When people talk about spring styles, the first trends that usually come up involve clothing, shoes, and accessories. But we’re going to take a moment to talk about the smaller things—your nails. Since an amazing outfit is only truly complete when every part is coordinated, it means your nails are the key for the perfect finishing touch. Spring brings many different events including graduation, barbeques and outdoor festivals, so whether you’re looking for a look that’s subtle, bright, or patterned, keep your nails looking fresh with these spring trends.
Solid Spring Colors
We’ll start off with something easy: colors. As with every fashion season, there are colors that define the time, and we’ve picked out the best nail colors for this spring, which include a lot of pastels. This season, paint on pastel shades of pink, yellow, or sea foam green to stay in style. Brands like Essie, OPI and Sally Hansen provide many great shades and lots of options.
First Timer from Essie, $8.00 at Neiman Marcus
Pink-ing of You from OPI, Soft Shades Nail Laquer Collection, $9.00 at Ulta
Coral Reef, Lacey Lilac and Mint Sorbet from Sally Hansen; Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color, $2.99 at Ulta
Blow from Illamasqua, $17.00 at Sephora
If you want your nails to really stand out, then don’t be afraid to go bold and bright! You can follow the same color guidelines suggested for pastels, like pinks, yellows, greens or purples, but pick ones with a brighter or neon tone.
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Spring Designs
You don’t have to be an expert nail designer to add some flair to your nails this spring. There are plenty of ways you can do nail art that are easy and fabulous. Two tone manicures are the key players this season, and it can be as simple as a colorful French manicure or more involved like ombre. Choose your favorite pastel or bright spring color, like the ones listed above, and contrast it with a darker or more neutral tone. White and grey match well with many colored polishes, and you can also get a great look when you use a light and dark tone of the same color Even though it can be safe to get your nails done at a salon, try these looks at home before you shell out the dough for something you can do yourself!
Ombre Nails
1. Pick two or three shades of the same color. Three colors create the best gradation effect, but you can make two colors work just as well with some blending.
2. Paint your entire nail with the lightest color and let it dry completely.
3. On a makeup sponge, paint a line of the lightest color on the bottom, the next shade directly above, and the darkest shade above that. The sponge might start to soak up the polish quickly, so paint enough polish on so it will transfer onto your nails. If you only have two colors, then overlap the colors so they mix in the middle.
4. Press the sponge onto your nail and move it slightly up and down to create the mixing and gradation effect. Repaint the sponge as necessary as you paint each nail.
5. Use a Q-tip and nail polish remover to clean up the edges of your fingers and remove excess polish.
6. Paint a clear coat on top when your nails are dry, and then show off your beautiful nails!
French Manicure
Take this classic look and spice it up with some color! If you find yourself with an outfit that needs both elegance and a pop of color, then French tips with one or two colors are great options. There are many different ways to paint the perfect French manicure, so take your pick from some of the options below!
For only colored tips:
1. Paint the tips of your nails with any colored polish. It doesn’t have to be neat, it just has to cover your whole tip.
2. Take a paint brush or Q-tip, dip it in polish remover, and clean up the edges to remove any excess polish and create a perfect arch.
3. Cover with clear polish.
For two colors:
1. Paint the base coat and let it dry completely.
2. Gently place a strip of tape across each nail while leave the tip uncovered.
3. Paint the second color only on the tip.
4. Slowly peel off the tape, paint a clear top coat when dry, and you’re done!
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You can achieve these next designs simply by using tape or stickers! Always let the first layer of polish dry completely so there is less risk of the paint peeling off with the tape. A good rule of thumb is to always paint the lighter color first, and then paint the darker color over it.
Half Moon Nails
It’s just like French tips, but reversed! You can choose if you want a small or large moon, but the key to a nice look is to keep a clean line.
Diagonals
Can’t decide between two colors? Then don’t, and use both! This look works better with two solid colors, so this isn’t the best design for the glitter polish.
Stripes
If you want to add in some sparkle, then paint a line of fun polish down the center or side of a nail that is covered in a solid color. This spring, vertical lines are so on- trend.
Shattered Polish
This kind of polish is wonderful because it gives the illusion that you meticulously created a pattern on your nails, when really all you did was use a special kind of polish! Choose a base color, like a spring pastel, and then pick a shatter polish for the top coat. Since spring is all about bright colors, try a white shatter coat. There are many brands that make the special shatter nail polish, so find the one that fits you best!
OPI Shatter Lacquers, $7.99 at Walgreens
Sally Hansen Crackle Overcoat, $6.99 at SallyHansen.com
Nail Wraps
If there are any collegiettes out there like me, then you can’t keep your nail polish from chipping for more than a day or two. As much as I love keeping my nails looking nice, I don’t always have time to fix them every few days. But Jamberry nails can save the day. They offer a wide variety of nail wraps that are easy to apply, look great, and they don’t chip like regular nail polish! Application is simple: warm the wrap, press it onto your nail, trim the edges until it fits perfectly, and voila! Flawless nails that last up to two weeks. Almost all the sets are $15.00, and it has enough wraps for two sets of fingers and one set of toes. The patterns range from simple French manicures to fierce animal print to crazy zigzags, so you can get the look of nail art without the hassle.
Decorative Cobalt, $15.00
Pastel Diamond, $15.00
Mod Quad, $15.00
It’s hard to miss the bright colors of the blooming flowers this spring, so let that inspire your nail designs this season! With the end of the semester drawing near, brighten up a stressful time with fun colors and designs for your nails, or celebrate the end of the year with a new nail wrap. Whatever you choose, don’t let your nails go bare, because there are so many great trends this season that can be the perfect addition to a beautiful spring outfit.