11 Neon Nail Looks That Are Less Day-Glo, More Loud Luxury

In the very Caribbean New York City neighborhood where I grew up, three colors made up the summer manicures of the early 2000s: white, cotton candy pink, and neon yellow. All the cool girls, moms, and aunties requested these hues, but I had an affinity for the last one. Highlighter yellow—in all its fluorescent glory—was my go-to vacation nail color. It complemented my skin tone and looked even better as I spent more time at the beach.

Jin Soon Choi, manicurist and founder of JINSoon, also recalls the neon explosion of the late ’90s and early aughts. "Neon yellow was everywhere and it felt bold, playful, and a little punk," she says. "I remember creating looks with glow-in-the-dark accents, airbrushed neon art, and graphic decals like stars and hearts."

Ami Vega, a nail artist in Washington Heights in Manhattan, recalls a similar experience to mine, where she had seen people in her predominantly Latin community veer toward neons, especially during the summer months. "I’d see my tia and mom with neon reds and purples, especially on their toes," Vega recalls. "I remember finally being allowed to go into the beauty supply store, and I was drawn to the neon pink and yellow Bruccia nail polishes."

Neon nails are nostalgic, and perhaps that’s why the internet is obsessed with them right now. But today’s take on these vibrant hues is more luxurious than Day-Glo. “They’re more refined and deliberate," Choi says. "On the runway, I've used neon tones in subtle, graphic ways, like a single stripe, dot, or abstract detail over a sheer base."

In Choi's salon, French tips and jelly finishes in highlighter hues are in high demand, having seen a surge in requests as we move deeper into the warmer months. "Has there ever been a time when neon and summer didn't go together?" asks Miss Pop, a New York City-based manicurist. However, I now see neon nails as more than just a summer manicure. They take me back to salon days with my mom. They’re so serotonin-boosting, I’d wear them all year long.

Meet the experts:

Jin Soon Choi is a New York City-based manicurist and founder of JINsoon.
Ami Vega is a New York City-based nail artist.
Miss Pop is a New York City-based nail artist.

How to choose the perfect neon for your skin tone

You can wear whatever color or combination of polishes your heart desires. If you want to be intentional about how your mani looks against your skin, our pros have a few tips. Shop their product suggestions here.

For cool skin tones, Choi suggests electric pinks, mint greens, or icy blues. "These shades pop beautifully without overpowering the skin," she says.
For medium or olive tones, Choi recommends considering warmer colors, such as corals, bright oranges, or highlighter yellows.
On deep skin tones, Choi encourages lime greens, vivid fuchsias, or purples. "These shades don't just pop on deep skin, they glow and bring out the richness of the complexion in a striking way," she says.

As you peruse your salon’s polish wall, Miss Pop says that holding the bottle against your palm is helpful, as that area is closest to your fingertips. "It gives you a better idea of how the color will look on your nail," she says.

Warning: Neon polish can stain your nails and skin

While neon polish can be extra fun, there’s one thing to keep in mind: staining. "Because the pigments in neon colors are so rich, they can stain your nails or the skin around your fingers," Miss Pop says. She has a few pointers to prevent this: "First, make sure you're applying a base coat to protect your polish and your natural nail." She says think of a base coat like your primer before foundation. Yes, you can put your makeup on without it, but primer will help smooth fine lines and keep your makeup looking its best. The same goes for a base coat.

Being precise during polish removal is also essential to avoid stains. "Instead of roughly swiping your nails with cotton and remover, press the soaked cotton onto your nails for 10 seconds and then gently pull it toward the tip of your nails," Vega says. "Repeat that until all of your polish is removed. And, if some neon pigment still makes its way to the crevices of your fingertips, Vega says you can use an orange stick dipped in acetone to clean up the edges.

Need some neon nail inspo before your next mani appointment? Keep scrolling for looks on all points of the nail art spectrum, from subtle-color French tips and neon aura to bolder abstract designs.