Spring nail trends to have on your radar for 2024

Baby blue, we've missed you. While we were off flirting with winter neutrals, we almost forgot how much we love spring nail trends. Pastels and florals may not be groundbreaking, but they offer a refreshing step-change into spring. The new season sees us drop the serious act and get more playful again with lightweight shades and upbeat designs that can help lift our mood.

We're addicted to zesty colours like sage, lilac, lemon and peach fuzz (dubbed 2024's Pantone colour of the year) to help manifest brighter days.

We love co-ordinating our manicures to our spring makeup vibe. If you're going for bare-faced skin, sheer textures and a little lip balm, then natural-looking lipgloss nails might be more your bag. Or for a glam 2024 twist, aurora nails are stunning. If you're a minimalist, check out our top 10 nail designs on a clear base. And if you want to hit peak spring mode, florals are a given, and we have all of our fave floral designs rounded-up for you here. For something a little bolder, gem and rhinestone nails have been taking off. And if you simply can't decide, your nail horoscope can take care of the decision for you. Sorted.

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For the maximalists, 3D designs are everywhere, from graphic swirls to dainty bows. And silky glazed donut nails are set to head in a more audacious direction. Tanjinder Banwait, founder of vegan and halal nail paint brand Palette London, told us: “The glazed nail trend has been solidified thanks to the influence of trendsetters like Hailey Bieber, but as we move into 2024, get ready for a touch of alchemy coming to this popular look. Instead of the minimalist neutrals, the glaze effect will pack more of a punch with a colour and depth upgrade.”

We've been seeing tons of rainbow chromes and pastel chromes, too. In its 2024 beauty report, Beauty Pie spotlit lavender chrome nails as the one to watch, which works perfectly for spring. Elsewhere, sheer textures in cute colours will become a whole movement. Pinterest called out ‘jelly’ as a major trend in its 2024 Pinterest Predicts, noting: “Gen Z and millennials are driving this squishy aesthetic”. So, expect to see ultra glossy jelly manicures splashed across fingertips.

But, according to research conducted by Ripe Hair & Beauty (who analysed Google search volume data to determine the most sough-after spring nail trends), there are five designs in particular we're coveting right now. We've rounded them up below alongside some more of our favourite big-hitters.

Here's the spring nail trends to watch out for…

Bright florals

According to Ripe, searches for “bright floral nails” are up by 250% year on year. So, despite being a classic, they remain as popular as ever. In fact, they're this season's most-wanted mani.

Nude chrome

Searches for “nude chrome nails” have seen an increase of 156%. So, although we'll see bright and pastel chromes creep in, neutral nudes are still a forever fave.

Strawberries

Last summer's trending “strawberry girl” movement is tipped to make a confident return and already, searches for “strawberry nails” have increased by 140%. She's a fruity cutie and we love her.

Yellow French tips

Colourful french tips are a mainstay for spring nail art but the shade this season is yellow, if search data is anything to go by. The bright shade has brought in 133% more searches year on year for a fun, fresh and zesty take on Frenchies.

Olive green

Olive nails started as an oddball outlier shade, but it's slowly picked up a growing fanbase and this year, it's generated 125% more searches than last. We love that it's equal parts awkward and sophisticated for an offbeat mani that's a little more unpredictable.

Pastel Frenchies

“Mine and my clients go-to spring manicure is always a sheer base with a pinky hue and a pop of colour, particularly a neon or pastel french," says luxury bio sculpture manicurist, Georgia Rae, who was responsible for Sofia Richie's wedding mani. “I feel like this gives us that much-needed dopamine hit after winter. It’s the perfect way of experimenting and being adventurous with shades you’re drawn to but wouldn’t necessarily wear as a block colour,” she says. “It’s a subtle nod to spring-summer whilst still keeping that clean, minimal look that everyone is loving lately,” agrees pro bio sculpture manicurist, Alyx Lippiatt.

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Jelly nails

Pastels, yes. But remixed with a sheer, shiny jelly texture to give them a whole new modern spin. We love.

Bold chrome

We don't need to stick with silky pink when there's a whole spectrum of rainbow chromes out there. These colour-changing magnetic chrome nails are mesmerising.

Floral nails

“This classic nail trend comes back year after year and it’s easy to see why. Pastel shades for floral nails are on trend, so opt for lemons, pastel blues, pinks and purples. All you need is a dotting tool to create the look,” says Ryan Notman-Watt from Cult Beauty Concierge.

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3D nails

If you want something fun, futuristic and definitely not boring, 3D nails will take your nails up a notch.

Pink and red nails

“Summer has come early with the pink and red sangria tones. Bright red and pink nails have been going viral on TikTok as well as Pinterest. Why not merge two trends together and try a French tip in a red or pink polish next,” says Ryan. We also love alternating colour block gradients of the shades, one on each nail, or these adorable squiggles.

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Lipgloss nails

This trend mimics the plush, sheeny finish of lipgloss applied on lips. It takes your bare nail base and adds a sheer layer of gloss (complete with a hint of pretty pink tint) to create a yummy, fresh finish. “Lip gloss nails are a twist on the natural manicure that gives an extra oomph and looks great on all nail lengths,” says Ryan.

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Green

Google searches for green nails increased by 60% over last month and the shade's popularity is set to keep rising and rising. From bright limes to muted sage, pastel pistachio and awkward avocado, green in every different shade is set to be spring and summer's favourite hue and we're very much on board.

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And, in case you need any extra inspo, here's some more of our favourite spring nails ideas to get you going…

Lilac trim

Wendy house florals

Watercolour nails

Remixed squiggle Frenchie

Sage chrome

Pastel swirl spring nails

Pretty pastel chromes

Tennis tips

Baby blue

Blueberry milk nails enjoyed a whole moment last year and baby blue will continue to be a popular choice this spring.

Cheery emojis

Doubled-up pastels

Tangerine dream

Mint and emojis

Half moon Frenchies

Peach reverse French

Cow print and florals

Half oval Frenchies

Jelly florals

Lemon or lime

Upbeat florals

Rainbow stripes

Teal fire chrome

Pastel squiggles

Skittle nails

Lilac Frenchies

Chrome corner Frenchies

Lilac floral spring nails

Y2K Butterfly

Peaches and cream

Pick & mix pastels

A different kind of Easter egg

Checkerboard floral spring nails

Speckled Mini Egg nails

Wild flowers

Yolk yellows

Pastel swoosh

Pointed pistachio

Cloudy skies

Daisy chain

Eggs over easy

Mini Egg Frenchie

Spring yellow

For more from GLAMOUR's Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk