Nails are a uniquely exciting beauty accessory because unlike a lipstick or hair color, which people notice right away, our hands are not necessarily the first thing someone sees. For that reason, experimenting with different nail trends is less risky than other beauty trends. It’s less of a commitment to try out a new nail color versus a new hair color, which is why when you get that itch to change things up in your beauty look, nails are the safest routes to take.
Each new season brings various nail color and design trends, and this spring is no different. To find out exactly what everyone will be requesting in a few shorts weeks, we tapped Sarah Gibson Tuttle, founder and CEO of Olive & June (one of L.A.’s most popular nail salons), to let us in on the biggest nail trends for spring. From gorgeous pastel ombrés to cool negative-space manis, below are the seven spring nail trends that are about to blow up—and that you’ll probably want to experiment with. Keep scrolling for your ultimate guide to spring 2020 nails.
“Light pastels are the new neutrals,” says Gibson Tuttle. This spring, ditch your go-to shades of beige and nude for something with a little more personality. Pastels are equally as complementary as neutrals but feel a bit more fun for the new season.
Gibson Tuttle boldly states that “sheers are the perfect Instagram filter for your nails,” and by that, she means they make what’s naturally there feel just a bit more polished. From barely there nudes to totally sheer topcoats, this trend highlights your nails’ natural color.
“Spring is all about moving into a pastel ombré world,” explains Gibson Tuttle. Last year, we saw rainbow nails and neutral ombrés explode on the scene, and this year, we’re seeing that same trend through a pastel lens. Try painting each nail a different pastel shade and just watch the compliments roll in.
“We can’t wait for the double French tip mani to make its return,” says Gibson Tuttle. Try an unexpected color combo for a modern twist on the classic French tip.
“We love a negative-space mani,” raves Gibson Tuttle. “Try a half-moon or a triangle tip with a pastel to make it fresh.” This is an interesting way to create nail designs using just one color and the blank space of your nail. From triangles to diamonds and even subtle half-moons at the cuticle, a negative-space mani should be on your radar for spring.
“We’re loving the floral ’90s moment that’s happening for spring right now, and we want it on our nails stat,” says Gibson Tuttle. “Try keeping the base of the nails simple and then adding a few hand-drawn daisies on a couple of fingers. Or for a DIY option, add a nail art sticker.”
“We’re getting inspiration from our favorite jewelry brands (Hi, Jennifer Meyer! Our new pinky lavender polish is named after her!) and incorporating subtle swipes of metallics on top of our manis,” says Gibson Tuttle. A little pop of metallic will make any color you pair it with instantly stand out.
Next up: These 11 manicure ideas make me want to grow long nails.
