The Best Spring Nail Designs to Try This Season

As we welcome a new season, it’s time to give your beauty routine a refresh—nails included. Let this be your reminder to think of spring nail designs as a means of self-expression, just like your makeup or outfit choices. 

“Spring is the perfect time to experiment with nail art because the warm weather announces that it’s time to have fun!”  says Jin Soon Choi, editorial manicurist and founder of her namesake nail-care brand.   “And best of all, your toes are more likely to make more of an appearance during spring, so there are 10 more reasons to have fun with your nail shade and design.”  

Whether you want to keep it classic and simple or sport a larger-than-life mani, let your nails make a statement this spring. Below, celebrity nail artists highlight some of the best spring nail trends to inspire your next trip to the salon (or at-home manicure). 

Fresh Canvas

“I wanted to recreate the way my hands look after I paint (on canvas),” explains pro nail artist Betina Goldstein. “It’s fluid and looks unintentional but in the end provokes a feeling. I love using contrasting dark and bright colors for spring to represent the passage from winter to summer.”

Orly Nail Lacquer in Kitsch You Later

$11 at ULTA

OPI Nail Lacquer in I'm So Swamped

$11 at AMAZON

Multicolored Mani

“[This] pallet was inspired by all the colorful full-bloomed flowers we start to see during spring in Los Angeles” Goldstein explains. “I like curating color combinations, I think the tone and order is the key to a perfect multicolored manicure.”

Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Watermelon

$30 at CHANEL

JINsoon Nail Polish in Hope

$18 at JINSOON

Fanciful Florals

“Flowers are always pleasant for spring!” says nail pro Nita Howard, who thinks anyone could do a subtle iteration of the trend with “a simple nude with a daisy on one or two fingers.” Though florals are by no means an original idea in springtime, celebrity nail artist Naomi Yasuda agrees there are still ways to ensure a unique manicure. “Hand-painted flowers, real dried flowers, stickers, and decals—there are so many designs you can try,” she says. 

Crystal Bay Supplies Colorful Flowers Assortment

$3 at ETSY

iFancer Dried Flowers for Nail Art

$13 $8 at AMAZON

Stickers and Press-ons

Howard, who collaborated with ManiMe for a collection of gel nail stickers, says stickers and press-ons are perfect for wedding season, which kicks off in spring. “They offer a fun and subtle way to celebrate your big day but still offer a fun nail that can be worn on a day-to-day basis,” she explains. With the recent influx of options, you’re sure to find a set to suit your mood.

ManiMe Stick-On Gels in Bold Blooms

$25 at MANIME

Nails of LA The Sara Tan Press-On Extensions

$16 at NAILS OF LA

Metallic Accents

“I absolutely love gold and silver/metallic accents,” says celebrity makeup artist and nail technician Lysette Castellanos. Though they may have a reputation for being wintry, the shades will perfectly complement a bright outfit (and look extra glowy in the spring sun). Paint your full nail your favorite metallic, or use it as a touch of glimmer.

Essie Metallics Nail Polish in For The Twill Of It

$9 at ESSIE

Chanel Le Vernis in Canotier

$30 at CHANEL

Cherry on Top

Rita Pinto, founder of Vanity Projects and Vanity Projects Institute, thinks of cherry as the perfect way to “take a classic nail design and give it a little spring makeover.” It’s been requested so much at the salon that Vanity Projects even created the design as press-ons. 

Emilie Heathe Nail Artist Nail Polish in The Perfect Red

$28 at NORDSTROM

Pastel With a Twist

Choi predicts this season will bring lots of “pastels with simple nail art” or “simply having a different pastel color on each nail.” To achieve this, she’d look to her new Jinsoon Flower Nail-Art Appliqué, added atop a soft pigment like baby blue or blushing pink. 

JINSoon Flower Nail Art Appliqué

$12 at JINSOON

JINSoon Nail Polish in Peace

$18 at JINSOON

Jewelry Devotee

Stack your favorite jewels, rhinestones, gems, and studs onto your manicure for a truly eye-catching design. Celebrity nail tech Kierra Foster predicts 3D nails will continue popping up everywhere with lots of XL bling.

Silpecwee 3D Nail Rhinestones And Studs

$10 at AMAZON

Delicate and Dainty

For those not quite ready to rock blinged-out nails, delicate shapes and designs are just as au courant. “We will definitely be seeing more almond/oval shape this spring—it’s such a dainty classic shape and makes the hands look so lovely,” Castellanos says. With that shape, Choi recommends “a modern skinny French” like she crafted with the Jinsoon Absolute White. 

Chanel Le Vernis in New Dawn

$30 at CHANEL

Sundays L.05

$18 at SUNDAYS

Classic French Manicure

The classic French manicure is officially back in style. “A soft, romantic, deep-curved white French on almond-shaped nails makes for a glam look, like I did for the Michael Kors spring 2022 collection,” Choi says.

Gucci Vernis À Ongles Nail Polish in Winterset Snow

$30 at GUCCI

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Amazing Grace

$20 at NORDSTROM

Abstract Lines

The pros at Vanity Projects are seeing the continuation of groovy, abstract shapes and line patterns for spring nail designs. “We have been seeing this for the last year, but now it has become more color forward—often with two to three colors instead of just a duotone line,” Pinto explains. This cool-girl mani perfected by Kanae Yagi is a good example.

OPI Nail Lacquer Nail Polish in Suzi Needs A Loch-Smith

$11 at OPI

Zoya Nail Lacquer in Ripley

$12 at ZOYA

Perfect Pearls

According to Pinto, “pearls and designs incorporating pearls are also very prominent right now.” Use a pastel of your choosing as a base coat to get a look similar to this design by Chiara Ambrosia.

Savita Flat Back Pearls

$10 at AMAZON