Love Cosmo's beauty content? Subscribe to our Substack for more recs and reviews delivered straight to your inbox.
One unexpected perk of being back in the office? Seeing everyone’s cool nail looks up close. Lately, we’ve noticed manicures that feel like a collective plea for warmer weather—think glossy cherry reds, creamy pistachios, and barely-there neutrals. So naturally, we had to poll our nail-obsessed editors for the shades they plan to wear to celebrate the new season.
While pastels, especially ballet slipper pink, aren’t going anywhere, plenty of our editors expressed excitement about playing with fresh, trendy spring-inspired hues, like sage green and soft lavender. Pale blue, periwinkle, and butter yellow are also having a major moment in fashion, making them a natural fit for manicures. If you prefer a neutral, understated nail, go for milky textures and soft, sheer shades that’ll give off an effortless, polished (pun intended) look—very Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy coded. Ahead, find our favorite spring nail colors to try right now.
Our top nail polish picks for March:
- A March Nail Trend: Sally Hansen Good. Kind. Pure. Nail Polish in 367 Moss Mosaic
- A Pretty Pink Staple: Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers
- Dreamy Iridescence: Olive & June Nail Polish in Sandy Scallop
- A Bold Spring Classic: Le Mini Macaron Le Sweet Nail Polish in Cherry Red
- The Milky Effect: Essie Nail Art Studio Jelly Gloss Nail Polish in Artic Jelly
Sage Green
Our editors named soft sage green a breakout shade in their March nail trend report, and it’s an understated way to welcome spring. Unlike traditional pastels, this muted hue feels calming and earthy, making it a good pick for anyone who wants color without straying too far from neutral. While a glossy top coat always works, it looks especially striking with a velvety matte finish (try: Zoya Satin Nail Polish in Sage).
Milky Neutrals
We like our manicures just like our toners: Milky. While a classic white polish might be too stark for this trend, we recommend going with sheer jelly finishes like the Cirque Colors Sheers Nail Polish in Linen or the Essie Nail Art Studio Jelly Gloss Polish in Arctic Jelly. A classic shade like OPI’s Bubble Bath is a milky neutral that complements a wide range of skin tones.
Essie Nail Art Studio Jelly Gloss Polish in Arctic Jelly
Lavender and Lilac
Spring is synonymous with pastels, but this year, soft purples—like lavender and lilac—are everywhere. The shade delivers that coveted milky finish, just with a slightly more playful twist. If you’re leaning into florals or fully in your lavender-haze era, consider it a romantic alternative to classic pink.
Ballet Slippers and Soft, Romantic Pinks
Essie’s Ballet Slippers is an iconic spring shade (and honestly, a year-round staple), so we had to include it—along with a few other romantic pinks. This pale pastel pink acts as both a neutral and a subtle pop of color, striking the perfect balance between elegance and flirtiness.
Pale Blues and Periwinkle
Pale blues and periwinkle popped up all over the runways during fashion week, and we’re ready to bring the dreamy shade to our nails. It’s calming, but also pretty versatile since it’s got a little bit of blue, purple, and gray mixed in. Think of it as a refreshed version of blueberry milk nails.
Butter Yellow
Yes, the butter yellow takeover is not done yet. Offering a soft, subtle pop of color, this muted pastel delivers brightness and coziness all in one swipe. The sunny shade is the March refresh we need, especially after weeks of gloominess. Its popularity is still going strong a whole year later, and we’re officially calling butter yellow the new spring/summer classic.
Cherry Red
Red nails are sophisticated and timeless, but to feel more in line with the season, you have to know what shades to lean towards. A cherry red is bold, versatile, and beautiful. “I am not someone who transitions my typically-neutral wardrobe to pastels or florals for spring, but I love adding a pop of color to my nails with a classic red manicure," says beauty director Lauren Balsamo. “It feels timeless but brighter and cheerier than burgundy for the longer, warmer days.”
Delicate Iridescence and Glazed, Pearly Finishes
What happens when you combine the glazed doughnut design with chrome nails? You’ll get this subtle, metallic, futuristic look. They’re alluring on their own, but layered over a nail color, they add a whimsical charm. We recommend pairing any of these with our nail polish shade picks above for a cool shift effect.
Essie Nail Art Studio Special Effects Polish in Separated Starlight
Anvita Reddy (she/her) is a Commerce Editor at Hearst Magazines. She contributes commerce content across Hearst’s portfolio, including Elle, Harper's Baazar, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Cosmopolitan, House Beautiful, and more. She has over four years of experience in the commerce space, including writing detailed first-person product reviews, trend and best-of round-ups, deals and sales coverage, and more. Previously, she was an assistant editor for PS Shopping, covering beauty, home and kitchen, fashion, tech, travel, wellness, and lifestyle. In her free time, you can find her catching up on everything from reality TV to reruns of classic sitcoms, testing out viral beauty products, sharpening her cooking skills, working out, or traveling.
