Color Trend

Which pastel manicures to wear all year round?

5 min to read
With pastel nail polish, step into a dreamy, delicate world. Why not explore the refreshing and whimsical power of these shades throughout the seasons? Which colours should you choose, how can you personalise your manicure with unique nail art, and what’s the secret to long-lasting wear? Here’s your guide to pastel nails in perfect harmony with each of the four seasons.

 

Pastel Nail Polish Through the Seasons

Winter: Softness Meets Sophistication

Winter calls for pure, soothing shades that contrast beautifully with the crisp cold outside. Pastel hues for the colder months add a touch of elegance and softness to your nails while keeping things effortlessly chic.

Mint is a frosted pastel green that gives your nails a fresh, airy feel. It flatters fair skin tones and adds a luminous touch to deeper complexions. Pair it with cosy wool or cashmere outfits for a seamless winter look.

Light Blue is a delicate sky blue that brings a soft, radiant glow. Perfectly matched with minimalist winter wardrobes in cool or neutral shades like grey, black, white, or nude.

Looking for a timeless off-white polish—a creamy, milky shade reminiscent of fresh snowfall? For a rich, ultra-chic white manicure, Crème is your go-to, a refined alternative to nude that looks stunning on every skin tone.

A must-have for winter, Shell Beige is a trendy rosy beige that evokes the softness of seashells while giving nails a naturally sophisticated finish. Easy to wear, it complements all styles and enhances both short and long nails.

Shell Beige with a cup of hot chocolate and winter pastel polishes Mint, Light Blue, and Snow
Mint, Light Blue, and Shell Beige bring freshness, radiance, and softness for an elegant winter manicure.

 

For even more inspiration, check out our article on the best nail colours to wear in winter.

 

Spring: A Breath of Fresh Air

As the days grow longer, pastel shades light up your hands with poetry and charm. Inspired by blooming flowers, pastel hues are a must-have for the season, appearing everywhere from fashion runways to street style.

First up, Pistachio, a soft pastel green with yellow undertones—fresh and modern, reminiscent of a creamy sorbet. It suits both fair and deep skin tones beautifully.

For a weightless, airy feel at your fingertips, go for Bubble, a light pastel blue with subtle grey tones, reminiscent of a clear spring sky with not a cloud in sight...

For a poetic and romantic touch, Lisa Lilas is a vintage-inspired lilac straight out of the '90s—perfect to pair with light, floral outfits.

And for a delicate, powdery pink inspired by cherry blossoms, Blossom is a creamy pale pink polish with a rich, glossy texture that flatters every nail length and shape.

Pistachio polish swatch and pastel French manicure with Blossom
Pastel hues like Pistachio and Blossom bring a touch of springtime freshness to your nails.

 

Embrace the season by checking out our article on the top spring nail colour trends.

 

Summer: Bold and Playful

Summer is all about sunshine and carefree vibes. It’s the perfect time to experiment with vibrant pastel shades that enhance sun-kissed skin and add a playful touch to your summer manicure. Whether you’re drawn to pinks, yellows, or corals, which of these standout shades will be your go-to for glowing on the beach?

Bright and cheerful, Mimosa is an opaque pastel yellow that delivers a vitamin-packed burst of joy. Ideal for a chic, mood-boosting manicure, it pairs beautifully with neutral shades like off-white or beige.

For a soft summer breeze with dreamy blue undertones, meet Wisteria, a gentle mauve reminiscent of wisteria in bloom. It’s effortlessly elegant with outfits in beige, peach, or silver tones.

For a shade that beautifully enhances sun-kissed skin, Bird of Paradise is a coral-orange with pink undertones that makes a bold, radiant statement. Perfect for pairing with your favourite swimsuit!

Looking for a softer pink? You’ll love Pastel Pink, a velvety pastel pink with beige undertones, reminiscent of a hazy summer morning. Subtle yet eye-catching.

Green Flash™ polish in Wisteria and Bird of Paradise
Wisteria and Bird of Paradise: a soft mauve or a vibrant coral to enhance sun-kissed skin.

 

Looking for even more summer shades? Get your nails ready for holiday mode with our article on the best nail colours to wear this summer.

 

Autumn: Warmth and Comfort

Autumn marks the return of cosy, nature-inspired shades with soft and warm hues.

A seasonal favourite, Pale Rose is a nude pink with subtle beige tones. Its translucent finish makes it an ideal base for elegant nail art.

Warm up your hands with Abricot, a luminous orange that pairs beautifully with autumn wardrobes.

Dare to stand out with Lemonade, a delicate, citrusy yellow with fine shimmer, reminiscent of golden autumn leaves. A hidden gem, this shade is perfect for deeper skin tones!

Finally, Lilas brings cinematic elegance: this mauve-tinged blue mirrors the calm sea under an autumn sunset, wrapping your nails in a delicate touch of softness.

Pastel blue Lilas nail polish and Green Flash Pale Rose
Wrap your nails in softness with Pale Rose and Lilas, perfect for autumn!

 

For more autumn inspiration, explore our article on the best nail polish colours to wear this autumn.

 

Pastel Nail Art Ideas

Pastel Rainbow French

Give the classic French manicure a pastel twist by painting a fine line of colour at the tips of your nails, using a variety of soft hues. Starring shades: Wisteria, Lilas, Abricot, Pink Paradise, and Mint. This chic yet simple nail art flatters all nail lengths and guarantees a fresh, modern look.

Pastel French manicure and color swatches
A fresh, modern pastel French manicure featuring Wisteria, Pink Paradise, Abricot, Mint, and Lilas. (@look8thenails)

Tips to Make Your Pastel Manicure Last

Prep Your Nails Like a Pro

Start by shaping your nails to achieve your preferred look—square, rounded, almond… Next, take care of your cuticles by applying a drop of Effective Emollient to soften them before gently pushing them back with a wooden stick or cuticle pusher. Then, buff the nail surface with a nail prep file to improve adhesion. Remove any dust and degrease your nails using a gentle remover or a Green™ Degreaser. Now your nails are perfectly prepped for their pastel makeover.

Kit with Emollient, nail files, cuticle pusher, and Green Degreaser
Proper nail prep for a flawless pastel manicure!

 

Apply a Base Coat and Top Coat

Before applying your polish, don’t forget to use a protective base coat (Green™ Base Coat or Vitamin-Enriched Green Flash™ Base Coat if you're using Green Flash™ LED polish) to ensure a smooth, long-lasting manicure. The base coat helps create an even surface, strengthens your nails, and extends the wear of your Green Flash™ polish for up to 12 days.

Complete your manicure by applying a layer of Sunshine Top Coat (for Green™ polish) or Green Flash™ Top Coat (for Green Flash™ LED polish). The top coat seals in the colour, enhances shine, and ensures long-lasting wear.

Trio of Vitamin-Enriched Base Coat, colors, and Green Flash Top Coat
Protect with a base coat, enhance with a top coat for a vibrant, long-lasting manicure.

 

Endless Pastel Possibilities with Nail Polish Sets

For pastel lovers: Trio Sets and Rainbow 5-Colour Sets let you mix and match from a trendy selection of shades, available in both Green™ classic polish and Green Flash™ semi-permanent polish. Choose multiple pastel hues for a manicure that evolves with the seasons. With these sets, anything is possible… Enjoy!

Set of 3 colors: Mimosa, Lemonade, Pamplemousse
The Trio and Rainbow 5-Colour Sets offer endless possibilities for trendy pastel nails all year round.

 

Pastel nail polishes are your beauty allies, no matter the season! Switch things up throughout the year and express your creativity with unique nail art. Our pastel collection is designed to bring a touch of freshness and joy to your hands… and your everyday life! Share your pastel manicures on social media and don’t forget to tag us—we can’t wait to see your creations 😍