Back to school has a little taste of a 1990s revival! Neon manicures are taking over our Instagram and TikTok feeds. From bright pink nail polish to zesty orange, via tangy green or electric blue nail polish, it’s impossible to miss. But how can you revisit this era and embrace the trend with elegance and creativity without going overboard on nostalgia? We’ll tell you everything!
The best neon colours to embrace
90s nails are all about boldness right to your fingertips! Say goodbye to overly sensible pastel shades and make way for 1990s neon brights, Spice Girls or Britney Spears style. But wear them with a decidedly 2025 twist: neon polishes shine all-over or on accent nails, for colourful manicures that elevate a minimalist outfit or a gorgeous sun-kissed glow.
Neon pinks and reds: bold and vibrant
It's impossible to talk about the neon nail trend without mentioning red and pink shades. Exit clean girl nails and soap nails in all-over nude tones. If you love fiery hues, the flamboyant red polish with orange undertones of Lava is sure to win you over.
For an electric vibe, we're head over heels for the pink polish Néon Pink, with its ultra-vibrant blue undertones. Its semi-matte finish needs a coat of top coat to give it that touch of shine that suits it so well. Another pink with cool blue undertones, Pétula might also catch your eye, perfect for enhancing long nails or for an ultra-arty nail art design.
And if you prefer softer tones, opt for Pop, a nail polish that subtly revisits neon pink with orange undertones, so Britney. Ideal for a fresh, girly look, it flatters long nails just as beautifully as short, rounded nails.
These good-vibes shades are ideal for aura nail art or blush nails, brightening fair to medium skin tones. Worn as a colour block on dark skin, they reveal all their vibrant intensity.
Neon reds and pinks for nails that pop.
Pop oranges & yellows: back to summer 90's
Extend your summer with a playful cocktail of neon yellow and orange shades. Fall for Gold button, a bright yellow polish that works wonders on dark skin, available in Green™ polish (and soon in Green Flash™ LED polish, stay tuned!), with more punch than the pastel tones of Butter nails.
Between a California sunset and the Spritz nails trend, the orange polish Sunset is perfect to make a summer look pop and turn every head.
And with Coral Reef, an expert blend of red and orange, give your nails a real boost of energy for a resolutely flashy manicure.
These vibrant shades are especially flattering on medium to deep skin tones with warm undertones, with that sun-kissed glow we love to keep all year round. Get your polishes ready!
A 90s glow with sunny shades for a feel-good look all year round.
Bright blues and greens: futuristic and arty
Looking to stand out and trade classic shades for bold, unexpected neon nail polishes?
You'll love Ultramarine, an electric blue reminiscent of iconic 90s eyeshadow, to wear all over almond-shaped nails or as a deep French manicure for an ultra-punchy effect.
If you're more on team green, you can't miss the anise green polish Lime. Its tangy hue makes it the perfect match to jump on the Brat nails trend.
Otherwise, opt for the must-have Brazil, a deep emerald green that, finished with a layer of top coat, whisks you away to sunny Rio in a flash.
Three colours to favour on cool undertones to highlight all the magic and radiance of these original shades.
An electrifying neon manicure, somewhere between retro blue and Brat vibes.
(@matejanova)
5 neon nail art ideas
The aim of a neon manicure is to be as eye-catching as possible. Worn in colour block, fluorescent polishes shine brightly in daylight. Used in nail art to create geometric patterns or gradient effects, they take on a subtler, more sophisticated dimension. Here are a few inspirations for playing elegantly with the range of fluorescent colours:
Aura and Baby Boomer
We love the neon manicure in an Aura nails style, a softly blended gradient mixing Pale Rose and Neon Pink shades, elevated by a stroke of Pistachio for a micro-French manicure. A fruity, fresh nail art look, perfect for anyone who loves blush nail effects without giving up colour.
For a more pop version, opt for a sunset-style Baby Boomer manicure by blending Lava and Neon Pink shades over a Pale Rose base. This vibrant gradient creates a graphic, bold result to wear on long nails for an irresistible neon baby-boomer effect.
Blush, baby boomer, aura nails… neon looks are getting arty and ultra-desirable.
(@look8thenails, @m.o.n.a.j)
90's designs
Like almost every decade, the 1990s had their Polka dots moment. Easy to create, polka dot manicures are super fun and make the most of contrasting colours. For a change from black and white polka dot nails, opt for a base of white nail polish in Porcelaine and add small Neon Pink dots using a dotting tool… Terribly effective, this look plays on the codes of a minimalist manicure with a 90s nails twist.
If you love flashy colours, bring all your favourites together in a gorgeous Neon Rainbow nail art look. Each finger wears a different shade for a punchy, pop-inspired palette (here with Crème, Bubble, Neon Pink, Pistachio, and Sunset).
Rainbow vibes and zesty polka dots: 90’s nails have never been so pop.
(@look8thenails, @shanivynails)
Pinky chic
Give your nail art a twist with gorgeous neon-flecked Snake nails! An ultra-graphic, flowing snake pattern that, when drawn with Neon Pink nail polish, gives your look incredible energy.
Want something sunnier? Go for the Wavy nails look, with its vitamin-packed Pétula and Sunset duo. Waves of flashy polish instantly wake up your manicure and enhance your nails.
Neon Snake or Wavy nails, designs that make your nails vibrate.
(@m.o.n.a.j)
Neon patterns
Still in a good mood spirit, we love Neon Bubbles, a tangy, playful nail art look featuring Pop, Lime and Bubble fluorescent polishes. Perfect for playing with layering and adding volume, while keeping a vibrant pink base.
To see life in blue, fall for Blue Dots, a minimalist yet striking nail art look. A few Ultramarine dots on a neutral base are all it takes to make a difference for a graphic, playful manicure without overdoing it.
More Bubble or Dots? One thing’s for sure: it’s going to flash.
(@lovedbykaro, @alyxlippiatt)
Tips to make your chic manicure last
To keep your beautiful neon manicure for as long as possible, here are a few essential rules:
- Proper nail prep: we explain everything you need to do (the right way) in this article.
- A 4-step routine with Base Coat and Top Coat: before applying your polish, apply a layer of base coat to protect the nail plate and make colour application smoother. Then apply two thin coats of your favourite neon polish, making sure to cap the free edge to prevent chipping. Seal everything with a coat of top coat for dazzling shine and long-lasting wear. It is essential to use the base coat and top coat from the same range as your chosen polish.
- Take the time to dry properly to avoid wrinkled polish: if you choose Green™ polish, air-dry each coat and make sure the previous coat is no longer tacky before applying the next. If you've chosen Green Flash™ polish, follow the drying time for each coat under an LED lamp.
- Ongoing care after application and beyond: apply a few drops of Green Oil to hydrate the nail and cuticles right after application and every day of your manicure, keeping nails strong, flexible, and radiant. Protect your nails from impacts that could chip or scratch the polish, and avoid overexposure to moisture.
Long-lasting neon manicures start with good nail prep and careful application.
The spirit of the 1990s made a notable comeback in summer 2025 and is inspiring the world of manicures more than ever. Dare to wear bold colours, extravagant patterns and arty touches right to your fingertips. The perfect opportunity to rediscover the Green™ and Green Flash™ colour palette, find the brightest flashy shades and create stunning 90s nails!
