Pastels are the shades of spring and can instantly brighten up any look.
As a fashion designer, I’m always on the lookout for new ways to incorporate these dreamy hues into beauty looks.
One of my favorite methods is through pastel nail ideas.
Pastel nails are having a major moment right now.
Unlike neon brights, pastels add a certain softness and whimsy to your nails. The lighter, muted tones are much more wearable on a daily basis as well.
You can easily transition pastel nails from day to night too. Dress them up with some glitter or accessorize an outfit with pastel tips. The options are endless!
Now let’s look at favorite pastel nail ideas to give you inspiration for your next manicure. Keep reading to explore them all and find images to show your nail tech for your next appointment!
Lavender Ombre Nails
Lavender is one of my absolute favorite pastel shades to wear on my nails.
This light purple hue embodies spring and femininity. While lavender looks beautiful on its own in a solid cream polish, I especially love it blended in an ombre style. Ombre nails involve gradually fading from a darker color at the top cuticles to a lighter color at the tips.
This technique is so fun with lavender because you can create different depths and dimensions.
I’d recommend starting with a deep purple or even black polish as your base shade on the upper nail bed. Make sure to apply two thin coats so it looks opaque. Then choose a soft lilac polish – something with a hint of pink or blue in it to tone down the purple.
Essie’s Lilacism is a perfect ombre match if you use their Licorice black polish as a base. Paint the lavender lightly across the rest of the nail leaving a small gap at the top. While it’s still wet, use a dotting tool to blend and fade the colors together in a subtle ombre effect.
You can do a stark contrast between the dark and light shades for drama. Or choose purple and lavender polishes that are closer in tone and blend them seamlessly.
I prefer a gradient fade as it comes off more elegant. Make sure to cap the free edge so both colors extend over the tips.
Getting a professional dip powder manicure is the best way to achieve perfectly-blended lavender ombre nails. The liquid helps merge the two colors together. Finish with a fast-drying top coat to seal and add sheen. The ombre effect makes your nails appear longer and more oval-shaped – so chic!
Not only are ombre nails trendy, but the color combo of deep purple fading into lilac is stunning. The darker shade adds depth and intensity at the top cuticles while the light purple brightens up the tips. As the focal point, lavender ombre nails draw attention to your hands for an instant style upgrade. They transition beautifully from day to night as well. Overall, it’s my number one recommendation for rocking pastels on your nails!
Strawberry Nail Designs
Nothing says spring and summer like fresh berries! Strawberries in particular make for adorable nail art. The iconic strawberry motif looks so playful and pretty on your nails.
There are many ways to get creative with strawberry-themed manicures.
Start by painting your nails a solid soft pink shade.
Essie’s Ballet Slippers is the perfect base color – it’s a pale ballerina pink cream polish. After the first coat dries, use a small dotting tool to paint on little yellow dots – these represent the strawberry seeds! You can place the dots in clusters or scatter them randomly.
Next, paint on the green strawberry tops freehand with a thin nail art brush. Try different shapes like classic pointed tops or little side leaves. The light green pops against the pink base. For even more dimension, add a second coat of pink polish on just the bottom half of the nail to define the berry shape.
If you want to get really creative, paint an entire strawberry blending red and pink polishes – so cute! You can also do french tips with red at the edges to resemble strawberry drips. Studding the design with gold glitter or rhinestones adds extra pizzazz.
For a yummy frosty effect, use white polish to paint on drips coming down the nail tipped in gold glitter. This resembles the sugar crystals on strawberry ice cream! You can also paint white squiggly lines across the berries like sweet drizzled cream.
Not only are they tasty, strawberries also symbolize spring and summer. Their bright colors and juicy flavor epitomize the seasons. Every time you glance down at your strawberry nails, you’ll feel instantly hungry and happy!
Mint Green Nails
Few nail colors feel as fresh and invigorating as mint.
The cool, crisp green tones are perfect for spring and summer manicures. Mint nails are having a major moment right now and it’s easy to see why.
There are so many shades of mint to choose from to paint your nails. A pale, icy mint like Essie’s Mint Candy Apple is so on-trend. Or go for a bolder pastel mint like Sagebrush if you want more color impact. For a true spring green, try a pistachio shade like OPI’s Pistachio Dream. Any polish with blue undertones evokes that minty coolness.
Full mint green nails are simple yet chic. The color looks great on short or long nails. To jazz it up, try white polka dots on a mint base. Polka dots are so retro and fun. Paint them on randomly in different sizes using a dotting tool for that mod 60’s look.
Another idea is mint nails with sparkly gold accents. Use striping tape to create geometric gold lines and shapes over the mint. You can also stud your nails with miniature gold sequins or flakes for a glam effect. The contrast of soft mint and shiny gold is so luxurious.
No matter which way you style it, mint polish feels amazingly refreshing. The tranquil color is a breath of fresh air. It reminds you of childhood days sucking on candy canes and sipping on peppermint milkshakes. Whenever you need to relax, clear your mind or tap into those nostalgic vibes, reach for a minty shade. Your nails will channel the essence of springtime with these cool pastel greens.
Lilac Nails with Gold Accents
Lilac is such a romantic and feminine pastel shade. The light purple hue looks gorgeous on nails, especially when accented with gold! The combination of soft lilac and shiny gold creates an elegant nail look perfect for special occasions.
Start with a lilac cream polish as your base color. Two thin coats will give you an opaque canvas. Essie’s Lilacism is a great option that applies evenly. Let the lilac polish dry completely before moving onto the gold accents.
Using a thin striping brush, paint on criss-crossed diagonal gold lines for dimension. Try Cult Nails’ Disco Nap for a glittery gold polish that pops against the lilac. Or go for a glossy metallic gold like OPI’s Worth a Pretty Penne. The lines don’t have to be perfect since the imperfection gives it character!
For extra dazzle, place lilac and gold leaf decals strategically across your nails. Start with larger gold leaf pieces near the cuticles to elongate your nails. Add smaller lilac and gold glitter decals on the tips for balance. You can find gorgeous nail sticker packs on Etsy to bling out your design.
Also consider embellishing with lilac and gold nail jewels. Adding sparkly jewel tones amplifies the glamour effect. Use a steady hand to brush on some lilac and gold glitter shapes like chevrons, curves and stripes. The mix of textures gives your nails lots of depth.
Lilac and gold complement each other beautifully. The soft pastel purple feels romantic, while the gold adds a luxe vibe. Bling out this color pairing for your next date night or formal event. Lilac nails with gold accents are sure to get you compliments!
Blush Nude Nails with Flowers
For a subtler take on pastels, try blush nude nails decorated with flowers.
Paint your nails in a milky nude-pink color like Essie’s Pillow Talk. Once dry, use a small brush to paint on cherry blossoms, tulips, daisies and other blooms in light pink.
The 3D effect is so delicate and pretty for spring. You can also stud the flowers with mini rhinestones for extra sparkle. Finish with a quick-dry top coat to seal in the design. Blush nude nails with flowers captures the essence of the season.
Pink Lemonade Nails
These pink lemonade nails are the perfect summery manicure! Start by painting your nails a pale creamy yellow, similar to the color of lemonade.
Paint on oval lemon slices in pastel yellow at the base of your nails. Then use a dotting tool to make pink circles – the “strawberries” floating in the lemonade.
Finish with curved triangle shapes to resemble ice cubes. You can get creative with the fruits and garnishes you add to your pink lemonade nails.
The color palette of soft yellow, pink and white is so cheerful and fun for summer. Slip on some sunglasses and your nails will have you daydreaming of sipping lemonade poolside!
Blue Ombre Seashell Nails
For beach vibes, paint your nails in shades of blue and add seashells for ocean appeal. Do a gradient ombre starting with deeper royal blue at the top cuticles and fading into sky blue tips. Using a thin brush, paint on tiny seashells in pearly white scattered across your ombre nails.
You can also add sand textures with a textured polish or glitter for depth. Some golden glitter really makes it look like sparkling ocean waves!
Seashell decals would look adorable too. Whether you’re headed on a tropical vacation or just dream of the sea, these blue ombre seashell nails capture coastal beauty. The pastel blues are so soothing and pretty.
Purple Galaxy Nails
Galaxies are such a mesmerizing nail design, and the pastel version feels almost dreamlike. Start with a base of pale lilac or light blue – colors that evoke a starry sky.
Use a detail brush to paint on nebula clouds with white polish. While still wet, drag the brush through to create swirling shapes.
Next, take various sizes of dotting tools to create “stars” with white polish. Feel free to add other pastel colors like yellow and pink for an abstract look.
Top with a holographic top coat to mimic a cosmic shine. The end result is so whimsical, it’s like you’re gazing up at the Milky Way on your nails!
Mermaid Iridescent Nails
Jump on the mermaid nail art trend with these magical iridescent designs. Start with a base of pastel aqua or mint polish.
Paint on scales with iridescent glitter polish blending between colors like teal, seafoam and sky blue. The shimmery iridescence is what gives it that underwater mermaid vibe. Use pearlescent nail powders on accent nails for a pearly sheen.
Draw designs like shells and starfish with a pearlescent white polish pen. The mix of pastels and opalescent shimmers is so ethereal, just like a mermaid’s tail.
Dive into the mystical waters and channel your inner sea goddess with these nails.
Pale Pink Marble Nails
Marble is such a chic nail design, and pale pink puts a fashionable spin on it. Start by mixing together white and light pink nail polish with a dotting tool on a makeup palette.
Drag a toothpick through the polish blend in swirly shapes.
Replicate on your nail to create a custom marble design. The marble effect looks extra dimensional on longer coffin-shaped nails but is cute on short nails too.
For extra flair, paint on shiny gold foil shapes like stripes and diamonds over the marble pattern. The pale pink and white color palette is so trendy. Dress up the marble with fun metallic accents for fashion-forward nails you can wear anywhere.
Pastel Tie-Dye Nails
Tie-dye is making a major comeback beyond just t-shirts – it’s trending on nails too! And the pastel version has such a hip, modern vibe.
Start with a base of lilac, mint or nude. Make your tie-dye polish blend on a makeup palette with colors like baby blue, lemonade yellow, lavender and peach. Use the end of a dotting tool, a toothpick or even a paint brush to swirl and blend the colors.
Now get creative with the tie-dye patterns on each nail! You can do fun retro 70’s swirls or abstract paint splatters in the pastel blend. The blend of soft colors gives tie-dye a fresh, fun update. Your nails will turn out groovy and colorful every time.
Ice Cream Cone Nail Art
What’s more fun for summer than ice cream? This ice cream cone nail art is literally too cute. Paint a base of creamy pastel yellow, mint or peach to mimic ice cream flavors.
Use a striping brush dipped in brown to paint on waffle cone shapes peeking in from the edge. Top with scoops of ice cream in white, pink and baby blue polish.
Add sprinkles with rainbow glitter and drippy chocolate fudge in a dark brown creme polish. You can even draw on cherries for the ultimate sundae touch. The sprinkles and drips give it such a yummy realistic effect. Every time you look down at your ice-cream-themed nails, you’ll feel instantly hungry for the summery treat!
I hope these 10+ pastel nail ideas sparked inspiration for your next fabulous manicure!
Have fun with the endless color variations and nail art possibilities.
Pastels feel so fresh, yet classic at the same time.
You really can’t go wrong incorporating these dreamy shades into your nails. Get ready to spread positivity and brighten someone’s day with just a flash of your beautiful pastel nails.
