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Springtime is just around the corner, which means it's once again time to break out your pretty pastels and bold hues. Sure, pigmented lipsticks and eyeliners can get intimidating, so why not try brightening things up on the tips of your fingers with a spring nail polish? After all, 'tis the season to refresh your go-to mani with some fun and playful neons, shimmers, and more.
We chatted with celebrity nail artists to get the scoop on all things spring nail trends, so give your next manicure the perfect seasonal refresh with these pretty shades.
"Everyone needs classic cherry red polish in their beauty kit," says celebrity nail artist Naomi Yasuda.
This bright cherry red looks almost delicious enough to eat (but please, don't eat your nail polish), and it dries extremely quickly. Plus, it's so naturally shiny that it doesn't need a top coat.
“This year we are seeing a ‘vintage’ blue take the lead,” says Michelle Saunders, celebrity nail artist and founder of California nail studio Saunders & James.
“I like to call it ‘90s blue, and it also happens to be the Pantone color of the year. Butler Please by essie is the perfect vibrant color pop.”
There's no denying that light, airy shades are making a triumphant return to our spring nail polish favorites. But instead of going for a darker nude, lighten things up with a blush baby pink.
This shade is perfect for anyone who wants a minimalist nail with a hint of color.
"I’m having many requests for earthen tones like terra-cotta, bronze and stone gray," says Saunders. She recommends trying this shade for a darker, neutral play on the usual spring nail polish.
Want to give your spring nail polish a little more pizzazz? Then spice up your color with some glitter! Glitter shades are always a great way to easily enhance any mani, even if you're going for a buffed and plain nail.
Sometimes, all you need to spruce up your mani for spring is a true white shade. If you're trying to DIY your French, or just going for an all-over white look, then we recommend this shade.
We like it because it doesn't look like you painted your nails with White-Out, and it's super fast-drying for when you're in a rush.
We all know that Y2K nostalgia has reached new heights, so why not celebrate the early 2000s with this throwback shade?
Not only is this silver metallic spring nail polish a great way to give your nails a subtle shimmer, but it's also a fun play on the chromatic nail polishes of yesteryear. To really make it pop, use this shade as an accent nail.
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8
Best Color Combo
Base Coat Breathable & Halal Nail Polish in Marigold
8
Best Color Combo
Base Coat Breathable & Halal Nail Polish in Marigold
"An unlikely combination clients are liking is army green and camper orange," says Saunders. "It looks great together used in nail art. Try Marigold by Basecoat and Precious Car-go! by essie.”
If intense vibrancy is what you crave in your spring nail polish, then a bright yellow hue should be on your list.
This bright and bold yellow is not for the faint of heart, and it'll make your digits stand out from the crowd. If you want to tone it down, this shade is also great for creating negative space styles.
If you'd rather go the cool-toned route with your spring nail polish pastels, we suggest this lovely teal color from Chanel. It's the perfect blue shade with just a hint of green that's perfect for any spring festivities.
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13
Best Jewel Tone
Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Polish in Magenta Violet
13
Best Jewel Tone
Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Polish in Magenta Violet
Jewel tones have been taking over the runway and the streets of NYC for quite some time, and they don't seem to be going anywhere this spring. So, if you're an avid trend-follower, then grab this jewel-toned violet, stat.
Who doesn't love a good shimmer? This one takes our top pick for its three sparkly hues that can catch eyes from miles away. Feel free to swipe it over your favorite pastels or on plain nails.
We get it: Sometimes, you want to go for something a little more muted. So, when times call for subtlety, opt for this delicate beige shade.
It just ever-so-slightly steers off the path of the usual whites we know and love, creating a more ethereal look and feel — the perfect spring nail polish vibe.
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16
BEST CORAL
butter LONDON Patent Shine Nail Lacquer in Trout Pout
16
BEST CORAL
butter LONDON Patent Shine Nail Lacquer in Trout Pout
If you want a bright color that's not too pink or red, then opt for this seasonal favorite: coral. It's a lighthearted hue that's always popular in the warmer months, and it looks especially great on all skin tones.
This shade from butter LONDON gets bonus points for having a glossy finish that doesn't require a top coat.
When choosing a nude shade, most of us go for a lighter color. But this season, we're daring you to go a little darker with your flesh-toned polishes, which is why this one is earning top spot for "best nude."
It’s a universal shade that complements most skin tones, and gives nails a more sophisticated vibe.
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18
Best Pink
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour in Pluminette
18
Best Pink
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour in Pluminette
Do you find yourself gravitating toward bubblegum pink these days? Then this is your match made in nail polish heaven.
While Louboutin's signature color is bright red, this true pink hue is definitely one to stock up on. It's bright, bubbly, and fun — just how we like our spring nails.
Ashley is the beauty and style editor at BestProducts.com, and her work has been featured on Cosmopolitan and Town and Country. She has an obsession with designer handbags, Liberty prints, 1960s fashion, and owns more shoes than she’s willing to admit. She's been using her learnings from owning a boutique and her shopping addiction for good since 2015. She’ll never accept that black isn’t a color. Away from the computer, you’ll likely find the Texas native binging on a British period drama or theorizing over Game of Thrones. She has yet to find a real cup of queso in NYC.
Jennifer is the former beauty editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse. Her work has been featured in Allure, Byrdie, HelloGiggles, and more. When she’s not swatching eyeshadow all over her arms, you can find the NYC-based editor scouring for hours on end for vintage finds, eating pad thai, and hanging out with her cat, Chunks.