Winter is officially over, which means it's time to trade your moody manicures for nail designs that capture spring vibes. This season's spring nail trends are taking their cues from nature, but with a fun twist: We're seeing delicate watercolor techniques that mimic the soft dew on flowers, gradient effects that capture the sunrise, and minimal line work inspired by unfurling plants. Even the season's neutrals are getting a refresh with gradients and metallic finishes.
Whether you're drawn to subtle nods to the season with flowers topped with clear gel, or you’re ready to transform your nails into tiny paintings of cherry blossoms in full bloom, these designs prove that spring manicures can be sophisticated while still celebrating the season's natural (and sunnier) beauty.
1. Dainty floral bouquets
Flowers and spring go hand-in-hand, and this delicate mani is ideal for ushering in the new season. To recreate, swipe on a neutral base carefully draw on a half French tip for your pinky and ring finger, then place dotted blooms on your other fingers. We love this nail liner kit (all in pastels!) from Amazon to create flower designs that really pop.
2. Pastel mix-and-match
Pastels for spring? Groundbreaking. But what makes this design unique is the ombre technique paired with geometric patterns. To replicate this technique, we recommend this Ombre Gel Nail Polish Kit ($20) from Amazon.
3. Daisy delights
Daisies bloom in the spring, and your mani should reflect that, tbh. And, surprisingly, this look is easy to recreate: First, swipe on a neutral base, then top your nails with daisy decals that take truly seconds to apply. Once adhered, coat again with the neutral polish, and you're good to go!
4. Strawberry fields
Nail artist Samantha Rose created these delicious strawberry tips by hand-painting bare press-on nails with gel polish to get a three-dimensional effect. If you don't have the time (or patience) for this process, you're in luck: We found these 3D Pink Strawberries Press-ons for a quick mani that looks like it took hours to create.
5. Artistic pastel lines
These colorful lines make a big impact. With a mix of soft pastels, this mani is great for anyone who wants to show off their artistic abilities without feeling too stuffy or confined. Reach for a set of pastel polishes, like this Seashell Set from Olive & June. These colors apply and remove like a regular polish, but perform like a gel.
6. Fruit punch nails
This stunning array of fruit looks expert-level, but they're actually stickers. And you can recreate the look yourself with the Le Mini Macaron Nail Stickers, which we've personally tested and loved. From cherries, oranges, watermelons, and more, you'll love rocking these colorful fruits all season long.
7. Skittle tips
Display all the colors of the rainbow this spring with a colorful pastel mani. For under $10, Azure Beauty sells a nail polish set filled with the most delicious pastels that last up to seven days with no chipping or peeling. Plus, the formula works like a gel without any curing needed. Yes, please.
8. Watercolor blooms
This look was created using water-based acrylic paint against a white press-on. Each petal was blended out to give a gradient effect and then cured for 60 seconds. It's a gorgeous design that takes a lot of work. So for those who want an easier route (guilty!) you can snag these watercolor flower decals for less than $5. Don't forget to swipe with a clear coat of polish for a long-lasting finish.
9. Colorful stripes
Pick a family of complementary colors and pair them differently across all ten tips. If you struggle with painting straight lines on your nails (especially on your non-dominate hand), you can use a self-adhesive tape to assist as you create your lined designs.
10. Robin-egg blue
A freshly polished set of this rich-blue hue is perfect for spring and works all year long. We recommend using Londontown's Reverse the Charges for a gel-like wear that will last weeks. Just remember to apply a top coat every three to four days to lock in color and help extend wear time.
11. Easter egg hunt
We love this Easter-egg inspired mani featuring metallic pastels topped with lined and dotted patterns. Holo Taco makes a fan-favorite shimmery pastel set of six iridescent shimmers that will work great for this design. If you need help recreating the baby chic, you can grab a sheet of Easter-inspired nail decals at Amazon for $6.
12. Very cherry
This design looks like it would take a lot of time, but it's pretty easy to replicate. Transform your traditional French manicure with vibrant red tips (you can also use press-ons) then pop on red cherry rhinestone stickers from Varnail to complete the look. Finish with your favorite top coat and your eye-popping manicure will last you for weeks.
Sign Up for Our Daily Newsletter
Get all the latest in wellness, trends, food, fitness, beauty, and more delivered right to your inbox.
Got it, you've been added to our email list.
