30 Pastel Nail Ideas You'll Want to Copy ASAP

ne of the easiest ways to refresh your beauty look is by switching up your mani. Whether you’re loyal to glazed donut nails, a maximalist with an affinity for 3D appliqués, or somewhere in between, there’s always a new way to change up your nails.

And while we love trends as much as the next person, there’s something sweet about sticking to the classics. Case in point: pastel nail polish. While the soft hues are popular for spring and summer months, they can brighten your look no matter the season. Plus, trendy nail art can easily be adapted to fit a pastel color scheme.

Ahead, we’ve rounded up 30 of our favorite pastel nail art ideas. From simple mono-toned manis and minimalistic nail designs to groovy patterns and ombré tips, there’s a look for every aesthetic.

01of 30Arched Diagonals

@BROWNLUXENAILS

You don’t need to cover your entire nail in color to achieve a pretty pastel nail look. Here, you can see how diagonal pastel details, negative space, and metallic gold accents create an eye-catching manicure.

02of 30Apricot Groove

@HIMICHELLELEE

Stay inside the comforts of a color scheme by painting two complimentary semi-circles per nail. The negative space gives this mani a mod flair, while the peach hues make it sunny.

03of 30Pastel Heart Tips

@BROWNLUXENAILS

Keeping pastel purple top of mind, check out these pretty heart-shaped tips. The best way to re-create the look is to use a thin ᵴtriƥing brush to trace the heart-shaped arches.

04of 30Pastel Lava Lamp

@IRAMSHELTON

Our favorite ’90s home accessory gets a beauty makeover with this dreamy look. While it can be replicated with just one shade for a monochrome mani, we love this pastel combination, too.

05of 30Pastel Dream

@IMARNINAILS

Dreamy and fun, we love this hazy pastel blend with tiny crystal appliqués.

06of 30Pastel Tips

@IRAMSHELTON

French manicures will never go out of style. Upgrade the timeless look by painting each tip a different pastel shade for a fun, new take.

07of 30Pastel Purple Accents

@LIGHTSLACQUER

Not set on a single design but know what pastel color you want to use? Consider this monochrome nail art idea backset on white polish.

08of 30Bright Pastels

@BROWNLUXENAILS

Pastels can be bold. Case in point? This pale-yet-powerful abstract mani.

09of 30Pastel Color Blocks

@THEHANGEDIT

Bold, bright, and easy to recreate, we love the pastel color blocking of this manicure.

10of 30Pastel Neon

@NATALIEHOLTNAILARTIST

While pastel and neon might seem like complete opposites, pastel neon is, in fact, a thing. Just look at this vibrant pale nail look if you don’t believe us. Megawatt, no?

11of 30Pastel Minimalism

@IMARNINAILS

You can’t go wrong with a thin nail art brush and a little imagination. Recreate this look by painting on minimalistic squiggles and adding a matte topcoat.

12of 30Pastel Melt

@THENAILLADYLINCOLN

If you can’t choose a single color, don’t fret. With an ombré technique, you can create a pretty pastel fade between hues.

13of 30Tutti Frutti Nails

@NATALIEHOLTNAILARTIST

Tutti frutti nails are one of the biggest manicure trends of summer and—you guessed it—you can get the look with pastel polish. Given the intricacy of these multicolored nails, you may want to visit a professional to bring them to life. Of course, if you don’t mind perfectly imperfect swirls, a thin ᵴtriƥing brush will help you get the look at home.

14of 30Pastel Swirls

@AISHASARTS

We love this pale purple swirl manicure. Whether you offset it with clear-coated negative space or opt for pale peach in the background, this mani idea is bound to look groovy.

15of 30Pastel Hearts

@OHSOPRETTYXO

Whether you’re rocking these pastel rainbow nails for pride or any other time of year, they’re guaranteed to give you a reason to look down and smile.

16of 30Pastel Dots

@THE_GELBOTTLE_INC

Here’s a pastel nail art idea that you can easily recreate yourself. Start with clear polish or a neutral base and use a dotting tool to stipple a different shade of pastel polish onto each nail. Don’t forget a layer of top coat to seal your design in.

17of 30Pastel Diagonals

@THEHOTBLEND

Another simple at-home nail art idea? Clean diagonal lines. Whether you use the same pastel shade on each nail or transition between five, you’re bound to love the end look. Best of all, it’s easy: Just section off your nails with ᵴtriƥing tape and start painting.

18of 30Pastel Peach Accents

@LIGHTSLACQUER

Pale purple and peach just work together. And with only one intricate nail in this mani, we bet you can bring it to life yourself. Just arm yourself with ᵴtriƥing tape and a touch-up brush and you’ll be well on your way.

19of 30Abstract Pastel Nails

@NAILS_AND_SOUL

These pastel abstract nails remind us of prints from the ’80s and ’90s—needless to say, we’re big fans.

20of 30Pastel Swoops

@NAILS_AND_SOUL

We can’t get over how dreamy this negative space mani is. With two contrasting colors on each nail, it’s one pastel nail art idea that’s sure to turn heads.

21of 30Pastel Stiletto Nails

@NAILS_AND_SOUL

Here’s another pastel neon nail look perfect for summer. With primarily warm shades, it’s a hot mani idea worthy of the ‘gram.

22of 30Two-Toned Pastel Tips

@MEGAN.ANNE_BEAUTY

Love the idea of diagonal nail art but want to add a little movement? Check out this two-toned wavy manicure idea. Fun, no?

23of 30Wavy Pastel Nails

@BEAUTYSPACE_CHARLOTTE

Speaking of wavy nails, how funky is this pastel neon nail art idea? It’s a summer must, that’s for sure.

24of 30Cool-Toned Pastels

@NAILSBYCANISHIEA

Looking for a more serene pastel manicure? This cool-toned nail art idea will do the trick.

25of 30Pastel Summer Nails

@IONAVICTORIIA

Of course, if you prefer a little more variety, this hot and cool pastel mani is a fun way to hop on the trend.

26of 30Negative Space Pastel Nails

@DIKAYVIBES

Pink, purple, blue, yellow, and green are always pretty—especially in pastel shades. If you agree, try recreating these wavy negative space nails with a fine ᵴtriƥing brush.

27of 30Pastel Gradient Nails

@MELANATED.MANI

Point blank: These pastel gradient nails are gorgeous. Plus, they’ll let you show off loads of color.

28of 30Pastel Aqua Nails

@MELANATED.MANI

Robin’s egg blue, anyone? With a ᵴtriƥing brush or two-sided dotting tool in hand, you’ll be able to recreate this mismatched nail art idea with ease.

29of 30Pastel Lavender Nails

@MELANATED.MANI

For whatever reason, these nails remind us of the underwater squiggles on SpongeBob. Given pop culture’s current love of all things Y2K, it’s safe to say this set is pretty on-trend.

30of 30Pastel Leopard Nails