In my Caribbean neighborhood in New York City, where I grew up, I created three colors of summer nail polish from the early 2000s: white, cotton candy pink and neon yellow. All the cool girls, moms and aunts requested these shades, but I was familiar with the last girl. The highlighter yellow was the colour of my vacation nails, all of its fluorescent glory. It complemented my skin tone and looked even better as I spent more time on the beach.
Jin Choi, founder of Jin Sung, recalls the neon explosion of Aughts from the late 90s to early 1990s. “Neon Yellow is everywhere, it was bold, playful and I felt a little punk,” she says. “I remember creating looks with dark accents, airbrush neon art, and graphic decals like stars and hearts.”
Amivega, a nail artist from Washington Heights in Manhattan, recalls a similar experience as me, seeing people from the predominantly Latin community heading towards neon. “I see my tia and mom visible on neon red and purple, especially on my toes,” recalls Vega. “I remember finally being allowed to enter a beauty supplies store. I was drawn to the neon pink and yellow Brutch flake manicure.”
Neon claws are nostalgic, and perhaps that’s why the internet is so obsessed with them now. But today’s view on these vibrant shades is more luxurious than Day-Glo. “They’re more refined and more careful,” says Choi. “On the runway, we used neon tones in subtle graphic ways, such as single stripes, dots, or abstract details.”
Che salons have high demand for French hints and jelly finishes in highlighters, and requests are surged as they go deeper into the warmer months. “Was there a time when neon and summer didn’t go together?” asks Miss Pop, a New York City-based manicurist. But now I think Neon Nails is more than just a summer manicure. They take me with my mother to my salon days. They are so serotonin boost, I wear them all year round.
How to choose the best neon product for your skin tone
You can wear the polish colors and combinations that your heart desires. If you want to be intentional about how your mani looks on your skin, our pros have some tips. Buy product suggestions here.
For a cool skin tone, Choi suggests electric pink, mint green, or icy blue. “These shades make a beautiful appearance without overwhelming the skin,” she says. For medium or olive tones, we recommend considering warm colors such as coral, bright orange, highlighter yellow, and more. “These shades not only dive into deep skin, but also give off a glow and bring out the richness of your complexion in an impressive way,” she says.
