With spring in the air, it’s time to retire those moody winter nail colors and the heavy duty hand cream and replace them with a fresh manicure that’s a bit more cheery and colorful. Whether you’re looking for holiday-specific nail art ideas for Easter and St. Patrick’s Day, or something that just captures the general magic of springtime, you’re in the right place. There are lots of beautiful new spring nail polish colors to try this season, and these are our favorite ways to wear them.
From geometric designs to pastel pinks to fresh takes on the French manicure, there are so many different ways to show off your spring joy. Whether you’re giving yourself a DIY at-home manicure or you’re visiting the salon, let these cool and colorful spring nail designs serve as inspiration. Here, we’ve gathered all the best spring manicure (or pedicure!) ideas you’ll want to steal as soon as spring has sprung.
Orange Stripes
These dreamy tangerine stripes remind us of creamsicles and beachy sunsets.
SHOP STRIPE TAPE
Subtle Pink Shimmer
Amp up a subtle sheer pink with tons of shimmer. The wavy designs keep things interesting.
SHOP LIGHT PINK POLISH
Cherry Print French Tips
French manicures are having a moment, but if normal French tips are too subdued for your taste, don’t fret. Make this style your own with bright colors, cherries and stars.
SHOP FRUIT DECALS
Marble Nails
These nails might look difficult, but they’re actually easier to achieve than you might think. Start with a neutral base coat (like the sheer lavender shade used here) and swirl a few colors together in water. Dip your fingers, clean up the edges and you have DIY marble nails.
SHOP MARBLE NAIL WRAPS
Red Half Moon Nails
Let’s all agree that red polish is basically a neutral at this point. Give your normal red nails a makeover by using negative space to create half moons.
SHOP HALF MOON GUIDES
Sea Foam Green
Green-toned manicures are here to stay. This seafoam green look looks amazing with expertly placed dots.
SHOP NAIL DOTTING TOOLS
Martini Tones
Shaken, not stirred. Bring the colors of your favorite drink to your fingertips with these olive-toned nails.
SHOP OLIVE GREEN POLISH
Dreamy Clouds
Keep your head in the clouds with these pastel watercolor nails. Alternate white and black tips with stars to stay on cloud nine.
SHOP STAR STICKERS
Asymmetrical French Manicure
Love a classic French mani but thinking of switching it up? Instead of a rounded white tip, draw a straight line on one side.
SHOP STRIPER BRUSH
Dark Red Ombré Nails
If springy colors aren’t your thing, opt for a red ombré look. Paint your thumb your lightest red shade, and paint your pinky the darkest.
SHOP RED POLISH
Picnic Plaid
Spring is the best time for a fun outdoor picnic — not too hot, not too cold. Try this picnic blanket-inspired design to celebrate a perfect sunny day.
SHOP SHEER WHITE NAIL POLISH
Cute Bunny Rabbit
Who doesn’t love bunnies? This cute nail design is sure to show off your springtime spirit.
SHOP BUNNY GEL STRIPS
Simple Flowers
When you think of spring, you think of flowers. You can achieve this colorful flower design by using a handy dotting tool.
SHOP DOTTING PEN SET
Stylish French Tips
This take on a French tip manicure is so classy yet simple. Just add a single white arch that follows the natural curve of your nail.
SHOP WHITE TIP PEN
Pink Garden
If you love spring flowers, turn your nails into a romantic garden. You can use floral nail foil or stickers for an easy at-home manicure.
SHOP FLORAL NAIL FOIL
Gold Accents
Brighten up your French manicure with a glittery gold streak along the edge of your cuticle.
SHOP GOLD GEL POLISH
Party Nail
The perfect nails to celebrate the return of daylight savings time. Add a sparkly accent nail on your ring finger and a dark blue accent nail on your pinky to spice up this pale pink mani.
BUY GLITTER POLISH
Fluffy Clouds
What’s more relaxing than laying in the grass as you watch the clouds float by on a warm spring day? These clouds are so cute and fluffy like cotton candy.
SHOP CLOUD PRESS-ON NAILS
Pastel Green French Tips
There’s nothing more classic than a French tip. Add a springy twist by using pastel green on the tips instead of typical white.
SHOP PASTEL GREEN NAIL POLISH
Abstract Nail Art
Channel your favorite Jackson Pollock painting with abstract nails. Choose your favorite contrasting colors and freestyle from there.
SHOP SHEER NUDE POLISH
Crooked Lines
Who says winter whites can’t work in the springtime? These simple nails are ultra-chic and modern.
SHOP NAIL STRIPE BRUSH
Stenciled Tips
For an edgy spin on a French manicure, try making the tips the star of the show. With each tip a different fun design, these nails are the perfect balance of bold and classic.
SHOP ASSORTED NAIL STICKERS
Cotton Candy Colors
Speaking of cotton candy, don’t you just love this mix of fun colors? You can achieve this nail design by painting baby blue and pink directly on a makeup sponge and then dabbing it over a dry base coat.
SHOP MAKEUP SPONGE
Butterflies
Warmer weather means the butterflies are coming out of their winter hibernation. These dazzling butterflies will look gorgeous on every type of nail, from long acrylic to short and natural.
SHOP BUTTERFLY SEQUINS
Matte Blue Swirls
Matte nails always look cool. Take them even further by adding swirls in different shades of blue.
SHOP MATTE TOP COAT
Blue Ombré Nails
Paint your nails various shades of blue, but keep them all uniform with a lime green frame. This striking design looks flawless with an almond-shaped nail.
SHOP LIME GREEN POLISH
Gingham Pattern
With this cute design, you can coordinate your nails to match all your gingham outfits this spring.
SHOP GINGHAM NAIL WRAP
Pastel Rainbow Tips
For those who like to keep their nails clipped short, try these colorful, dainty French tips. This design would look super cute on toenails too!
SHOP PASTEL GEL POLISH SET
Adorable Bumblebees
Add some more fun to your floral design by painting a buzzing bee around a few of your flowers. For an easy alternative, you can also glue on a bumblebee nail charm.
SHOP BUMBLEBEE CHARM
Pretty Rainbows
The best part of spring showers is the rainbow that comes after. A palette ring will help you mix a perfect array of colors for this pretty nail design.
SHOP PALETTE RING
Pink Waves
Monochromatic designs are the new neutral. Make a subtle statement with pink on pink.
SHOP PINK POLISH SET
Statement French Tips
Match your nails to your mood as warmer weather approaches — give one French tip on each hand a yellow smiley face.
SHOP YELLOW POLISH
Blooming Branches
Don’t you love how colorful the trees are in the springtime? These hand painted branches look gorgeous with baby pink nail polish.
SHOP BABY PINK NAIL POLISH
Iridescent Lilac
These lilac coffin nails are mesmerizing as the soft purple color shifts to blue and pink in different angles of light.
SHOP IRIDESCENT NAIL POLISH
Sunny Side Up
Sunshine, sunflowers and an egg — sunny side up. This cool (and clever) nail design is a great way to anticipate all the days of sun to come.
SHOP YELLOW NAIL POLISH
Sparkly Pink Tips
Sparkly tips always look stunning on long acrylic nails, and this light pink color is so in season.
SHOP PINK NAIL GLITTER
Matte Purple and Nude
These earth-toned colors are perfect for any occasion. Paint your nails different shades of purple, throw in a little nude and finish it off with a matte top coat.
SHOP PURPLE NAIL POLISH
Katie Berohn
Katie Berohn is the Beauty Assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group.
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