Listen, we love Ballet Slippers and Topless & Barefoot as much as anyone else, but there’s only so much pale pink you can put on your nails until it feels repetitive. So come spring, it’s prime time to break out the inspo we’ve been seeing all over Instagram, along with the spring runway shows. We got hundreds of new nail ideas to obsess over backstage, between cool, minimalist nail-art options, fresh takes on negative space, and enough metallic accents to make our eyes shine. Scroll on for the best nail-polish ideas for spring—because even if it hasn’t started feeling like it outside, there’s nothing wrong with giving the weather a polished flick in the right direction.
Petal Nails
Florals for spring? They actually are kind of groundbreaking on your nails. Nail artist Alicia Torello used Deborah Lippmann’s Blue Orchid and Laughin to the Bank to draw these tiny petals on.
Bright Cuticles
Gradient Neutrals
Theory: if neutrals go with everything, they’ll definitely go with more neutrals, right? Based on this chic polish spectrum we saw at Baja East, we think it holds up. (FYI, OPI has a ton of optionsto get you started.)
Press-on Stickers
The statement nails at Preen were literally just press-on stickers, glossed over with clear nail polish. In other words: The possibilities and combinations are endless.
Cat-Eyes Manis
If you’re a sucker for a cat eye, prepare to be hooked immediately. On nails, it’s both easy to re-create and utterly cool to look at—especially with Essie’s metallic purple Girly Grunge as a base.
Star Studs
Studs or stickers take a plain base to the next level.
Ocean-Blue Tips
These ocean-blue waves are like a serious case of wanderlust. Copy nail artist Alicia Torello and use Christian Louboutin lacquer in Baraboum.
Duo Textures
To keep layered polish from looking muddy, take a note from Zang Toi and play with texture: Matte in the middle, shine at the rims.
Metal-Dipped Nudes
The new way to do a classic French mani? With futuristic metals at the tips.
