New month, new nails, new personality – May is all about reinvention. Yes, spring is in full swing, and we’re dialling up the colour accordingly, but this isn’t just about pastels and florals.
It’s also Devil Wears Prada 2 season (and if Anne Hathaway is serving red French, we’re taking notes), Zara Larsson is in her high-gloss pop era, and European beach vacays are looming. Translation: brighter, juicier nails that look even better with a tan are calling our names. Subtle? Not this month.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up 15 nail designs that we predict are about to be everywhere – before they inevitably flood your TikTok feed. You heard it here first, folks!
The devil wears a red French
With The Devil Wears Prada sequel buzz landing this month, we’re taking notes from Anne Hathaway and getting in character. Her sharp red French from the press tour feels like a modern Miranda moment. A classic but with a bite, of course. That’s all…
Ocean maximalist
If spring has you craving a summer holiday, this ocean-inspired set delivers. Swirls of blue, glossy finishes and layered 3D details mimic sunlight on water, making it the perfect set for shaking off winter neutrals.
Mint soap mani
While soap manis are traditionally pink, this set channels a 90s vibe – the kinda mint bar you’d find in your grandma’s bathroom. Add some polka dots for a pop of contrasting colour, or keep it clean and polished with the see-through tint alone.
Everyone’s clicking on…Butter yellow disco
Butter yellow is everywhere right now, but this version amps up the fun. A soft pastel base meets light-catching shimmer accents to create a mani that glows in the sun. I mean, who wouldn’t want a 24/7 disco on the ends of their fingertips?!
Pearly shells
Channel your inner Cleo Sertori (IYKYK) with this set that’s equal parts delicate, iridescent and softly sculptural. The colour palette is still neutral enough for the minimalists among us, yet ethereal enough to feel like it’s been plucked straight from the seashore. Kitsch, but in a restrained, quietly coastal kinda way.
It’s a Zara Larson spring
Zara Larson has been paving the way for spring/summer 2026 with bright, confident and energetic aesthetics, and this set leans straight into that. You could say this mani is the midnight sun-kissed skin under the red sky…
Mod florals
This mod-inspired take on florals swaps dainty pastels for bold contrasting colours, giving a retro edge to a seasonal staple. Florals for spring, but make them graphic… A set Miranda Priestly would be proud of.
Bratz-core tips
In late April, Claire’s Accessories announced that they were closing 154 shops for good, which got us 90s babies feeling nostalgic. To commemorate this loss of low-stakes girlhood, we’re going full Bratz-core maximalist with this chunky square-tipped set.
Juicy jelly
Good enough to eat, these neon nails give major jelly vibes, AKA the ultimate spring refreshment. Plus, the bold shades are a guaranteed way to make a tan pop, whether you’re poolside or just pretending to be.
Lip gloss French
A spin on the classic, the lip gloss French is all about shine. Think barely-there bases and soft pink tips that mimic that high-gloss, hydrated finish. Top it with a chrome and you’ve got yourself a set to rival that of a glazed doughnut.
Picnic gingham
Nothing says spring quite like gingham. This nail look brings that picnic blanket print to life with a true red colour and neat, criss-cross detailing. Now all you need is an accompanying Tesco meal deal and a little bit ‘a sun.
Sorbet stripes
This sorbet striples design is basically the manicure version of a fruit pastel ice lolly – bright, layered and deliciously nostalgic. We all happily enjoy them in the spring heatwaves, so the real question is: why aren’t we wearing them on our nails, too?
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