Pink and yellow have always been a cheerful color combination that evokes happiness and sunshine.
Recently, we’ve seen these vibrant hues surge in popularity in the nail art world.
Talented manicurists are using shades of pink and yellow to create stunningly creative designs perfect for spring and summer.
Let’s look at the hottest pink and yellow nail art trends.
For each look, we’ll provide an in-depth overview including step-by-step application tips, suggested polish shades, embellishment ideas, and finishing touches.
Let’s take a closer look at the top pink and yellow nail trends!
Pastel Pink and Yellow Tips
This minimalist nail idea pairs soft pastel shades of pink and yellow for a delicate springtime vibe. Here’s how to get the look:
Start by prepping nails and applying a base coat for protection. Paint on two thin coats of a milky nude or pale pink polish as your base color.
Let dry fully. Next, use a small angled brush or striping brush dipped in a buttery pastel yellow shade. Carefully paint on clean triangle or trapezoid shapes starting from the upper corners of the nail and extending straight across the tips.
Leave a sliver of your pink base color still visible along the bottom for definition. For a more weighty look, make the yellow tips wider.
For a daintier effect, keep them very thin. Finish with a glossy topcoat to smooth and seal in your design.
Recommended Polish Colors: For the base pink, try Essie Ballet Slippers or OPI Bubble Bath. For the yellow tips, go for pastel hues like Essie Short Story or Sally Hansen Mellow Yellow.
Embellishment Ideas: Add thin silver striping tape along the diagonal edges between pink and yellow for a metallic accent. Or seal with a matte topcoat instead of glossy for an ultra modern, velvety finish.
Watercolor Floral Painting
These artistic floral nails are total eye candy. Follow these steps to get the look:
Start by applying your favorite yellow polish as a base. Once fully dry, use a small detail brush dipped in bright pink polish to paint on floral designs in varying sizes and shapes across each nail.
Try arranging groups of flowers on diagonal angles for dynamic energy.
Add in leaves and stems with more pink brush strokes. Thin script liner brushes work well for delicate petals and details. Play with layering and blending the pink and yellow together for a true watercolor effect.
Once you’re happy with your floral artwork, seal it in with a matte topcoat for a creatively chic finish.
Recommended Polish Colors: Try a bright canary yellow like Essie in Limbo or Sally Hansen Mellow Yellow as your base.
Vibrant pinks like Essie Limited Addiction or OPI Rosy Future work beautifully for the flowers and accents.
Embellishment Ideas: For extra dazzle, use a detail brush to add touches of gold, white, or rose gold polish accents throughout your floral designs. Tiny craft gems can be placed in center of flowers for added dimension.
Lemon and Raspberry Macarons
Inspired by everyone’s favorite French almond cookies, this cute nail idea uses yellow and pink to mimic the look of lemon and raspberry macarons. Here’s how to recreate it:
Start by painting your thumb, middle, and pinky nails with a opaque bright yellow (like Essie in Limbo). Then paint your index and ring fingers in an intense matte pink shade (OPI Rosy Future).
Once dry, use a dotting tool dipped in white polish to add ‘filling’ dots and squiggles on alternating nails. Outline each nail tip with a dark polish for definition.
For extra dimension, apply craft gems or pearls along the borders between pink and yellow. The final look is playful, sweet and instantly satisfies your macaron craving!
Recommended Polish Colors: An intense opaque yellow like Essie In Limbo makes the perfect ‘lemon cookie’ base. For a true raspberry pink, go for OPI Rosy Future or Zoya Giovanna. White works best for the filling accents.
Embellishment Ideas: Outlining around each nail with a dark polish helps separates the colors. Silver or gold striping tape also adds nice definition. Craft gems in various sizes placed strategically give the look more texture.
Pink Lemonade Ombre
For delicious fruit-inspired nails, this pink lemonade ombre effect fits the bill. Here’s how to recreate the look:
Start by applying two coats of pale creamy pink polish as your base color.
While still wet, use the brush end of a makeup wedge and lightly feather dab droplets of bright yellow polish from cuticle to tip. Work in thin layers allowing the colors to bleed together softly for a diffused look.
Repeat the ombre effect on each nail working quickly before polish dries.
Finish with glossy topcoat for mega shine. For added flair, use a striping brush to paint on ‘bubbles’ with white polish, or add silver glitter tips. The sweet pink lemonade design is instantly summery and refreshing!
Recommended Polish Colors: A pale milky pink like OPI Bubble Bath works great as the base color. Bright opaque yellows like Essie In Limbo or Sally Hansen Mellow Yellow create a vivid pop of lemon.
Embellishment Ideas: Metallic silver or gold striping polish along the nail tips adds nice contrast. For carbonation, paint on white ‘bubbles’ with a small striping brush.
Abstract Geometric Lines
This bold graphic look makes a serious style statement. Here’s how to get the geometric effect:
Start by applying two coats of yellow polish as your base.
Once dry, use striping tape to section off triangles, diamonds or chevrons on each nail. Fill in the shapes with bright pink polish. While the pink is still wet, drag a pin or toothpick from the points through pink to create clean intersecting lines. Let dry fully before removing tape.
For extra flair, add white dots along the lines and colorful glossy pearls or gems on accent nails. Seal with a fast-drying topcoat. The striking geometric pattern glams up any look!
Recommended Polish Colors: Any opaque true yellow like Sally Hansen Mellow Yellow or Essie In Limbo makes a vibrant base. Eye-catching pinks like OPI Rosy Future or China Glaze Pink Platinum are perfect for the graphic lines.
Embellishment Ideas: Outline the angular lines with a thin brush and silver or white polish. Place colorful glossy pearls along the borders for added interest.
Pastel Yellow and Pink Pinstripes
For a retro-inspired nail look, alternating stripes of buttery pastels can’t be beat. Here are application tips:
Apply a base coat first to protect nails. Paint your nails a soft opaque pale yellow shade. Allow to dry fully. Then use striping tape to section off thin diagonal stripes across each nail.
Paint the stripes in a coordinating soft pink shade.
For variation, make some stripes thicker or thinner than others. For a glossy finish, apply a fast-drying topcoat to seal in the design. Remove striping tape carefully to reveal your crisply defined stripes. The contrasting diagonal lines and pastel shade pairing give this mani a cool vintage vibe!
Recommended Polish Colors: For a true buttery yellow base, try Essie Short Story or Sally Hansen Mellow Yellow. Pair it with ballet slipper pinks like OPI Bubble Bath.
Embellishment Ideas: For added flair, paint on micro dots along the striping tape lines before removing. A silver or gold base along the nail tips also adds nice definition.
Mod Squares and Dots
This optical nail design has major mod appeal. Follow these instructions to recreate the geometric pattern:
Start with a base of bright opaque yellow polish – two coats gives you the perfect canvas. Then use striping tape to section off squares, rectangles and triangles across different nails.
Fill these shapes in with a deep fuchsia pink. Before removing the striping tape, go over the borders between colors with a fine line of silver polish.
This helps define the angular retro pattern. Once the tape is removed, use a dotting tool to add rows of white dots along the inside edges of each shape.
The contrasting colors and complementary shapes create awesome optical dimension. Finish with a glossy topcoat for lacquer-like shine.
Recommended Polish Colors: An electric yellow like Essie In Limbo or Sally Hansen Mellow Yellow makes shapes pop. Pair it with intense hot pinks like OPI Rosy Future or China Glaze Shocking Pink.
Embellishment Ideas: Outline square edges with silver striping polish. Place pearls or gems in opposite corners for interest. Cover with matte topcoat for a velvety finish.
Sunny Chevrons
For perfect summer picnic nails, go for a color combo of bright sunny yellow and soft blushing pink. Here’s how to do it:
Start by painting all nails a base color of pastel yellow – try two thin coats for opacity. Next, use striping tape to section off chevron stripes at the tips of each nail.
Fill in the chevron shapes with a light pink cream polish.
For extra dimension, paint on thin white lines following the edges of each chevron stripe. Once dry, seal with a glossy topcoat.
Remove striping tape to reveal the crisp zig-zag pattern. The contrast of the graphic pink chevrons over the soft yellow base gives this sunny nail idea loads of playful appeal.
Recommended Polish Colors: Buttery yellows like Essie Short Story make the ideal base shade. Blush pink creams like Essie Ballet Slippers complement it perfectly.
Embellishment Ideas: Outline chevron edges with silver striping polish for definition. Place small pearls or gems near the point of each chevron for added interest.
Color blocked Confetti Nails
For seriously fun nails, this colorblocked confetti look fits the bill. To recreate it:
Start by painting nails different base colors of soft yellow, pale pink and white. Allow to dry fully before moving onto the next step.
Now use striping tape to section off random triangular confetti shapes on each nail. Fill in the shapes with contrasting colors on each nail for maximum pop.
For example, paint neon pink triangles on the yellow nails, bright yellow triangles on the pale pink nails, and black triangles on the white nails. Remove striping tape to reveal the vibrant colorblocked effect. The randomly placed confetti shapes on each contrasting base color create tons of energy and excitement!
Recommended Polish Colors: Soft pastel base colors like Essie Short Story yellow, OPI Bubble Bath pink, and pure white work perfectly. Vibrant neon pinks, yellows and blacks create eye-catching contrast for the confetti.
Embellishment Ideas: For extra dimension, use a striping brush dipped in silver polish to outline the confetti pieces before removing tape. Glossy topcoat ensures smooth finish.
Rose Gold Marbleized Ombre
This glamorous nail design features an ombre fade from blush pink to rose gold to create a luxe marbleized effect. To get the look:
Start by painting nails with two coats of a shimmery pale pink polish. While polish is still wet, use the brush end of a makeup wedge to gently dab drops of metallic rose gold starting below the nail cuticle and feathering down to the tips.
The colors will bleed together softly. Work quickly before polish dries. Repeat marbleizing effect on each nail to get the ombre design.
Use a detail brush dipped in black polish to add fine veining for a stone-like finish. Once fully dry, apply glossy topcoat for extra shine and longevity. The marbleized ombre effect is ultra glamorous but easy to achieve!
Recommended Polish Colors: Shimmery pinks like OPI Pink Flamenco work well as the base color. Metallic rose golds like Essie Penny Talk create a luxe ombre effect.
Embellishment Ideas: Paint on black veining with a thin detail brush for a natural stone look. Tiny crystal or gold studs added sporadically give extra sophistication.
Pink Lemonade Nails with Fruit Slices
For unique fruit-inspired nails, this pink lemonade design incorporates real fruit! Here’s how to get the look:
Start by painting alternating nails in soft pink and bright lemon yellow cream polishes. Allow to dry fully. Next, cut thin slices of fresh lemon and strawberry about 1/4 inch wide.
Carefully place the slices onto your nails using tweezers and seal them with a layer of topcoat. Use a toothpick dipped in topcoat to gently adhere fruit end pieces as needed. Trim longer fruit edges with manicure scissors so slices fit your nail shape. Topcoat nails again over fruit.
Avoid extra moisture so the fruit stays adhered. The juicy fruit slice accents make for an irresistible and fun pink lemonade mani!
Recommended Polish Colors: Buttery yellow like Essie Short Story with ballet slipper pink like OPI Bubble Bath complement each other perfectly. A fast-drying glossy topcoat works best.
Embellishment Ideas: Tiny silver striping tape adds nice definition between the pink and yellow nails. For extra flair, add sliced kiwi tips!
Matte Black and Yellow Honeycomb
If you love edgy graphic looks, this matte black and bright yellow honeycomb design delivers bold impact. To recreate:
Start by painting nails black and applying a layer of matte topcoat for an ultra-velvety finish. Allow to dry fully before moving to the next step.
Use striping tape to section off rows of hexagons on each nail. Fill hexagons in with a rich opaque yellow. Before removing tape, outline all edges with silver polish to define the shapes.
Once tape is removed, use a dotting tool dipped in white polish to add dots along the inside edges of each honeycomb cell. The contrasting dark and bright colors paired with the beehive-inspired pattern create instant drama and edge.
Recommended Polish Colors: Jet black polish like OPI Black Onyx makes the ideal striking base.
Vibrant yellows like Essie In Limbo pop against the dark background.
Embellishment Ideas: Outline all hexagon edges in metallic silver polish before removing striping tape. White polka dots add whimsical contrast.
Pink and Yellow Gingham Picnic Nails
This retro gingham nail idea is perfect for spring and summer. To get the look:
Start by painting all nails white.
Once dry, use striping tape to section off rows of thin diagonal lines across each nail. Paint the striped rows in alternating colors of soft buttery yellow and rosy light pink.
Remove the striping tape slowly to keep lines looking crisp.
For extra flair, add white polka dots randomly atop the diagonal gingham pattern. A layer of glossy top coat helps blend the lines smoothly together. The contrasting crisp gingham print over the clean white base evokes laidback sunny picnic vibes.
Recommended Polish Colors: Bright white cream is the ideal base. Pair it with soft pastels like Essie Short Story yellow and OPI Bubble Bath pink for the gingham.
Embellishment Ideas: Tiny white dots throughout the design add a playful polka dot accent. Silver striping polish along the tips makes lines pop.
With endless options for combining shades and patterns, pink and yellow nails are the perfect way to show off your bold style or embrace the cheerful feeling of spring and summer.
Let your imagination run wild and get creative with pink and yellow polish – your nails will look stunning!
