Pastel Nails Bring the Good Vibes to Your Fingertips
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With each additional minute of daylight we receive after dragging ourselves through yet another brutal winter season, the desire for pastel nails increases by (approximately) 1,000 percent. As we look forward to warmer weather, it seems we're not the only ones. "Another homage to the '90s, pastels are making a huge comeback," celebrity manicurist and owner of Nails of LA Brittney Boyce previously told POPSUGAR.
Aside from Gen Z's clear obsession with the Y2K aesthetic, you may be wondering how the love for pastel nail designs has managed to go on for so long. For starters: the pastel nail ideas of 2024 are not the chalky and sheer hues of yore, and the nail designs that have been birthed from this color palette alone have been incredible to witness (can we get a round of applause for the genius who came up with pastel ombré nails?). Not only will the pastels this year be more "richly pigmented pastels that veer slightly warmer," according to Boyce, but the thought of getting a manicure inspired by 2024's biggest trends has us practically sprinting to the nail salon.
If you're looking for some ideas, look no further than the manicures we've rounded up for you ahead. From pastel french tips to subtle pops of pastel yellow, blue, and more, these nail looks will bring the best vibes right to your fingertips.
Pink Pastel Nails
Pink pastel nails are a perfect nod to the '90s without being overdone. "Barbie pink" remains one of the most well-loved pastel pink shades today, so the combination of trends makes this an easy go-to nail shade that you don't have to think about.
Pastel Yellow Nails
One of our favorite pastel colors? Yellow. Take your manicure up a notch by trying this intricate marbled design that uses different shades of yellow, as well as glitter and nail decals to finish the manicure.
Pastel French Tips
These pastel nails are minimal, but the yellow french tip sets them apart.
Ombré Pastel Nails
Cute pastels don't have to be relegated to one type of nail finish. Try using pastel colors on your next acrylic set for a softer take on the manicure. If you really want to take your nails to a different level, incorporate a diffused effect on the nails like you see here.
Watercolor Pastel Nails
We love the watercolor finish on this square set, which makes it one of our favorite pastel nail designs.
Heart Pastel Nails
Looking to step up your manicure game with fun pastel nail designs? The addition of these hearts is a cute idea.
Rainbow Pastel Nails
If you want to liven up an opaque manicure, we'd suggest going for one of the easiest pastel nail designs — rainbow nails. They don't require any nail-art experience, but they step up a simple look.
Sponge Pastel Nails
One of our favorite pastel nail ideas is using a sponge dipped in different pastel colors stamped onto the nail. It gives the manicure a mix of a rainbow and a watercolor look. Plus, it's easy to achieve.
Blue Pastel French Tips
Blue nails can easily veer too cool-toned depending on the shade used. If you can't decide on which shade you want but want to take part in the pastel nail-color trend, we say get them all in a fun design like these side tips. This way, you can have a few fingers in your preferred pastel shade.
Blue Pastel Nails
If you like to keep things minimal, this pastel blue nail with a square edge would be the perfect inspo photo to bring to your next manicure.
Green Pastel Nails
If you want to add a little something to your green pastel nails, try doing different shades or an accent finger with glitter.
Green Daisy Pastel Nails
If you want to step up your manicure, we love these green pastel nails with daisy nail art.
Rainbow French Manicure Pastel Nails
These square acrylic pastel nails with french tips are going on our mood board ASAP.
Orange Pastel Nails
Orange is the quintessential nail color for summer, and pastel orange is the softer, more understated version that works perfectly for spring. To give your pastel orange manicure an edgier look, try adding accent chrome nails.
Orange Marble Pastel Nails
These gorgeous orange pastel nails feature one finger with a marble detail, which we love.