If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance and femininity to your nails, then pastel colors are the perfect choice. From soft pinks and blues to subtle lavenders and mint greens, pastel nails offer a chic and dainty manicure that is sure to turn heads. Whether you prefer a classic solid color or want to get creative with fun designs and patterns, there is a pastel nail look for every style and occasion. Explore the beauty of pastel nails with these 40+ inspiring ideas for a polished and feminine manicure.
Looking for the top pastel nails and pastel nail designs right now? Read on to browse 40+ gorgeous inspo photos!
Blooming flowers and warming weather: spring is the perfect time to match the subtle pops of color that consume nature at this time of the year. Of course, spring is all about the pastels, from pastel outfits and food to even pastel nails.
If you’re looking for inspirational ways to wear the season on your nails, look no further. We have collected all the trendy designs that you will need in your search for really gorgeous pastel nails.
When Should I Wear Pastel Nails?Â
Pastel nails look good with light-colored dresses, black-and-white ensembles, and all-white fits. Consider pastel nails when attending a wedding, going to baptismal celebrations, and going to baby shower parties.
Of course, pastel nails work well during the spring, but they’re really pretty any time of year depending on the shade!
Trending Pastel Nail Ideas:
If you’ve been wanting to try out pastel nails but don’t want to fully commit just yet, you should definitely try out pastel French tips like this manicure! This way, you don’t have to fully coat your whole nail with a solid pastel shade.
But if you think you’re ready to dive into spring with a complete pastel manicure, then this is for you. You can also opt to do different pastel colors for each nail if you can’t decide on a single polish shade.
Get creative with your pastel nail designs by doing these trendy squiggly lines around your manicure. This kind of design is quite beginner-friendly too for those who are nail art newbies. The negative space makes it look so chic too!
What better way to celebrate the incoming spring season than by incorporating pastel shades and dainty floral designs onto your nails?
If you want something fun and vibrant for your pastel nails, then you should definitely give yellow a try this spring season! Add floral accent nails to give it an even more feminine and dainty vibe.
I love this particular pastel nail design! I can totally see this being worn during the spring and summer seasons! The pastel tips remind me of melting ice cream on a warm day.
Florals and abstract patterns aren’t the only trends for your pastel nails that you can do. You can definitely show off your nail art skills by doing cute animal characters as well!
I’m totally loving these cloudy skies pastel nail designs! It’s definitely an instant fave of mine on this list and looking at this manicure just makes me excited for the spring season to arrive.Â
Can’t seem to settle on just one particular pastel nail art? Why not opt for a different style for each nail? The more the merrier, right? Keep those dainty designs just around the tips of your nails to achieve this chic effect.
Mix and match your favorite pastel colors and recreate this fun and quirky pastel manicure! Or you can mimic the photo and choose pink and violet pastel hues for your nails.
I just love the color violet, so anything purple you already know I will be including on this list. For a unique set of nails, try out a different design for each nail. This also serves as a good practice if you’ll be doing DIY on your pastel manicure.
Green is such a refreshing color for me and it’s definitely one of my favorite pastel hues this spring. And if you’re like me, you should definitely mix this with pretty floral designs like daisies or wildflowers.
For a starry night theme on your pastel nails, you should certainly check this out! It might take a bit of an effort to pull this off if you’re just starting on your nail art, but it’s totally worth it.
But nail stickers are also quite handy if you don’t have the time to sit and draw these intricate details around your nails.
I’m loving this abstract pastel purple and white print on the nails! For some reason, it also reminds me of a pastel-themed cow print.
Looking for some easter-themed manicures for your pastel nails? Then check out this one! Paint cute, little bunnies on the corners of your nails after putting on your pastel base coats.
Forego the traditional French tips and do this modern variation instead! Using different pastel hues, you can extend your French tips to one side of your nail for this chic look!
If you want to make your nails look like different flavors of candy, then you should definitely try this design out! I am so obsessed with the different pastel hues used on each nail.
One way to elevate your pastel manicure is by accentuating two different pastel shades with some dainty linework. Use a chrome finish to really make those lines pop!
Want to bring some sparkle into your manicure without using shimmery polish? Then this pastel nail design is for you! Use a white polish to recreate those sparkly elements in your base coat.
If you want something a little more understated and subtle, you can recreate these dainty pastel hearts over a naked or transparent base coat.
Here’s another way to add a touch of sparkle to your pastel nails. You can either paint those pastel stars yourself or get some nail stickers for a less fussy application.
Who doesn’t love a pretty gradient pastel nail? I just adore the seamless blend of pastel hues on these nails!
When it comes to doing a spring manicure, you can never go wrong with a combination of pastel tones and floral designs.
I love this minimalistic and subtle variation of a cherry blossom-inspired nail. It looks so effortlessly dainty!
If you want your nails to look glassy and marbled, then this manicure is for you. Mix up two different hues like a pastel blue and pastel pink to recreate this ethereal manicure.
I don’t know about you but I love peaches, especially during spring. Not only are they such sweet fruits to snack on, but they look just as cute on the nails!
Swirly lines are definitely one of the trendiest designs right now. They match perfectly with pastel colors too!
If you’re tired of the usual glossy finish of pastel manicures, try out this matte texture next time you’re doing your pastel nails!Â
I just love mixing and matching pastel nails. With so many pretty hues to choose from, how can I pick just one, right?
This particular pastel nail design is so cute and quirky! I just love the combination of different elements on every nail in this manicure.
Dainty and soft, these pastel yellow French tips and florals are so timeless and elegant!
Get yourself into that Easter spirit this coming spring by doing these quirky Easter-themed French tips!
This geometric pastel design is utterly adorable! I love the bright checkered patterns and it’s definitely a must-try this spring and summer seasons!
If you want more swirly designs to choose from for your pastel manicures, here’s another one for you!
This modern and quirky take on the classic French tip is certainly pretty to look at! It’ll give your nails a fresh, unique look!
If you’re not a fan of harsh lines when mixing different colors on your nails, then you’ll want to try out doing a gradient design like this manicure.
Mixing and matching different pastel nail art for your nails can be a lot of fun if you ask me. Just look how cute these look!
Winter may be over soon but these frosty, pastel-blue nails are definitely stunning!
I just love purple and pink together. These colors give off such a girly and flirty vibe and those florals just really tie the whole look together.
Stiletto nails usually give me a femme fatale vibe but this pastel manicure really softens the look.
This particular manicure is so unique! The pastel hues used are so different from the usual pink and blue or purple combinations as well.
This muted and minimalistic pastel manicure is utterly chic! If you’re not a fan of doing solid monochrome colors on your nails, then you’ll surely love this.
Bright and bold, these yellow nails are stunning! I can totally see this being so perfect for both spring and summer.
If you’re looking for an easy way to elevate your pastel nails, try doing a polka dot pattern!
Florals are so perfect for the spring season. Use pastel colors for a soft and dainty look!
Here’s another favorite manicure of mine. Not only are these pastel nails, but the quirky designs will give you an overall unique look.
You can never go wrong with doing pastel florals with your manicure, especially once spring is here.
Top Pastel Nails Designs:
Here are some of the top trending designs for pastel nails this year.
1. Pastel Candy (Multicolored Pastel Nails)Â
Pastel is a really safe color scheme to mix and match with other shades in the spectrum because it isn’t too flashy or bold. It also gives other colors in your nail polish collection a chance to see the day. This manicure would look good on both maximalist and minimalist styles.
2. Pastel Nails With Flower CharmsÂ
Flowers are no-brainer accessories that can easily look good on any pastel-colored nail. Pastel nails with flower charms draw the beauty and magic of spring on your nails – which is highly likely the goal. I would wear this manicure with an accompanying floral dress.Â
3. Pastel French TipsÂ
It’s true- French tips never go out of style. But they can be a little overdone, and sometimes they only need a little twist to look fresh. This also makes it possible for you to inject color into your nails in very formal and traditional events like school graduations and baptismal celebrations.
4. Pastel French Tips With FlowersÂ
Pretty subtle. That’s how I would describe any design that dresses up a naked nail. Another way to inject color and design to your nails for a reserved event is by adding flowers into the equation! I also recommend this manicure if you change your fashion style often. Keeping an area of the nails naked can make it easier for them to transition harmoniously with any outfit.
5. Pastel Nails And Gold Foil
The best way for gold foil to stand out is to pair them with white and light-colored polish. Gold foil is classy, shiny, and chic – almost as if it is worn as jewelry. Having a gold spark on your nails combined with a subtle pastel color can easily give you a good impression.
6. Polka Dots Pastel NailsÂ
Polka dots are celebratory, festive, and feminine. Adding polka dots to a pastel nail party can easily convert them into a signature for something special, like a birthday or a thanksgiving dinner. You can even wear them as a talisman to give you something to celebrate.
7. Sunflower Pastel
Yellow pastel nails are nice. But yellow pastel nails with sunflowers are even better! There are so many possibilities with white and yellow polish. You can paint your nails with daisies, use them to alternate the colors of the petals, or make an accent nail with flowers.Â
8. Pastel Abstract Shapes
Fan of abstracts? There’s no way you can go wrong with pastels, especially because they do not give off much visual noise. Don’t be afraid to be creative! Make a brushstroke, an odd shape, and add lines to balance the elements.Â
9. Pastel Marble Nails
Marble nails may not be new, but they certainly still pass the mark! To do this, you will need two to three polishes and water. The techniques vary, but you’ll see a lot on Pinterest and Instagram! If you want to be sure enough, you can always ask your nail technician to do the work.Â
10. Pastel Base + Dark Color Tips
You can use any color of two different shades here. My favorite is combining pastel pink with red. It gives off some lovey-dovey valentines vibes! I also love how it compliments masculine-forward fits. Balances off the elements very well!
11. Dripping Pastel Tips
Are French tips too formal and modest for your taste? Make it look like it’s dripping! By doing so, you add character and story to your nails without making them look too bold or flashy at all. Just be reminded that you don’t have to drip them into your polish quite literally.Â
12. Pastel Pink Flowers On Nude/Naked Nail
One of my favorite designs for attending weddings has anything and everything to do with flowers! Keeping a low profile for the bride doesn’t mean you can’t be stylish. With a nude base, add pink flowers with light-shade polish. You can also opt for cherry blossoms if that is more of your taste.
13. Groovy Pastel Design
Groovy, retro, and fun. This design brings back “fashion nostalgia” with the vibes it gives off. Collect colors in the warm spectrum – light orange, pastel pink, and yellow, and match them all to make a nice groovy pattern – perfect for your 70’s fashion fits.
14. Pastel Sunrise/Sunset Design
With the same colors mentioned in the last design, you can make a nice ombre similar to a sunset. If you want something on the cooler side, you can opt for a sunrise ombre with baby blue, pastel violet, and pastel pink.Â
15. White Hearts On Pastel Pink Base
Want something dainty and simple for Valentine’s day? White hearts keep your nails neutral – enabling you to wear any shade of color as you wish. It is also quite formal, which means you can wear these nails in particularly formal events.
16. Easter Egg Pastel Nails (Crackle effect)
Crackle nails are great “accessories” to add to your outfit for an easter hunt! In fact, it can transform any regular outfit to match this particular occasion. If you wish to wear them on a regular day, feel free to do so! Crackle nails are possible with crackle polish or press-on nails.
17. Pastel Color Block NailsÂ
Color blocking is one of the best ways to showcase pastel colors onto your nails. Rather than a fully abstract concept, color blocking can provide a much cleaner and sleeker output that can easily match with any tailored outfit.
18. Gingham Pastel Nails
Going on a picnic day with friends? Worry no more! Gingham nails are a great way to add a fresh and spring-like aura to your dressy fit. They also look casually chic, which makes them less intimidating than other designs. If you don’t have gingham in your wardrobe, a hint of it on your nails can certainly turn things around.
19. Nail Blush NailsÂ
Believe it or not, “Blushing” nails is an unshakeable trend on Pinterest and Instagram. It does need a little blending skill to be achieved, but it’s so worth it! To make it easier, look for a translucent pink polish and paint the middle of each nail.Â
20. Rose Quartz NailsÂ
Rose quartz nails are dainty, soft, and magical. They just recently became a trend, when press-on nails received ample attention from witchy boards and communities on social media. Love how real they look!
21. Light Blue Cloud Nails
Want some Studio Ghibli vibes on your nails? A couple of light blue and white polishes can get you a long way. You can even do this at home! I would wear this with an olive green cardigan and a burgundy midi skirt for an all-out Ghibli-vibes.
In conclusion, pastel nails provide a chic and dainty option for those looking to elevate their manicure game. With a wide range of soft and subtle shades to choose from, pastel nails offer a fresh and feminine touch to any look. Whether you prefer a simple, monochromatic design or a fun and playful mix of pastel colors, there is a style to suit every taste. So why not embrace the elegance of pastel nails for your next manicure and elevate your overall style with a touch of sophistication and charm.
