It's Finally Spring, and We're Celebrating With These 15 Nail Designs

We've said it before, and we'll say it again. There's no better way to celebrate the changing of the seasons than with a fresh manicure. It might not seem like much, but it's a small, visual cue telling us it's time to shed the old and embrace the new and isn’t that what spring is all about?
Just as we’re switching out our long jackets and cable-knit sweaters for trendy tees and flowy dresses, we’re switching out our dark nail polish and old, tired nail designs for something lighter and brighter. Luckily, we have a lot of inspiration after we took it upon ourselves to scour Instagram for the best spring nail designs. From French manicures to floral patterns and abstract creations, we found something for every taste and aesthetic. Keep scrolling to see 20 spring nail designs from some of Instagram’s best nail artists and salons.
Tennis-ball green is a big color trend for the upcoming year. Who says that applies to your wardrobe only? Take it from your closet to your nails with this sporty and abstract design.
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This shade of orange is another one of the biggest color trends of the year. We've coined it "tiger tangerine," and its fresh, citrusy hue couldn't be more appropriate for spring and summer.
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If you're a minimalist through and through, even when it comes to your manicures, then this one's for you. All you need is a neutral base coat and a tiny dot of color above each cuticle.
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Say what you will about matte nails, but there's something about a glossy topcoat we can't resist. It makes any manicure, including this fun and fresh one, look elevated and purposeful. We like Olive and June's Super Glossy Top Coat ($8), which keeps our nails looking their best.
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A nude base and tiny hand-painted flowers make this manicure look whimsical and ethereal.
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If florals aren't your thing, gravitate toward graphic shapes and lines instead. Bonus points if you use a pastel polish, like this sky blue, which keeps the design light and fresh.
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Paint varying shades of green in marble-like ribbons to re-create this eye-catching design.
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Nail artist Holly Falcone used a baby-blue nail polish for this design.
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We don't know whether or not it's obvious, but we're really into French manicures lately.
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Sure, this design looks like it would be a little difficult to create at home, but it's possible with the right tools, a steady hand, and a little bit of patience. Then, watch the compliments roll in.
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Who says a manicure needs to match? Take heed from nail artist Hang Nguyen and paint a different design, in a different color scheme, on each nail. The result is a perfect collage.
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We love seeing spring nail designs that use pastels in a fresh and anything-but-basic way.
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This '60s-inspired design is everything, especially when it comes in turquoise blue. Luckily, we know the exact shade nail artist Betina Goldstein used. It's Nailtopia Be More Pacific ($10).
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Remember when we said mix-and-match manicures are all the rage? Yeah, that applies to French manicures, too. To re-create this look, choose a different color for each fingertip.
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This one goes out to the minimalist who still likes a pop of color in their manicure.
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Next up, check out the 16 prettiest nail colors we keep seeing on the fashion set.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.

Kaitlyn McLintock is a Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. She has 10 years of experience in the editorial industry, having previously written for other industry-leading publications, like Byrdie, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, and others. She covers all things beauty and wellness-related, but she has a special passion for creating skincare content (whether that's writing about an innovative in-office treatment, researching the benefits of a certain ingredient, or testing the latest and greatest at-home skin device). Having lived in Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas, she has since relocated back to her home state, Michigan. When she's not writing, researching, or testing beauty products, she's working through an ever-growing book collection or swimming in the Great Lakes.
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