If you're like me and are constantly checking Pinterest for the latest and greatest nail trends, you'll appreciate what I'm about to share with you. Whether I need to find the rightcoral polish for my skin tone or just want to easily re-createEuphorianail art (yes, I keep busy), I turn to my trusty inspo board to keep it all in one place. Now, there's also another realm of thenail design universe that I haven't fully explored yet: pastel nail ideas.
I've always loved pastel hues, but rarely think to createnew nail looks with the shades—weird, I know. But now that I've created a whole new board dedicated solely to changing this, I called in an expert to share some of her favorite looks using these soft-toned hues. Celebrity nail artist andNails of LA founder,Brittney Boyce, had a few cool ideas to clue me in on. Keep scrolling for her ultra-chic pastel picks, a few of my own, and how you can achieve each look.
Abstract Pastel Blue Designs
"Everyone does flowers for spring, but that's not really my aesthetic. I like doing minimal abstract takes on looks mixed with French tips. A deconstructed floral in a warm pastel blue or even purple is somewhat different."
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Pastel French Tips
"Mix and match French tips are such a classic design. For pastel colors, I like the tip to be a bit thicker so you see a lot of the color. You can also do a half-French tip with a white outline to really play up the pastel shade."
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Ombré Pastel French Tips
"Ombré French tips in a monochrome look is another fun way to play with pastel."
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Sally Hansen
Good, Kind, Pure Nail Colour in Pink Cloud
"Painting geometric shapes with metallic accents is another fun way to play up pastel colors and make it more modern."
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Pastel Sunset Designs
I'll fully admit this is not an easy design and might require a professional nail tech, but it's so dreamy I couldn't leave it off the inspo board. If you do want to try it yourself, it would look stunning with a subtle pop of pastel purple to create the look of a sky.
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Blue-and-Pink Gradiant Designs
This design looks a bit more complicated than it is. You can actually DIY your own gradient-style designs by placing your desired colors on a sponge and lightly dabbing them on your nails until you achieve the desired hue.
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Pastel Skittle Nails
We love a good simple design that's still fun and eye-catching. Paint your nails the (pastel) colors of the rainbow on each hand.
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Orly
Artist's Garden
As far as pastel polishes go, this is one of Boyce's favorites. "Sometimes pastel greens can look very Easter. This pistachio green is a bit more elevated with an earthy tone to it."
Smith & Cult
Nail Polish in Exit the Void
"Periwinkle is so big this year, and this is a very vibrant pastel shade," Boyce says.
Pastel Pink and Rose Gold
For a little pop of metallic sheen, weave in various shades of rose gold to your traditional pastel-pink manicure. It adds a unique vibrancy.
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Chanel
Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Ballerina
Pastel Yellow Squiggles
Sure, this design takes extra commitment, but if you can execute it, it'll be 100% worth it. You'll definitely want to use a super thin brush for a look like this to get the best results.
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Shades of Blue & White
If you're wanting a softer blue-toned look, try these pastel hues with subtle whites and grays to really make it pop.
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Pastel Floral Designs
Before you hit me with a Devil Wears Prada quote, just look at how cute this little floral design looks atop a lilac nail shade!? You really can't argue with that.
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Zoya
Nail Lacquer in Abby
Half-Painted Pastel Nails
For something a little different than a French tip or fully painted nail, try this fun design instead and paint half.
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