30 Easter nails ideas to try this spring, from pastels to cute egg nail art

Step aside greige and beige, it’s time for fresh Easter nails instead. Think pretty pastels, floral accents, and, for those who love this time of year, speckled egg-inspired nail art. Seriously, there's something for everyone. 

“When I think of Easter, I think of pastels,” says Iram Shelton, Max Factor UK Nail Ambassador, and manicurist. "They’re soft, calming colors that add the perfect hint of color without going overboard." As well as being ideal for spring, pastels are great summer nail colors that will see you through the seasons, so you'll be using these colors until it's time to kick off your Halloween nail designs. "I use this time to clear out my winter wardrobe and introduce color back into my life," agrees Shelton. 

If you already know how to paint your nails like a pro and prefer to do it alone, pick a design that’s easy enough for DIY. Or, if you fancy something more intricate like a pastel baby French manicure, save this page and show your favorite design to a nail professional. 

Ready for a new nail look? Park those moody wintery hues and take your cue from our round-up of the best Easter nails, guaranteed to put a spring in your step. 

30 Easter nails and on-trend ideas for spring 2022

Easter egg nails

For a literal take on Easter nails, why not try recreating a speckled egg in homage to our favorite sweet treat: the chocolate Mini Egg. This is one of the best nail designs for short nails as it's so striking. Simply apply your chosen base color before painting speckles on top, for a step-by-step guide, scroll to the end. 

1. Easter egg tips

Tap into the Easter egg trend with speckled French tips in an array of classic mini egg shades. For even more Easter vibes, why not add a set of bunny ears into the mix. 

2. Classic Easter egg nails

This manicure almost looks good enough to eat. Matte, speckled, and in a variety of soft sweet shades, this is the ultimate Easter nails design. 

3. Red and white speckled mix

Not just for Easter, this cool nail look combines ruby red nails on one hand with speckled white and black nails on the other. So chic. 

4. Mini egg French tips

So sophisticated, we adore these egg-inspired French tips. To add a golden touch, chrome pigments have been used to paint on a line, separating the tip from the rest of the nail. 

5. Marbled mini egg manicure

How pretty is this marbled manicure? Pale pink swirls combined with white speckled nail art look romantic and classy. If you want to recreate the look yourself, learn how to do gel nails at home for long-lasting results. 

6. Pretty polka dots

If you've ever managed snowflake nail art, you'll easily be able to recreate this moody polka dot design that's a less literal take on Easter egg nail art.

7. Grey and yellow speckled nails

Grey and yellow make for the perfect color combination. Case in point: this seriously chic manicure with speckled nail art on top of an alternating base of pastel yellow and muted grey.  

8. Hatched Mini Eggs

How adorable are these hatched Easter egg nails featuring a solo chic? We recommend saving this one for the pros who can expertly replicate all the little details.

9. Pastel Tips + Mini Eggs

Love a classic French manicure? Mix it up for Easter with a speckled egg-like base and pastel tips in yellow, white and pink. 

10. Sophisticated Egg Nails

A subtle nod to Easter, these speckled matte nails in dark green and soft cream shades make for the perfect sophisticated manicure. 

Easter nail art

“Pastel French tips, floral details, and a sprinkling of dots are my favorite nail art looks for Easter nails,” says Shelton. Fancy experimenting with Easter nail art at home? “Flowers are really pretty and super easy to recreate.” 

11. Baby blue French tips

For a spring update on classic French tip nails, opt for baby blue tips instead of white. To take it up a notch, ask for these cute micro stars along the fingernail moons (aka the rounded shadows at the base of your nails). 

12. Daisy nail art

Florals are a signature spring nail design that always looks chic. Take inspiration from these pretty pastel daisies in varying shades. 

13. Mix and match green nails

As you may have already spotted, green is a go-to color trend for spring. Have some fun and experiment with solid shades as well as dotty nail art for a fresh finish. 

14. Abstract swirls

Swirls of pretty polish are an easy way to dial up your Easter nails look. Top trick? Try painting on different shapes and swirls for an organic, natural finish. 

15. Beautiful bunny tips

How adorable are these bunny rabbit tips? Best for almond-shaped nails, we recommend saving this one for your next salon visit. 

16. Love heart details

An Easter update on our favorite Valentine's Day nails, Shelton showcases her go-to Max Factor pastel shades with this Easter French manicure, featuring cute love heart details. We're obsessed. 

17. Sparkly florals

For that 'wow' factor, take your cue from one of our favorite nail influencers Melanie (aka @overglowedit), and adorn your nails with white flowers topped off with silver gemstones. 

18. Asymmetrical Stripes

A modern twist on a classic French manicure—ask your nail artist to paint on asymmetric stripes in pastel hues—extending one side down the length of the nail. For ultimate Easter vibes, opt for springy pastels. 

19. Painterly Pastels

With painterly strokes in pink and blue hues topped off with gold foil details—this luxurious manicure is perennially chic. Note that the gold accents will really pop against a neutral base. 

20. Fluro Flowers

Feeling bold? Opt for clashing neon brights with abstract swirls and flower details that will definitely make a statement this Easter. 

Easter nail colors

Easter is a great excuse to experiment with colorful hues—from bold brights to pretty pastels. If you can’t decide on one shade, follow Shelton's advice. “I love a pastel skittles manicure where you paint each nail a different color,” she says. "My go-to pastel polishes are Max Factor Miracle Pure Nail in Moonstone Blue, Cherry Blossom, and Lemon Tea. It’s a great way to take your basic manicure one step further."

21. Pastel skittle nails

This mood-boosting manicure is so easy to re-create at home. Simply select five different shades and paint them onto each nail. We especially love the peach and purple. 

22. Pistachio points

Pale pistachio green is the perfect polish for Easter. It's a fresh, fun, and feel-good shade that goes with any summer wardrobe. 

23. Milky neutral nails

Milky neutral nails have been trending for some time and we can totally see why. It creates a healthy 'your nails but better' finish that looks good all year round. For best results, follow our 11 essential nail care tips ahead of your manicure to get your nails in tip-top shape.  

24. Skittle nails

Beautiful and bright, this skittles inspired manicure is ideal for those of us who aren't color shy. Incorporate primary colors for maximum impact. 

25. Lilac lover

If you like lilac, you'll love this pale purple manicure that has spring written all over it. A subtle statement that's not overly bright, this is a great color choice for Easter nails that looks equally as good on toes if you know how to do a home pedicure. 

26. Bold blue

Dubbed 'Bader blue', this nail polish (that matches a certain £215 rich cream) has taken over our social media feed, spotted on myriad A-listers and nail influencers alike. Bold and bright, this is the season's 'it' nail color. 

27. Tangerine dream

Another must-try color, orange (in all its varieties) is set to make a statement this season. Tap into the trend for Easter with vibrant tangerine talons. And, for extra pizzaz, learn how to style rings to match your nails.

28. Mellow Yellow

Looking for a sunny, mood-boosting shade for your Easter manicure? Go for a pastel yellow. This colour represents energy and happiness and looks super flattering on all nail shapes and lengths. 

29. Matte Blush

Blush pink is a go-to nail colour all-year-round—to give this shade an Easter update, why not opt for a soft matte finish instead of gloss. 

30. Blue Gradient Manicure

Why stick to one colour when you can experiment with five? This gradient manicure is easy-to-do yet looks impressive. All you need are five shades of varying blues to recreate this nail look. 

How to do Easter egg nail art, step-by-step

Fancy giving mini Easter egg nail art a whirl? Follow Iram’s step-by-step guide:

• Step 1: “Begin by painting each nail a different pastel color as your base.”
• Step 2: “Once you’ve aced your base, decant some black nail polish onto a nail art palette, or some foil.”
• Step 3: “Then, using a fanned nail art brush, dip the brush in polish and gently dab it over the base to recreate the speckled effect. You will need to do this a few times to cover the entire nail and remember, it doesn’t need to be perfect, the speckles should be a variety of shapes and sizes.”
• Step 4: “Add some larger dots using a dotting tool or the end of a hairpin.”
• Step 5: “Finally, apply a matte topcoat to seal the design.”

woman&home thanks Iram Shelton, Max Factor UK Nail Ambassador, for her time and expertise.