A quick scroll of any social media outlet will bring up a plethora of nail ideas. From lipgloss nails and glazed donut nails - both Hailey Bieber approved - to logo nails and tortoise shell nails - there's no shortage of inspiration. But sometimes, a manicure needs to be pared down, soft, universally appealing. Enter pastel nails.
Meet the experts
Michelle Humphrey celebrity session manicurist (@nailsbymh)
Julia Diogo, celebrity manicurist (@paintedbyjools)
Giorgia Capella, Head of Education and Spa at The Gel Bottle INC.
‘Pastels are the perfect pantone for the spring/summer season,’ says session manicurist, Michelle Humphrey, ‘as the sun starts to shine, we all want to brighten up a little.’ Pastel nails don't have to be boring; from candy tips on a bare base to gradient manis with lilac, lemon andbaby blue tones there's so many ways to tap into the pastel nail trend. pastel nails don't have to be boring .
‘Pastels work perfectly for summer,’ confirms celebrity manicurist Julia Diogo, better known as @paintedbyjools **‘**whether it’s a full pastel nail or a pastel French tip. They really accentuate a tan and suit every skin tone, whilst also being easy to complement outfits.’
To find a polish that matches your complexion, Giorgia Capella says, ‘It's helpful to understand colour theory. Colours with a warm undertone tend to compliment cool skin tones better and vice versa. Aside from your colour choice, the foundation for your colour application is really important as pastel shades tend to highlight any imperfections on the nail. Ensure your prep is absolutely perfect with a completely smooth base coat to ensure a good application.’
In terms of nail shape, Diogo adds the less harsh the better. 'In my opinion, a soft square or an almond shapeare my go for to pastel shades; the softness of the shape better reflects the softness of the colour.' The good news is that pastel nails work well with both BIAB nails and acrylic nails.
The Best Pastel Nail Ideas To Try Now
Best Pastel Nail Ideas for Spring
1. Blooming Gel Flower Nails
Love the idea of floral nail art but want to add a little more flavour? Check out this blooming gel manicure. Pretty, no?
Image credit: @nails.by.iz_
2. Pastel Floral Mint Green Nails
Mint green French tips paired with delicate white flowers is a great for the spring season, these are so achievable on short nails.
Image credit: [@silkbeauty.uk]{href='https://www.instagram.com/nails.by.iz_/?hl=en' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener nofollow'}
3. Lavender Milk Nails
This milky, semi-sheer lavender tone gives a chic understated look while adding a soft wash of colour - a subtle natural nail design.
Image credit: @house__of__nails
4. Blooming Flower Tips
Bored of frenchies? Try a floral twist with hand-painted blooms at the tip of the nail. Use a fine brush to paint the strokes - go for soft whites, pinks, and lilacs for a spring feel.
Image credit: sophies_nails20
5. Soft Peach Floral Nails
This peach tone paired with the 3D flower makes this set feel light and airy - ideal for peak spring brunches and picnics.
Image credit: @elina.nails.art
6. Floral Rainbow Nails
A whole bouquet of different coloured flowers, but right at your finger tips.
Image credit: @kenzi.ecreates
Best Pastel Nail Ideas for Summer
7. Bright Pastel Gradient Manicure
‘For an easy nail art option, try a pastel gradient mani,’ suggests Humphrey. ‘This is where each nail is a different pastel shade – choose between five and ten.’
Image credit: @lolo.nailedit
8. Unexpected Half Moons
French tips, reverse french tips, how about side french tips? For the steady handed or the salon-goers, intricately placed semi-circles on either side of each nail takes a standard mani from average to amazing.
Image credit: @thehangedit
9. Pastel Ombre Nails
‘Pastel ombre can be created really easily using a make-up sponge,' says Humphrey. How to recreate? 'Apply a base coat, allow to dry thoroughly, then sponge on your chosen shade up to 1/3 of the nail. Clean up any polish from the skin using a Q-tip.’
Top trick? ‘Always layer colours with stronger pigments over the top - you can figure out whether a colour is well pigmented by testing it; if it goes on thin and streaky use it as a base colour instead.’
Image credit: @nailsbymh
10. Graphic Nail Art
'Nail art also tends to become popular as we approach summer,' decrees Diogo, 'whether one nail or multiple, think daisies, cherries, watermelons, the lot!' Don't fancy fruit or flowers? Interestingly placed stripes add an air of art deco.
Image credit: @thehangedit
11. Mint Green Tips
French tips are timeless, and mint green gives them a cool, refreshingsummer nail update. DIY Tip: Use french tip guides to create a sharp tip over a nude base.
Image credit: @ellielouisenails
12. Pastel Neon Mix Match
Can’t choose one colour? Choose multiple. This cute mani features neon shades, all in one place.
Image credit: @nails_by_syd28
Best Soft-Glam Pastel Nail Designs
13. Chrome Pastel Nails
Thought you could get away from chrome by opting for a pastel finish? Think again. 'Chrome over the top of pastels works so well, as the sparkle really captures the undertone of the pastel with a pop,' Diogo assures us.
Image credit: @robbietomkins
14. Pink Aura Bow Nails
Why we love it? The combination of pink shading with the 3D bow gives a feminine, soft-glam feel.
Image credit: @latia.nailbox
15. Muted Green Nails
Mixing swirly designs against this muted green, creates a tonal effect that feels polished and elegant. With a striping brush or two-sided dotting tool in hand, you'll be able to recreate this easily.
Image credit: @thehotblend
Best Pastel French Tip Nail Ideas
16. Pastel French Tip Nails
‘I love a pastel French or Reverse French manicure,' says Humphrey, 'it's so youthful and fresh.' Her top tip? 'Begin with your basic nail prep and apply a base coat. Once that's dried pop on a base colour, try a nude or a sheer pink. For a French tipyou want to use the edge of your brush to taper the polish into the centre of the nail, do this on the opposite side to meet in the middle.’
Image credit: @iramshelton
17. Reverse French Tip
‘If you prefer a reverse French I would advise using a fine nail art brush,' says Humphrey, 'although it looks simple, it's a bit more complex than a regular French and you're more likely to get product on the cuticle. Paint your outline following the cuticle and then fill in.’
Image credit: @nails.by.liv/Instagram
18. Swirl Tips
A playful edge to the traditional French tip; this set feels very retro.
Image credit: @nail.art.by.tea
19. Soft Gradient French Tips
Another simple at-home nail art idea, if all fails you can never go wrong with colourful French tips.
Image credit: @express83nails
20. Yellow French Tips Bow Nail
Pale pink and yellow just work together.
Image credit: @nailsbyalsn
21. Purple Mix Match
The @nail.art.by.tea knows how to create a set that draws attention, exhibit A.
Best Pastel Ombre Nail Ideas
22. Dipped Pastel Nails
'Pastels are a really good way to experiment with colour,' says Diogo who recommends plumping for pastels if you’re not feeling super brave or confident.' According to Diogo the nail colours that are trending right now are pastel greens, lilacs and buttery yellows.
Image credit: @camilacoelho
23. Peach Faded Ombre
If you want an orange manicure, but don’t want something too bold, we have just the thing.
Image credit: @nastaran.khosravi.nailart
24. Soft Pink Ombre Nails
Opt for a ombre spin on a dainty floral manicure, the accent nails are small but make the world of a difference.
Image credit: @monika__nails
25. Pastel Aura Nails
Hello! These pastel aura nails are stunning, it serves as an opportunity to you show off loads of colour.
Image credit: @glossy.studios
26. Aura 3D Freestyle Set
Aura nails are so gorgeous! If you want to achieve this look, your nail technician will need an airbrush machine. Be sure to ask beforehand to avoid disappointment.
Image credit: @express83nails
Best Pastel Nail Ideas for Short Nails
27. Sheer Pastel Nails
Following increased demand for more sheer and opaque pastel tones that people are gravitating towards Bio Sculpture have released a new pastel range to fit the bill - the Flutter By Collection. Diogo says her go-to shades are Green Apple Smoothie, Wings Of Grace(from the Flutter By range) and Brigitte.
Image credit: [@betina_goldstein]{href='https://www.instagram.com/betina_goldstein/' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener nofollow'}
28. Colour Blocking
Mix and match nails are a big nail trend this season and this looks proves that pastels don't need to be quiet. Clashing colour make bold statement even when colours are muted. Try alternating primary and secondary colours for maximum impact.
Image credit: @yeswhatnails
29. Pastel Splodges
No splodge doesn't need to be messy as proved by thispink and red (one of our favourite colour combinations) manicures. Artfully placed dollops of polish are reminiscent of a lava lamp. Nineties nostalgia at its best.
Image credit: @joysedition
30. Star Pastel Nails
Such a dreamy set - great for short BIAB nails.
Image credit: @thenailroombygee
31. Mini Marble Pastel Nails
Short, sweet and fit for professional settings.
Image credit: [@silkbeauty.uk]{href='https://www.instagram.com/nails.by.iz_/?hl=en' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener nofollow'}
Best Celeb-Inspired Pastel Nail Trends
32. Pastel Chrome Nails
The soft pastel shades paired with a high-shine chrome finish gives fashion. Apply a pastel base, then use a chrome powder to add a reflective finish, and cure with a gel lamp (because these chip easily). The glazed finish has become a signature look among celebrities including Hailey Bieber.
Image credit: @beautyspace_charlotte
33. Coquette Nails
Bows are everywhere right now, so why not have them on your nails too? Real or painted.
Image credit: @editionvicki
34. Butterfly Nails
Butterfly designs over a neutral pastel base appear whimsical and celebs have caught on too. Dua Lipa has been seen sporting this Y2K design.
Image credit: @aistehaas
35. Pink Pastels 3D Nails
Go all out at your next nail appointment with a full 3D freestyle set mani yznailartistry is showing us exactly how it’s done; this is fit for a red carpet.
Best Minimalist Pastel Nail Ideas
36. Muted Metallic Reverse Manicure
This metallic reverse tip design is very edgy, you'll smile every time you look down at your hand. Plus it's a solid colour so it will work with short nails and long nails alike.
Image credit: @elina.nails.art
37. Nude and Gold Nalis
The combination of nude and subtle gold accents keeps this simple yet elevated.
Image credit @nails.by.iz_
Best Pastel Nail Ideas for Short Nails
38. Pink Nails
A barely-there pink shade says clean and effortless, use two coats of a sheer pink polish for a demure finish.
Image credit: @tgbspa
39. Pastel Rainbow Marble Nails
For this one, paint each nail with different pastel colours for a cohesive yet multi-toned look.
Image credit: @nailchark
40. Yellow Nails
Yellow has to be one of the most underrated pastel colours, so if you’re on the hunt for an unexpected manicure this is the way to go.
Image credit: @clw_nailartist
41. Cloud Nails
Use a dotting tool and a thin brush to paint cloud shapes for this set below.
Image credit: @purplewoodbeauty
Best Chrome and Glazed Pastel Nail Ideas
42. Chrome Freestyle Set
This combination of clouds, swirls, and chrome shows creativity has no bounds.
Image credit: @notorioushandjobz
43. Purple Cat Eye Nails
The cat-eye effect adds so much depth to a manicure, everyone will be asking for a second look at your hands.
Image credit: @vettsystore
44. Glossy Freestyle
For those who crave a little bit of pizzazz for their manicures. A little glitter or silver shimmer action goes a long way, and has a striking effect when paired with pastels and 3D designs - the shell has to be my favourite nail.
Image credit: @nailsbyminhanh
45. Fairy-core Nails
Shimmer, pastel, and barely-there designs create such a dreamy effect.
Image credit: @nailsdesign_rachel
How To Stop A Manicure From Staining
'Staining sometimes can happen with lighter colours but like I always say your nails aren’t tools so try and avoid anything you think that might stain them,' says Diogo, 'If you do see any staining, my top tip is to use Bio Sculpture’s Multi Cleansewith a small cotton pad – if you wipe the nail over the course of a day this will noticeably help reduce the stain.'
How To Make Nail Polish Last Longer
'I always use the Bio Sculpture Gloss Top Coat to make sure I seal my gel for a zero chip wear,' notes Diogo. (Gloss only accessible to trained and qualified technicians not for retail purchase)
Pastel Nail Designs FAQ
How do I find the right pastel nail polish shade for my skin tone?
Cooler tones like mint and lilac pop on fair skin, while peach and soft yellow flatter warmer undertones.
What are the best pastel nail designs for short nails?
Try single colours, swirls, or soft ombre fades for a chic, subtle look.
What’s the difference between sheer, glossy, and matte nails?
Sheer vs. glossy vs. matte: Sheer is delicate and natural, glossy adds shine and depth, while matte is velvety.
How can I make pastel nails look more interesting?
Making them interesting: Add delicate floral accents, abstract shapes, or a touch of foil for extra flair.
Can pastel nails work for all seasons?
Soft shades like nude pink and lavender work year-round with seasonal updates like glitter or darker accents.
Are pastel nail ideas work-appropriate?
Keep it simple with soft colours - clean and minimal.
How to do pastel nails?
Start with a base coat, apply two thin layers of pastel polish of your choice, and finish with a glossy top coat for shine.
How to do pastel ombre nails?
Apply a base coat, layer one pastel at the tip, then blend a second pastel toward the cuticle. Finish with a top coat.
What are pastel nail colours?
Soft shades like baby pink, mint green, lavender, peach, pale yellow, and powder blue.
Renee Washington, Grazia's digital fashion and beauty assistant, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie..
Rachael Martin is Grazia’s beauty editor where she covers all things beauty, health and wellness