12 Pastel Nail Ideas to Save to Your Inspo Board ASAP
If you're like me and are constantly checking Pinterest for Wholesale Replica Bag and greatest nail trends, you'll appreciate what I'm about to share with you. Whether I need to find the right coral polish for my skin tone or just want to easily re-create Euphoria nail 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 the nail design universe that I haven't fully explored yet: pastel nail ideas.
I've always loved pastel hues, but rarely think to create new 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 and Nails 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."
Get the look:
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."
Get the look:
Ombré Pastel French Tips
"Ombré French tips in a monochrome look is another fun way to play with pastel."
Get the look:
Geometric Shapes With Metallic Accents
"Painting geometric shapes with metallic accents is another fun way to play up pastel colors and make it more modern."
Get the look:
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.
Get the look:
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.
Get the look:
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.
Get the look:
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."
"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.
Get the look:
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.
Get the look:
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.
Get the look:
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.
Get the look:
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.
Get the look:
Up Next: This is Already the Coolest Nail Trend of 2022
Shawna Hudson has worked in editorial for over six years, with experience covering entertainment, fashion, culture, celebrities, and her favorite topic of all, beauty. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in journalism and has written for other publications such as Bustle, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Elite Daily, Mane Addicts, and more. She is currently an associate beauty editor atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing and hopes to continue feeding her (completely out-of-control) beauty obsession as long as she can. Stay up to date on her latest finds on Instagram @shawnasimonee.
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