10 May Nail Colors to Instantly Put You In a Good Mood
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/may-nail-colors-73513ed4dacd4025ba8239ccfd2b4a51.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1 "10 May Nail Colors to Instantly Put You In a Good Mood")
As we venture deeper into spring and inch closer to summer, people continue to embrace pastel hues and low key neutrals while also pivoting to splashier, bolder colors. That creamy butter yellow isn’t going anywhere, for example, and pale purple and pink remain staples. At the same time, though, we’re seeing more vibrant pops via fuchsia and red. If you’re trying to figure out the perfect May manicure for your upcoming salon visit, take your inspiration from this roundup of trending hues provided by professional nail artists.
Lavender Milk
You can thank Selena Gomez for this fun nail color that’s been making the nail salon circuits in a major way. “The milky neutral nail has been having its moment for the last several seasons, but this season there’s a new pastel taking the spotlight,” says Emmy Blakely, nail expert and CEO of Hello Love, Inc. “Lavender is going to be taking the lead from the pink and white milky nails. It’s the same slightly transparent look that we’ve come to love with a gorgeous new tone.”
Pastel Chrome French
The revived French mani shows no sign of slowing down, but we’re seeing so many iterations of the look via red tips, black tips (licorice nails), and now the pastel chrome French tip. For this look, all you need is a nude base, pastel hue for your tips, and then a sheer chrome topper for some pizzazz.
Bright Fuchsia
Not feeling the pastels? Go for a hue that makes a splashy entrance, instead. “May is the perfect time to start moving from the pastels of the spring into some bold summer choices, and a bright, bold fuchsia is the perfect statement choice,” Blakely says.
Naked Nails
The naked nails trend is everywhere this month, and it’s the perfect option for those who love a minimalist look (and don’t want to worry about matching fits to fingers). “The ‘your nails but better’ trend is an extension of the current trends of clean girl and soap nails aesthetics,” says Sonya Belakhlef, celebrity manicurist and spokesperson for ePhD.
Seafoam Green
It’s not a proper May nail colors roundup without a sprig of something green, but which hue to choose? Seafoam green is the answer, says Riyah Martin, nail artist and senior mixologist at ORLY Color Labs. “I think seafoam green is the perfect neutral-with-a-twist for May. It feels fresh, calming, and still trendy,” she tells us.
Ombre French Tips
Another way to wear the French in a new way is to put an ombré spin on the design. “French tips have made a strong comeback in the last couple of years, but we’re seeing a new twist on an old favorite with the more subtle ombré French tip,” Blakely says. “It’s a slow transition from pink to white—sophisticated, chic, and neutral.”
Red Hot Mani
If there’s a nail color that literally never goes out of favor it has to be bright red. It’s a particularly popular May nail color, says OPI’s global education manager Galdina Jiminez. “Red hot nails with a warm or orange undertone are fire this May,” she says. Maybe opt into the matching pedi for a super bold spring look.
Butter Yellow Nails
Butter yellow was one of those spring nail colors that came out of nowhere and is suddenly on everyone’s fingers. This creamy, unexpected hue remains a trendy pick for May whether you’re going for a full set, using it as an accent nail, or opting for just a hint of it via pastel French tips.
Classic Rose
If you’re looking for a timeless, clean look, Martin says to look no further than classic rose. This sheer, barely there pink gives nails a warm and rosy glow. “Whether you’re dressing up or keeping it casual, this shade always feels just right,” says Martin. “Plus, it’s the perfect base for a French manicure, always in style, and easy to pair with any accent color.”
Blue Cream
On the more colorful side, Jiminez says that blue nails are definitely in this season. Her favorite option for May is a creamy blue with the right balance of saturation and milkiness. It’s bold but not too over-the-top, and manages to feel like a neutral that pairs well with other hues.
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