If you feel like you can freshen up your nail color choices, you're in luck. Spring is just around the corner. Not only does it mean warm weather and spring flowers, but it also signals the beginning of spring beauty trends. While we're looking forward to trying out this season's best makeup and hair trends, we're most excited about swapping out our nail color for spring's best shades.
One of the best things about this season's hottest nail color trends is that many of them are unexpected. Pastels and floral colors are common in spring, but this year's spring nail colors are bolder and brighter. Think fiery red, splashing blue, and even bright yellow, along with classic spring hues like lavender and pink. These nail colors are inspired by Fall/Winter 2024 runway shows, spring fashion trends, and the season's uplifting elements.
To get the definitive breakdown of the best nail colors for spring, we consulted celebrity manicurist Elle Gerstein, Hollywood nail artist Han Nguyen, and editorial nail artist Jin Soon Choi. Keep reading for the best nail colors throughout the season. We promise you won't be bored.
1. Fiery Reds
Jinsun Nail Polish in Coquette
OPI Nail Lacquer Big Apple Red
Sally Hansen Augmented Red Arity Insta-Dry Manicure
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The color red is steadily making its way into our clothes, hair, and beauty products, and shows no signs of slowing down. With his eyes on the runway, Choi says two different finishes will be important to him this spring. You can opt for a red his jelly with a light or translucent finish, like Choi showed off on the Brandon Maxwell SS2024 runway, or choose a red his jelly with a light or translucent finish, like Choi showed off on the Brandon Maxwell SS2024 runway You can also try the classic his red.
baby blues
Essie Manicure Bikini So Teeny
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morgan taylor nail lacquer in water baby
Gucci Glossy Nail Polish 716 Lucy Baby Blue
If you loved the “blueberry milk” nails that were all the rage last spring, powder blue nails are set to take over that popularity this year. “Soft pastels boost dopamine,” says Gerstein, who notes that pastels and blues in particular look universally flattering on all skin tones.
Nguyen agrees that pastel blue will be a big trend this spring. “I love this shade because it's like wearing a piece of the sky on your nails,” she says. “There is a calm and cheerful atmosphere, just like spring.”
sheer pink
Silk Colors Manicure Rose Jelly
Jinsung pixie manicure
OPI nail lacquer in bubble bath
“It's a classic, timeless choice that adds a delicate touch to any outfit,” Choi says of sheer pink. A sheer pink nail polish is perfect for any occasion, from the workplace to a wedding. This color has a classic feel and is perfect for this spring.
canary yellow
OPI Nail Lacquer Stay Out All Bright
Chanel Le Vernis 129 Obnis
Bright and focused olive and June manicure
When choosing a new nail color, bright yellow may not always come to mind as a wearable option. However, it looks like shade will be the norm this spring. “It can instantly lift your mood,” says Gerstein. Wear it on every finger or use it as an accent shade to make a statement.
lavender
Lyracism Essie Manicure
Addiction Tokyo The Nail Polish in Twilight Song
Chic-A-Delic's CND Vinylux
Nguyen says lavender is the perfect transitional shade from winter to spring. Soft lavender is both fun and versatile. For more interest, choose creamy, opaque shades or holographic sparkles.
beige
CND Vinylux Longwear Manicure (Field Fox)
206 Gris Dior Dior Vernis
Deborah Lipman's manicure in fashion
“Versatile and understated, nude beige shades offer a chic, sophisticated look that never goes out of style,” says Choi. Nude His beige is a timeless classic and was also featured throughout Marc Jacobs' Fall/Winter 2024 runway, cementing it as a key trend for the future.
Mint green
OPI Nail Lacquer in That's Hula-rious!
Essie Gel Couture 2 Step Longwear Manicure, Zip Me Up
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Ella + Mila Manicure Pistache
When I think of mint green, I think of the flashy chevron patterns of the 2010s. This season's mint green is quite subdued, think dusty pastel green rather than seafoam. Nyugen calls this shade an “instant mood booster.”
forest green
Lakur Enhanced Color by Londontown in Vibe
CND Vinylux Longwear Manicure (Aura)
Sally Hansen Color Therapy Nail Polish Serene Green
Forest green nail polish may seem like a wintry choice, but Gerstein insists it's a natural, neutral shade. Since it is a widespread color in nature, this deep shade acts as a base for nail polish.
