These Are the Most Popular Nail Colors Across the Country

From Las Vegas to Boston, these are the most-requested shades of the moment.

These Are the Most Popular Nail Colors Across the Country

If you've found yourself in a serious nail rut, look no further than the most popular nail colors of the moment. Sure we all have our go-to shades, whether it be a classic (Topless and Barefoot), Instagram-inspired (heart nails), or a dark and moody hue (navy, deep wine) that's as sophisticated as it is cool. That's all well and good, but it's easy to find yourself slicking on the same shade again and again, and suddenly your mani pics are looking like Groundhog Day. The answer? A fresh crop of color inspiration. 

Looking to the runways (or social media) is a great source of cool new nail ideas, but if you want to know what's really trending, there's no better place to look than the salons across the country. We checked out local favorites from Seattle to Boston, in search of most popular nail colors for 2021. You may want to take notes for your next appointment. 

Detroit: Denim Blues 

“We've been getting a lot of requests for OPI's Less is Norse,” says Kelli Coleman, cofounder of The Ten Nail Bar. “It's a dusky denim blue—if you compare it to cooler blues you can see that it has a little purple in it,” adds cofounder Anika Jackson. They note that women in Detroit love to take risks when it comes to their nails, which is why the trendier shade is more popular. Clients at The Ten also love nail art, and have been particularly into animal print and abstract lines.

OPI Nail Polish in Less Is Norse

Dior Vernis in Desert Nights

Essie Nail Polish in You Do Blue

Red Carpet Manicure LED Polish in Denim Mini Skirt

Los Angeles: Cherry Red 

While moody hues like plum, navy, and chocolate have been popular lately at L.A. favorite Olive & June, founder Sarah Gibson Tuttle says the brand's cherry red CV polish has been consistently the most requested shade (and also a best-seller on the brand's site). “Everyone is loving it,” says Tuttle. “Including me, and I never wear red!”

Olive & June Nail Polish in CV

Olive & June Nail Polish in CN

Olive & June Nail Polish in SC

Olive & June Nail Polish in Cherry Crush

San Francisco: Iridescent Shades 

“Our clientele generally goes more minimal, but we like to inspire people to take more risks,” says Jen Hall, owner of The Nail Hall in San Francisco. The trend there of the moment? Iridescent and metallic shades, which feel special without verging into full-on nail art territory. While the salon has been doing a lot of glittery nudes, Hall says their most requested shade is Bio Sculpture's Mignon (pro only). “It’s a gorgeous, iridescent emerald green that looks great on any skin tone.”

Zoya Pixie Dust Nail Polish in Elphie

Orly Nail Lacquer in Metallic Haze

Essie Nail Polish in High Voltage Vinyl

Defy & Inspire Nail Polish in No Rain Just Flowers

Austin: Pearly Nails 

At Austin's Nail Art House, owner Natalia Bychkova says the most popular nail colors of the moment there are the classics: cherry reds, sheer blush, and foil accents. But one trend on the rise when people are looking for something a little extra? Pearly nails with an almost-chrome like finish. Looking at this photo, we get it.

Essie Gel Couture in Wearing Hue 1086

Morgan Taylor Nail Polish in Izzy Wizzy, Let's Get Busy

Cirque Colors Nail Polish in Moonbeam

Pacifica Plant Magic Translucent Topper in Rainbow Gloss

Boston: Metallic Mauve 

“People in Boston are generally very conservative with their nails, but there is a growing clientele that's starting to play around with minimal and abstract nail art, which is super exciting,” says Boston nail artist Nina Park. She says her clients are loving shades of nude, mauves, metallic, and different shades of blue. Her most requested shade? “Deco Miami’s Champagne Mami is always a crowd pleaser. It’s a gorgeous rose gold metallic polish that compliments all skin tones.”

Deco Miami Nail Lacquer in Champagne Mami

Sally Hansen Color Therapy Nail Polish in Blushed Petal

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Earth Angel

Sinful Colors Essenchills Professional Nail Polish in Salt Bath Babe

New York City: Quirky Neutrals 

New York City's Paintbox is known for its modern, minimal nail art that still packs a punch, and the salon's most requested shades follow suit. “Our clients are really going for brick and terracotta tones–our Like Spice polish has been our top-seller and a client favorite,” says creative director Mabelyn Martin. When clients want to break out neutrals, Martin notes that the forest green Like Wild has been popular, as is the glittery Like Magic, which she calls “nail art in a bottle.”

Paintbox Nail Lacquer in Like Wild

Paintbox Nail Lacquer in Like Spice

Paintbox Nail Lacquer in Like Magic

Paintbox Nail Lacquer in Like Canyon

Chicago: Classic Blush 

Chicago women are all about nail art. “My clients tend to take risks and go outside their comfort zone with their nails because social media influences them,” says Tuyen Day, owner of T Nail Bar. She says different shades of nude are always the most popular, since they make the perfect backdrop to go all out on nail art. The most requested shade? OPI's Put It In Neutral.

OPI Put It in Neutral

Chanel Le Vernis in Bleached Mauve

Pear Nova Nail Lacquer in Michelle Our Mama

Sally Hansen Good. Kind. Pure. Nail Color in Red Rock Canyon

Las Vegas: Baby Pink 

The women in Sin City apparently leave the risk to the slots. But can you blame them when baby pink looks so good on everyone? “We have a very diverse clientele,” says Samantha M., owner of Nohea Nails. “A lot of people will only wear baby pinks, but we do get others who love bright colors no matter what time of year it is.” The most popular color requests she gets: OPI's Funny Bunny and Mod About You. 

OPI Mod About You

OPI Funny Bunny

Gucci Vernis À Ongles Nail Polish in Ellen Blush

Zoya Nail Lacquer in Madeline

Seattle: Mismatched 

At Seattle's Urban Nail Box, it's not so much about one color, but several—the mismatched nail trend is going strong. “Mixing and matching different shades are a favorite at our shop,” says founder Rachel Dang. "This time of the year, people tend to go with neutral colors or very dark colors, but in different shades." One of the more interesting popular colors people mismatch with? OPI's It's a Piazza Cake, a warm orange. 

OPI It's a Piazza Cake

Essie Nail Polish in Mind-Full Meditation

Sally Hansen Insta Dri Nail Color in Cinna Snap

Londontown Lakur Enhanced Colour Nail Lacquer in Skyline Reflect

Bella Cacciatore is the beauty writer at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @bellacacciatore_. 

This story originally appeared on: Glamour - Author:Condé Nast