There’s something about the end of summer that makes me want to squeeze every last drop out of it. One more dinner outside, one more weekend away, floating down a river on a paddle board, one more fabulous pair of sandals—and definitely one more great manicure before we all start pretending we’re ready for fall.

Personally, I’m not ready.

As a celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert, I’m always paying attention to the little details. Makeup may get most of the attention, but a beautiful manicure can completely change how polished and pulled together you feel.

The end-of-summer nails do not have to mean seashells, palm trees and tiny flamingos painted on every finger. No thank you!

That is never going to happen.

Think beautiful, sophisticated color with just enough fun to remind us that summer is definitely not over yet.

Milky Pink, Always

If you know me, you know I love a beautiful milky nail.

A sheer milky pink is clean, feminine and expensive-looking, and it works with absolutely everything. It’s one of those manicures that looks just as good with jeans and a white T-shirt as it does dressed up for an event.

I especially love it on shorter, softly rounded nails. Your hands just look beautifully groomed without looking like you tried too hard.

Polished without looking like you tried too hard? Yes, please.

Tomato Red

There is something about a fabulous red manicure.

For the end of summer, I love a juicy ripe tomato or poppy red rather than the deeper burgundy shades we’ll be seeing everywhere once fall arrives.

It looks incredible with summer whites, denim, a little bit of a tan and gold jewelry.

And the best part is that it transitions beautifully into September.

Red is a classic for a reason.

Butter Yellow

Stay with me on this one.

Yellow nails can sound a little scary, but a soft, creamy butter yellow is surprisingly beautiful and wearable.
The secret is the shade. You want buttery and soft—not neon.

It feels happy and fresh and is just different enough to be fun without having your nails enter the room five minutes before you do.

Peachy Coral

Coral will forever make me think of summer.

For late August and early September, I love softening it a little and choosing something with more of a peachy undertone.

It adds warmth to your hands and looks especially beautiful on your toes when you’re still living in sandals—which I plan on doing for as long as humanly possible.

Chocolate Milk

Now we’re flirting with fall.

Instead of going straight from summer pinks and corals into a really dark chocolate brown, try something softer—a creamy latte, caramel or milk-chocolate shade.

You get that sophisticated fall feeling without your manicure looking like October when it’s still 85 degrees outside.

It’s the perfect little transition shade.

The Micro French

The French manicure will probably never really leave us, and I’m perfectly happy about that. It’s iconic.
But I do love the more modern version.

Keep the base sheer and natural and make the white tip incredibly thin. It feels fresh, elegant and understated, and it visually elongates the nail.

This is one of those manicures that works everywhere—from a wedding or work meeting to a weekend in Napa.

You simply can’t go wrong.

A Little Chrome

Chrome isn’t going anywhere, but that doesn’t mean we all need disco-ball nails.

For a more sophisticated take, try a very subtle pearly chrome layered over a milky pink or nude.

It catches the light beautifully and gives your manicure a little something extra without feeling overdone.
Think pearl, not spaceship.

Do Your Hands and Toes Have to Match?

Absolutely not.

This is one beauty rule I’m very happy to break.

I usually do a dark toe polish if my nails are painted light.
I actually love a classic milky manicure on the hands paired with a bright tomato red or coral pedicure.

You get the best of both worlds—polished and sophisticated on your hands with a little party happening on your toes.

And isn’t that more fun anyway?

One Last Summer Manicure

At the end of the day, beauty should be fun.

Your nails are one of the easiest places to experiment because there really isn’t much risk involved. If butter yellow turns out not to be the great love affair you imagined, you’re only committed for a couple of weeks, or you remove it if you can’t stand looking at it until your next manicure and try something else. Be open to trying something new.

Try something different. Wear the red.

Add the chrome. Keep your toes coral a little bit longer. There is no nail police patrolling the beach.

So go get that last summer manicure. Wear the bright color, order the iced coffee, keep the sandals out a little longer.

Fall will get here soon enough.

About Christina Flach

Christina Flach is a celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert, CEO of Pretty Girl Makeup, Beauty Expert on California Live NBC, host of the I’m Too Busy podcast, and Beauty & Wellness Contributor to Women Fitness Magazine.

Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.