I'm in My Short-Nail Era—6 Ultra-Chic Shades I'm Wearing This Spring

Let's get one thing straight. I love long nails. They're stunning. However, I prefer short nails on myself for three reasons. First, they're more practical. I find it a little more time-consuming to accomplish everyday tasks, such as typing, when I have a long, almond-shaped set. Second, they're easy to maintain, especially if I'm on a DIY manicure kick. Third, they have a cool, fresh, and modern energy that I can't explain.

I'm a firm believer that certain nail designs and colors look best on short nails, which is why I continually update my personal color palette based on the seasons, trending colors, and my many moods. This spring, I'm running the gamut from bold poppy red to whimsical lilac, stylish cerulean, and sophisticated vanilla crème. See all six spring-specific colors I'm cosigning this season.

Poppy Red

In the ever-changing world of beauty, there are only a few arguments I've staunchly defended for a decade or more. One of them is that orange-red (aka, poppy red) is highly underrated and, oftentimes, more flattering than standard blue-tinged crimson. Yes, this is a hill I'll die on. It's flashy! Confident! Powerful! And incredibly chic IMO. While it's a year-round staple for me, I'm putting a particular emphasis on it in my spring color palette.

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Sky Blue

You can't get more angelic, ethereal, or whimsical than sky blue. This fresh and expansive shade evokes clean laundry blowing in the breeze, trickling water, and the color of the sky on a warm spring day. I'm also convinced that it looks incredible on literally every skin tone under the sun. So let this be your sign: Sky-blue is coming for your next manicure.

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Cerulean

If you're like me, you think of The Devil Wears Prada whenever you see or hear the word "cerulean," specifically the scene where Miranda Priestly schools Andy on her "lumpy blue sweater," identifying it as the bold blue shade. And maybe it's because the long-awaited sequel is finally upon us, but cerulean is trending across fashion and beauty. (On that note, there are some truly incredible cerulean-hued makeup products on the market right now.) It's *the* stylish shade of the moment, and it's just waiting to level up your next manicure.

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Lilac

I'll be the first to admit that this is a shocking color for me to be loving lately. In the past, I've been a purple hater, having convinced myself that plummy hues clashed with the red and pink undertones in my skin. While I haven't fully reformed my relationship with purple (I still avoid many shades of it), I've come to love bright, whimsical lilac colors. They're fun, eye-catching, and surprisingly flattering. Plus, they feel so relevant for spring.

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Pale Pink

Pale pink is a classic (read: obvious) choice for spring, but I've been loving it a little extra lately. Maybe it's because I recently restocked my tried-and-true shade—OPI's Bubble Bath ($12)—on a late-night CVS stop, but pale pink has felt extra soft, pretty, and dainty. It's eternally chic, timeless, and elegant. I'm convinced it's the equivalent of wearing flower petals on your fingertips.

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Vanilla Crème

Bright white nail polish is a staple in my pedicure color palette. It looks so fresh and clean on my spring and summer toes. However, I rarely incorporate it into my manicures. I can't explain it, but it feels a little too harsh or unforgiving when it's featured on my fingertips.

I think I've found a fix. It's a softer, creamier take on traditional white that I call vanilla crème. It's subtle, chic, and season-less—one of those sophisticated nail colors that works in any time, place, or situation. I love wearing it on short, square nails and applying a glossy topcoat over it for extra-expensive-looking shine.

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