Trust Hailey Bieber and Selena Gomez, this is summer’s ‘new nude’ for your toes

If, like me, you’ve been giving your toenails a break over winter and going polish-free, now is the time to cut loose and get painting with summer’s hottest new hues. In the inimitable words of Kendall Roy, of TV’s Succession: “Sails out, nails out!” Here are our top picks for cool summer toe tones.

First up is the classic French pedicure – those fresh, white, finely painted toenail tips paired with a sheer pink, nude or translucent white just scream class. For best results, do not try this at home; leave it to the experts.

If attempting a home pedi, stick to one colour. Start by making sure feet are clean and toenails are filed and buffed. Next, apply a thin layer of base coat and let it dry. Then apply two thin coats of polish, starting in the middle of the nail bed and stroking the brush out to the sides. To help prevent chipping, paint the top edge of the nail with the colour to help form a seal. Finally, apply a topcoat to lock colour in; reapply every two days for longevity.

Colour-wise, our latest obsession is the “new nude”, butter yellow – a hot favourite with Hailey Bieber, Kourtney Kardashian and Selena Gomez. This sunny shade will brighten your toes and pair with any shoe colour. Try Dior Nail Polish in Lemon Glow ($49).

Blue is another summer favourite, whether a bright royal shade or something marine-inspired. Our favourite blues this summer include Essie Nail Polish Salt Water Happy 374 ($16), which is the perfect pastel, while Nail Berry in Spiritual ($28) is a sophisticated navy shade.

Nothing screams summer like a coral polish. The perfect marriage of dusty pink and mandarin, it always looks good peeking out from a pair of sandals. Try Butter London Trout Pout ($25) for a true interpretation, or go for a neon statement with the bold and beautiful China Glaze in Orange Knockout ($13).

Lavender is also on our radar as this pretty pastel works perfectly with any skin tone. We love Orly Self Reef-lection ($17), a delightful lilac that goes on like a dream: two coats are the bare minimum as it’s quite sheer.

For flashy, look-at-me toes, neon pink is your go-to – it looks perfect against tan sandals or elevated thongs. Try Gucci Beauty Nail Polish in Vantine Fuchsia ($57). If traditional red is your jam, then cheerful cherry is the shade of the season and one of our favourites is O.P.I Infinite Shine Gel-Like Lacquer in Big Apple Red ($26), a striking pillar-box shade that will never go out of style.

To prevent your painted toenails from drying out, be sure to slather them in a hydrating cuticle oil. Try Margaret Dabbs Nourishing Nail & Cuticle Serum Pen ($30) right before bedtime.

ASK STEPH

How can I tell if my skin is dehydrated?
A simple way is to gently pinch your cheek. If your skin wrinkles or doesn’t bounce back, this is a sign of dehydration. To boost skin moisture, try Elizabeth Arden’s Hyaluronic Acid + Peptides Ceramide Capsules Serum and Water Cream duo ($280).

Send questions via Instagram, @mrssdarling.

Get the best of Sunday Life magazine delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning. Sign up here for our free newsletter.