The unofficial start of summer is less than a week away, which means it’s time to welcome a brand new class of nail polish colors into our rotations.

Predictably, neon hues abound, but perhaps more interesting are the season’s unexpected trends. There are striking desert-inspired shades, eye-catching neutrals and strong pastels—and I am definitely into it.

Putty Neutrals

Neutral nail polish shades are what you wear when you need a break from brights, or when you simply want to accentuate your natural nail color, right? Not this season. From a velvet-textured slate to a robust taupe, these neutrals most definitely stand out.

Sally Hansen | RGB | Smith & Cult

 

Punchy Reds

 I love how a hint of orange gives the classic red shade a zesty, energized finish. OPI | Chanel | L’Oreal 

Chalky Pastels

If you left a rainbow tie-dye shirt outside to fade in the sun, the shirt’s colors would end up looking a whole lot like what you see here—more understated than neons, but stronger than your typical pastel hues, with an antique-like tinge. Lauren B | Smith & Cult | Jin Soon

Mermaid Hues

The commitment-free alternative to mermaid hair, these dreamy, aquatic-inspired shades (with creamy or pearlized finishes) are a surefire way to make a splash this summer. MAC | Covergirl | Essie

Matching Glitters

Layering a complementary, chunky glitter over your base color is the secret to concealing chips and prolonging your manicure during the summer months of vacations and beach-excursions. Deborah Lippman | Whim | NailsInc