We might still be in the thick of winter, but that won't stop us dreaming about the longer, sunnier days ahead. While summer is still a few months off (sigh), spring is coming around the corner quicker than you can say: "They're stocking Cadbury's Creme Eggs at Tesco already!"
Yes, there's plenty to look forward to as we wave goodbye to winter (see: the aforementioned chocolate) and that includes updating our nail art to welcome the new season. In the same way that we rotate our winter wardrobe in favour of our spring/summer 'fits (hello again, floaty dresses!), take this as an opportunity to freshen up your manicure too.
Need some nail inspo? We've got you covered. Here, three experts spill the tea on all the nail trends to try this spring. So, whether you've already got an appointment booked in at your favourite nail salon or you've been waiting for an excuse to, these are the spring nail ideas to try...
Spring nail ideas
Elevated pastels
"Spring nail trends are always a celebration of the season's renewal and vibrant energy," says Tinu Bello, founder of Manicured London. "Typically, we see soft, cheerful shades like lilacs, soft blues, pale yellows and mint greens dominating the manicure scene."
"These pastel hues embody the freshness of spring flowers and are a timeless go-to for the season," she adds. "For an added twist, many are incorporating an iridescent chrome or 'glaze' finish, which adds a dreamy, dewy vibe to the manicure and is perfect for catching springtime sunlight."
Dew drops
Does anything say spring quite like dew drops on a flower? We'll wait...
Everyone's clicking on...
We're obsessed with this refreshing rain droplet-inspired set, and the pink/green combo is just delicious.
Starry eyed surprise
Stars and sparkles aren't just for the festive season, you know? For a fresher, seasonal look, swap those holiday red, gold and green shades for brighter tones (think: pink, yellow and blue) for a spring-worthy set of nails.
Pearls and swirls
The coquettish pearl aesthetic is undeniably suited to spring, but if you want to spice yours up a bit, pair pearl embellishments with metallic swirls for a more dynamic set.
Floral fantasy
Don't let Miranda Priestly put you off. Florals for spring can be groundbreaking. Just take a look at these bejewelled floral frenchies for evidence of that.
Very cherry
Cherries might not be in season until late summer, but they're going to be all over our nails in spring. ICYMI, cherry nail art has been trending on socials, which should come as no surprise given how big 'cherry cola' hair was last year.
2025 Spring nails trend prediction
Mocha Mousse
If spring pastels aren't your thing, perhaps something a little more neutral will take your fancy. "With 'Mocha Mousse' named Pantone's Colour of the Year for 2025, we can expect an evolution of the classic nude manicure," Tinu tells Cosmopolitan UK. "This trend includes deeper tones of brown, creamy beige shades and warm gold accents, offering a sophisticated, earthy palette.
"Think nudes are boring? Think again, says Tinu. "Abstract designs, minimalistic floral patterns and even geometric shapes in these tones could bring a fresh, modern spin to spring nails," she adds, explaining that you can also play with textures and finishes as well as nail art designs. "Pairing these alternative hues with subtle textures like matte finishes or metallic accents could create manicures that feel both trendy and timeless."
Delicate delights
BIAB (that's builder gel) babes, this one is for you. "Spring 2025 is looking to be a natural evolution of what we've seen over the last year, and pretty much since COVID-19," says Jade Howe, nail tech and owner of Diamond Nail Supplies. "The 'builder gel journey' has gone hand-in-hand with the clean girl aesthetic, which is a neutral colour palette, minimalist makeup etc."
While Jade says often BIAB wearers opt for the minimal aesthetic, she's already noticed a move towards "seasonal colours" and "delicate seasonal nail art". A few examples? "Micro frenchies are on the rise," she tells me, adding that hand painted flowers and fruit will be popular this spring.
XXL acrylics
As well as the usual spring nail trends that roll around every year (hey, no complaints here), our experts are predicting some seismic shifts this time around. "Long nails are making their way back in," says Jade.
Chelsea Mtada, Senior Beauty Strategist at SEEN Group (which supports the British Beauty Council), agrees. "The extra-long acrylic nail is a true art form," she tells us, predicting that we'll see more of these as spring draws closer, with many people having been inspired by Wicked star Cynthia Erivo's XXL nails. But, she says, this isn't a "passing trend".
"For Black and Latinx communities, nails of this length are a cultural staple and deserve more recognition," Chelsea adds. "The exaggerated nail is a powerful statement — challenging traditional notions on conservative beauty trends that seems to take over aesthetic culture on socials, blending beauty with a touch of intimidation."
"For me," Chelsea says, "the extra long nail will always be synonymous with IT Girl culture, where individuality takes centre stage." Hard agree.
Naked nails
In an article about nail inspiration, this one might come as a shock, but — according to Zoë Kravitz's nail artist — naked nails are going to be in. Taking to her Instagram to share a close up of the Blink Twice director's manicure at the Golden Globes, Betina Goldstein branded the trend: "The 'No Makeup' Makeup of Nails."
She went on, "The idea is to enhance the beauty of the natural nail making it look as if it's just a clear coat."
Happy manicuring!
