Last week, I was frolicking around the streets of New York City with my $8 coffee and immediately realized that my manicure matched my drink perfectly. I was sporting light yellow chrome nails and simultaneously sipping on a banana bread latte.

In addition to the NYC overpriced coffee scene, all things banana have been trending in beauty recently, from the fruity fragrance note to banana-flavored lip balms, and now, most recently, the banana latte manicure has inundated the nail salon scene. So, if you’re on the hunt for a chic summer polish color, try opting for the soft, milky yellow.

Ahead, everything you need to know about banana latte nails, plus inspiration for your next manicure appointment.

What are banana latte nails?

Banana latte nails are the softer, milkier take on a classic yellow manicure. Instead of a bright sunshine shade, this trend leans into a creamy banana hue with a frothy finish. You can keep it subtle with one or two coats for a translucent wash of color, or add a chrome topper for a glazed effect. Think of it as your favorite banana cream latte, but for your nails.

How to achieve banana latte nails

You can either DIY your fruit-themed nails or get them done at a salon. First, start by grooming the nails as usual—so clipping, filing, and buffing for a smooth canvas. If you want an extra creamy look, start with a coat of white polish as your base. Then choose your banana-esque polish to layer on top. Some top hues include OPI’s Sunny Bunny and Essie’s All Fun & Games. You can also add silver or white chrome powder on top for a glossy finish, or go for a banana French tip.

Banana latte nails inspo

Soft yellow manicure with oval-shaped nails resting on a light yellow textured surface.
@simlynail
Well-manicured hands displaying almond-shaped nails in a pink and yellow color combination.
@craftedbyaprince
A hand with neatly manicured light yellow nails against a grey background.
@gelcare
Set of hands displaying elegant almond-shaped nails painted in a soft yellow shade with a glossy finish.
@dndgel
Close-up of hands with long, almond-shaped nails painted in a light yellow color.
@nailsby_hal
OPI GelColor nail polish in shade "Sunny Bunny" held between fingers with a neutral background.
@opi
Close-up of fingers with glossy yellow nail polish against a neutral background.
@craftedbyaprince
Two hands displaying long, pale yellow nail polish in front of green foliage.
@nailsby_hal

Why trust Cosmopolitan?

Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who covers all things nails—from the biggest design trends to new polish launches. She’s always keeping an eye on seasonal colors and keeping up with celebrity manicurists for their favorite trends, and for this story, she found banana latte nail inspiration from top nail artists and nail salons for inspo and recommendations.

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Headshot of Jasmine Hyman
Jasmine Hyman

Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.