caribbean coral, with these soft pink-peach tones that look amazing across all skin tones and really bring out your natural glow," she tells us.
LAUREN B Lauren B. Beauty Nail Polish in Baja Sunrise, $18, available at Amazon
You can have a manicure as blue as the picturesque Mediterranean Ocean no matter where you are with Sally Hansen’s Babe Blue. "This blue shade is gorgeous," says Hadley. "Plus, the extreme-strength formula is key for making your manicure last through splashing in the waves… or your spring break activity of choice."
Sally Hansen Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Babe Blue, $2.99, available at Target
Jinsoon’s confetti top-coat polish is so bright and beachy, it’ll make you happy just looking at it. "This colorful confetti polish is so saturated with dots that it looks great over a base polish or just on its own," says nail pro Jin Soon Choi.
JINsoon Nail Polish in Dotty, $18, available at JinSoon
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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Source: Refinery29 – Megan Decker