A new season, a new set of trends, and a bevy of products to sift through. Where’s a girl to start? The easiest, least expensive place, of course. A fresh coat of paint. And we’ve done the hard work — picking out the new shades for the polish looks you’ll see trending everywhere this spring.
Blue Hues
Shades from the pale sky to a deeper navy — they all work this season. If you’re looking for a conservative shade that you can wear every day to the office without getting looks from stodgy superiors, try a soft blue with gray undertones like Dazzle Dry in Lotion, Please!, which serves like a neutral. If the punchier, the better, then a polish like Nailtopia’s Blueberry Milk is for you.
Other new blues to get your hands on (and on your hands):
The New French Mani
This season, the French goes way beyond the classic clear nail and white tip. Right now, it’s all about colorful, coordinated combos like a pale lilac on the nail and a purple tip, which you can achieve with OPI x XBOX Achievement Unlocked (lilac) and N00berry (creamy purple). Or look to Essie’s new sk8 with Destiny collection: Keepin’ it Wheelin’ (pale pink) would look fresh on the nail with Trick Clique (vibrant hot pink) on the tips, or Just for Kicks (soft gray with green undertones) on the nail body and Streetwear n Tear (kelly green) on the tips. Or bring a pop of color by painting each tip a bright shade, paired with sheer polish on the rest of the nail. It’s a touch of fun but still refined.
Creamy Pastels
There’s something so appealing about Chanel’s new Riviera polish, a butter yellow that hints at a retro shade but feels completely modern. If you shy away from yellow with your clothing, here’s your chance to partake, as yellow polish works with any skin tone. But the array of new shades reminiscent of Jordan almonds doesn’t stop there. Orly has launched an Impressions collection, inspired by Monet’s garden in Giverny, France, with creamy shades of pale green, pink, blue and lilac.
Other new pastels to swoon over:
Yes to Opalescents
Sure, we’ve all got our go-to neutral polish that looks clean and, well, polished. But this spring, it’s time to elevate your everyday nude with something pearly. You’re keeping the neutral shade but giving it a little something something. A few top picks to get while you can: Dior Vernis in Opal, which is technically a top coat but looks fabulous riding solo, and Deborah Lippmann Starstruck, a clean beige with a pearl shimmer.
Totally Tonal
Have you tried a tonal look yet? It’s a different polish on each finger, but they all fall within the same shade family so it looks coordinated (and not like a 5-year-old did your nails). Polish companies are here for the look, offering collections that take the guesswork out of finding coordinating colors. Try Dazzle Dry’s Coastal collection, which also ticks the pastel trend box with a medium gray, a dove gray, a pastel periwinkle, a minty seafoam green, and a pastel lavender with gray undertones. Together they look elegant and fresh. For something more neutral, go for Zoya’s new Naturel 5 Bundle, which starts with pale blush and evolves through beige tones into an aubergine shade. Or try Olive and June’s new create-your-own set, where you get to pick the shades yourself. Our recommendation? Sparkly silver Exclamation Point for the thumb, Blueberry Smash for the index finger, greeny-blue Yes Please on the middle, sky blue Boost on the ring finger, and pale blue BP for the pinky.
More new on-tone options for tonals:
Nature’s Influence
Fashion always loves to embrace florals at this time of year, and for Spring 2022, nails are embracing the great outdoors as well, especially by way of stickers and nail art. Color Street has strips with florals on a beige background, perfect for everyday wear. Or Nails.INC has a butterfly-inspired duo with lilac and cornflower blue polishes for the base and water-transfer butterflies to complete the nail art. Not feeling florals and butterflies? Earthy camouflage shades are also having a moment. Try the new Essie Totally Plaid or Mineral Fusion in Olive You.
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