Here, Essie's celebrity manicurist Michelle Saunders gives you the scoop on all the bright new shades to try now that you're done with your usual winter darks.
1. Blush Pinks:
A shade like this is the perfect foray into pink, especially during this season. It's not too dark or too light — plus, this one is perfect for all skin tones from fair to dark, and it's a great alternative shade if you're not into wearing nude hues. Try Jin Soon Nail Polish in Dolly Pink.
2. Baby Blues:
Lighter blue shades give off a relaxed, resort vibe, which anyone is ready to get on board with after a long winter. Plus, their cool blue tone helps minimize the appearance of redness on your skin, which can occur as the weather warms up and you're out and about in peep toe pumps. Paint on Revlon Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel in Tropical Rain.
3. Coral-Peach Combos:
The allure of this shade is that bright coral-peach shades tend to look good on all skin tones, because it's the perfect blend of peach and pink. It's also a softer way to work orange into your wardrobe without actually wearing its brightest version, since that shade is often more suitable for summer. Try Essie Nail Polish in Resort Fling.
4. Orange-y Reds:
Reds are always appropriate, but it's nice to mix up your look for spring with a bright color combo that offers a twist on a classic shade. Swipe on Butter London Nail Lacquer in Ladybird.
5. Radiant Orchid:
Pantone named this shade the color of 2014 and it's definitely making its mark. This bright lavender hue offers a cool, fresh twist to light purple that no one can resist. Saunders' tip: If you want to wear a color that is more than a nude, but still goes with everything, this shade is it. Paint on Morgan Taylor in New Kicks On The Block.
6. Pale Yet Pretty Yellows:
Yellow polishes are hard for every skin tone to pull off, but if you're into it for spring, go for a pastel version that's easier to pull off compared to brighter versions. Paint on CND's Vinylux in Sun Bleached.
7. Magnificent Mints:
Mint has really turned into an everyday shade for spring, because it comes off as a neutral and is super elegant. Switch up your look and swap out your neutrals or blush pinks for this shade and just wait for the compliments to fly. Try L'Oréal Nail Color in Mint Glacée.
8. Electric Blues:
Think of this shade as a version of color-blocking for your nails. It's happening in fashion for spring, so copy the trend and have fun with the look on your nails. Try Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in In Prompt Blue.
9. Vibrant Pinks:
Tropical shades, like this bright pink, are also as popular as pastels during springtime. Paint on a fuchsia hue to mix up your pastel palette every once in a while and remind you that the days of zero-degree weather are finally over. Try Sinful Colors Professional Nail Enamel in Cream Pink.
10. Bold Berries:
Since Chanel's Vamp and Essie's Wicked are more winter-appropriate, go for a subtle berry polish like this raspberry-colored one. It's the perfect dark shade for spring because it still has a brightness to it. Try Chanel Nail Vernis in Coup De Coeur.
11. Chalky Nudes:
"Nudes are definitely in this spring, but not your everyday sheer nudes — this season they're chalkier," Saunders says. When you're choosing a nude for yourself this season, make sure there is a chalkiness to it, meaning that it has a white base to it. You want the nude to ultimately have substance and not be sheer. Try Maybelline New York Color Show Nail Lacquer in Neutral Statement.
12. Mermaid-Inspired Tones:
These mermaid-inspired blue-green tones are popping up on fingertips everywhere — and no wonder, as the blue, green, and gold color combo is absolutely mezmorizing, making it the perfect opalescent blend for spring. Try Marc Jacobs Nail Glaze in Enamored.
13. Rose Gold Glitter Polishes:
Rose gold glitter polish also reads as neutral, so if you're not into chalky nudes or pale pinks and want some added shimmer, this is the shade for you: OPI Nail Lacquer in Rose of Light.
14. Concrete-Colored Grays:
Light gray polishes have taken the front seat this season thanks to their white undertones that make them super chic, light, and easy to wear with anything you own. Try RGB's Steel.
Now what are you waiting for? Go do up your digits in one of these chic as hell shades and then tweet @cosmopolitan with the hashtag #springmani.
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Carly Cardellino
Carly Cardellino was the beauty director at Cosmopolitan. If you follow her Instagram, then you know she'll try just about any beauty trend or treatment once (the pics of her purple hair are on IG to prove it). But her favorite part about being in beauty is finding the most effective products, and then sharing that intel with others—because who wants to spend money on stuff that doesn't work? No one, that's who. Her most recent discovery: De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment, which will change your blemish-clearing game! Hopefully through the beauty stories she writes—and the experiences she shares—you can see exactly why she's in this business.
