Can I be honest? I'm not happy I wore a coat, sweater, and scarf to work today. It's technically the spring season, so the thought of bundling up is quite unsettling. Although it feels like we're in the throes of winter, I've decided to focus on warmer days and prepare for spring 2024's biggest trends. If you're looking for an easy way to refresh your look (yes, even that super cute Russian manicure), update your winter nails with a popping new spring nail color.
The nail trends of 2024 are all about the big and bold. The natural, naked nails of yesteryear are taking a backseat to the vibrant trends of now: Think 3D embellishments, chrome finishes, and fun art. As for the exact colors to reach for, we tapped two of the pros—celebrity manicurist and KISS brand ambassador Julie Kandalec and Aprés Nail brand director Eunice Park—for the scoop on spring 2024's trendiest colors. From candied hues to shimmery lilac, these are the spring nail colors to grab for your next manicure.
Jolly Rancher Jellies
For the uninitiated, jelly nail polish is essentially ultra-glossy, with semi-sheer washes of color, and the shades are already making waves overseas. "This trend came from Seoul which I visited last spring, and I interviewed a top nail artist there,” says Kandalec. “The color more subtle when the cuticle area is more gradual and delicate vs a crisp line of color as it grows out.” Try it out in shades like purple, orange, and red for a candy-hued manicure.
Cirque Colors has almost every color you could want in a jelly formula, but my eyes were drawn to this berry shade. Its darker tone feels a bit unexpected for spring, but that's exactly why I would wear it in the warmer months.
Ella+Mila's jelly nail polish collection has every shade under the sun, and I'm tempted to pick them all up to recreate a rainbow manicure. If you're just dipping your toe into the trend though, I recommend this bright pink shade. It's nothing short of fun for spring and we love the 17-free formula.
Talk about perfect timing for spring—Essie just launched their line of jelly nail polishes and they are so fun. This "Apricot Jelly" shade has the kind of playful vibe I want to wear all season long. What's great about these polishes is that you only need one coat for a jelly look, but you can add layers for an opaque finish.
Give your nails a well-deserved break after gel manicures with this 2-in-1 polish. Not only does it serve as a conditioning and strengthening treatment, but it also delivers a fun pop of strawberry color. Like skincare for your nails, this polish is definitely one to keep in your collection.
Sheer Nudes
While nude nail polishes are considered a classic shade in my book, Park says we’ll see more and more sheer versions as we head into the season. “Everyone is still very much feeling the clean girl aesthetic, and it’s an easy color to wear to make you feel done up without feeling overly done up,” she explains. Try to match the polish as close to your natural nail bed shade as possible for a true nude. For something a bit more interesting, go with a peachy shade or one with a slight shimmer.
Essie's Ballet Slipper nail polish is a cornerstone in the beauty world, but have you tried its elevated older sister, Fairy Tailor? This polish has a universally flattering pink shade with a sheer finish that can be built up in opacity. It's also just as hard as gel (but removes easily!) and stays chip-free for up to 14 days.
One of Park's favorite nude shades is Aprés' Forgotten Film and it's not too hard to see why. It's a true sheer nude that can easily be built up to your preferred opacity. What's better is that these polishes come with the brand's in-bottle Brush-X, which are made from the same fibers used in Japanese nail art brush so you can get an easy, precise color application.
With a shade as versatile as nude, you should invest in polish that you can count on, and Chanel's nail polish is seriously good. You get a sheer wash of this classy pink-beige shade with one swipe, or you can build it up. One reviewer writes, "Faussaire is, in my opinion, the best nude color I've ever seen," so there you have it.
Think of Zoya's Naked Manicure nail polish line as a foundation for your nails. Essentially, these polishes neutralize any discoloration, smooth ridges, and increase strength and hydration. The Nude Perfecter is designed for those with beige nail beds and can be worn on its own or layered with other polishes to custom-make a more nude-leaning shade.
Reigning Red
There’s no doubt in my mind that you’ve noticed how much red has been dominating as of late. The color trend is everywhere in fashion from clothes, bags, and shoes to the 2024 Emmy’s red carpet and now it’s major in the beauty. Don’t expect it to go anywhere for spring either. Glass predicts the red tones “will shift from a dark and vampy shade to a brighter, more vibrant candy-colored red.”
When it comes to red nail polish, it doesn't get much more classic than OPI's Big Apple Red. This shade is a true blue-red that looks good on just about every skin tone and nail shape, not to mention it works for every season.
For spring, Kandalec is loving this aptly-named bright red shade. "It's bright—you can't miss it and it screams 'look at me,'" she says. "I love that the warm undertone makes it beautiful for most skin tones." Don't let the deceptively dark bottle fool you—this shade is a true bright red when applied.
If you're looking for a more accessible entry into luxury beauty, nail polish is a great way to start. With beautiful packaging, this nail polish is long-lasting, leaves an ultra-shiny finish, and delivers high-impact color. Trust me, this is a polish you'll want to display on your vanity.
This lovely red shade has a slight orange undertones for a shade that's sure to stand out. What's better is that this formula is vegan and uses up to 84 percent bio-sourced ingredients to deliver highly-saturated color.
Loving Lilacs
Maybe it’s because of the season’s blooming florals, but both Kandalec and Park agree that soft purple shades are making their return on nails for spring. “Light purples really are flattering on every skin tone, because lilac is a mix of cool (blue) and warm (pink),” explains Kandalec. For a shade that feels especially fresh for 2024, go with a metallic lilac, which Kandalec says “is in so many spring nail collections.”
This pretty lavender shade is screaming to be your next spring manicure color. The subtle shimmery gold in this polish amps up the pastel purple, making it the ultimate spring mermaid shade. Plus, this polish features 10 active ingredients like biotin and keratin for extra healthy nails.
For a true lilac purple, it doesn't get much better than OPI's Last Glam Standing. This happy shade is a perfect one to usher in the new season and reviewers say it goes on smooth and is long-lasting. In fact, this OPI polish is said to have a gel-like wear and chip-free finish for up to 11 days.
With jam-packed agendas, finding the time for a manicure can seem near impossible. That's where this nail polish comes in. Each coat dries in just 60 seconds and you can skip the base and top coat thanks to this all-in-one formula.
This shimmery purple polish has subtle holographic glitter for a cool multidimensional finish. Every time you move your fingers, you'll get a flash of pretty pink shimmers, too. Apply two to three coats for an opaque color, or throw it atop a pastel shade for a more vibrant look.
Glittering Golds
Metallic shades have already had their spotlight as a 2023 winter nail trend, and while the mirror-like colors aren’t going anywhere in 2024, Kandalec says microglitters are where it’s at for spring. In fact, she recently used a shimmery rose gold shade (The Gel Bottle Rose Gold, to be exact) on Emily Blunt for her 2024 Golden Globes red carpet manicure. “A micro glitter is a bit more fun than a metallic but stays elevated with its tiny flecks of shimmer,” she adds.
While this glimmering shade leans more rose-toned, it's just as eye-catching as a traditional gold hue. This formula provides strength and moisture to nails, with one reviewer writing, "It actually delivers on its promise to protect and harden your nails."
If you're not one for statement-making nails, that's ok—you can still get in on this trend with a more muted shade like Zoya's "Beth." It's a true metallic champagne hue, but it doesn't feel so "in your face" like other metallics can. Another bonus? It's free from 10 of the most common chemicals found in nail polish.
If I had to describe this incredibly pretty nail polish in one word it would be "ethereal." This sheer shimmering shade can be used as a topper to make any of your nail polishes glimmer like gold. Or for a may opaque finish, simply add an extra coat or two.
While Emily Blunt's exact Golden Globes manicure shade is only available for professionals, you can get a similar look for just $10 with this Essie polish. It's a true gold metallic that's perfect for any special occasion on your agenda. Think of it as added bling for your nails.
Meet the Nail Pros
From the young age of 12, Julie Kandalec knew her future was in nails. "When I grow up, I want to be a manicurist," she wrote in English class. Finishing beauty school at the top of her class at 17 was just the beginning of a prosperous career.
To Julie, nail care is far beyond just polish. Always the artist, she is also trained in painting, drawing, color, and dance. Known for her gentle touch, calm demeanor, and precise attention to detail, Julie's specialties vary from a clean, natural nail to elaborate, custom-designed nails. Julie's work can now be seen in major publications, beauty campaigns, and regularly on the fingertips of Jessica Chastain, Emily Blunt, Rose Byrne, and many more.
Eunice is a licensed nail tech and Brand Director of Aprés Nail. She has enjoyed working alongside the brand to develop some of the most innovative products on the market and sharing the brand’s mission with professional nail techs across the country. Aprés Nail is the pioneer in soft gel nail extension technology and creator of Gel-X®.
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