Spring fashion is typically a subdued foray into warmer weather. Spring nail colors, on the other hand? The pros say it’s all about having fun. Sure, there are muted and soft shades of blue, butter, and pistachio—but don’t count out chrome, citrus, and more.
Below are the best spring nail colors that the pros are raving about. This is one guide you’ll want to bookmark for later.
Key Takeaways
- The biggest spring nail colors are all about muted shades, rich earth tones, and pearl-like sheens.
- Expect to see shades such as cloudy air whites, misty blues, and muted rose everywhere.
Cloudy Air
Celebrity nail artist Ami Streets predicts we’ll be wearing “soft, airy cloud-like white” nails to emulate this year’s Pantone Color of the Year, Cloud Dancer. Celebrity nail artist Eri Ishizu agrees and adds that a sheer white to that mix for your next go-to nail. Try something like OPI’s Funny Bunny for a milky base or Essie’s Marshmallow.
Rich Earth Tones
Earth tones make for great neutrals. “[They]’re elegant shades that feel very grown-up, chic,” says Streets. She says to think of chocolate browns, like this one from Manicurist, or an oyster-gray with pearlescent undertones. Ishizu agrees and adds sage greens and olives as other big shades to look out for.
Misty Blues
For spring, Ishizu says to go more muted and misty-toned and opt for those soft blue shades. Streets adds an airy and washed denim color to give you that cool, airy feel. “These blues evoke clear skies and coastal calm, which makes them especially appealing as we move into the new season,” she says.
Muted Rose
In theme with soft shades, Ishizu says to look for more muted tones when it comes to your rose shades. We love the Hermès Les Mains Hermès in Rose Tamise or the sheer Silky Mallow shade from Gitti.
Butter Yellow
Celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt says that any of the polishes from OPI’s new Your Way Collection will fill all your pastel needs, but to get that creamy shade, try the soft yellow Buttafly that also has a subtle shimmer finish. We like the Gucci Glossy Nail Polish in Cecilia Ivory or Essie’s Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish in Atelier at the Bay for pretty muted yellow tones. If you’re looking for something brighter with a nice gloss, Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in 129 Ovni should do the trick.
Iridescent Pearl
Celebrity nail artist Holly Falcone is going all in with pearl-like glaze finishes for all her spring manis. Adding some subtle shimmer not only makes for a pretty nail look, but it can work by itself or with your nail shade of choice. “An iridescent pearl topper can transform any color with a little veil of magic,” Falcone says.
Her top pick is the OPI Nail Lacquer in Glazed N Amused, which adds a pearly shine with a subtle pink tint to the nail. We also love a polish like the Dazzle Dry Pearl polish, which is a vegan formula that gives a sheer frosty shimmer as a nice finishing touch. Something like the Nails Inc. Polish in Make It Mythical gives you fuller coverage and is packed with bolder pearl shimmer (which is always a plus), while Beautypie s Wondercolour offers a nice gold tint.
Sunny Orange
Another pastel to really lean into this spring (and a personal pick from Ganzorigt) is a light orange that will bring warmth and depth to your manis. We love this muted tangerine shade from Essie called Light and Fairy, and this bright yellow-orange from Londontown called Mango. You can also try Olive June’s Sweet Gracious or Butter London’s Pop Orange for fun shades that get us even more excited for the change in season.
Cherry Red
A red nail works for all seasons, but Falcone loves seeing this timeless hue for spring—and we do too. Bold while also being playful and light, red just ticks all the boxes. Go brighter this season and use something like OPI’s Big Apple Red or Chanel’s Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour Incendaire. We also love Hermès Les Nail Polish in Rouge Casaque, which is vibrant in pigment and has a smooth, shiny finish, and the JINSoon polish in Ardor for a bright red with pink undertones.
Soft Lavender
We’re always in favor of romanticizing even the smallest parts of your life—both in everyday activities or in all things manicure-related—and no shade captures that dream-like state more than lavender. Ganzorigt says this ethereal hue will continue its reign as the ultimate spring nail color this season.
Polishes like the Emilie Heathe Aurora Nail Artist Polish and the Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Immortelle are deep and warm, while polishes like Gitti No. 132 and the Le Mini Macaron in Lavender are packed with bright energy to match whatever vibes you’re hoping to bring with you come springtime.
Periwinkle Crème
While one could argue this is simply a rebrand for blueberry milk nails, there is no debating this fact: Periwinkle makes for a top-tier spring nail color. Falcone loves pairing the OPI Nail Laquer in Verified with a pearl iridescent topper for some added shimmer. Pear Nova’s Tokyo Afterglow and Sunday’s Pearl Collection offer a light pastel blue with creamy full coverage. If you’re looking for a warm-toned blue, opt for the Côte No. 71 Periwinkle to give your pastel mani some depth. Whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong.
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Mocha Mousse
Celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen predicts we’ll be seeing a lot of brown-toned hues for spring 2025. She recommends shades like the Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Particuliere to get that creamy mousse tone. You can also look at something like the OPI Espresso Your Inner Self.
Creamy Pistachio
Channeling your inner zen, Nguyen says that it will be about choosing a calming shade of green for when the temps start warming up. She likes the J. Hannah Nail Polish in Patina, which is pastel green with grey undertones to get that muted finish, while we like Ella + Mila in Evergreen.
Meet the Experts
- Celebrity nail artist Ami Streets
- Celebrity nail artist Eri Ishizu
- Celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt
- Celebrity nail artist Holly Falcone
- Celebrity nail artist Brittney Boyce
- Celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen
- Celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec
Have a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue’s senior beauty and wellness editor an email at beauty@vogue.com.
