Experts Recommend: This May, Your Nail Appointment Should Feature These Luxurious, Trendy Colors

      For those who experience all four seasons, May feels like a refreshing breath of air. In New York City, the trees in Central Park are finally blossoming, and green grass has taken the place of dry patches. Nature has revived, and our fashion choices from head to toe mirror this rejuvenation. When I consulted three professional manicurists for their suggestions on nail colors for my May appointment, they presented a flurry of trendy options ranging from subtle and delicate to bold and unconventional.

      There’s much occurring in May, as celebrity nail artist Pattie Yankee notes. This month marks the official beginning of wedding season (“Be prepared for lots of blush pinks and milky nudes,” she remarks), and we are currently recovering from Coachella and Stagecoach, where fashion-forward individuals launched many of the season's hottest manicure trends. “May is that lovely in-between moment where spring is in full swing, but summer is just around the corner, and nail trends reflect that feeling of softness and hope,” explains Rebecca Isa, creative director at Zoya. This burst of renewal—the blooming flowers, the warm spring breeze, and filled social calendars—inspired this month's trendiest colors, as highlighted by the experts' recommendations below.

      From gentle pastels to shimmery topcoats (including several stylish color combinations), here are May's leading manicure contenders.

      1. **Refined Pastels**

      Pastels for spring? Groundbreaking. Although these lighter variations of traditional colors are spring manicure favorites, Isa anticipates a sweeter yet more sophisticated approach—shades she describes as “dessert-inspired pastels,” which feel “sweet and indulgent yet refined and mature.” The outcome is dreamy pinks, raspberry tones, and milky lilacs (like the one above), finished with a glossy, candy-like shine. “These are not the chalky pastels of previous seasons; they're richer, more saturated, and appear polished rather than playful,” Isa concludes.

      2. **Inky Alternatives**

      At first sight, this next trend may seem contrary to spring, yet it stands as one of the chicest options at salons right now. Not only did Hailey Bieber sport inky, floral nails at the first weekend of Bieberchella (created by go-to celebrity manicurist Zola Ganzorigt, a constant trendsetter for music festival season), but opting for styles that defy seasonal norms can elevate your cool factor. However, Yankee notes that black polish isn't necessary to engage in this trend. “For those who prefer darker nails but still want a splash of color, cobalt blue or emerald green (the May birthstone!) are popular alternatives,” she adds.

      3. **Natural Glow**

      Healthy nails are always in style, and Isa mentions that the renewed focus on nail health is influencing spring trends. “We're continuing to witness a strong shift towards luminous, enhanced naturals—finishes that don’t cover the nail but instead reflect light to make it look healthier and brighter,” she explains. For instance, the coral hint of color on manicurist Mateja Novakovic’s nails comes from the tinted Manucurist nail strengthener in Cranberry. Isa illustrates that these polishes with built-in benefits provide a "your nails but better" shine, which “feels especially apt for May as we transition into bare-skin season and want our hands to appear effortless.”

      4. **Subtle Shimmer**

      “Subtle sparkle is making a comeback, but not in an over-the-top way,” declares Isa. “We’re noticing fine, rose-gold-toned glitters and pearlescent shimmers being used as accent shades or topcoats over creams to add dimension without overwhelming the appearance,” she adds. A perfect example is this delicately shimmery gel manicure crafted by London-based expert manicurist Karolina Zuk, who made fine glitter flecks look elegantly chic.

      5. **Soft Pink**

      “Pink is the color of summer!” exclaims Olivia Van Iderstine, a trend expert at Olive and June. “There are so many ways to embrace this trend, from nearly neon hot pinks to subtle neutrals,” she adds. However, softer versions of the bubblegum shade, such as the milky pink shown above, have been significantly trending for quite some time. If you're in search of a non-dull neutral that complements everything this month, soft pink is your ideal choice.

      6. **Orange Creamsicle**

      There’s nothing quite like a gentle citrus hue to celebrate the shift from spring to summer. Not only does this milky clementine shade look fabulous on every skin tone, but it also evokes a sweet sense of summer nostalgia without being childish or tacky. "Orange Creamsicle is one of our favorite flavors—equally sweet and striking," says Van Iderstine regarding this sugary trend. Intensify the saturation with a bolder orange for added flair, or