Color Trends

Trendy Colors to Wear on Your Nails in May

6 min to read

The weather is warming up, sunny days are here, evenings are longer, and spring is in full bloom… What better time to reinvent your look, starting with your nails? Discover the latest manicure trends and our must-have nail polish shades for May. Craving bold, sunset-inspired shades? Get ready for a warm, colorful journey right to your fingertips!

 

In May, think pink

Delicate and versatile, pink is a trending nail shade that comes in a myriad of variations this month. Whether soft or vibrant, pink is the new black! Discover the must-have nail colors to try right now.

Absolute nude

Why choose between care and beauty when you can have both? Our Active Smooth nail polish range is a treat for your eyes and your nails. These treatment polishes smooth ridged nails, blur imperfections and even out the nail surface in a single stroke. The result? Flawless-looking CC cream nails — THE ideal choice for anyone who wants beautifully groomed natural nails. Plus, 4 new Active Smooth nude shades are available to suit every skin tone, from fair to deep. You can also create soap nails, pearl nails or glass nails by layering with Active Glow™, Active Shine or Active Plump. We love it!

4 hands with 4 bottles of Active Smooth
Rosy, beige, golden, or bronze: choose the Active Smooth that matches your skin tone.

 

Pale pink

Did Ariana Grande’s Schiaparelli princess dress at the latest Oscars leave an impression on you? As a nail polish colour, Gloss comes close: a white polish with iridescent pink reflections and a glossy effect that’s perfect with an evening outfit or a casual look. Its best feature? It enhances the natural shape of your nails and fits right into the soap nails manicure trend for a fresh, clean look down to your fingertips.

Ariana Grande in a Schiaparelli gown, Gloss nail polish bottle
Between white and pale pink, Gloss offers subtle glow. (@arianagrande)

 

Baby Pink

We’re head over heels for the baby pink spotted at this Chanel Spring/Summer show. And for Candy, a candy-pink pastel nail polish with blue undertones that’s both sweet and tangy. For a spring look, pair this lovely shade with light make-up and pastel outfits. Gorgeous!

Chanel pink dress and Candy pink nail polish swatch
Give in to the candy pink temptation with the Candy shade. (@tagwalk)

 

Rose Bomb

At Vivienne Westwood, it’s all about bold colour! Why not dare to try a bolder pink yourself? Pétula is the perfect polish: an intense, vibrant pink that echoes a rebellious, creative style. Fashionistas embrace this ultra-trendy shade without hesitation. Pair it with a chic outfit and neutral make-up to let your hands take centre stage.

Vivienne Westwood pink skirt and Pétula nail polish swatch
Pétula, an explosive pink that shakes up the rules. (@tagwalk)

 

Bouquet of red nail polishes

Red may be timeless, but May is the perfect time to rediscover it in fruity, richly pigmented nail polish shades. From cherry red to carmine, there’s something for every taste and occasion, all while creating vibrant spring manicures. For long-lasting wear, discover Red Cherry, Pomegranate and the full selection of red semi-permanent nail polish cured under an LED lamp.

Dark red nails

Pomegranate is an intense raspberry red that evokes passion and elegance. This captivating carmine shade is ideal for a dressy evening or for adding a pop to an everyday look… Pair this deep red with neutral outfits or a black dress for a 100% glamorous look, Balmain-style.

Balmain red pants and boots, Pomegranate nail polish swatch
Pomegranate, the ultimate red to elevate a minimalist outfit. (@tagwalk, @look8thenails)

 

Cherry nails forever

Among this season’s trending nail colours, cherry red is a classic that never goes out of style. This standout colour was spotted at Ester Manas. Our take on bright red? Red Cherry, the perfect red to bring radiance and elegance to your nails whatever the occasion. Very femme fatale!

Ester Manas red skirt, Red Cherry nail polish swatch
Pure sensuality with Red Cherry! (@tagwalk)

 

Ultra red

Summer at Jacquemus is all about light red, bordering on pink. Anémone embodies it: a fiery, energetic shade that’s perfect for making your red nails shine. A delicious blend of strawberry and cherry that creates a beautiful contrast with a classic outfit in neutral tones. The ideal colour for long nails or for adding a splash of colour to a look that needs a little "wow".

Ester Manas red skirt, Red Cherry nail polish swatch
Anémone, a spring light red that brightens nails. (@tagwalk)

 

Pinky red

Spotted at Chanel: a subtle, oh-so-charming pinkish red you won’t forget. Bougainvillea nail polish captures that same shade, balancing softness and vibrancy. This trending colour is a great choice for an everyday manicure paired with a natural look. Sun-kissed skin loves it!

Chanel outfit and Bougainvillea bottle lifestyle
Natural tones x Bougainvillea: the perfect combo! (@tagwalk)

 

Orange, Sweet & Shine

Orange and coral are the nail trends of May—perfect for a fresh spring manicure. Bright, summery hues that capture the energy of the first sunny days and bring gorgeous shine to your nails.

Pop coral

At Stella McCartney, coral takes centre stage. Pulp has the same spirit: a bright, luminous coral-pink nail polish, like sweet, tangy nectar. Pair this colourful manicure with a floaty dress or a summery look for an even more playful effect.

Stella McCartney coral dress, Pulp nail polish lifestyle
Pop coral for a tangy cocktail, care for a taste? (@tagwalk)

 

Sweet coral

The Italian fashion house Giambattista Valli offers an even softer take on coral. You’ll find it in the Green™ and Green Flash™ colour palettes with Bird of Paradise, a nail polish shade between orange and coral, subtly enhanced by pink reflections. Explore the full range of organic nail polishes too, in the bio-sourced spirit of Green™. A perfect colour for short or long nails, day or night. Pair it with soft-coloured spring outfits for a touch of sophistication without putting a foot wrong. Explore the full range of organic nail polishes too, in the bio-sourced spirit of Green™.

White and coral Giambattista Valli dress, Bird of Paradise nail polish bottle
A soft, light coral like a bird of paradise. (@tagwalk)

 

Sparkling coral

At Chloé, orange goes pastel. And it looks so fresh! If you’re after a delicate pearlescent orange, look no further than Pamplemousse. With its iridescent reflections, this trending shade recalls the last rays of golden-hour sunshine... A hit on every skin tone, especially medium to deep skin.

Pastel orange Chloé dress, Pamplemousse nail polish lifestyle
When pastel orange sparkles at your fingertips with Pamplemousse. (@tagwalk)

 

The To-Do list for the perfect spring manicure

A flawless manicure takes a little care! Here are the essential steps to follow:

Prepping Your Nails

Before applying your favourite colour, make sure your nails are properly prepped:

For a manicure that stays vibrant for weeks, these May shades also come in semi-permanent nail polish Green Flash™, cured under an LED lamp for long-lasting wear.

Effortless Cuticle Remover and cuticle pusher
Effective Cuticle Softener and cuticle pusher, the winning duo for caring for your cuticles.

 

Apply a Base Coat and a Top Coat

3 products from the Green Flash routine
Vitamin Base Coat, color, and Top Coat: the Green Flash™ routine essentials.

 

Hydrate and protect

  • Don’t forget hydration! Massage your cuticles daily with a few drops of Green Oil or an application of Perfecting Concentrate.

  • Remember to protect your manicure from prolonged exposure to water and household chemicals by wearing gloves when doing chores.

  • A few days after your Green Flash™ manicure, revive your colour’s vibrancy with a coat of Color Refresher. A must-have for hardworking hands exposed to the elements, especially in spring and summer!

Perfecting Concentrate and Color Refresher
Our secret weapons for a long-lasting manicure: Perfecting Concentrate and Color Refresher.

 

May nail color trends are a true celebration of vibrancy. From soft pinks and passionate reds to sparkling oranges, it is an instant mood boost! Don't forget nail prep and hydration—two crucial steps for a flawless spring manicure. In May… do whatever makes you feel good! And let the sunshine in 😎🌞