"Right now I'm gagging over Illamasqua shade Purity. Really feeling those bright shades that are backed with a lot of white. I've been calling them "milky jelly." This one is the perfect peach and looks great with a tan. And I've been hoarding bottles of MAC Kid Orange for years—it's the best red-orange that I switch to for my toes come summer."
Jen Brill: Photo Agent and Chanel Brand Ambassador
"Chanel's Dragon Red is a no-brainer. It's my absolute favorite polish that I wear during the summer and winter."
Byrdie Bell: Model and Actress
"I'm really into opaque nude nail polish, because it's a bit awkward and weird but still neutral. I'm always looking for a good one. I always love Essie. I just mass-ordered their discontinued 'Mucho Dinero' online."
"I prefer clean and simple on my hands, so I tend to go with a classic neutral, "Ador-A-Ball" by Essie. But a touch of color is always nice for one's toes. Tangerine is a fave at the moment, as it's bright and not too red. It also goes nicely with pink or red."
"I like Essie 'Meet Me At Sunset.' It's like a bright Hermes orange—a little classy and a little tacky."
Dani Stahl: Editor-at-Large, Nylon Magazine
"I love nail colour—LOVE! This is the summer of Chanel Mimosa—that color has been played on repeat the most. It's a bright yellow with a hint of shimmer. Yellow is a happy color!"
Hilary Rhoda: Model, Face of Estee Lauder
"Favorite summer nail color is "Porcelain" by Estee Lauder. I love it because the pearly white color is a great way to show off my summer tan, and still looks natural!"
"I usually stick to sheer or buffed nails and red toes, but I really love highlighter-bright colors for summer. Deborah Lippman's formula is never streaky, and both 'Yellow Brick Road' and 'Lara's Theme' look perfect with a little bit of a tan."
"Orange Punch" by Orly Nail Lacquer is my favorite summer pedicure polish. It's a cross between a red and an orange with a kick. Perfect against a tan and for the beach, since sand usually dulls my pedicure polish—not with this color! I usually dress more conservatively, so I like the idea of the neon color peeping unexpectedly through my shoes. I usually just wear clear polish on my hands—Nail Tek is my favorite."
"I love "Starter Wife" by Essie. I prefer a nude polish during the summer because I'm in the water a lot and my nails chip."
Tina Turnbow: Celebrity Makeup Artist
"I like Sephora by OPI's nail color in 'Just-A-Fairy-Tail.' It's a sheer pastel-silver sparkle... nice when it catches the sun."
Valerie Boster: Bookings Editor, Vogue Magazine
"I'm currently wearing 'You're a Pisa Work' with OPI 'White Shatter,' toes only. Since I surf on the weekends, I am constantly ruining my pedicure. The shatter gives a cool chipped effect, and I can get away with the color longer."
Sarah Howard (me!): Beauty Writer
"While I'm a huge fan of playing with trends, when it comes to my nails and toes, I keep it simple. Absolutely no polish on my nails (I can't be bothered to wait out the drying time), and I always wear the same red lacquer year-round on my toes—Essie's 'A-List.' I don't remember the last time I saw my feet without polish.The color is fire engine meets cherry bomb. It's the perfect hue whether I'm pale or tan... a true classic."
"I sort of despise nail polish. On fingers and toes, if I'm being honest. When it comes to nails, I prefer them shaped, short and buffed. For a special occasion, I'll add a glossy top coat, but even that is getting dangerously close to a line of good taste. Besides, if it doesn't make you look thinner or younger, what's the point of red nail polish? (Now a red lip, that's a whole other matter.)"
