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We're already a few days into May, and spring feels more like reality and less like a far-fetched dream. This means if you've been asleep in the nail art department since the winter, it's time to wake up. Bright colors, bold finishes, and fun nail art are all buzzing for the season, so if you need inspo for a colorful spring manicure, we got you covered, ahead.
1. Teal chrome
Chrome looks good all year round, but come May, it's time to lean into those lighter, brighter colors. This teal shade is perfect for transitioning out of the cold weather and into spring's cool breeze.
Get the look: Cut down your manicure time from a couple hours to just a few minutes with press-ons that fake the look. We like the Kiss Gel Fantasy Magnetic Fake Nails in Chameleon ($8).
2. Neon cowgirl
Mix a classic cow print with a bold red color for a manicure that really pops. "Black and white and red all over" has never looked so good.
Get the look: For a true neon orange-red, try OPI's RapiDry Nail Polish in Haul Sass ($10).
3. Watercolor florals
Welcome in spring by mixing some brighter colors into your manicure. We love the way the pops of orange and brighter blue here help create a more seamless transition from one season to the next. And of course, you can't forget those springtime flowers.
Get the look: Recreating that watercolor effect is easier than it looks. Layer blobs of polish on the edge of a triangle makeup sponge, arranging the colors as you'd like them to appear on the nail. Then, simply blot the makeup sponge onto the nail to get the desired effect.
4. Lime green minimalist moment
Pair a minimalist manicure with a bold shade for an understated pop of color. The neon lime green is perfectly balanced out by the negative space and bare design.
Get the look: A color like Atomic Polish's Pastel Neon (Ne) Green ($10) will apply perfectly with a thin detailer brush like the Manucurist Nail Art Liner Brush ($16).
5. Blooming red
We love an abstract mani moment, and the use of those hazy red blobs throughout this look demonstrates exactly why. On one nail, they make a blooming flower and on the next, they create a snake-like swirl.
Get the look: Rhinestones help elevate any look, especially this manicure. Grab a set like this one from Amazon ($10)—the gems work on everything from nails to clothing to DIY crafts.
6. Cherries and berries
Celebrate the return of the farmers market with a seasonally appropriate manicure. Mix and match your favorite fruits and berries to create a look good enough to eat.
Get the look: Not much of an artist? Fake the appearance of detailed nail art with some well-placed stickers, like this INKED by Dani Daisy Dreams Nail Art set ($10).
7. Purple swirls
We like to think of May as our last chance to rock those deeper tones until the weather starts to drop again. With that in mind, this thermal-based purple manicure, with swirling deep blue curves, is one we'll most definitely be revisiting next fall.
Get the look: Start with a Mooncat's Nail Polish in Twilight Sonata ($16) as a base before going in with the brand's Nail Polish in Dark Night of the Soul ($15) for those rounded details.
8. Blue cow
Tired of the same old, same old? Switch things up with an animal-print manicure in a bold, unexpected color way. The blue-on-blue cow print in this case is a serious moo-ment.
Get the look: To recreate, paint on the Pleasing Cow Jumped Over the Moon Polish ($18) as your base, before using Olive and June's Long-Lasting Polish in Can't Lose ($9) as the spots.
9. Aura blush nails
The only thing that could make us love aura nails more is this stunning blushing effect. From the seamless color transition to the starry details, everything about this manicure gives good vibes.
Get the look: Cirque Colors' Nail Polishes in XOXO Jelly ($13) and Rose Jelly ($13) make the perfect duo for that aura effect.
10. Green on green
Try inverting a print from one hand to the next for some seriously alluring nails. We love the way these green-on-green polka dots really come to life.
Get the look: To make sure those polka dots are perfectly uniform, you'll need the right tools—Le Mini Macaron's Le Dottie Dotting Tool ($5) should do the trick.
11. French with florals
We're always looking for ways to spice up a French manicure, and these white flowers are the perfect addition. We especially love the subtle gems in the center of each one.
Get the look: Essie's Nail Polish in Piece of Work ($10) is a perfect match for the funky green tips.
12. Perfectly pink mix and match
Give a mix-and-match manicure some order with a monochromatic color scheme. In this case, the hot pink hue is perfectly on trend.
Get the look: This Color Club Pink Nail Lacquer Set ($20) makes it easy to stick to one color scheme—it even includes shades for detailing.
13. Cherry hearts
We see your cherries and hearts and raise you cherry hearts. They're seriously the cutest—pair with a nude and white color scheme to really let them shine.
Get the look: To recreate those cherries, we suggest using OPI's Nature Strong Nail Lacquer in A Bloom With a View ($13) and Leaf by Example ($13).
14. Lovely lavender
When in doubt, keep things simple. A beautiful lavender manicure feels elevated and perfectly seasonal.
Get the look: Try Pleasing's Live Laugh Lilac Nail Polish ($18) for that perfect purple hue.
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