I know it’s hard to keep up with the constantly revolving door of nail trends lately, but let’s just take a step back and appreciate the simpler things in life like, oh I don’t know, a few nail colors for spring, maybe? I’ve gathered an impressive roster of hues that seem to be popping up everywhere these days. I won’t lie, though—I had a little help from celebrity manicurist Elle Gerstein. She dished on all the shades she’s using this season and what designs she’s loving lately.
“Designs I’m loving right now are impressions and pops of bold pastel,” she says. “They’re great for brushstroke techniques and abstract art—both are going to be very big. The colors are muted but when combined correctly can make an impactful contrast. They also look great with a metal accent, which is another huge trend right now. We’re seeing foil flakes pop up almost everywhere now too.” And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re dying to know what colors Gerstein says are right on trend and fit the tone these next few months, keep reading below. I even threw in a few straight from our own nail-inspo board.
Gerstein names peach as one of the top trending nail colors this season, and I can’t say I disagree. She even used a bit of the shade on a stunning manicure she recently did for Blake Lively. It’s such a sunny-feeling color, and you can truly pick a shade on the lighter side or darker side of the spectrum, and it would still look flawless.
Another shade Gerstein says is coming in hot for spring is rusty orange. This isn’t your typical fruity orange—it’s more of a crisp, burnt orange that looks like cinnamon. Latte sold separately, sorry.
Yellow is another classic color Gerstein always reaches for when spring rolls around. She loves a lighter, almost see-through shade of yellow like Chanel’s Riviera.
A smooth mocha shade is such a good neutral for spring. It might be toned down, but it still catches your eye. One of Gerstein’s favorite variations of the hue is Orly’s Nail Lacquer in Parcs & Parasols. She also used another similar version of the color from LaChat called Cocoa Kisses for the base of Lively’s latest retro manicure (pictured above).
You can never go wrong with a good pastel purple for spring. If you want to change it up a bit, try using it to create a gingham design with a French tip. It looks so cute and screams warm day in the park.
It’s never a complete spring-nail-color roundup without some kind of green. I love sage green in particular because it almost has a teal undertone to it that makes it feel unique and fresh.
I’ve already expressed my deep love for coral nail polish, but a soft shade of it just feels so right for the season. It works for a breezy vacation or looks chic for a night out. Either way, you can’t go wrong, and it’s one of those hues that looks good with most outfits.
I’m not usually one to wear gray nail polish, but this hazy, misty gray is really doing it for me lately. It feels gorgeously smoky and is a versatile shade you can add some fun designs to for a pop of color. It would even look cool in a more transparent style using just one coat like the photo above.
If you aren’t into pastel colors, try a darker, rich shade like cobalt blue. It looks gorgeous on all skin tones and exudes an air of luxury and mystery—you’ll be an It girl by default.
Robin’s egg blue is one of my all-time favorite colors, and it’s so nice to see it making the rounds on Pinterest again. It’s a soft, muted hue that couldn’t feel more suited for spring. Any time I wear it, I instantly feel calm and like I’m on a warm, sandy beach.
Raspberry red is a vibrant, scorching hue that gives you the best of both worlds. It has just a touch of pink to give your traditional red a little more flavor.
I’m seeing so many great manis lately that only involve a translucent shade. Case in point, this stunning shade of pink called Strawberry Scone. It’s a full-on trend to use these kinds of colors for spring because there’s so much you can do with them. Even if you’re not into designs, it still looks clean and elegant.
Up Next: 12 Pastel Nail Ideas to Save to Your Nail Inspo Board ASAP