According to Pantone, coral is the color of 2012. Though most of us neutral-loving Seattleites might revert to our blacks and greys come December, coral is at least the color for spring and summer. From runways to lips to chandeliers, the pinkish-orange hue is just about everywhere right now.

And we think it should be on your nails.

We sifted through bright orangey corals, creamy pastels, and peachy pinks and found the two best shades for May’s transitional spring-to-summer days.

The designer: Dior Vernis Nail Lacquer in Riviera is a buttery shade in a pink-orange blend. The color feels like the Riviera (the Italian one at least, France’s Riviera is more of a solid gold). While Dior’s packaging is a little excessive (does this stuff really need two lids?) and the brush itself is massive, the polish goes on smooth, dries quickly, and is especially chip-resistant. Score this shade for $23 at Neiman Marcus.

The drugstore: Essie Nail Polish in Meet Me at Sunset packs more of a punch than Dior’s version. The color is a vibrant orange with more red tones than pinks, and the polish is extra-shiny so you can skip the top coat. This coral looks like it came right out of the ocean, but at $8 it’s cheaper than a beach trip. Pick it up at local Rite Aid and Target locations.