Spring Has Sprung

The 28 Prettiest Spring Nail Colors

Our favorite shades for every aesthetic, whether you love the usual pastels or want something a little more daring.
28 Prettiest Spring Nail Colors for 2021
Allure/Clara Hendler

It can feel like there are very few silver linings when it comes to the pandemic we've been enduring for over a year. Thankfully, those of us whose work situations and sense of responsibility facilitate staying home have found little ways to make social distancing as enjoyable as possible. For many, that has meant becoming accomplished nail-painters, and with that comes an appetite for lots of new nail polishes to keep things from getting boring.

A new season means lots of new shade releases from all of your favorite brands, as well as some you may not yet know. And when you see the below, it will become instantly apparent to you that spring nail colors aren't limited to only pretty pastels and subtle neutrals — though those are more than welcome to come to the springtime nail-polish party. The trendiest shades of the season include deep hues carrying over from winter, iridescent and holographic potions, unexpected takes on classic colors, and every imaginable version of green.

We're about to make padding your spring nail-polish wardrobe so much easier. Here, you'll find the colors that will have you collecting compliments through April showers, May flowers, and well into summer.

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

  • Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro in When Doves Cry on a white background
    Courtesy of brand
    1/28

    Dove Gray

    Add a touch of warm taupe to a traditional cool gray and it suddenly becomes more beguiling than blah. A gorgeous alternative to your usual nudes, Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro in When Doves Cry is the creamiest way to wear this shade, and one of the longest-lasting, too, thanks to a gel-like formula with ingredients you'd expect to find in treatments. We're talking biotin, rice protein, bamboo, keratin, and more.

    $20 (Shop Now)

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    2/28

    Powdery Pink

    Pastels will never not be associated with spring, and the palest possible pink is a gorgeous way to take a more traditional manicure route this season. L.01 is Sundays' glossy, opaque take, looking almost white in some lights but ringing truly pink when you get a good look. 

    $18 (Shop Now)

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    3/28

    Dark Yellow

    We think of yellow as bright and sunny, but it can be quite moody and unexpectedly chic when it takes a darker turn. Sinful Colors Bold Color Nail Polish in Chamomile Calm has just enough brown in it to make it nearly the color of spicy mustard (without the little flecks — only super smooth opacity). It's scented, too! Not like mustard, thankfully, but rather the titular chamomile. 

    $2 (Shop Now)

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    4/28

    Creamy Coral

    Coral is a modern classic in the nail-polish realm, and it's one of the prettiest ways to announce how happy you are that winter is over without saying a word. Part of Zoya's spring Darling Collection, Ella is a joyfully bright coral with just the right amount of pink undertones that keep it from venturing into neon territory.

    $10 (Shop Now)

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    5/28

    Dusty Periwinkle

    Periwinkle is such a special blue. Its tiniest hint of warmth helps it lean ever so slightly in a purple direction — the most faded violet, if you will. Add some pastel dustiness to it like CND does with its Chance Taker shade of Shellac, and you will inevitably be answering, "Oooh, what color is that?" every day for the two weeks it lasts.

    $11 (Shop Now)

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    6/28

    Holographic White

    A bright, fresh white looks gorgeous in any season, but we especially love the idea of giving it a holographic kick in warmer weather. KBShimmer never fails to add multi-dimensional magic to its nail polish shades, and Frequent Flyer is the brand's way of infusing your usual white with glistening beams of rainbow light.

    $10 (Shop Now)

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    7/28

    Grassy Green

    Is there anything that screams "Springtime!" more than when the last snow of the season melts and reveals the grass underneath? This grassy green color captures that feeling, and with Sparitual's Morning Dew, it's especially fresh due to the brand's healthy, moisturizing formula with ingredients like argan oil and seaweed extract. It's a bright yet soft shade that adds a subtle kick to any outfit (even the loungewear you've been sporting for four days straight).

    $13 (Shop Now)

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    8/28

    Claret

    Although we'll never tire of classic deep-red nail polish, it's always nice to see subtle tweaks on the typical glossy maroon. Chanel's new shade of its Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color, Perle Burgundy, is a mauve-y, metallic claret that doesn't take itself as seriously as other wine-hued polishes. If you've never been one to wear darker polish in the spring, this is the perfect place to start.

    $28 (Shop Now)

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    9/28

    Tawny Tan

    A nude shade that looks amazing on everyone? Look no further than a tawny tan tone like Sorry I'm Latte from Wet n Wild's new Fast Dry AF Nail Color collection. Whether it's darker than, lighter than, or a perfect match for your particular skin tone, this warm but not orangey light brown is a stunning neutral that flatters and a wide range of complexions and finds fans wherever it goes.

    $4 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    10/28

    Grape Candy

    The natural colors that grapes come in are lovely, sure, but there's something so fun and nostalgic about that doesn't-occur-in-nature purple that all grape-flavored candy comes in. And thank goodness Habit captured that vibe with its Non-Toxic + Vegan Nail Polish in 45 Belladonna. A cool, rich, wonderfully vibrant amethyst, this myrrh-spiked color is truly eye candy.

    $18 (Shop Now)

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    11/28

    Teal

    Turquoise's quirkier cousin, teal is one of those rare colors that feels deep and mysterious yet cheerful in a way that feels so right for spring and summer. We love Nailtopia's Nail Lacquer in Seas the Day, a vegan formula made with vitamins A and B5, as well as calcium, to help your nails feel as strong as the bold blue-green color on top of them looks.

    $10 (Shop Now)

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    12/28

    Deep Terracotta

    A medium-toned brownish-orange, terracotta is the ideal transitional shade for someone who doesn't want to give up dark winter colors cold-turkey. We love Orly's latest take on the hue, Can You Dig It, because of its smooth, creamy finish and the somehow bold-yet-neutral impression it makes. Don't be surprised if you find you've gotten through the entire bottle before fall — you'll reach for it that much.

    $10 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    13/28

    Sparkling Rose

    You've heard of sparkling rosé? Sparkling rose — no accent — is the lovely way to wear your favorite bubbly wine on your nails. There are no actual bubbles spoiling the formula of Smith & Cult's Ponies Dancing in the Snow, a fan-favorite shade brought back in the brand's new Officially Obsessed Collection. It's literally sparkling, though: superfine pink and silver glitter is densely packed into a clear base, making anyone who wears it feel instantly fancier.

    $18 (Shop Now)

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    14/28

    Butter

    You know what deserves more credit for being a beautiful color? Butter. (Feel free to pronounce it buttah for dramatic effect.) It's an underrated amalgamation of beige and yellow, and it truly deserves more praise — and a place on your fingertips. For that purpose, we recommend Elevé Cosmetics Nail Pop in Shirley, a high-coverage, chip-resistant formula that has the timeless prettiness of a creamy, pale color and the pastel vibes that work so well for spring.

    $18 (Shop Now)

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    15/28

    Poppy

    True red will never go out of style, but for a little more kick with a still-classic feel, try the ever-so-slightly warmer and brighter poppy. Adding a hint of orange to traditional red gives it a super fresh, exuberant feel, and Mischo Beauty's shade Diana is the perfect way to wear it. No matter what outfit you're wearing, it will be the most eye-catching shade on your person — and yet, it somehow goes with absolutely everything.

    $20 (Shop Now)

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    16/28

    Iridescent Plum

    Plum is beautiful as a solid color, but it's downright mesmerizing when given an iridescent effect. The Ciaté London Geology Paint Pots in Forbidden Fruit infuses metallic magenta with a holographic golden green to create an unexpectedly earthy combination of colors when applied. You'll catch yourself staring at your nails from different angles to appreciate the full impact of the seemingly shifting pigments.

    $14 (Shop Now)

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    17/28

    Muted Seafoam

    Seafoam is always a gorgeous way to wear green, but tone it down with a touch of gray and you'll see it morph into its most sophisticated form. Sally Hansen's Miracle Gel in the shade Giving Altitude strikes that perfect balance, giving a long-lasting, chip-resistant manicure that's just so cool — in both tone and style.

    $7 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    18/28

    Bright White

    Whether topping off the tips of a classic French manicure or covering the entire nail, bright white feels clean, fresh, versatile, and dashing. We especially love Nails Inc's version, Free Time Is Me Time, because so much care was put into its long-wear, kale-infused formula: It's vegan, cruelty-free, Halal-friendly, and devoid of 21 oft-unwanted ingredients.

    $10 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    19/28

    Navy

    We'll never pooh-pooh wearing black nail polish any time of year, but if it's a little more melancholic than you're going for this spring, you can still go delightfully dark with a classic navy. It feels even more sophisticated in a matte finish, like that of Sophi's shade You Drive Me Navy. 

    $8 (Shop Now)

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    20/28

    Metallic Lilac

    Pastels like lavender and lilac feel downright futuristic when given a shimmering metallic twist. Almost silvery in its finish, Pear Nova's Night Fades Morning Haze has an ethereal quality, like something an android angel might wear. But it looks just as amazing on everyday human hands, too.

    $14 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    21/28

    Rusty Mauve

    Mauve is one of those colors that everyone sees a little differently; it can lean purple, perhaps more pink, maybe even a tad taupe. But for this spring, we love seeing it gravitate in a rosier, rusty direction. Warmer than your average mauve, 10+ Free Clean Nail Color in Free Falling is super wearable in that it's both versatile and fortifying, thanks to reparative peptides and vitamin E. 

    $18 (Shop Now)

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    22/28

    Neon Chartreuse

    If you thought chartreuse was an acquired taste, just wait until you see a neon version of it — because you're gonna love it. This greenish-yellow shade cannot be ignored, and it signals that you are so ready for brighter days. Give it a try with Essie's Expressie Quick Dry Nail Color in We Don't Mesh, which adds the teeniest hint of silver pearlescent coolness to this phosphorescent hue.

    $9 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    23/28

    Sheer Bubblegum

    There's something so nostalgic about a French manicure with a more vivid yet sheer shade of bubblegum pink as the base color. And you don't even need to top it off with white tips to get a super pretty look, especially if you're using Ella + Mila's translucent Brave. Two coats create an almost jelly-like finish with its glossy pink tint.

    $11 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    24/28

    Hot Orange

    If a carrot and a neon sign had a baby, this would be the resulting color. Not the least bit shy, hot orange tells everyone that, as much as you're glad spring is here, you're ready to skip straight to summer. Get that zesty look with Cute Nail Studio's @averayray nail polish, named after the company's receptionist (because this is her signature color year-round).

    $10 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    25/28

    Cacao

    A cooler take on chocolate brown, cacao feels just as rich, if not a little more mysterious. The versatile color is one of our favorite ways to wear a darker shade in the spring, and Londontown Lakur Enhanced Colour in Teak is a perfect way to execute the look. It's sophisticated without being predictable or mundane, and its shiny, opaque finish is hard to take your eyes off of.

    $16 (Shop Now)

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    26/28

    Faded Clay

    Falling somewhere between a soft nude and a pretty pink, faded clay is a truly lovely wear-with-literally-anything color that never bores. OPI's Nail Lacquer in I'm an Extra, part of the brand's spring Hollywood Collection, is a neutral — no doubt — but its creamy warmth won't go unnoticed or underappreciated.

    $11 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    27/28

    Golden Olive

    There's truly no shade of green that doesn't feel in some way springy — it's basically the official color of nature, which gets a reboot each spring — and golden olive feels at once glamorous and down-to-earth. The mesmerizing Emilie Heathe Nail Artist shade Goddess will make you feel like Mother Nature at the disco with its golden foil swirling throughout a deep, warm green base.

    $28 (Shop Now)

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    28/28

    Rainbow Glitter

    When you can't decide on your ideal spring nail color, why not wear them all? Jinsoon's glittery new shade Glee makes it look like Rip Taylor is your nail artist, and we mean that in the best possible way. It's packed to the brim with reflective confetti in all-grown-up jewel tones that look amazing over both bare nails and base colors alike.

    $18 (Shop Now)

Keywordsnail polishorlyopiessiedeborah lippmannsinfulcolorsCNDZoyasparitualchanelWet n WildCiaté LondonSmith & CultJinsoon