The Best Nail Polish Colors for Spring 2025

Peach is the perfect shade for spring, striking a versatile balance between traditional pinks and summery corals. “Peach feels light and fresh but has a warmth that makes it stand out against cooler muted tones,” says Mazz Hanna, a Los Angeles-based nail artist and the CEO of Nailing Hollywood. If you’re after a manicure that feels energetic (but not over-the-top) and subtle (without being subdued), Hanna recommends reaching for a soft peach-colored polish. With its warm undertones and milky opacity, this sweet peaches-and-cream shade from Sundays beautifully fits the bill.

An opaque white manicure can be just as impactful as jet-black or blood-red nails, but may look a little harsh for spring. “You can’t go wrong with an almost-white blue,” says Sarah Chue, a Los Angeles-based nail artist. She suggests pairing your favorite jeans or spring dress with the dreamy pale-blue Angelfish shade from Olive and June, which has a chiller, more laidback feel than your usual stark white polish.

Few shades in the visible spectrum of light can emanate that special springtime energy like a delicate pastel purple. “Lavender always finds its place in spring, but this year’s version feels more refined,” says Hanna, who notes that colors with dustier undertones (which can soften typical vibrant pastel hues) are more wearable across all skin tones. She loves Gelcare’s Lavender BB Cream, a muted, barely there shade that looks amazing on everyone. If gel polish isn’t your thing, try a similar shade of pale purple, such as Paintbox’s Like Lilac.

“Traditionally linked to fall, taupes and soft browns are emerging as key neutrals for spring this year, making them a fresh alternative to classic pinks and beiges,” says Hanna, noting that these subtle earthy tones align with 2025’s shift toward desaturated colors. For a modern, understated manicure, she loves Manucurist’s Dove Beige, which features undertones and a creamy finish—a sublime shade when you need a quieter, softer manicure that goes with any outfit.

Many people consider periwinkle their go-to manicure shade for spring (and, on a nostalgic note, it will forever be one of the prettiest crayons in the Crayola box), like Essie’s adorably named Bikini So Teeny, a soft purplish-blue color with a hint of sparkle. “Periwinkle is light and airy with just enough depth to keep it interesting—it’s a classic for a reason,” says Hanna. If you’d prefer a creamy, non-shimmery formula, Hanna suggests reaching for the lovely Dazzle Dry shade Sail Away. On the flip side, if extra sparkle is what you’re after, Deborah Lippmann’s Rock the Boat offers a full-coverage blue with eye-catching iridescent pink shimmer.

Opaque, universally flattering, and full of sunny energy, both experts named yellow as a quintessential spring shade. “A buttery-soft yellow feels cheerful yet refined,” says Hanna, who says 2025’s take on the classic color is both warm and wearable. Chue suggests picking up Blinded by the Ring Light, a muted yellow from drugstore fave OPI that “gives just enough pop to welcome the warmer weather ahead.”

“Instead of the vibrant pastels we’ve seen in past years, spring 2025 is leaning into a more subdued palette that feels effortless and sophisticated,” says Hanna. Now, I love a bottle of Essie’s Ballet Slippers as much as the next guy, but if you wish it had just a dash more rosiness, you’re in luck: Jinsoon’s Pinky is opaque and delicate yet still pigmented enough to feel like a true, ready-for-spring pink polish. It’s a versatile shade, too, looking delightful on its own and as a base for playful nail art.

Like floral perfumes, pastel nail colors are usually what comes to mind when you think of a typical spring manicure. However, much like earthy and woody fragrances, a more down-to-earth shade can feel just as seasonal. Like Manucurist’s taupe polish mentioned earlier, Mented’s Yes We Tan (an opaque medium-brown shade designed to look great on all skin tones) adds a cool, elegant vibe to any springtime ensemble.

Maybe “subtle” isn’t your thing. (As a longtime fan of ugly nail colors, I fully relate.) If your fingertips yearn for the boldest, most head-turning manicure, take a walk on the wild side with an ultra-bright tangerine shade. As its name suggests, Sticky Segments is inspired by the vibrant color of an orange peel, making this juicy polish an equally fun choice for the fast-approaching summer months.

Put a little sparkle in your step with a reflective shade of pale rose for your next pedicure. Chue anticipates fun iridescent colors to be popular this spring, like this “shimmery chic baby pink” from Chanel. With its pearlescent finish and sheer hue, this color is reminiscent of a soft, bubbly shampoo formula.

If you typically reach for pastel pinks and dainty purples, a hazy sage shade allows you to experiment without feeling totally out of your element. “In spring 2025, green is taking on a cooler, more muted tone,” says Hanna. Plus, it looks great with neutral and pastel tones (the quintessential spring wardrobe) and is a lovely choice for those who “want something soft but distinctive.”

For a fancier look, Chue foresees iridescent chrome colors with mirror-like finishes to stay in style for spring. While experienced nail artists like her reach for high-impact pigments like The Gel Bottle’s Spectrum Chrome Pigment when creating gorgeous designs for their clients, these can be tricky to apply and may be unavailable to non-pros. (That said, this pigment looks ah-mazing, so if you are a professional, please get your hands on it and let me know how it goes!) Otherwise, your best bet for an at-home manicure is probably a nail polish or topcoat that includes light-reflecting chrome pigments in its formula. Pixi Chrome from Londontown Lakur is a warm, shimmery polish that wears equally well solo and as a topcoat.By the way, if you love shiny polishes and consider yourself a year-round fan of pink-gold colors, the brand also makes one of my all-time favorite rose-gold shades—it may not be spring-y enough to make this list, but it’s nevertheless a gorgeous jewelry-inspired polish whether you’re going on a summer vacation or heading into the holidays.