While spring nail colors are all about pretty pastels, this month we’re turning up the saturation—just a notch. Think brighter, happier hues that feel like they’re personally manifesting sunnier days ahead. These shades pack a bit more punch than the traditional muted hues for spring. Let’s just say we were heavily inspired by the mesmerizing sorbet nails trend.
So, instead of butter yellow, we’re going with sunny yellow. Rather than pastel blue, we’re reaching for denim-inspired hues. And for all the ballet pink lovers, why not spruce things up with a pretty raspberry shade? We also took notes from the 2026 Oscars red carpet, where milky pearls and molten metallic gold manicures stole the show. Ahead, find our favorite nail colors and ideas to try right now.
Raspberry Nails
We’ll always have a soft spot for pale pink, but there’s something undeniably energizing about turning up the saturation. Enter raspberry pink: a juicy, berry-toned shade that’s playful and chic. It’s a bold change of pace from your typical pastel hues, but still approachable. It’s basically the nail color equivalent of giving main character energy.
Essie
Gel Couture Nail Polish in Fuel Your Life
Olive & June Nail Polish in Prom
OPI Nail Lacquer in Aurora Berry-alis
Denim Blue Nails
We love a pale blue, but if you’re in the mood to switch things up, try a denim blue instead. Instead of one specific shade, think a whole spectrum of blues inspired by your favorite pair of jeans: cool, effortless, but with a little bit of whimsy.
For something bold (but not too bright), OPI’s It’s in Your Jeans hits that sweet spot. Essie’s Ripple Reflect is your go-to medium wash—easy, versatile, and always cute. If you want a twist, ILNP’s Low Rise gives you that faded denim look with a subtle holographic shimmer that catches the light just right.
OPI Infinite Shine in It’s in Your Jeans
Essie
Nail Polish in Ripple Reflect
ILNP Cosmetics Inc.
Crelly Nail Polish in Low RiseSunny Yellow Nails
April is a great time to play up the brightness with your mani, and we’re obsessed with sunny yellow. Think of it as a glowier take on butter yellow, with an Italian lemon twist. The shade hits that sweet spot between soft and vibrant—consider it the ultimate feel-good color. You can even pair this with the raspberry pink nail for a yummy sorbet-inspired mani.
OPI GelColor in Sunny Bunny Semi-Sheer Soft Warm Yellow Crème
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish in 768 Sunbrella
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish in Does Not Comcute
Pearlescent Pink Nails
Pastel pinks and pearly finishes defined this spring, so we’re combining the two. This soft, light-catching shade is serving up the perfect mix of feminine and fun with its subtle iridescent glow. OPI’s Not So Bora Bora-ing Pink delivers that warm, Barbie-core pop. Essie’s FrostYourself has a blonzer-inspired finish, but if you prefer a barely-there pink with a touch of shimmer, Birthday Girl is your go-to.
OPI GelColor in Not So Bora-Bora-ing Pink
Essie
Gel Couture Nail Polish, in Frost Yourself
Essie
Nail Polish in Birthday Girl (Iridescent Sheer Pink,)Pistachio Milk Nails
Sage nails had their soft, earthy moment in March, but April is calling for something a little brighter. Enter: pistachio. It’s already everywhere—from your lattes to your favorite desserts—and now this creamy, light green hue will add a much-needed pop to your mani. It’s fresh, it’s playful, and perfect for spring.
OPI Infinite Shine in Oh Baby!
Essie
Nail Polish in Turquoise and Caicos
Manucurist Green Quick Dry Nail Polish in Pistachio
Mother-of-Pearl Nails
Mother of pearl nails, or pearlescent, milky white nails, were one of the most popular manicures during the 2026 Oscars. Stars like Teyana Taylor, Kate Hudson, and Olandria Carthen (pictured above) all sported the elevated nail look on the red carpet, and so will we…to the office, and probably Trader Joe’s. The subtle iridescence gives the milky nail a multicolored dimension that especially glows in the sun.
Londontown
Lakur Nail Polish in Milk Bath
Essie
Expressie Nail Polish in Pass The Fit CheckLiquid Gold Nails
Thanks to the K-Pop Demon Hunters and their golden nails at the 2026 Oscars (I mean, just look at Audrey Nuna’s statement-making manicure above), we’re swapping our silver chrome for gold. Perhaps we’re entering our Midas touch era. For that liquid, mirror-like gold effect, use OPI’s Powder Chrome. But if you prefer something simpler, try Sally Hansen’s Foil Polish for a champagne gold hue or Essie’s Metallic Glaze Nail Polish as a shimmer topper.
Essie
Gel Couture Metallic Glaze Nail Polish in Crushed Gold
OPI Chrome Powder in Mermaid For Me Blue Gold
Tangerine Orange Nails
Another juicy shade we can’t stop thinking about this month? Tangerine nails. From punchy, electric orange (Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Electric Feels Nail Polish in 352 Peachy Flare) to fiery coral-leaning tones (OPI Nail Polish in Shrimp Cocktail), this vibrant hue is guaranteed to turn heads. It’s bold, playful, and exactly the kind of color that makes your mani feel like a statement. We’re especially into it with a sparkly finish, like Olive & June’s Honk If You Love My Mani, for an extra dose of dimension and shine.
Olive & June
Long Lasting Polish in Honk If You Love My Mani
OPI OPIcons Spring Nail Lacquer Collection in Shrimp Cocktail
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.
