Pastel nails are having such a moment right now. Wether it’s spring or not, there is always roomn for pastel shades when it comes to trendy mani ideas. You can go full rainbow. Or stick with one dreamy shade. Add some flowers. Add some shapes, swirls, French tips – either way you can’t really go wrong!
These soft colors are basically like regular colors but turned way down. Spring is obviously peak pastel season but honestly – they look cute year-round wrapped around an iced coffee or holding your phone. Pastels just hit different than bold colors. They’re gentle and pretty without trying too hard! Let me show you all the pastel designs I’ve been experimenting with lately.
Pastel Rainbow French Tips
Each nail gets a different pastel tip! Pink, mint, lavender, and blue together. It’s a soft rainbow basically. French tips are classic right? Pastels make them feel fresh and springy!
Pink Meets Mint Ombre
Pink fades into mint so smoothly here. Ombre always looks fancy to me! The color combo is really sweet. Blending the colors together can take a bit of practice, but it’s not as hard as it looks though.
Shimmer Dream Nails
Pale green, peach, yellow, lavender and pastel pink all shimmer. The sparkle is so pretty! Different pastel on each nail which I love. Like Easter eggs but definitely cooler.
Multicolor Pastel Mix
Every nail is a different color, in vibrant pastel polish shades. Mint, yellow, pink, lavender all happening, topped with a glossy top coat! Perfect if you can’t choose just one. Somehow they work together even though it’s a lot.
Soft Green Gradient
This green ombre is calming. Light to lighter fade which is interesting! Green pastels feel different than other ones. You can do different shades of green to make it more interesting, plus throw in some blue on one nail – but that’s totally up to your imagination. Super fresh and spring-like.
Yellow French with Florals
Yellow tips with little colorful flowers on the nail beds – adorable. Different colored daisies too! This makes me so happy just looking at it. Pastel yellow nails are underrated honestly.
Lavender Gingham Vibes
Gingham pattern in lavender! Picnic blanket energy for sure. The checkered pattern is clean and pretty. Lavender might be my favorite pastel so I’m biased probably.
Abstract Swirl Art
So cute!! Multicolor swirls like modern art. Different pastels swirling on each nail! It’s artsy but not trying too hard. You can make swirls however you want really.
Mint Garden with Gold
Mint and yellow with flower designs, plus make the flowers 3D if you want to go a bit extra. Gold accents at the center of each flower make it fancy! Florals just make sense with pastels, don’t you think? Really springy and fresh combo.
3D Wildflower Magic
Pastel blue with 3D wildflowers. The flowers pop off the nail! They’re dimensional which makes them special. You can totally do this without the 3D effect too – completely up to you.
Daisy Field Nails
Hand-painted daisies on pastel bases. Every nail is a different color underneath! Super adorable. Daisies tie it all together. Busy but in a good way!
Starry Pastel Tips
French tips in pastels with stars look so playful and adorable here! The stars add something extra! Simple but still interesting. Good for subtle but not boring nails.
Butterfly Dreams
Ok, how cute are pastels and butterflies together? Pink, lavender, and blue. So delicate and pretty! Very feminine and soft feeling. Definitely cottagecore vibes.
Green Floral Garden
Pastel green with white flowers on top – green and white contrast looks really good! Simple flowers that don’t overwhelm. Clean and pretty overall.
Triple Ombre Fade
We love a good ombre. Pink, lavender, mint all ombre together. Three colors fading is so smooth! Takes patience to do right. The gradient is really satisfying though when it works.
Grid & Flowers Combo
On this design, pastel green and cream colors with white grid lines look very cottage chic. Pink flowers in some grid squares! Geometric and floral mixed together is fun. Lots of detail but still cohesive somehow.
Gold French Garden
Simple neutral base with pastel flowers on french tips, plus lined in gold?! Stunning. Gold accents add elegance! More sophisticated than other pastels. Fancy but still soft which is cool.
Lavender Shimmer
Just solid lavender with shimmer. Sometimes simple wins! Shimmer keeps it from being plain. Perfect for everyday honestly.
Sunny Yellow Flowers
A simple yellow French tips design with pastel yellow flowers. So bright and cheerful! Screams spring and happiness. Daisies are easy to paint which is nice too.
Blue Floral Bouquet
Craving pastel blue with multicolor flowers? Love the different flower colors here! Like a garden on your hands. Takes time painting all those flowers but sooo worth it.
Pink and Green Flower Garden
Mint, yellow, pink with cute big flowers. The accents and the color combo here are everything! Different pastels on each nail. This is definitely a statement people notice.
Matte Pastel Daisies
Short square nails in matte! The matte finish is different from glossy. Daisy accents in the corners keep it cute. Short nails are practical but pretty too.
Shimmer Rainbow
Different pastel shimmers on each nail. Sparkle catches light so nice! Every finger is a different color. Maximum pretty with minimal effort really.