Summer Nail Colours That Work in the Florida Sun

South Florida light is strong and warm, which washes out pale pastels and makes cool-toned shades read greyer than they do indoors. Choosing colour with that in mind means your manicure looks as good on the boardwalk as it did under the salon lamp.

Find your undertone first

• Warm undertones (veins look green, gold jewellery flatters): coral, terracotta, warm reds, buttery cream.
• Cool undertones (veins look blue, silver flatters): raspberry, true red, lilac, cool pink.
• Neutral undertones: almost anything, with soft mauve and rosewood as reliable defaults.
• Deep skin tones: bright orange, emerald, cobalt and crisp white all pop beautifully.

Shades that survive sun and chlorine

UV light fades some pigments, particularly neon pinks and corals in regular lacquer. Gel formulations hold colour far better. Chlorine and salt dull the top coat rather than the colour itself, so refreshing your top coat mid-cycle keeps a summer manicure looking new.

Our most requested summer finishes

1. Milky sheer white — modern, flattering on every tone, and grows out invisibly.
2. Chrome and pearl finishes that catch the light without needing full colour.
3. Micro-French in coral or aqua on a nude base.
4. Single accent nail with a hand-painted detail, for people who want art without commitment.

Toes and hands: match or contrast?

A common approach is one shade family for both, with the toes a step brighter. Toenail colour is seen against sand and sandals rather than against a keyboard, so it can carry more saturation than you would choose for the hands.

Ask for a swatch

If you are unsure, ask us to paint a swatch stick and hold it against your hand in the daylight by the window. It takes 30 seconds and prevents the most common regret — a shade that looked perfect under the lamp and flat outdoors.