Never ones to gatekeep nail polish colours, we decided to poll a handful of in-the-know beauty editors on the shades they love for their spring manicures. From soft, cherry blossom-like pinks to nourishing treatments that add just a hint of colour, meet the hues that are bound to inject some fun and liveliness into your next set.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
Essie Nail Polish in Sugar Daddy
“Lately, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect sheer pink. While I had been reaching for more milky tones through the winter months, now that sunnier days are here, I want something a bit brighter. Essie’s Sugar Daddy ticks all the boxes. While it’s sheer, the tone is a bright pink, which adds a pretty brightness to my nails after a couple of coats. It’s like a sheer liquid blush for your hands.” — Eleanor Vousden, beauty editor, Who What Wear UK
Essie Nail Polish in Sugar Daddy, $, available at Amazon
Manucurist Active Glow in Raspberry
“Please don’t take away my beauty editor card, but something about — gulp — bare nails feels particularly fresh right now. That’s not to say I’ve been going polish-free: I’ve been swiping on Manicurist Active Glow, a pearly shade that imparts the perfect amount of natural-looking sheen. Thanks to its reparative and antioxidant ingredients, I swear my nails are stronger after wearing it.” — Dianna Singh, features director, Allure
Manicurist Active Glow in Raspberry, $, available at Cult Beauty
OPI Infinite Shine Nail Lacquer in Last Glam Standing
“My favourite nail polish colour for spring is undoubtedly milky lavender. It’s a bit of a contrast to my go-to pillarbox red, but I love how fresh and clean this colour looks on nails — especially short ones like mine. Typically, I don’t gravitate towards really minimalist, clean-girl manicures, but this lilac purple means that I still get to enjoy a wash of colour. The grow-out is so much less obvious compared to something more bold.” — Mica Ricketts, freelance beauty journalist
OPI Infinite Shine Nail Lacquer in Last Glam Standing, $, available at Boots
Nailberry L’Oxygéné Nail Polish in Love You Very Matcha
“I love everything matcha-related, so I was already sold when I spotted the name of this shade from Nailberry. Once on, the creamy khaki green actually reminds me more of a perfectly manicured greenhouse, thriving with plant life in the spring. The low saturation means that it looks lovely with the neutrals and denim in my wardrobe, but I also love how it imparts a jade-green lustre to my fingertips under the sun. Nailberry’s nail polish line gets a lot of love from me; so much pigment comes from just one coat, and the moisture-permeable formula is gentle on the nails.” — Venus Wong, Refinery29 senior writer
Nailberry L’Oxygéné Nail Polish in Love You Very Matcha, $, available at Amazon
Dior Vernis in Rouge Cinéma
“I absolutely love Dior Vernis in Rouge Cinéma. It’s a beautiful russet red that looks just as gorgeous on my fingernails as it does on my toes. What makes it even better is how versatile it is. It pairs perfectly with any outfit, no matter the colour. There’s something about the shade that has a retro ‘70s vibe to it, and it’s hands down my most complimented nail colour. In fact, Dior nail polish is criminally underrated. It’s exceptionally durable and lasts for weeks on my toes, which means it’s worth the higher price tag. Even better, the brush is flatter than most and ever so slightly rounded, which makes light work of DIY manicures. I never make mistakes when I use this; it’s foolproof.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, beauty director, Refinery29
Dior Vernis Rouge Cinema, $, available at Dior
ORLY Nail Lacquer in Bell Bottom Blues
“ORLY has released a fleet of ‘70s-inspired nail varnishes to celebrate its 50th anniversary, and Bell Bottom Blues is my absolute favourite from the collection. Thanks to a shimmery, green undertone, the icy blue hue has a crystal-like sparkle that makes it mesmerising to watch under the sunlight. I’ve been impressed by how well my ORLY nail colours have held up, especially when layered with the Bonder Rubberised Base Coat, which helps the colour firmly grip onto my nails. I’ll be reaching for this colour time and again to pair with my favourite white and blue linen shirts this spring.” — Venus Wong, senior writer, Refinery29
Orly Nail Lacquer in Bell Bottom Blues, $, available at Orly
OPI Nail Lacquer in It’s a Girl!
“I’m a nude-toned loyalist. A sheer layer of milky pink is forever my go-to, thanks to its ability to make me feel that bit more put-together. Imagine my horror, then, when I left the nail salon after settling on the wrong shade. Thanks to some very misleading salon lighting, the manicure I thought was a barely-there rose turned out to be a very-much-there shade of pink. And yet, the compliments have come rolling in. The shade responsible? The aptly named OPI It’s A Girl!, which has taught me that change can actually be a good thing. It’s a pretty, sugary pink polish that feels more playful than my usual, sensible nails. Will I be swapping out my beloved neutrals for candy-floss hues from now on? Unlikely. But if there was ever a time to flirt with a new shade (accidentally or not), then spring is the perfect excuse.” — Rachael Martin, beauty editor, Grazia UK
OPI Nail Lacquer in It’s a Girl!, $, available at John Lewis
Essie To The Rescue UV Gel Damage Repair Nail Treatment
“My lineup of spring nail polish shades often changes, but a recent contender that has secured a top spot is Essie’s To The Rescue UV Gel Damage Repair Nail Treatment. The shade has a natural, barely-there pink hue that looks great on all nails. But it’s far more than a pretty colour: it can improve visible signs of UV gel damage in just five days, thanks to a formula that contains a strengthening 3-protein complex, methylsulfonylmethane aka MSM [said to promote nail growth] and ceramides. As someone trying to restore my nails to a healthier state while still wanting a hint of colour, this polish has been a game-changer. It also dries down quickly without the need for a top coat.” — Vanese Maddix, contributing beauty writer, Refinery29
Essie To The Rescue UV Gel Damage Repair Nail Treatment, $, available at Look Fantastic
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Collagen Manicures Promise Healthy Natural Nails