The 4 Hottest Spring 2011 Nail Polish Trends
Well, it may technically be spring, but up here in the northeast, it’s still freezing – I even had to wear my parka today. However, even though it’s still too cold to wear my spring clothes, that doesn’t mean I can’t dress my nails for the season! I’m officially ready to ditch my almost-blacks and my deep, rich nail colors and embrace the fun and lightness of spring with some brand new shades.
Below, I’ll break down the four most popular nail polish trends for Spring 2011, which include blues, nudes, pastels, and grays. Ready to see more? Read on!
Blues
Eyeko – Pastel Polish, butter LONDON – Blagger, Chanel – Riva (no longer available online), Essie – Coat Azure
Let me first just say that I am SO EXCITED for this trend! I’ve been very into blue polishes since last fall, when Chanel released the much-talked-about (and sold-out-everywhere) shade, Riva. (Check out my favorite budget-friendly Riva dupes!) So, for this spring, I’m psyched that all types of blue polishes are popping up everywhere.
This trend isn’t limited to pastel hues that resemble Riva, though – it also includes rich, bright blues, like Butter London’s Blagger, as well as muted blues and periwinkles. This such a fun nail trend because you really aren’t limited to just one hue; choose any shade of blue that you like, and your nails will look perfectly modern and on-trend.
Nudes
Essie – Jazz, Sephora by OPI – Going Nude, Eh?, OPI – Bubble Bath, Sally Hansen – Nude Now
It seems that the population has a love-hate relationship with nude polishes; they go in and out of style very quickly and can be super cute one minute, and completely shunned from a girl’s polish collection the next. However, I’m happy to say that they’re officially back in style right now!
Some people avoid nude polishes because they don’t like looking like a mannequin, however, if you pick the right shade, that definitely won’t happen! It’s all about choosing nudes that work against your skin color. If you feel too monotone wearing a nude polish, opt for one with some different undertones or subtle shimmer to change it up a little bit!
Pastels
Essie – Nice is Nice, butter LONDON – Hen Party, OPI – Done Out In Deco, OPI – Dulce de Leche
I know what you’re thinking: Pastels are a spring staple and the fact that they are a trend this year is nothing new. And while that’s typically true (we all know pastels are forever in for spring), this year there are two particular colors in the pastel category that are jumping out from the rest: peach and lavender.
Lavender-hued polish was very in last spring and summer, and that’s when I personally went out and bought a few various bottles. I’m happy I did because the trend is back with a vengeance and is continuing to go strong. So, whether you opt for a light lavender or a slightly richer tone, you can’t lose with this color family!
Peach has never been my personal favorite shade to wear, but I’m willing to put my judgments aside, and give peach polish another shot because of its popularity this season. Peach hues are always safe for spring because they’re light and airy while still being pretty and feminine!
Grays
Essie – Chinchilly, butter LONDON – Lady Muck, Rescue Beauty Lounge – Concrete Jungle (sold out online), Deborah Lippmann – Waking Up In Vegas
Grays are a staple in my nail polish collection, and definitely my most-worn polish color right now. They’re versatile, go with everything, and are still totally trendy and fresh. I always feel great when I’m rocking a gray polish!
Even better, my favorite shades are still in for this spring – this trend has been around for a while now and doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon! However, what I’ve been noticing for this spring is that people are abandoning winter’s dark grays and instead choosing lighter (much more springy) grays. I can’t wait to get my hands on a couple of bottles in these shades!
What do you think?
Do you guys like these nail polish trends? Have you been noticing any other ones popping out? Which trend is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
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Posted on on March 30, 2011 / Filed Under: Beauty & Hair / Tags: Butter London, essie, Featured, Nail Polish, Nail trends, OPI, Sally Hansen, Spring 2011
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Alee
i’m glad you mentioned that lavendar is a popular color this spring because I just bought a bottle of it yesterday! :) & a pastel pink :) which i also think is very spring-y :)
Rebecca
I’m not excited by any of these :(
Emily
I personally love the nude and gray polish! i’ve been wearing a ton of nude colors lately and they make me feel super femenine and powerful! great post!
Jessica_Iowa
So thrilled that gray is still in!
Kimberly
I am excited for the blues, and ofcourse pastel colors like lavender and pink.
I tried gray, and although i think it looks great on others, I didn’t like it on me.
Abigail
I love all these shades, especially the gray because it’s a neutral and goes with every outfit!
Amber O
Don’t forget reds and corals are in!! At least glamour magazine said so! :P
Camara
Essie’s “French Affair” is coming in the mail to me this week and I am SO excited! I also really want to try gray.
Shelby
Not really a fan of all the cool colors. And neutrals just seem boring. I’ll stick to my red-orange!
Liz
I love all of these colors. I recently bought Sephora by OPI’s “break a leg-warmer!” (a gorgeous dark grey) from their Urban Ballerina collection…I want all the colors from that collection! They have some very pretty nudes.
I also love wearing Essie’s “Lilacism.” It is a pretty pastel lavender that makes me feel so feminine!
Savannah
I didn’t think grays were in again. I feel like corals are going to be in again.
I can’t wait to rock some pastels!
Holly
I love all of these! But I was surprised my favorite gray wasn’t on here… OPI’s You Don’t Know Jacques… suchhh a gorgeous color!
Ellie
J Crew sold Essie’s Jazz last summer and I fell in love with it, it’s a great unique neutral for warmer olive-y skin :D and I’m very excited to see grey on this list, it goes with everything I wear haha
Aryn
Wow, I literally just bought a shade of all 4 of these last week. I must be trend savy, haha!
poison girl
I like the blues, but I prefer brighter colours on my nails to remind me that the hot weather is almost here – pink, red, etc.
Caitlin
I love all of these! I probably won’t really get into the blue trend though, since for work I’m not really supposed to wear bright colours. I’d love to pick myself up a bottle of lavender, it’s so perfect for spring!
Nícia
I’m into gray now :)
Laura
I had never considered gray a viable option as a nail color until this post. Thinking about what you’ve said about it – extremely versatile yet trendy, you’re totally right. I usually am totally turned off by gray since it’s just so drab and spring is exciting since we’re finaaally moving away from the bleak days of winter, but on nails it is unexpected and probably really cute! Thanks for the advice!
Hannah
OPI by Sephora’s Leotard Optional (I believe that’s the name, or something along those lines) is a fabulous nude. It’s a bit darker so it stands out a bit more while still following the trend. OPI’s Samoan Sand is also fabulous, more of a peach toned while Essie’s St. Tropez (part of the French Affair collection) is a bit more grey toned but still fabulous. Pink toned I would go with Essie (also part of the French Affair collection) Barefoot and Topless.
Elisa
I am liking the pastel colors specially the baby blue. They are little reminders on my finger nails that spring is here.
dreamer
i love every single one of these, especially the blue!
Jenny Jacquard
I’ve been sticking to nudes this spring, but I’m def going to try out the grey polish! Great inspiration!
Josie
I love all of these! Especially the blues and greys. Rimmel has an awsome polish hue called “Grey matter”- it’s the perfect light greyish blue!
Antoinette Miller
majority of my nailpolish are grey and lavender. i def want to try out the blues
Geneva
I couldn’t find the gray nail polish, so I got a metallic silver. Is that in style?
Marisa Lucille
It’s really interesting how brands like Essie and OPI have developed the popular “greiges” of fall/winter into more spring appriporate shades. I’m loving the warm-toned nudes and pastel purples.
I wonder what’s going to be big in terms of textures? I never got into the whole matte finish.
Laura
I love this years trends, Just cant wait to go shopping :)
Hannah
Working on a paper about image and this page was actually very helpful for part of it. I have been wearing avon’s french twist on my toes for a couple days and I am loving it. Nice french pink meets nude. I really am excited for blues again! I have three really great shades I am so excited to use!