Butter Nails Are the Chic Manicure Trend Everyone’s Suddenly Asking For

The creamy-yellow manicure trend is giving neutrals a softer, sunnier update.

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butter yellow nails
(Image credit: @imranshelton @themaniclub @matejanova )

After months of dark winter nail shades, spring’s arrival has us reaching for something a little softer and happier. Enter butter yellow nails, one of the coolest spring nail trends to date. Creamier than bold citrus shades yet more playful than classic nude tones, the creamy pastel is officially leading the way and brings just enough warmth and colour to elevate a look without feeling overpowering.

While the trend was everywhere last summer, it's already trickling back in this season, and we could not be happier. From creamy whipped-butter tones to golden ghee and polka-dot yellow, buttery hues are taking over our feeds right now, and we can't wait to try it out for ourselves. Scroll ahead for the chicest butter-yellow nail colours to try for your next salon appointment.

1. Butter Yellow Micro French

butter yellow nails

(Image credit: @matejanova)

For a subtle nod to the French-tip trend, look no further.

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2. Polka-Dot Butter Yellow Nails

butter yellow nails

(Image credit: @studio.east)

Two trends nailed in one? Tick.

3. Clarified Butter Yellow Nails

butter yellow nails

(Image credit: @matejanova)

These rich and golden nails are impossible to ignore.

4. Creamy Pastel Butter Yellow Nails

Short oval nails with pastel yellow nail polish

(Image credit: @themaniclub)

The creamy tones of this nail polish feel so elevated, especially on short nails.

5. Buttercup Yellow Nails

Hailey Bieber with butter yellow long almond shaped nails

(Image credit: @nailsbyzola)

We've seen Hailey Bieber wear a few tones of yellow nails, but we've bookmarked this sunny hue for spring if you're after something more vibrant.

6. Butter Yellow French Tips

butter yellow nails

(Image credit: @matejanova)

If you want a hint of yellow, a French manicure is a good way to go.

7. Squoval Butter Yellow Nails

Selena Gomez with butter yellow nails

(Image credit: @tombachik)

Selena Gomez's nail tech has co-signed the butter yellow trend for spring, too.

8. Short Pastel Butter Yellow Nails

Butter yellow nail polish on short nails

(Image credit: @betina_goldstein)

Buttery tones work beautifully on short nails, too.

9. Ghee Yellow Nails

Butter yellow nail polish on short square nails

(Image credit: @iramshelton)

Golden butter hues are perfect for spring/summer, and are almost good enough to eat.

10. Butter Yellow Negative-Space Nails

pastel yellow and white abstract negative space nails

(Image credit: @nailartbyqueenie)

Butter yellow and white make a chic combination for negative-space nail art.

Eleanor Vousden
Eleanor Vousden
Beauty Editor, Who What Wear UK

Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman & Home and junior beauty editor at Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections.

With a degree in fashion journalism from the London College of Fashion, she has 10 years of industry experience and has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.

Eleanor’s journalistic focus is providing readers with honest and helpful beauty content. She has interviewed celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson.