Flower nail art isn’t your thing? There are still plenty of ways to make your manicure bloom this spring. Right now is the perfect time to try out petal nails: a delicate spin on the pinky-nude mani we know and love, which will go with everything in your spring wardrobe.
Unsurprisingly, Selena Gomez and her trend-making nail artist Tom Bachik were early to the petal mani moment. Gomez opted for a true neutral petal mani, which illuminates her natural nail bed and adds the subtlest flush of pink. To get the look, Bachik used shade FS106 from his new Neudes Series, which is inspired by makeup. Paired with Gomez’s elegant almond tips, this set got us thinking about all the ways to wear petal-coded nails for spring and summer.
What sets petal nails apart from other pink-nude mani trends, like soap nails? It’s all about the texture. The goal is to make them look soft and silky rather than squeaky-clean or glassy. That typically means opting for a milky nail polish over a translucent jelly coat—but letting a bit of your natural nail bed peek through can definitely add to the look. If you want to take the petal theme more literally, you can also add subtle vein lines with a detail brush.
Tempted to try a petal mani for yourself? Ahead, find some of our favorite ways to wear the trend this spring.
Ombré petal nails
A subtle ombré effect is one of the easiest ways to get a realistic petal look. Try pairing your favorite pinky-nude shade with a slightly deeper pink to add depth.
Short petal nails
While longer almond tips may mimic the shape of an actual petal, you can still get the look on short, natural nails. This pink ombré set balances the shorter nail with a slightly bolder pop of color.
Peony petal nails
Milky white nail enthusiasts, this one’s for you. To make your nails pop, opt for a slightly cool-toned pink with a semi-opaque finish. This look almost crosses into strawberry milk mani territory.
Aura petal nails
Instead of a classic ombré, you can also opt for an aura nail design with your favorite petal shades. Pro tip: To get the airbrushed effect at home, try using a makeup sponge to transfer the blended bullseye design onto each nail.
Hibiscus petal nails
Who says all petal nails have to be pale pink? Go for a more tropical combo with Barbie pink and sunshine yellow, perfect for your next beach vacation.
Hydrangea petal nails
Or ditch the pink entirely. This neutral pink base melts perfectly into hydrangea blue tips—and makes a great case for matching your petal mani to your favorite bouquet.
Grace McCarty is the associate beauty editor at Glamour.
