5 spring nail trends to know about this season
Pastels and florals may not be ground-breaking, but spring’s playful and lightweight manicures are back!
From the smart 'baby French' to swoon-worthy swirls and pearls, nail experts break down the five biggest spring nail trends they expect to dominate this season.
1. Periwinkle
Pastels are a perennial favourite for spring nails. It signals the flowers finally beginning to bloom and the first of the sunny, warm days.
For spring 2025, the pastel leading the way is cool but fresh periwinkle. A hybrid shade that mixes light blue and lilac, periwinkle offers a modern twist on classics like lavender and lilac.
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"[Periwinkle] has that fresh, airy quality that instantly reminds you of sunnier days, but it still carries enough depth to feel like a statement colour," says Paint Nails London‘s lead nail tech, Angie Campbell.
"We’re seeing loads of clients opt for a periwinkle alternative French tip - where the classic white edge is replaced by this dreamy lavender-blue hue. It’s such an easy way to update a timeless style."
2. Marbles, swirls and pearls
Pearls, swirls and spring are a match made in heaven. It might be their luminous, ethereal nature which is like the dizzying haze of a spring day.
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"We’re seeing a lot of fluid marble and swirl designs with a water-marbled effect, which give that dreamy, painterly vibe," says Campbell.
"Pastel shades like baby blue, lavender, mint and blush pink continue to be massive, but earthy tones - such as terracotta browns and olive greens - are also cropping up, adding an organic twist.”
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For stokes, warm-toned shimmers are gaining traction again this season.
"Another stand-out shade this spring is the peach champagne manicure, as seen on Selena Gomez and Jennifer Lopez," she says.
"This grown-up elegant manicure is able to be worn everyday but can add a hint of glamour to any occasion. This could be a warm or cool peach base to suit each skin tone, finished with a shimmery, sheer, iridescent topper to give the illusion of a sparkling champagne finish."
3. Neat short ovals
Nail length and shape is a preference entirely dependent on the person and is rarely trend-led.
But this season, in light of the beauty space’s preoccupation with health over aesthetics, short and neat ovals seem to be in high demand.
"There is a definite trend to soft almond and mid to short length oval nails this spring," says manicurist and ORLY global ambassador, Lou Stokes. "Largely due to the popularity of the natural nail focus including the soap nails trend that has been so popular."
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"Soap nails are essentially a very well-manicured nail, in creamy milky tones or soft pink shades so that the nails have a semi-sheer neutral coverage finished with a high-shine glossy topcoat.
"These extremely shiny well-groomed nails give a luxurious squeaky-clean look, hence the name soap nails."
The ‘your nail but better look’ is also cropping up through manicure techniques.
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Builder gel manicures also seem to be booming in popularity, over the traditional nail extensions. "We’re seeing a rise in requests for BIAB (Builder in a Bottle), which is builder gel that helps reinforce and grow out the natural nail without compromising on durability," explains Campbell.
"Many of our clients pair this with softer, more rounded shapes – these not only look elegant but also help camouflage regrowth, making upkeep much simpler."
4. The baby French
While the French manicure has previously come back in the form of brightly coloured tips, manicurist Margaret Dabbs OBE says 2025 is the year of the most refined manicure ever: the ‘baby French’.
"The ‘baby French’ – a barely-there whisper of white at the tip – brings a modern, minimalist update to the classic look," she explains.
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"It’s incredibly flattering and works beautifully with a sheer, natural base, offering a clean and elegant finish that’s perfect for both everyday wear and special occasions."
The ‘baby French’ focuses more on using the natural nail as opposed to white and nude polish to give the effect of the French tip.
This leans into the clean nail, health-conscious movement of the moment.
5. Chrome
It’s not all natural nails though. Chrome is big and isn’t going anywhere.
"Chrome is definitely here to stay, and it’s evolving all the time," says Campbell.
"In 2025, you’ll see it combined with pastel bases – like a whisper of pink or a gentle mint – giving the chrome a soft, ethereal effect."
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Chrome, while always prioritising metallics, gives a both a futuristic and retro look.
"We’re also playing with layering chrome in different colours to achieve a retro-futuristic finish," says Campbell.
"Whether paired with bold swirls or a simple accent nail, chrome brings that eye-catching dimension without being overly flashy. It’s the perfect way to add a modern twist to any spring or summer manicure."
