Pastel nail polish is like a hug in a bottle. Even if you don’t consider yourself a unicorn-loving, cute-nail-colour-wearing person – there’s something about the allure of baby blue, mint green, dusty pink and lilac that’s hard to ignore. Plus with spring on our heels, it might just be finally time to break up with your dark, wintry polishes.

It’s a trend that sits somewhere between nude nails and more daring designs, such as glitter nails and golden nail art. The pros are proving it doesn’t have to be sickly sweet, either. Give it some edge with a stiletto or coffin-shaped acrylic. Dial it down with a matte finish, or go glossy with a gel manicure. There are so many options to choose from and you don’t have to go all out either as the negative space designs prove. Sometimes a pastel pop is all you need and if you can’t decide on just one shade, a muted rainbow is always a winner.

We love the 90s vibe captured by Swoon Nails, and Dry By London knows how to make any trend look chic, whether it’s some chic pastel French tips, or a tonal pastel ombre. If you’re on a budget, don’t panic. There are plenty of designs you can easily replicate at home with a simple dotting tool.

Scroll down to check out all the amazing pastel nails we found on Instagram, so you can take some inspiration to your next salon appointment.

Get ready to let the happy hormones flood in…

All about lilac

Pastel perfection if ever we saw it… Bravo @paintedbyjools_

Creamy swirls

We’ve been seeing the return of this psychedelic print in fashion, so it makes sense that it’s now incorporated into our nail art.

3- Blue half-moons

The best way to amp up a nude nail? Add a touch of pastel blue.

Coffin Ombre

Coffin-shaped acrylics with a cute ombre effect. Yes, please.

’60s wallflower

I’m 99.9% sure my nan had a duvet cover with these colours and this pattern, but how cute does it look on the nails.

Soft and simple

We know it can be hard to transition to colour if you’re used to nudes, but this negative space pastel design is a great starting block.

Purple glitter

Half glitter, half lilac, our new favourite combo.

Blush hues

Blush-tinted tips are officially here to stay.

Lavender lemonade

Everything about this lilac-yellow nail look is making us happy.

The reverse french mani

Tip the French manicure upside down and create a stunning chic look.

Seeing Stripes

Mint green and peach are giving us all the Springtime feels.

Baby blues

Sky blue nails are the ultimate Spring-Summer trend.

Magic Marble

Marbled pastels with flashes of white. Kinda hypnotic, no?

Sky blue

Negative space nail art is here to stay.

Dinky Detail

Get your black Sharpie out, this one requires a steady hand…

Mellow Yellow

This buttercream yellow teamed with gilded gold is everything.

Transparents Talons

Don’t be fooled by their dreamy colours, these shimmery sharps are fierce.

Glossy coffins

Cute colours with an edge, literally.

Pastel polka

There’s nothing not to like about pop art dots in ice cream colours.

Cute ‘n’ Caged

Toughen up your pastels with a geometric effect.

Chevron Chic

Chevron nail tips were created using on-the-brighter-side pastels.

Lilac Skies

Lilac and lemon stars with a delicate white outline. Playful yet chic.

Ice Cream Swirls

A softly-coloured nail design that looks like it’s moving. Flashes of white and nude help to pop those pastels right out.

Cornflower blue

Glossy cornflower blue with a neat arc of gold. Minimum effort, maximum impact.

Lipstick kisses

Mwah! Glittery pastel kisses will make you smile every time you glance down.

Matte ovals

Why do these egg-like matte ovals make us feel so zen? And… exhale.

Blocked Off

One for the minimalists. A tiny work of modern art with a satisfying block of baby blue.

Laid-Back Lemon

Keep it fresh with a base of sunny lemon and a dot of mint green at the cuticle.

Negative space

Pop a different pretty pastel on every nail and throw in some negative space while you’re at it.

Via Cosmopolitan UK.