Top 5 Summer 2012 Nail Polish Trends

Summer 2012 is here! Whether you're working, taking classes, or have a break, I hope you have something fun to look forward to and a few new polishes to wear :) Summer is a great time to take some risks on your nails - I dare you to try a color you haven't tried before (toes count!)

I chose five nail polish looks that are fantastic for the summer and are also really hot right now. For each summer nail polish trend, I'll share my look and a link for you to see some others. PS - I can hardly believe that it's been a whole year since I posted my first Top 5 round up :)

*New this year! I've created a Summer 2012 Nail Polish Trends board on Pinterest :) See you there!

#5 Electric Turquoise
Even if you'll be behind a desk most of the summer (points to self), wearing the color of a bright blue swimming pool or the Caribbean Sea on your nails - toes or fingers - can transport you far, far away.

Essence Let's Get Lost

BYS Blue Bang (You've Got Nail)

China Glaze Aquadelic (Bull City Beauty)

Claire's Marine Blue (Nails Beautiqued)

Deborah Lippmann On the Beach (Nails Made Simple)

Dior St. Tropez (Une Ruxi à Paris)

Finger Paints Blue Raspberry Truffle (Rachel Marie's Nails)

H&M Nail Him (Love, Varnish, Chocolate and More...)

Lancôme Aquamarine (Fashion Polish)

NARS Koliary (Scrangie)

Rescue Beauty Lounge Aqua Lily (Mara in Polishland)

Sally Hansen The Sky's the Limit (Amandalandish)

#4 Chevrons
Using Scotch tape is a simple tool you can use to create straight lines and awesome patterns. There are lots of great designs, but the Chevron pattern in particular has really caught on. 

OPI Charged Up Cherry and Sally Hansen Celeb City

Chalkboard Nails
Concrete and Nail Polish - IKAT Chevron Tutorial
It's Because I Think Too Much

Lucy's Stash
Nailasaurus - Tutorial (guest post on Makeup and Beauty Blog)
Nailside

#3 Tangerine Tango
Tangerine Tango is the Pantone Color of the Year and while you may not be able to/want to rock this color on your lips or pants, nail polish is a more wearable way to incorporate it. Last year, this bright orange-red hue was actually my #1 summer nail polish pick and now that we know it better as Tangerine Tango, it's still going strong!

Essie Olé Caliente

Chanel Holiday (Ommorphia Beauty Bar)
NARS Lal Mirchi (Pshiiit)
OPI A Roll in the Hague (Doing My Nails)
Sephora + Pantone Universe Color of the Year (My Nail Graffiti)
Sonia Kashuk Tango Mango (Polish Insomniac)

#2 Sophisticated Skittles
Can't decide which polish to wear? Why not wear them all! Wearing a different color on each nail can look tres chic if you pick polishes in the same color range. Or, shake up the traditional accent nail look by painting   some of your nails one color and the others a contrasting color in any combination. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination here - and the best part? This is one way to get creative with your manicures without needing to learn any new nail art tricks ;)

Original Post

Alizarine Claws

Cosmetic Cupcake

Lacquered Lover (last picture)

Neglelakkmani

Polish Obsessed

#1 Sponge Gradient
Did you ever think it would be possible to achieve an airbrush-like gradient on your nails at home? All you need is a sponge, a little patience, and some clean up and you're ready to create endless combinations of stunning gradients!

Light green: OCC Wasabi/Dark Green: China Glaze Gaga For Green

Here are some of my favorite gradient creations and tutorials - remember, practice makes perfect :)

Chalkboard Nails

Nailasaurus

The Polished Perfectionist

Swatchaholic

See you over on Pinterest!

Product(s) in this post were provided for review. Read my disclosure policy here.