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Spotlight On: Spring Nail Art and Looks


Spotlight On: Spring Nail Art and Looks

With nearly forty different nail looks, I think there’s more than enough inspiration in this post if you haven’t already dabbled in some spring-themed nails! 🙂

Check out readers’ submissions!


Super Easy Easter Nails

submitted by: Susan J.
inspiration: “I chose a mixture of cutesy Easter looks for my manicure; they’re all super easy to replicate at home.”
products used: Seche Porcelain, Leighton Denny Babydoll, Avon Sea Breeze, Essence Lime Up, Barry M Lemon & Blueberry, Sally Hansen Greige Gardens


Flower Fields

submitted by: Naomi H.
inspiration: “My nieces love the colour pink and challenged me to incorporate this colour into a design. Since I have been interested in flowers and plants lately the two collided into this manicure.”
products used: OPI Pink Friday, Sinful Colours Swedish Blue, Green nail stripper polish, China Glaze Moonlight, Seche Vite top coat


Fun & Thrifty Caviar Nails

submitted by: Melinda M.
inspiration: “Everyone has been talking about the Caviar nail trend but the kits to create the look are *SO* expensive. So I made my own caviar nails using stuff you can find for a good price at your local craft store!”
products used: China Glaze Nail Polish – Make Some Noise, Martha Stewart Metallic Microbeads (available at Michael’s), Seche Vite Top Coat


Cloudy

submitted by: Sarah
inspiration: “Just a simple desire to use three beautiful colours that I was sure would work together. And work they did! ”
products used: Essie – Your Hut or Mine?, Butter London – Marrow, OPI – Designer… De Better


Spring Splash of Color

submitted by: Tiffany S.
inspiration: “This design was inspired by the bright colors of Spring! I took four of my favorite OPI polishes and instead of doing a water marble on all of my nails, I just did one on my accent nails. The water marble design reminded me of pretty flower petals!”
products used: All polishes used were OPI from the Shrek collection: The dark blue is Ogre the top Blue, the purple is Funkey Dunkey, the light blue is What’s with the Cattitude, and the green is Who the Shrek are you.


Pastel Princess

submitted by: Ariel
inspiration: “Popteen Magazine”
products used: OPI Pink-ing of You & Alpine Snow, Orly 24K Glitter, Essie Lilacism, Maybelline Twinkle Toes


Nude ‘n Sparkly

submitted by: Tina K.
inspiration: “Spring dune sunrise.”
products used: Essie Topless and Barefoot, pink glitter from Michael’s


Leopard Lust

submitted by: Michelle M.
inspiration: “The inspiration was the color combination. I loved this combination so much I keep doing it over & over again!”
products used: I used Nails Inc. Wellington Square as the base color and Nails Inc. Lanesborough Place as the stamping color.


Easter Nail Art

submitted by: Charleen G.
inspiration: “Every year I do holiday themed nail art, so I guess you can say I’m inspired by the Easter holiday in general. I just make it up as I go, I like to do every nail different.”
products used: Bahamian Escape by China Glaze (Blue), Pink Friday by OPI (Pink), Re-Fresh Mint by China Glaze (Mint Green), , L’Esprit by American Apparel (Lavender), Peachy Keen by China Glaze (Orange), Lemon Fizz by China Glaze (Yellow), Pinata Yadda Yadda by Ulta (Multi-Colored glitter top coat)


Spring Sheen

submitted by: Margo
inspiration: “I wanted to do a fun look with pink and green so I chose to do green glitter at the base of the nail to look like grass and sponged on white to look like flowers.”
products used: Sally Hansen Hard as Nails French White, O.P.I in Fresh Frog of Bel Air, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Proto Petal, N.Y.C Long Wearing Nail Enamel in Scandalous Blue Glitter Seche Vite Top Coat


Over the Fence

submitted by: Jessica
inspiration: “Wild cherry blooming over the fence of my backyard while for the colour, it’s been a wild spring in Toronto, Canada. Sunny one moment, cloudy the next then warm and humid one second, cold and dry the next. So I took that as the colour inspiration.”
products used: OPI Suzy says da! as base, China Glaze 2NITE as stamping polish, Konad plate m74 for pattern, Sally Hansen Ceramics Urban Chic on tips


Flowers

submitted by: Karen L.
inspiration: “All the new life that pops up when spring time hits. If you go out side one day, it barren and basically nothing to see, the next day its bursting with life and spring flowers!”
products used: China Glaze Stone Cold, Zoya Pippa, OPI Funkey Dunkey,OPI Done Out In Deco,OPI Pink Friday, OPI Kiss me on my Tulips, Sparitual Surreal, Essie Smooth Sailing, China Glaze Jolly Holly,


Glittery Spring Day

submitted by: Jasmine S.
inspiration: “It was cold outside and I felt like I needed spring-y nails but just something with a subtle shade of pink and purple undertones .”
products used: NYC White, Pure Ice Glitter Polish


Speckled Eggs

submitted by: Soo
inspiration: “I thought my mani for the week would be appropriate for Easter Sunday. It’s not too bold or flashy, but still a little something that’s fun and reminds me of eggs.”
products used: Pretty & Polished Jawbreaker


Spring Bouquet Nails

submitted by: Margaret F.
inspiration: “I had someone suggest I do a floral manicure, so I wanted to do something different then the roses or pansies I might typically do. I decided to do a variety of flowers in one design and just played around until I was happy.”
products used: I used OPI Ate Berries in the Canaries as the base and used OPI Done Out in Deco, Essie Turquoise and Caicos, and Sally Hansen Lively Lilac for the petals. the centers of the flowers are Wet n Wild Tickled Pink.


Simple, Elegant Nails

submitted by: Melissa W.
inspiration: “I was inspired by lilies of the valley, my favorite spring flowers!”
products used: Wet ‘n’ Wild Caribbean Frost


Floral Pattern

submitted by: Elisa
inspiration: “If you go shopping you find only dresses, trousers and skirts with flowers. I like them, but I’m not brave enough to wear them, so I’ve transformed the flowers in an accessory :)”
products used: KIKO 324, Deborah Red, Pupa Kelly Green, Debby White


Geometric Nails

submitted by: Cyra
inspiration: “I put a twist on pretty spring green and made it geometric :)”
products used: Pure Ice: Home Run!, Sinful Colors: Mint Apple


Peachy Flowers

submitted by: Diana S.
inspiration: “I was inspired by someone else’s nails I saw using a different color and decided to try it myself using peach.”
products used: I used MAC Seasonal Peach as my background shade and assorted acrylic paints for the design then topped it off with Seche Vite top coat.


A Few Cracked Eggs

submitted by: Jill B.
inspiration: “Inspiration for this came from fond memories of my childhood Easters, when my family would revisit the futile exercise of coloring eggs that would just wind up cracked. And despite this, we ALWAYS had an amazing time together! :)”
products used: Seche Clear base coat. (Thumb) China Glaze “Lemon Fizz”, (index) China Glaze “Shocking Pink”, (middle) Revlon “Blue Lagoon”, (ring) Revlon “Peachy”, (pinky) China Glaze “Aquadelic”. Sephora by OPI “Blasted Silver” over each, and a coat of Seche Vite.


Colorful Nails

submitted by: Naktsmeita
inspiration: “Sunny day.”
products used: Maybelline French White, Flormar Stripers (yellow, green, magenta), China Glaze Techno Plastic, Bow Decorations.


Spring Dots

submitted by: Phyrra
inspiration: “I love neons and brights for spring, so I did an abstract dot mani.”
products used: Base – Cult Nails Get it On, Base color – Milani White on the Spot, Sally Hansen Nail Art pens – Black a& Neon Pink. On all nails., Oranges – China Glaze Japanese Koi, Sun Worshiper & Napoleon Perdis Santorini Sunset., Pink – butter London Disco Biscuit, China Glaze Pool Party, Orly Oh Cabana Boy & OCC Femme, Purple – Pahlish Train Underwater, Illamasqua Baptiste, NARS Pokerface & Pretty & Polished Galactus. Yellow – Nailtini Classic Rita, China Glaze Solar Powered & Essie Over the Top


Scalloping for Spring/em>

submitted by: Marina S.
inspiration: “I’ve been inspired to try this by the various ‘nail cloud’ tutorials from the creative nailside blog. I was very eager to incorporate my OPI Fiercely Fiona (the lemon-lime colour) in some form of nail art – it’s a gorgeous colour, but a bit too bold on it’s own for me.”
products used: Base colour – Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure – Firs Kiss First Cloud – No 7 – Cheeky Chops Second Cloud – OPI – Fiercely Fiona


submitted by: Teri
inspiration: “This is a multi- coloured nail art, inspired by spring and Easter and anything cute! I wanted to make this very simple that even dummies like me could do this!”
products used: NYC Lavender Cupcake, Catrice Walking on Air (LE),L’oreal Color Riche in Perledejade, Bourjois 26


Funky Easter Zig-Zag Manicure

submitted by: Lucie H
inspiration: “My inspiration comes from very creative Illamasqua brand combined with quite Easter-y ZIG-ZAG motif. Illamasqua person is not afraid to push boundaries, combine strange colours and wear what defines her/him. That’s why I’ve combined these two shades that are very contrasting but they go well together.”
products used: Illamasqua Nomad and Stance


Spring Intertwined Manicure

submitted by: Lucie H
inspiration: “My inspiration for this manicure was a dress I saw in the shop window with the kind of ‘Intertwined’ pattern. Only I’ve used different colour combination. I loved OPI’s Holland shades for this spring which I’ve used for this look”
products used: OPI Kiss Me On My Tulips, OPI Dutch ‘ya Just Love OPI?, OPI A Roll In The Hague, , Konad Special Stamping polish in Black, Seche Vite Fast-drying topcoat


Spring Flowers

submitted by: Rachel D.
inspiration: “Cult Nails new Spring collection, Divas and Drama.”
products used: Wet N’ Wild All in the Cut, Zoya Rica, Love & Beauty Aqua Blue, Diamond Cosmetics Don’t Teal My Heart Away, Zoya Reece.


Floating Flowers

submitted by: Alice
inspiration: “I miss the fuzzy spring weather and flowers! I live in a cold place and spring hasn’t hit us yet, so I decided to draw some floating flowers on my nails.”
products used: Nature Republic GR602 (light green), Revlon Dreamer (light blue), Aritaum Stage (lavender), American Apparel Manila (yellow), Zoya Mia (pink)


Fun Colors

submitted by: Lex
inspiration: “The colors of the spring are hot and punchy!”
products used: Essence C’Est La Vie, Essence Trust in Fashion, Essence Nude Glam Cookies and Cream, P2 Matte Victim Top Coat


Polka Dots on Pink

submitted by: Meghan
inspiration: “I originally thought of this manicure way back when MAC’s Quite Cute collection came out and I realized these polishes are a close enough dupe at a much better price. Once I put them all together I thought it would be super cute to do a polka dot look!”
products used: Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear polish in Bubblegum Pink for the base, and the dots were done in Mint Sorbet and Lacey Lilac. I added a top coat of China Glaze Fairy Dust. Base coat is Seche Rebuild and topcoat is Seche Vite.


Easter Bunny Nails

submitted by: Jacqueline
inspiration: “From this and this.”
products used: Thumb, index, middle, & pinky: Base – Essie Nice is Nice, Dots – China Glaze White on White. Fourth finger: Base – OPI Do You Lilac It? with Wet ‘n’ Wild Hannah Pinktana, Bunny – China Glaze White on White, ears & nose are OPI Elephantastic Pink, black parts are Sinful Colors Black on Black. Base coat: OPI Nail Envy Matte, Top Coat: Seche Vite.


Springtime Moustaches

submitted by: Kate
inspiration: “I love the moustache manicure, so I decided to do a Springtime twist on it, giving my moustaches pastel backgrounds.”
products used: For the bases: Sinful Colors Verbena (on thumb, not shown), Revlon Fast Dry Lightning, Sinful Colors Soul Mate, Essie Coat Azure, Sinful Colors Open Seas


Retro Flowers

submitted by: Amy S.
inspiration: “I saw a lot of looks with this type of looks and I thought that it was really cute. I would consider this to be a look that requires a medium level of skill, but with patience and the right tools you will end up with a fun, cute look!”
products used: Base: OPI’s Done out in Deco, Inside Flower: American Apparel’s Coney Island, Flower Petals: OPI’s You’re a Pisa Work, Leaves: American Apparel’s Neon Green


Easter Polka Dots

submitted by: Jill
inspiration: “I loved NouveaCheap’s dot mani awhile back and thought it’d be fun to try to replicate it with Eastery colors :)”
products used: Sally Hansen Miracle Cure, Wet ‘n ‘Wild Shy, Pink dots: mix of Revlon Pink Again and 10 Whimsy, Green Dots: Sinful Colors Mint Apple, Yellow Dots: Sally Hansen Hue, Top Coat: Sally Hansen Diamond Flash


Essence Polka Dots

submitted by: KayJay
inspiration: “I love to wear pastel polishes during the springtime! I added polka dots because they can easily jazz up a creme polish and there are infinite design possibilities.”
products used: Base: Essence No More Drama, Dots: Essence Lime Up! (green); Let’s Get Lost (blue)


Easter Sampler

submitted by: Alpha W.
inspiration: “I saw some similar designs on Pinterest and decided to do a take on them. The bunny really makes the look so much sweeter. Hubby said my nails look like Jordan Almonds. ”
products used: Essie – Sweet Talker, Mix of Sinful Colors in Snow Me White + Jordana’s Mellow Yellow to make the pastel yellow Eyeko – Lilac Polish Revlon – Minted Color Club – He Loves Me Detailing with Art Deco nail art polishes Seche Vite top coat


Spring Florals & Pearls

submitted by: Liz P.
inspiration: “I’m really into floral this spring, so this nail art represents my obsession with anything floral.”
products used: China Glaze Kinetic Candy, OPI Pedal Faster Suzi!, Sinful Colors Zeus, Wet n Wild French White, Revlon Rainforest, White baby half pearls (from Ebay)


Speckled Easter Eggstravaganza

submitted by: Brooke
inspiration: “Various ‘egg’ Easter candy… Cadbury Mini Eggs, Whopper Eggs, etc.”
products used: Nailventurous Pinkerbell layered over: OPI Do you Lilac It?, China Glaze Lemon Fizz, OCC Pool Boy, ORLY Polo Princess, OCC Pansy.

46 Comments

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Kelly B Avatar

I think yours looks great…I tried doing the dots before and ended up with comets that had looooong tails…nothing clean and consistent like your nails.

Cat Avatar

Inspiration overload!!! Right now my nail’s are black with flake nail polish (they change from red-orange-green) over the black but I’m loving the bright happy looks here!

Tina Avatar

Love this post!! 😀 I really think you should do more of these “spotlight” posts! It’s great to get so much ideas and inspiration from so many different girls! :))) (And I really think you should do your ow look too, Christine. I would love to see it! – Kind of an “I say..” corner)
🙂

Saffy Avatar

I love this feature! It’s so fun to see so many different ideas and what products they’re using. I want to remove my vampy red polish and paint my nails with something super bright and spring-like now 🙂

sarah Avatar

:’) Thank you for including my cloudy nailart in your feature! There are certainly some really beautiful and well-thought out designs in that feature. Wow!

Anitacska Avatar

Wow, they are all so gorgeous! I did laugh when I read “Super easy Easter nails” under the first picture, as I would never ever be able to do anything like that! To me it looks too hard, and I am amazed by all these clever ladies! 🙂

Naktsmeita Avatar

I see I made few misspells in a hurry :p , but im so happy to see my nails here . I feel honored! Thank you, Christine .

This post is full of inspiration !
Im in love with Karen L. Flowers design and Spring Florals & Pearls by Liz P. ^^

Miss J Avatar

Such great nail art, how fun! I think my favorite might be Margaret F.’s It’s hard to choose since there’s so many awesome ones. I also want that freaking speckled glitter from Brooke’s!

Kelly B Avatar

You are ALL AMAZING!!! I swear, last time I TRIED to paint my toenails red it looked like I was hemorrhaging out of every toe…I was scared someone would call EMS. I have NO skills like each of you. Can Jessica, Michelle M. or anyone tell me what they meant by stamping polish and plates? I am totally ignorant and don’t know if there is something that helps make these prints if you are unable to do this amazing freehand work. Any advice?

Abra Avatar

Too bad you didn’t let everyone watermark their designs and now they’re susceptible to theft. Lord knows you get mad when someone steals YOUR pictures.

Christine Avatar

Hi Abra,

We don’t use watermarks, so we prefer to hold our submissions to the same standard. I definitely get frustrated over image theft when it is a company/brand doing it or when a company/brand has used an image to imply that I used their products in some way, but I don’t believe watermarking is the solution. The real solution is to educate people to property cite and credit their sources. 🙂

Italia Avatar

One of my ALL TIME FAVE POSTS, Temptalia!! Thank you for this beautiful collection of artwork. And thank YOU, wonderful, creative girls! You’re all amazing!!! WOW!

Carie Avatar

In Charlene G’s blurb, it says Re-Fresh Mint is by OPI, but it’s actually by China Glaze. I love these manicures – I wish I had the patience to do nail art!

Lisa Avatar

I love these ideas!! So cute. I could pull some of them off on my left hand (since I am right handed) but never on my right hand. I would be lopsided for sure. lol.
My personal faves are Naktsmeita and Margaret F’s.

K8theCurst Avatar

I’m so excited to see mine up there – thanks, Christine! <3

I have lots of inspiration now for the Spring season. I totally need to see if I can replicate the speckled egg look with what I have in my stash.. Beautiful nails, everyone!

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