Pastel nails have long been a spring failsafe, and while at first glance you may think they’re not exactly groundbreaking, this season’s wave of bright new trends has even our most cynical editors converted. When we think about pastel manicures, bright pops of Easter egg-coded shades may come to mind. Sunny yellows, mint greens and opaque baby pinks. And while there’s nothing wrong with the classics, this new edit of joyful tones bring a flattering maturity to a once playful array of colours.
‘This season is all about intentionality. We’re swapping high-saturation pastels for tones that feel more lived-in,’ says founder of The GelBottle Daisy Kalnina. ‘It’s less about a pop of colour and more about an off-duty aesthetic – moving away from sugary-sweet, chalky colours in favour of muted, refined tones.’
Here, our editors break down their top three favourite colours for your next spring manicure, from creamy yellows to chilly chrome blues.
The Top 3 Pastel Nail Colours For Spring 2026, According To Beauty EditorsThe Muted Blue
Forget what you know about the classic blue manicure; this season, we’re moving away from literal sky blues and edging towards softer, unsaturated tones. The Gel Bottle’s Cool is a prime example, offering a fresh, denim-infused take on the traditional spring colour.
‘A soft blue looks flattering on every skin tone, especially when paired when a high-shine chrome top coat,’ says beauty writer Katie Withington. ‘It feels icy and fresh, which is perfect for spring days, where the sky is bright blue but the weather is brisk and chilly.’
The cool-toned nature of the colour means it sits harmoniously against skin with pink undertones, but stands out on tan or warmer undertones. ‘For me, it’s an obvious choice, especially as I start to dabble in self-tan again on the way into summer,’ she says.
The Sheer Pink
Next-to-nothing nail colours have been trending for a while, from milky French tips to subtle bubble nails. As a result, the pastel pink of the season has also taken on a new ‘clean girl’ energy.
‘For a manicured glow that doesn’t look overly done, a sheer, cool-toned pink like Discreet is the go-to,’ says Kalnina. ‘It provides a translucent finish that is incredibly effortless.’
For beauty editor Medina Azaldin, the colour has become somewhat of a signature, whether she’s painting them at home or opting for an in-salon glaze.
‘Pastel pink nails are saccharine sweet and unapologetically pretty; and I’m all for it when the sun’s out and plush blossoms are in bloom,’ she says. ‘There’s also so many ways to wear it. Those who do want to keep it looking grown-up and polished can opt for a sheer, Princess Catherine-coded beige-rose, while pink on pink French tips keep things intreresting.’
As for Medina? She takes an ethereal, fairy tale approach with cat-eye or chrome effects.
The Soft-Focus Yellow
While last year was all about butter yellow everything, and this year’s sunshine manicure is a little more subtle.
‘2026 is seeing a shift toward a whisper-light, airy finish,’ says Kalnina. ‘The Gel Bottle ‘Calm‘ delivers a quiet clarity to spring sets. For those who prefer a traditional polish, Peacci’s Banana Split is the ultimate creamy, understated yellow.’
While a golden French tip will always be a fan favourite, a chic blanket of colour is a failsafe for the sunny springtime ahead.
‘Signs of spring make me want to experiment more, and this season, I’m switching up my classic milk manicure for soft pastel yellows,’ says beauty director Amelia Bell. ‘They’re still subtle but add a perfect pop of colour. To recreate, I’d recommend a BIAB base (for strength and protection) followed by Biosculpture’s Brigitte gel and a top coat.’
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Katie Withington (she/her) is the Beauty Writer, at ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar. Working alongside the ELLE UK Beauty Team, she covers all things beauty for both print and digital, from finding backstage make-up trends at London Fashion Week and investigating buzzy skincare ingredients, to unzipping the beauty bags of Hailey Bieber and Margot Robbie. Prior to joining ELLE UK in 2022, Katie studied (BA) Fashion Journalism at London College of Fashion and has previously contributed to Red, Good Housekeeping and Prima.
