From Soft Chrome To Cow Print, 11 New Spring Nail Designs To Bookmark
It's time to ditch the burgundy and embrace lighter, sunnier hues and fresh textures.
The long-standing allure of a monotone, most-likely burgundy or black manicure in the depths of winter is plain to see, but with spring comes the return of brighter hues, a renewed fascination with prints and texture (even jelly and 3-d nails are returning this season) and a more joyful sense of experimentation when it comes to our nails. 'Spring is the perfect time to go lighter and fresher, and swap darker winter shades for soft pastels or sheer tones,' agrees nail artist, Iram Shelton.
The new nail trends for spring
As Shelton explains, nude nails are having a rebrand this season. 'Sheer, milky nails that are clean, minimal, and effortlessly chic will be huge for spring as will soft chrome with a subtle, pearlescent finish for a fresh take on metallics,' she shares. 'Jelly nails are also going to be big; think translucent, glossy nails for a fun, fresh vibe.' Expect to see more colourful nail art cropping up too, such as pastel French tips, 3-d details in vibrant hues and micro studs.
'I think we’ll be seeing brown nails carrying over into our spring manicures but in a slightly more muted way, think more opaque nudes with a beige or taupe undertone,' notes celebrity nail artist, Georgia Rae. Soap nails have had a refresh too. 'Soap nails aren’t going anywhere but I do think as we enter spring we’ll see more blush tones to give the nails a healthy, more vibrant glow,' she adds.
There are a few surprising turns too. 'Velvet and magnetic nails have surged in popularity in recent months and I think this trend will continue into our spring manicures as you can be as minimalist or as maximalist as you like. I personally love using the magnetic gels to enhance a sheer nude manicure as they catch the light and look ultra glossy,' shares Rae.
The best nail shapes to try
Nail shapes all come down to personal preference and the natural shape of your fingers, however, Shelton notes that short and natural, soft almond, and tapered square nails are gaining traction for spring. 'Most of my clients are opting for or working towards an oval shape, slightly tapered in at the sides to elongate the fingers,' adds Rae. Whatever shape or nail art you opt for, nail care is still paramount. ' Focus on hydration: cuticle oils and hand creams are a must after the colder months,' shares Shelton.
The best spring nail inspiration for 2025
Soft Jelly
The glossiest of manicures, 'soft jelly' has been dominating our social algorithms of late. The good news is that the jelly-like texture is easy to recreate too –simply opt for a high-shine builder gel at your next salon appointment or apple a double layer of top coat over a sheer base if you're DIYing your nails at home.
Cow Print
The print that has piqued the interest of the fashion industry, cow print has now made its way onto our nail mood boards too, superseding the beloved leopard print for the season ahead.
Mocha Mousse
The hue that's been dominating our wardrobes and beauty palettes alike has had a refresh for spring '25; it's now lighter, softer, and with a shinier finish.
Butter Yellow
Butter yellow and peach-y tones will be huge this spring. 'I’m seeing a lot of butter yellows, soft peaches, and cool-toned lilacs; they're delicate but still eye-catching,' shares Shelton. 'I love mixing and blending butter colours to create a bespoke shade that's a little more colourful,' adds Rae.
Soap Nails 2.0
Soap nails – the milky whites, soft pinks and nude nails you've probably spotted on Instagram – have been thrust into the spotlight as the ultimate quiet luxury manicure. For spring, they're still glossy and manicured, but they've been reimagined with a subtle ombré effect.
Magnetic Nails
Magnetic or chrome nails might call to mind a more daring manicure, but in fact, they can be quite subtle, too. As Rae notes, they're a great way to add dimension and you can opt for softer nudes or browns for a more minimalist take on the trend.
The Milky Manicure
'The milky manicure will be even more popular in the coming months,' shares Rae. 'To create the look, I apply one layer of a sheer white to brighten the nail and you can either double up or add a layer of a sheer pink or sheer lilac, for example, for a little wash of colour and nod to spring,' she adds.
Pastel French Manicure
'Expect to see more pastel French tips this spring,' says Shelton. 'They offer a twist on the classic French, but with soft spring hues such as lilacs and pastel greens.'
A Touch Of Sunshine
Months of jet-black manicures and wine-inspired nails call for a shake-up, and this sunny nail art is the perfect upgrade for spring.
Micro Studs
A fresh take on the 'naked manicure', add teeny-tiny embellishments such as crystals, studs and pearls to elevate your nude nails.
Tiny Florals
Though hardly groundbreaking, it's hard to resist the pull of tiny floral nail art at this time of year. Switch up the colours on different nails and opt for minimalist touches as opposed to loud patterns.
Amelia Bell is the Multiplatform Beauty Director for ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar, developing beauty strategy, writing, editing, and commissioning, and leading beauty content across both sites. Amelia has a particular interest in wellness and longevity, exploring the skin-mind connection, and decoding the latest treatments, tweakments and runway trends. She also has bylines for Women's Health, Refinery29, British Vogue, Harrods Magazine, and more.
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