Spring is the season of change, and that includes giving our manicures a much-needed colour refresh.
After months of deep burgundies, rich browns and other winter-inspired shades, we are definitely ready to embrace colours that feel lighter, fresher and more playful.
While traditional spring manicures tend to lean towards delicate pinks and pastel hues, this year’s nail colour trends could be a little more adventurous.
From timeless classics to bolder shades, there is plenty of scope to experiment with colour this season.
We saw how in 2025, soft pastel shades like baby blue and butter yellow became popular shades as people leaned more towards gentler hues over bolder choices.
However, are we keeping things soft and dreamy this year or making a statement with bold, brighter colours?
We turned to nail artists to find out which shades they expect to dominate the season.
From the colours they predict will have their moment to the three shades they would choose to define spring 2026, here’s what you should know before your next manicure.
Expert predictions: the shades that will define spring
Keora Modiga, founder and CEO of KreatedbyKeora, explained that while blue and yellow dominated last year’s trends, she shared her thoughts on the shades that will be taking centre stage this spring.
“I predict pastels and different shades of pink will dominate this spring. People gravitate a lot to bright colours during spring and summer. White will probably be a trending colour as well,” the Johannesburg-based nail artist said.
Although people choose different shades all the time, white nails remain a favourite among some because their versatility makes them easy to wear with any look, although they have a minimalist appeal.
Unlike striking red or vibrant neon tones, versatile white complements any outfit and remains stylish throughout the year, making it a go-to choice for understated manicures and summer pedicures.
Primrose Thobejane, a Pretoria-based nail technician and founder of Prim Nails Gallery, shared that brighter and bolder colours such as orange, pink and the ultimate favourite, butter yellow, will dominate this spring and will remain popular shades.
Modiga explained that she anticipates that there will be specific shades that will have their moment this spring, mainly soft pinks and blues.
“Soft pinks and soft blues will have their moment this spring for sure. Pink is safe but also fun and exciting, so it will most probably have its moment this spring,” she added.
Modiga added that pastels will likely remain the most popular choice because of their strong association with spring.
Since many people prefer not to experiment with bolder or brighter colours, these softer shades are expected to be requested most frequently.
She said that there are certain shades that she is excited to be working with this season, mostly blue and purple.
“I'm most excited to work with blues and purple. I don't usually get clients who want purple nails, so I hope to have more purple sets so I can finally use those gels,” Modiga said.
The top three shades that will most likely dominate this spring
With spring calling for a fresh dose of colour, Modiga narrowed down the endless array of spring shades and picked her top three for the season and explained why she believes they could define the season.
“I would say pink, blue and yellow. They are vibrant, but they come in so many different shades and give off a different vibe for each shade. When it comes to spring, those colours define the season perfectly,” she said.
Thobejane added that butter yellow, pink and orange are her top three picks for the spring season because they are bright and bold, which is what spring is all about.
While some nail colours may be more popular than others, Modiga believes no shade is truly overrated. She explains that it all comes down to how the colours are incorporated into the nail art.
“I don't think any nail colour is overrated because it depends on the nail art. A colour everyone gets can give off a different vibe depending on the nail art, so I can't say there is a nail colour in particular for me that's overrated. I would recommend, however, brighter colours for extravagant nail art and pastels for minimalistic nail art,” she shared.
However, Thobejane shared different sentiments and shared that burgundy is one nail colour she believes has become a little overrated. She added that it is time to give the shade a break and reach for a classic red instead.
kamogelo.makhura@nationalmg.co.za