Our favorite hues for any style, whether you’re a fan of traditional pastels or prefer something bolder.
When it comes to the epidemic we’ve been experiencing for over a year, it might feel as though there are few silver linings. Fortunately, those of us whose jobs and feelings of duty allow us to stay at home have discovered a few methods to make social isolation as pleasurable as possible. For many, this has meant developing into expert nail painters, which has resulted in a demand for an abundance of different nail polishes to keep things interesting.
A new season brings an abundance of new shades from all of your favorite brands, as well as those you may not be familiar with. And as you’ll see below, spring manicure colors aren’t restricted to beautiful pastels and delicate neutrals — though such are certainly welcome at the springtime nail-polish party. The season’s hottest colors include deep hues carried over from winter, iridescent and holographic formulations, surprising twists on classic hues, and every shade of green conceivable.
We’re about to simplify the process of stocking your spring nail paint wardrobe. Through April showers, May blooms, and far into summer, you’ll find the hues that will have you collecting praises.
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1. Gray Dove
When combined with a hint of warm taupe, a typical chilly gray becomes more seductive than boring. A stunning alternative to your regular nudes, Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro in When Doves Cry is the creamiest and longest-lasting way to wear this hue, owing to a gel-like composition infused with chemicals found in treatments. We’re discussing biotin, rice protein, bamboo, and keratin, among other things.
2. Pink Powder
Pastels will always be linked with spring, and the palest pink is a stunning way to switch up your manicure this season. L.01 is Sundays’ glossy, opaque take, which seems almost white in some lighting but rings true pink upon closer inspection.
3. Yellow-orange
While we think of yellow as bright and cheerful, it can also be extremely somber and shockingly elegant when worn deeper. The Chamomile Calm shade of Sinful Colors Bold Color Nail Polish contains just enough brown to make it virtually the color of spicy mustard (without the flecks — simply very smooth opacity). Additionally, it is perfumed! Fortunately, it does not taste like mustard, but rather like the namesake chamomile.
4. Creme de la Mer
Coral is a modern classic in the nail polish world, and it’s one of the finest non-verbal ways to express your joy that winter is over. Ella is a cheerfully bright coral with just the perfect amount of pink undertones to keep it from veering into the neon zone.
5. Periwinkle Dust
Periwinkle is such a unique shade of blue. Its little amount of warmth causes it to tilt slightly toward purple — the most faded violet if you will. Add some pastel dustiness, as CND does with their Chance Taker Shellac shade, and you’ll find yourself asking “Oooh, what color is that?” every day for the two weeks it lasts.
6. White Holographic
A bright, fresh white looks stunning in any season, but we’re particularly fond of the notion of holographicizing it for warmer weather. KBShimmer is known for infusing its nail polish hues with multidimensional enchantment, and Frequent Flyer is the brand’s way of infusing your standard white with dazzling rays of rainbow light.
7. Green Grass
Is there anything more evocative of “Springtime!” than when the season’s final snow melts and shows the green beneath? This grassy green shade evokes that sensation, and with Sparitual’s Morning Dew, it’s made more refreshing by the brand’s nutritious, moisturizing formula made with argan oil and seaweed extract. It’s a bright yet gentle color that gives a little pop to any ensemble (even your four-day-old loungewear).
8. Claret
While we’ll never tire of traditional deep-red nail paint, it’s always refreshing to see minor variations on the standard glossy maroon. Perle Burgundy, a new shade of Chanel’s Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color, is a mauve-y, metallic claret that isn’t as serious as other wine-hued polishes. If you’ve never worn darker polish in the spring before, this is an excellent place to start.
9. Tawny Tan
Is there a naked hue that looks great on everyone? Consider a tawny brown shade, such as Sorry I’m Latte from Wet n Wild’s new Fast Dry AF Nail Color line. Whether it’s darker than, lighter than, or an exact match for your skin tone, this warm but not orangey light brown is a gorgeous neutral that flatters a wide variety of complexions and attracts admirers everywhere it goes.
10. Grape Candy
While the natural colors of grapes are wonderful, there is something so enjoyable and nostalgic about the purple that does not occur in nature that every grape-flavored candy comes in. And thank goodness Habit’s Non-Toxic & Vegan Nail Polish in 45 Belladonna nailed the feeling. This cool, deep, and stunningly brilliant amethyst with myrrh accents is true eye pleasure.