From short shapes to tulip red, our beauty team's April nails perfectly capture spring's cheery mood

A new month is the perfect excuse for a fresh manicure, but in case you're stuck for what shade or design to pick, our beauty team already have our April nails sussed.

Whether you're keen to follow the 2026 nail trends and keep things natural or love a flash of classic red, April doesn't have to be all about spring nail colour and pastel French tips. Indeed, nothing is stopping you from embracing something a little different, like a polka dot here or a square nail shape there. In fact, our beauty team have actually opted for all of the above with our own April manicures.

So, if you require inspiration or are perhaps tempted by a new treatment, like the trendy Japanese manicure, here's exactly what our team of beauty editors and writers requested for this month.

The 4 stylish April nails looks our beauty team are sporting

With Spring upon us, pastel nail colours feel like the classic and obvious choice for your April nails, but they're far from your only option. In fact, barely-there manicures are proving popular and are so flattering on thinner or ridged nails, regardless of skintone.

In colours, custom blends - like milky strawberry and glassy finishes are proving popular, as are timelessly flattering shades, like red. After all, brightly coloured tulips and other blooms are currently just as easy to spot as soft pink blossoms, so why not mirror those joyful, vibrant shades?

Spring to us is also a chance to play around with fun colour combinations, especially after all the moodier, solid colours that the autumn/winter seasons brought. But no matter your preference this April, our team's choices are sure to tick a few boxes, with each member having opted for something fresh and different...

Our April nail & hand care essentials

Fiona's glossy Japanese Manicure

For Digital Beauty Editor, Fiona McKim, April is the month she's really embarking on her healthy nail journey.

"In my new year beauty ins and outs, I boldly swore off back-to-back BIAB and onto strength-boosting treatments for 2026. But reader, I relapsed in February. A two-week holiday (including four days of wedding-related social shenanigans) with bare nails felt too exposing, so I panic-booked builder gels, and afterwards, my ashy, flaky, ridged talons told of my transgression. But then, a lifeline! Oblique House of Nails invited me to test a Japanese Manicure - one full hour of the most perfectly administered TLC, including cuticle work, shaping, a slathering in vitamin and mineral powders, and conditioning beeswax.

"My already paper-thin nails couldn’t take any more buffing (the usual final step), so instead, I got a lovely glossy layer of Manucurist SOS Base. And look - good as new. If I had any idea my nails could look this nice colour-free, I wouldn’t have become so dependent on gels in the first place. I think I could really be on the straight and narrow this time."

Aleesha's Tulip red nails

For Digital Beauty Shopping & eCommerce Editor, Aleesha Badkar, April instead marks a return to her preferred BIAB nails, but with a slight style update...

"I had a few months' break from my regular BIAB nail appointment, so this was an exciting one for me," quips Aleesha. "As my nails were still pretty short after my break - a departure from my usual long, almond shape - I wanted to use the opportunity to go for something a bit brighter than my go-to neutrals.

"This bright, tulip-red was the perfect combination of classic and fun, the perfect spring colour for those who like to stick to simple but chic nail shades."

Sennen's square candy floss-pink nails

"This is the second month of taking my new square nails for a spin, and I’d have to say that I’m enjoying it," says Digital Beauty Writer Sennen Prickett. "Having already had almond nails and a rounded square shape, for this appointment, I chose to trial a sharper square." Generally speaking, square nail shapes suit those with longer hands and fingers, as the wide edge balances them out.

"As for the colour, I decided to switch it up from last month’s vibrant red and opt for a sheer, neutral pink hue. Channelling the lip gloss nail trend, the finish gave my talons a soft candyfloss pink look that is truly perfect for spring. To complete the mani, I opted for an ultra-glossy, high shine top coat for a clean and minimalist effect."

Naomi's 'grown up' polka dot nails

Like Aleesha, Digital Beauty Writer Naomi Jamieson also returned to gels after a month's reparative hiatus, but instead of her usual solid colour, she opted for something a bit more fun - with a sophisticated colour palette that keeps things grown up and sophisticated-looking, and a design that's perfectly suited to shorter nail shapes.

"Polka dot nails have been calling to me for some time, but until now, it's just never felt like a good time to request them. After forcing myself to take a month's break from my regular appointments, though, and give my struggling nails some TLC (lots of Manucurist Active Glow was applied), I decided a fun, dotted manicure was the perfect reward," says Naomi.

"I opted for a brown and blue colour combination, as it's a personal favourite of mine, as well as trending right now, and I'm just in love with the results. Even though my nails are very short (thanks to breakages), the polka dot design really distracts from it, and actually, I think the length and clash of colours look really chic together. The shade of powder-blue dot also feels so spring-ready to me."