“Whoever said orange was the new pink was seriously disturbed.” Has anyone else had that quote burned into their mind ever since 2001? As much as I love Elle Woods’ iconic character in Legally Blonde, I do have a little bit of bone to pick with her (or rather, I have a little bit of a bone to pick with that particular line). Of course, bright pink was Woods’ signature, so it makes total and complete sense that she may have been more sensitive to the topic of orange, but I seriously beg to differ. At least where nail color is concerned, I happen to think orange is equal, or superior to, pink when it comes to an ultra-flattering nail moment. Plus, it’s a tad less expected, which makes it all the more alluring in my eyes. But, hey, it’s not just me!
Over the years, all of our favorite nail polish brands have launched countless super-chic orange nail colors with just as much voracity as they have other peppy and popular hues like pink and red. Orange is the perfect compromise if you’re mentally over the former or the latter, and there are so many iterations and finishes to drool over—from shimmering apricots to juicy corals to the purest forms of neon. So, to celebrate the fact that orange is, indeed, kinda-sorta the new pink (sorry, Elle!), we rounded up ten of our all-time favorite orange nail colors sure to suit all skin tones and taste palettes. Keep scrolling!
Nail polish hoarders, beware: clicking into the drool-inducing depths of Static Nails’ website will surely incite a flurry of nail investments—from its stunning line of liquid glass lacquers to its super-handy reusable pop-on manicures to its luxe at-home mani-extending nail treatments—everything is juicy and covetable. Even though it’s hard to play favorites, we already know Peachy Keen (from the brand’s new summer collection) will be on repeat all season long.
I’m obsessed with how luxe LaPierre’s stunning array of nontoxic nail polishes are. You’re sure to find the most on-trend hues on your wish list, and the brand’s 10-free lacquers are vegan, cruelty-free, and manufactured right here in the U.S. Oh, and the brand didn’t exaggerate when it named this addiction-forming bright orange nail color. It’s sure to ignite plenty of euphoria, and you’d best prepare for an influx of compliments.
Wearing a J. Hannah nail polish on your tips is like wearing a piece of artwork. Carefully edited, and ultra-high quality, the brand categorizes its nontoxic formulas as nail polish for “the color resistant.” In other words, you won’t find any high-sparkle or neon colors in the brand’s artist-inspired color palette. Instead, you’ll find stunning colors that are subtle and inspired by the natural elements of the earth, while still being completely safe thanks to its nontoxic and cruelty-free DNA. For anyone who thinks they’re allergic to bright orange nail colors, try Saltillo, a cozy terracotta, out for size, as a still on-trend alternative.
A lot of drugstore-found beauty and nail polish brands have earned a sketchy rap when it comes to less-than-clean ingredient lists, however, Revlon’s new Ultra HD Snap collection is an exception. It’s 100% vegan, 20-free (yep, you read that right!), dries in a snap (hence, the name), and only requires one single coat to give you that creamy full coverage you crave. Oh, and can we just take a moment of appreciation for this vibrant, fiery orange shade?
If you’re someone who can never have enough shine when it comes to your at-home manicure, you definitely need Essie’s glazed collection in your life. The finish promises a high-watt sheen, and the color choices are sure to add a surge of zip and zing to your fingertips.
We’re convinced Pastiche from Jinsoon could convert even the most diehard shimmer hater to a full-blown obsessee. Picture a creamsicle-y hue of apricot with a subtle dash of iridescent glimmer that will glance a tad purple depending on how the light hits it.
Olive and June’s affordable nontoxic polish selection excels in all of the right departments: a bouncy, practically gel-like gloss payoff, a 10/10 color range sure to satisfy any and every mood, and dependable, chip-free longevity. Plus, every polish is 7-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. The brand actually makes tons of craveable orange nail colors, but we’re giving kudos to this shade called Sweet & Gracious. Fun fact: it was actually the brand’s first-ever orange hue!
You might not believe us at first, but trust us when we say a rich burnt orange nail color just might be the most unexpectedly flattering color anyone can paint their nails with. If you’re desperately wanting off the neon and pastel circuit this season, Tang Bang from Smith & Cult still feels fresh and current. Plus, the chic packaging practically makes any bottle bearing the brand’s name feel like a collector’s item.
According to OPI, taking this shimmery orange nail color for a spin on your tips will feel just as invigorating as cruising into the Malibu sunset. Okay, that’s perhaps a tad debatable, but we can dream, right? We’re completely smitten with the hue all the same.
Speaking of cruising, no orange nail color roundup could ever be complete without Chanel’s crème de la crème orangey-coral iconic lacquer called Cruise. Try it once, and you just might forgo all other shades for the rest of the season. (It’s just that yummy.)
Next: I Can’t Stop With Purple Nail Polish Lately—These Are the Most Wearable Shades
