Spring is all about new beginnings, so what better way to start the season than with a fresh coat of nail polish? This season will always be associated with bright colors and muted pastels, but this year’s trends include strong hues and deeper tones. If you need a hint about what shades are trending in 2023, take a peek at the color of the year or the viral beauty and fashion trend that is Barbiecore. To keep your fingers and toes looking fresh this season, we compiled a list of the top 28 spring nail colors to wear now through the summer.
1. Periwinkle Purple
- Nail polish to try: Essie in “Lilacism”
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2022 was “Very Peri,” a periwinkle blue and purple shade that continues to provide a much-needed mood boost for spring.
2. Viva Magenta
- Nail polish to try: OPI in “Telenovela Me About It”
While 2022 was all about blue, 2023 is all about (hot) pink. Pantone’s Color of the Year is “Viva Magenta,” a reddish-pink hue that represents optimism, excitement, and empowerment, which we could all use more of these days.
3. Juicy Orange
- Nail polish to try: Olive & June in “You’re a 10”
What’s the quickest way to give drab, sun-deprived skin a healthy glow? A couple swipes of orange nail paint, of course. (Tip: It also looks wonderful as an accent color against a beige or pastel blue background.)
4. Poppy Red
- Nail polish to try: Sundays in “No.16”
A traditional poppy red is always a solid choice because it’s neither too bright nor too dark. This one from Sundays provides thick, creamy coverage in a single coat.
5. Peachy Corral
- Nail polish to try: Gucci in “Peggy Sunburn”
A peachy coral provides the ideal balance between pleasant pastels and more vibrant reds and oranges. The slightly milky tone stands out against your skin and looks great on both your fingertips and your toes.
6. Baby Pink
- Nail polish to try: OPI in “Baby, Take a Vow”
This delicate pink color is quickly becoming a spring favorite, and we can thank our friend Barbie for it. (Psst, baby pink makeup is also popular right now—just in case you want to coordinate your manicure with the rest of your outfit.)
7. Nearly Nude
- Nail polish to try: Deborah Lippmann in “Naked”
A layer of sheer nude lacquer, the ultimate palette cleaner, will cover any damage or discoloration while allowing your natural nail to show through. (Fun fact: Sheerer hues also have the benefit of being less likely to show wear and being simpler to paint with.)
8. Milky Tan
- Nail polish to try: Sally Hansen in “Buff and Tumble”
A milky tan polish, which is a shade more opaque than sheer nude, has a similar smoothing effect but contains a bit more pigment in case you have deeper ridges that you wish to hide (or have a slightly deeper skin tone).
9. Calming Blues
- Nail polish to try: Côte in “Chalky Light Blue”
These days, a gentle blue manicure is especially welcome because it is light, airy, and incredibly calming. This light color makes us think of sunny, clear skies.
10. Soothing Greens
- Nail polish to try: Gucci in “Dorothy Turquoise”
A frothy seafoam with undertones of both blue and green is the perfect choice if you’re looking for grounding energy. (Just so you know, this Gucci selection has a really glossy finish and dries rapidly.)
11. Rose Gold
- Nail polish to try: Nails.Inc in “Belgravia with Love”
This timeless polish will always be in trend. The rose pink hue is a wonderful complement to any springtime ensemble because it is flecked with gold glitter. Additionally, Nails.Inc.’s particular choice offers a glossy finish and a speedy drying time.
12. Sunny Yellow
- Nail polish to try: Olive & June in “Bright & Focused”
A bright yellow portends hope and optimism for brighter times to come. Because it’s a little more intense than pastel but not as bright as neon, we adore this Olive & June polish.
13. Iridescent Lavender
- Nail polish to try: Cirque Colors in “Velvetine”
An iridescent polish like this one can read gold or purple, and occasionally even show a hint of green, depending on the light. The impact is always captivating, regardless of the circumstances.
14. Soft Lilac
- Nail polish to try: JINSoon in “UBE”
This milky lilac, which gets its name from the Philippines’ delightfully sweet yam, provides a fresh yet equally lovely substitute for the pink polishes that are usually popular at this time of year.
15. Pastel Ombré
- Nail polish to try: Olive & June in “Flower Power Set”
Having a collection of pastel polishes like this on hand eliminates the need to search for Easter eggs. You have everything you need, including a glossy top coat, to flaunt a multicolored manicure, from a sage green to a burst of pink.
16. Rosy Ombré
- Nail polish to try: Deborah Lippmann in “Bed of Roses Set”
Alternatively, you might stick to colors in the same family for a more muted approach. With rosy neutrals ranging from delicate pink to deep plum, this collection offers you a wide variety of alternatives that will look good on all ten fingers.
17. Confetti Fun
- Nail polish to try: JINSoon in “Daisy”
A confetti-topped manicure is an alternative if you can’t decide on just one shade or don’t want to paint every nail a different color. This vibrant topcoat from JINSoon gives your nails a whimsical touch that goes well with the season.
18. Velvety Red
- Nail polish to try: Chanel in “Interdit”
Try a deep crimson instead of pastels or bright hues if they seem a little too soon. Without being overbearing, the deep shade will provide some vibrancy to your winter dreariness.
19. Royal Blue
- Nail polish to try: Nails.Inc in “Spiritual Gangster”
Fact: Without appearing harsh, a sapphire blue makes a statement. Nails’s.Inc is the perfect blue for all skin tones because it falls somewhere between cobalt and navy.
20. Golden Glitter
- Nail polish to try: Olive & June in “OBVI”
Try a golden glitter polish like this one when you want your manis to have a little more flair. Your tips get a little shine and brightness from a few swipes.
