As summer winds down, your nails are still shining bright! With a sun-kissed glow, bronzed skin and the new season just around the corner, August is the perfect time to embrace elegance. Whether you're still on holiday or already back at your desk, your hands deserve a seasonal glow-up. Here’s our pick of must-have nail polish shades for August 2025.
Enhance your sun-kissed skin with luminous whites and nudes
August is here, and so is that subtle summer glow we wish we could keep all year round. The best way to show it off? A translucent polish or radiant nude that highlights your tan. It’s also the perfect excuse to return to a gentle, minimalist routine that lets your nails breathe while keeping them elegantly dressed.
Milky white is back in the spotlight. Just take Milky White, a translucent, slightly milky white polish that evokes the neat, glossy nails of ballet dancers—sleek, shiny and graceful. It flatters every skin tone, especially those with cool undertones. An iconic white polish that applies like a silky veil for a chic soap nails look, that ultra-stylish trend seen all over social media. It’s easy to apply too—go for two thin coats for a semi-opaque finish, or one single coat for that “barely there” look. Perfect for a modern French manicure or as a base for minimal nail art.
💡 Pro tip: add a pearlescent polish as an accent nail for a subtle contrast.
Golden glow + milky nails = the ultimate summer chic combo.
(@rhode)
Not too warm, not too pink, Crème is a soft, balanced beige polish, ideal for a no-makeup manicure. A must for medium to golden skin tones—it extends that post-holiday glow with a clean, natural finish. Comforting and soothing, it’s like your morning cappuccino in summer form. Understated yet elegant, it’s the perfect choice for heading back to work. In short, it ticks all the boxes!
✍️ Inspiration: try a micro-French nail art look in cream and gold—perfect for the new season.
Crème, the perfect white spotted at Mona Alshebil SS25: elegant, clean and glow-enhancing.
(@tagwalk)
Pastel Pink, a soft pink polish with cool undertones, nails the clean girl nails trend while adding a hint of freshness and sophistication. On deeper skin tones, it creates a gentle contrast, like a blush swept over your nails. A tender touch that blends modern charm with soft elegance. Perfect for summer weddings or romantic late-summer looks. It also makes a great base for floral nail art, a key trend this season.
🌼 Give it a go: mini daisies using a nail dotting tool over Pastel Pink for a chic garden party vibe.
Star of the Lacoste SS25 show: Pastel Pink, a fresh, refined and slightly romantic rose polish.
(@matejanova, @tagwalk)
Even more glow with iridescent polishes
Pearlescent and chrome finishes are still trending strong this summer. Whether you're into nudes or bolder hues, these shimmering shades will elevate your manicure with effortless finesse. Perfect on sun-kissed skin, they add a refined, luminous touch—ideal for warm August evenings.
With its pearlescent, slightly opalescent reflections, Pearlescent is your ticket to radiant nails, without tipping into full-on bling. Stunning on warm undertones, this pearlescent beige polish with rosy hues delivers a polished pearl nails effect with subtle elegance.
🤩 Wow effect! Apply over a nude or beige base to build depth and intensify the shell-like sheen.
Just the right touch of iridescence to catch the light: Pearlescent makes your nails gleam, without overdoing it.
(@rms beauty)
Carnation evokes the perfectly groomed nails of early 2000s rom-com icons. It’s a pearly pink-beige polish, porcelain-like in its finish, and works beautifully on cool or neutral undertones. Delicate and luminous, it catches the light with just the right amount of shimmer. A perfect pick for fans of subtle polish and that glowy vibe.
A pearly pink-beige with a discreet glow and nostalgic 2000s energy: Carnation is on trend in every way.
(@violette_fr)
Among metallic shades, Bronzé is a dream for olive-toned skin. This gold-flecked copper hue, almost caramel in tone, captures the golden warmth of late summer sunsets. It’s the ultimate polish for that sun-kissed look. Style-wise, it pairs beautifully with khaki, saffron or terracotta tones.
With its golden shimmer, Bronzé brings out the best in sun-kissed skin—like a summer holiday at your fingertips.
(@iliabeauty)
Back to work
Heading back to the office mid-August? For a stylish return, here are three summer-ready shades that’ll make your nails stand out—without missing a beat.
Looking for a signature red? Meet Poppy Red, a bold, vivid red that’s neither too orangey nor too blue, making it universally flattering—though especially gorgeous on warm, sun-kissed skin. It’s THE go-to red polish that gets you back into the swing of things from your very first meeting!
💋 Hot tip: try a matching red lipstick and polish combo for maximum impact.
Back-to-work chic with Poppy Red, the ultimate return-to-the-office red seen on the Schiaparelli SS25 runway.
(@tagwalk)
Less predictable than classic coral and softer than a vibrant orange, Capucine is a top pick for golden undertones. This radiant hue brings back sunny holiday vibes and energises your manicure with a warm, uplifting touch.
👌 Style tip: Capucine nails, a camel bag and gold jewellery = the chicest city look this August.
Capucine, the chic sunny touch spotted at Dennis Basso SS25… perfect for making your city comeback anything but boring.
(@tagwalk)
If you had to pick just one polish to carry you from summer into early September, this would be it. Somewhere between lavender and misty grey, Rose Mountbatten is a muted mauve that looks stunning on fair skin with cool or neutral undertones. It embodies quiet luxury—understated but rich. Pair it with a grey suit, silk blouses or a light beige trench for a polished back-to-work look.
😉 Trendy twist: Rose Mountbatten base + an ultra-thin black (or deep plum) line for a back-to-work graphic twist.
Rose Mountbatten, the chic mauve bridging summer and the new season—seen on the Zimmermann SS25 catwalk.
(@tagwalk)
Not ready to say goodbye to summer? Neither are we. That’s why we’re all in on the Endless Summer manicure vibe. In August, it’s all about juicy hues, creamy whites, pearly finishes—and even some bold reds to step into the new season in style. Every skin tone has its glow. Every mood, its shade. So go ahead and create your perfect end-of-summer-to-autumn palette!
