Editors Note: I tend to use the same shade of nail polish when I get a pedicure, Raspberry by Essie.  It works so I don’t mess with the formula, but why not?  What am I so afraid of?  We are always encouraging you to try something new, so start small and change your traditional nail color to something slightly more adventorous.  Ok we aren’t saving a third world country, but baby steps are better than no steps! ~Nitika~

Summer is all about the show-stopping sandals – and what better way to show them off than with attention-grabbing toes to go in them. Pedicures have come a long way. No longer are pinks and reds your only options. Instead of relying on the tried and trusted Essie hue you’ve been married to since you knew what Essie was, give these trendy tones a try. You won’t regret it. (If you do, we’re pretty sure that Essie shade will still be there waiting for you.)

1. Metallic.  Everyone from Rihanna to Beyonce have been seen rocking metallic nails. While their perfectly polished pinkies have been minx-made (a salon-exclusive metallic film that adheres to the nail with heat), polish designers have quickly  followed suit with a woman-made alternative: metallic polishes. So, save your minx money, and instead settle on a marvelously metallic laquer. Choose gold if you have similarly golden, tanned skin or stick with silver if your time spent in the sun so far this season has been less than ideal. Or, our top pick, pewter, which works well on all skin tones. (Pictured – Chanel Facettes D’Or Vernis Nail Polish, Gold Fiction)

2. Nude. Nude nails made quite the statement on the Spring/Summer 2010 runways. Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Marni, and Marios Schwaball sent models down the runway nude nailed. With shades closely resembling their skin tone, models’ fingers appeared longer and daintier. It’s no surprise the trend transitioned to the toes this summer. With a skin-toned shade, your toes will look neat and natural. Best of all, you won’t have to worry about any noticeable chips, no matter how long you wait between pricey pedis. (Pictured – Sally Hansen, Nude Now)

3. Turquoise. When Pantone, the color authority, declared this blue hue the color of 2010, we knew it would make a splash in our closets and on our accessories. What we didn’t realize, however, was how it would change our idea of the perfect pedicure. With its tropical connotations, just a peak at your perfectly polished tootsies will have you thinking Mai Tais and sand, even if you are office bound for the majority of the season. A color that can transport? Now, that’s something we’re up for. (Pictured – SpaRitual, Crystal Waters)

4. Coral. In the same way that orange-toned lips struck a cord with beauty editors and front-row fashionistas during fashion week, the same hue is taking over as the go-to shade for usually red-wearing women everywhere. A more modest choice than Turquoise, this shade is equally fashion forward and similarly transporting – and not too far a cry from the safety of classic red and pinks. (Pictured – OPI, Conga-Line Coral)

5. Artsy. For the more adventurous (and artistic), take fall’s nail art trend south. Whether you try a dual toned French style in pink and gold (like seen at Phillip Lim’s Fall/Winter show), experiment with layering polishes (like Butter London suggests with their Jelly line – see: http://thebeautybean.com/site/beautify/butter-london-sets-spring-nail-polish-trends-jelly-lipgloss-for-nails/)/ . Or, give a nod to your childhood with nail stickers like seen here: http://thebeautybean.com/site/beautify/nail-art-designs-fit-for-summer-fun/, or dab on some of Deborah Lippman’s Happy Birthday glitter polish, be creative and have fun. (Pictured – Deborah Lippman, Happy Birthday)