If you feel your nail color choices could use a refresh, you’re in luck. Spring is just around the corner. Not only does that mean warmer weather and spring flowers, but it also signals the start of spring beauty trends. While we’re looking forward to trying out the season’s best makeup and hair trends, we’re mostly excited to swap out our nail colors for some of spring’s best shades.
One of the best parts about this season’s hottest nail color trends is that many of them are unexpected. While we’re used to seeing pastels and floral-inspired colors in the spring, this year, spring nail colors are bolder and brighter. Think fiery reds, splashy blues, and even vivid yellows alongside classic springtime hues like lavender and pink. These nail colors take inspiration from Fall/Winter 2024 runway shows, spring fashion trends, and mood-boosting elements of the season.
To get the definitive breakdown on spring’s best nail colors, we consulted celebrity manicurist Elle Gerstein, Nailing Hollywood artist Hang Nguyen, and editorial nail artist Jin Soon Choi. Keep reading for the best nail colors to cycle through all season long—we promise you won’t be bored.
1. Fiery Reds
Jinsoon Nail Polish in Coquette
OPI Nail Lacquer in Big Apple Red
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish in Augmented Red-ality
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The color red has steadily been taking over our clothes, hair, and beauty products, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. Looking to the runways, Choi says that two different finishes will be big this spring. You can opt for a red jelly with a light or translucent finish like Choi did at the Brandon Maxwell SS2024 runway, or you can try a quintessential classic red, which Choi did at the Proenza Schouler SS2024 runway.
Baby Blues
Essie Nail Polish in Bikini So Teeny
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Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer in Water Baby
Gucci Glossy Nail Polish in 716 Lucy Baby Blue
If you loved the “blueberry milk” nails that dominated last spring, powder blue nails are set to take over this year. “Soft pastels are dopamine enhancing,” says Gerstein, noting that pastel blue, in particular, is universally flattering across skin tones.
Nguyen agrees that pastel blues 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. “It gives off a calm and sunny vibe, just like springtime.”
Sheer Pinks
Cirque Colors Nail Polish in Rose Jelly
Jinsoon Nail Polish in Pixie
OPI Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath
“A classic and timeless choice that adds a delicate touch to any look,” Choi says of sheer pink. A sheer pink nail polish is at home in every situation—you can wear it anywhere, from work to a wedding. Its classic nature makes it the perfect color to reach for this spring.
Canary Yellow
OPI Nail Lacquer in Stay Out All Bright
Chanel Le Vernis in 129 Ovni
Olive and June Nail Polish in Bright & Focused
When choosing a new nail color, bright yellow might not always come to mind as a wearable choice. This spring, however, the sunny shade will be a major trend. “It can be an instant mood booster,” says Gerstein. Wear it on every finger, or just use it as a statement-making accent shade.
Lavender
Essie Nail Polish in Lilacism
Addiction Tokyo The Nail Polish in Twilight Song
CND Vinylux in Chic-A-Delic
Nguyen says that lavender is the perfect transitional shade from winter to spring. A soft lavender is versatile while still being fun. Opt for a creamy, opaque version of the shade or a holographic sparkle to add even more intrigue.
Beige
CND Vinylux Longwear Nail Polish in Field Fox
Dior Vernis in 206 Gris Dior
Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in Fashion
“Versatile and understated, nude beige shades offer a chic and polished look that never goes out of style,” says Choi. While nude beige is a timeless classic, it was also all over the Marc Jacobs FW2024 runway, cementing it as a major upcoming trend.
Mint Green
OPI Nail Lacquer in That’s Hula-rious!
Essie Gel Couture 2-Step Longwear Nail Polish in Zip Me Up
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Ella+Mila Nail Polish in Pistache
When I think of mint green, I envision the loud chevron patterns of the 2010s. This season’s mint green is much more subdued—think dusty pastel green rather than seafoam. Nyugen calls this shade “an instant mood booster.”
Forest Green
Lakur Enhanced Colour by Londontown in Vibe
CND Vinylux Longwear Nail Polish in Aura
Sally Hansen Color Therapy Nail Polish in Serene Green
Forest green nail polish may seem like a wintery choice, but Gerstein argues that it’s a natural neutral shade. Since it’s such a prevalent color in nature, this deep shade works to ground your manicure.