I wrote this earlier this year but forgot to put it on my blog, so excuse the fact that it’s out of date!

Sunshine, finally! The gloves are off and the sandals are on, but what shades and styles should you be sporting? Here is the low-down on some nail trends seen on and off the runway that are going to be hot this summer.

Neons

From Rihanna instagramming her hot pink talons, to Jessie J flaunting her acid green stiletto nails on The Voice, fluorescent hues are the statement of the season. Essie have even brought out a range of zingy shades, aptly named ‘Neons 2013’. Make the manicure pop by using a layer of Essie Blanc underneath the colour. Try Orly for some vibrant summer varnishes, like ‘Oh Cabana Boy’ (pink), and ‘Life’s a Peach’ (orange). Whether you’re heading to the beach or hitting the dance floor, this trend will add a jolt of colour to their summer look.

Ombre Pastels

Soft, creamy colours have been on trend for a while, but they are still the perfect way to add punch to a neutral or black outfit. Rosie Fortescue of Made in Chelsea has been wearing ‘Mint Candy Apple’ by Essie, while her co-star Millie Mackintosh showed off her rock with duck egg blue shellac. Look no further than Nails Inc’s Spring/Summer collection for a great selection of pastels. To mix up this trend, choose five shades from the same colour family (OPI and Essie are great for this) and graduate them from thumb to pinky. For more of a challenge, create an ombre effect on each nail by blending a pastel colour into a contrasting shade using a small sponge.

The New Nude

This minimal trend was all over the SS13 shows with creamy whites and soft coffees dominating. Celebrity nude nail lovers have included Kate Middleton, Natalie Portman and of course nail queen Jessie J.  Choose a shade paler than the skin to elongate fingers but steer clear of the classic pinks and nudes of the French manicure. Instead go for more of a Greige colour (beige with a hint of grey). Try ‘Porchester Square’ by Nails Inc for a muted mushroom, ‘Master Plan’ by Essie for a soft grey or ‘Nail Enamel in Elegant’ by Revlon for a milky coffee. If you’d rather enhance your nails than make a big colour statement, this simple, toned-down look is for you.

Modern French

All the rage on the catwalk, this two-tone design is bold without being over the top. For a creative take on the classic French manicure, simply pick two different shades that flatter the skintone and use a small brush (The Edge do some great ones) to paint a style. Experiment with different colours and tip designs like a diagonal strip, vertical split, or the ever popular half moon. It doesn’t even have to be two colours, you could just use one bold colour and a top coat for the rest. Lana Del Rey is a big fan of this trend with her edgy black hearts and racy red tips.  The possibilities really are endless.