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By India Espy-Jones ·Updated June 1, 2026 < /> Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… Flipping through a book of what feels like 1000 nail colors, you’re faced with the most difficult decision of your life: What color should my manicure be? Luckily, gone are the days you have to choose just one. That’s because mismatched manicures are looking up to be summer’s favorite nail trend. From Tracee Ellis Ross to Sabrina Elba, there’s proof mix-and-matching your manicure can look just as intentional as they are whimsical.
Ahead, nail artist Kinaya Haug breaks down summer’s mismatched nail trend and how to achieve the look.
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What is a mismatched manicure?“Mismatched nails are nails that are all different but still fit the general theme,” Haug tells ESSENCE. From dual-toned French tips to having every nail a completely different color, mismatched manicures are a playful statement for summer. “They might be different colors or different patterns but they’re always going to have something about them that still makes them cohesive.”
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Why are mismatched manicures popular?Last fall, British fashion designer Phoebe Philo released her Collection C campaign. But, the campaign was about more than just clothes. In fact, it was the star of the campaign, filmmaker Mati Diop’s long, rectangular nails with a different color and opacity on each finger that garnered just as much buzz. One finger was opaque butter yellow, another was a glass-like purple, while her pinkies were solid black and metallic respectively.
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Best Nail Polish Colors To Achieve The Look OPI Nail Laquer in “Black Onyx”
For mismatched manicures, Black nail polish is a signature worn on the pinky to add a little depth and structure to the overall look. Available at ulta.com 12Shop Now Gucci Vernis à Ongles Nail Polish in “Lucy Baby Blue” 
Baby blue French tips are one of the most unexpected summerclass="retailer essence-commerce-link" target="_blank">nordstrom.com 35Shop Now Manucurist Paris Green Nail Polish in “Mist Grey” 
Mist tones, like this blue-grey, are a bridge between your classic, earth-toned, and vibrant shades. Available at manucurist.com 14Shop Now OPI Infinite Shine Top Coat 
Mismatched manicures look best with a shiny top coat to give off a glass-like effect. Available at ulta.com 14Shop Now OPI Nail Lacquer in “Suzi – The First Lady of Nails” 
Playing with shades of the same color, like an olive green to balance out the light, will give your mismatched manicure the range you’re looking for. Available at ulta.com 12Shop Now OPI Nail Lacquer in “Sunny Bunny” 
Butter yellow has long been a summer nail trend. Add this shade next to black for a bright juxtaposition. Available at ulta.com 12Shop Now Gel Care Nail Polish in “Jelly Brown” 
Jelly brown is this manicures most rooted color: it’s deep, smoky, yet still sheer. Available at gelcare.com 20Shop Now Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in “Jaune Imperial” 
If you’re going for a dual-toned French tip, pairing this deeper yellow with a butter base (like Sabrina Elba did) is the best way to embody summer. Available at nordstrom.com 66Shop Now OPI Nail Lacquer in “My Italian is a Little Rusty” 
While mismatched manicures span from black and metallic to white, balancing those with a rustic earth-tone will soften theclass="retailer essence-commerce-link" target="_blank">amazon.com 12Shop Now Manucurist Paris Green Nail Polish in “Iris” 
Finding the right shade of purple—intense, yet sheer and cool—is what makes thisclass="retailer essence-commerce-link" target="_blank">manucurist.com 14Shop Now OPI Nail Lacquer in “Funny Bunny” 
The lightest shade in mismatched manicures, a milky white shade on one thumb makes theclass="retailer essence-commerce-link" target="_blank">ulta.com 12Shop Now OPI Nail Lacquer in “The Pass Is Always Greener” 
Shades of green, like this light pastel, make your manicure more grounded and earth-toned. Available at ulta.com 12Shop Now Essie Jelly Gloss Nail Polish in “Orchid Jelly” 
Sheer purple is often the most vibrant shade in a mismatched manicure, which is a summer-defining color. Available at ulta.com 13Shop Now OPI Nail Lacquer in “Chrome Claws” 
Adjacent to black, the other pinky is drenched in chrome to give your manicure a bit of texture and dimension. Available at opi.com 12Shop Now Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in “Unstop-purple” 
This pink-purple is a great option if you don’t want your mismatched manicure to feel too intense. Available at cvs.com 13Shop Now Ssone Nail Lacquer in “Aster” 
A soft lilac works well if you’re looking for an even more feminine version of a mismatched manicure. Available at ssoneny.com 25Shop Now Revlon Super Lustrous Nail Polish in “Totally Toffee” 
Earth-toned toffee shades are typical for fall, but this summer they’re a mud-toned must for your manicure. Available at walmart.com 14Shop Now Dior Base Vernis 
At the base of every manicure exists a polish meant to strengthen and serve your nail health. Available at dior.com 34Shop Now TOPICS: mismatched manicure summer nail trendsThe post Mismatched Manicures Are Summer’s Favorite Nail Trend appeared first on Essence.
