Easter Nails 2026: Pretty, Festive Designs for the Holiday Season
I’ll admit—I used to think Easter nails meant pastel pink and bunny stickers. But after scrolling through inspiration and experimenting with different looks, I’ve realized Easter manicures can be so much more sophisticated and versatile than that. Whether you’re hosting brunch, attending church service, or just want to celebrate spring, these designs prove you can embrace the season without looking costume-y.
If you’re ready to elevate your Easter nail game, here are 15 designs that capture the spirit of the holiday while staying chic and wearable. From subtle shimmer to playful patterns, these looks work for everything from family gatherings to spring weddings.
1. Iridescent Dream
This holographic manicure is pure Easter magic. The shifting pink, purple, and orange tones catch the light beautifully, creating that dreamy, ethereal effect perfect for spring. The short, rounded shape keeps it practical while the iridescent finish adds all the festivity you need.
How to recreate: Start with a sheer pink or nude base, then apply an iridescent topper that shifts between warm tones. The key is finding a polish with strong color-shifting pigments rather than just generic shimmer.
Shop the look: Try OPI “I’m a Cloudbreaker” for that perfect iridescent effect, or Essie “Set in Stones” for a budget-friendly option. ILNP’s “Juliette” is a cult favorite if you want maximum color shift.
2. Soft Lavender Fade
This gradient from pale pink to soft lavender is subtle enough for everyday wear but still feels special for Easter. The rounded almond shape and high-gloss finish create an elegant, polished look that photographs beautifully.
How to recreate: Use a makeup sponge to blend two complementary pastel shades. Start with your lighter color at the base, dab your darker shade on the sponge tip, then gently press and roll onto each nail. Seal with a glossy top coat to smooth out any texture.
Shop the look: Essie “Fiji” and “Lilacism” are perfect for this gradient. For gel, try Beetles Gel Polish in “Pink Mist” and “Lavender Fields.”
3. Buttery Yellow Glow
Pastel yellow is having a major moment, and this soft, creamy shade is perfect for Easter without being too literal. The medium length and glossy finish keep it sophisticated rather than childish.
How to recreate: Yellow can be tricky—you’ll likely need 2-3 coats for opacity. Apply thin layers and let each dry completely to avoid streaking. A white base coat helps the color pop.
Shop the look: OPI “Bee Mine Forever” is a gorgeous buttery yellow. For a drugstore option, Sally Hansen “Mellow Yellow” delivers great coverage. Olive & June “LC” is perfect if you prefer a creamier finish.
4. Elegant Nude with White Trim
This modern manicure has a neutral gray-brown base with clean highlights around the edges. It is restrained, but at the same time it looks thoughtful and refined — ideal if you want it to be suitable for Easter, but not explicitly themed.
How to recreate: Apply 2 thin coats for even coverage. No additional coatings are required, glare naturally captures the light.
Shop the look: For the base, try Essie “Minimalistic” or OPI “Tiramisu for Two.”
5. Pastel Rainbow
Each nail gets its own pastel shade in this playful, modern take on Easter colors. The mix of pink, cream, and mint green feels fresh and youthful without being overly sweet. This is perfect if you love color but want something more sophisticated than traditional Easter pastels.
How to recreate: Choose 3-4 coordinating pastel shades and alternate them across your nails. The key is selecting colors with similar saturation levels so they feel cohesive rather than random.
Shop the look: Try the Essie Spring Collection which usually features coordinated pastels, or create your own combo with Essie “Fiji” (pink), “Peach Side Babe” (cream), and “Mint Candy Apple” (mint). For gel, the Beetles Pastel Collection has perfect Easter shades.
6. Pearl Pink Shimmer
This iridescent pink has a subtle pearl finish that’s absolutely stunning in natural light. It’s feminine and elegant without being too precious—the perfect balance for Easter Sunday.
How to recreate: Look for polishes described as “pearl” or “shimmer” rather than just metallic. Apply 2-3 thin coats for even coverage. The shimmer naturally catches light, so you don’t need additional toppers.
Shop the look: Essie “Pink Diamond” is iconic for this effect. OPI “Bubble Bath” with an iridescent top coat also works beautifully. For an exact match to this shimmery finish, try ILNP “Sandy Baby.”
7. Soft Periwinkle
This dusty blue-purple is unexpected for Easter but absolutely gorgeous. It’s sophisticated enough for any age and pairs beautifully with spring wardrobes. The high-shine finish makes it feel polished and intentional.
How to recreate: Periwinkle can sometimes apply streaky, so use thin coats and build up opacity. A good base coat prevents staining since blue-toned polishes can sometimes leave a tint on nails.
Shop the look: Essie “She’s Picture Perfect” is a beautiful periwinkle. OPI “You’re Such a Budapest” is slightly more purple-toned. For gel, try Beetles “Misty Blue.”
8. Peachy Nude Elegance
This warm peachy-nude is universally flattering and perfect for those who want a subtle nod to spring without committing to bold color. The glossy finish and clean application make it look like you just left the salon.
How to recreate: Finding your perfect nude is personal—choose one with peachy or warm undertones for spring. Apply 2 coats and finish with a high-shine top coat. The key is making sure your cuticles are pristine since nude shades show everything.
Shop the look: OPI “Samoan Sand” is a classic peachy nude. Essie “A Crewed Interest” works for medium skin tones. For deeper skin, try OPI “Chocolate Moose” or Essie “Partner in Cream.”
9. Milky White with Red Stars
This playful design features a sheer milky white base with tiny red star accents. It’s whimsical and celebratory without being overly Easter-specific, making it wearable beyond the holiday.
How to recreate: Apply 2-3 coats of milky white polish for that translucent effect. Once completely dry, use a dotting tool or toothpick to create small red stars. You can also use star-shaped nail stickers if hand-painting feels intimidating.
Shop the look: Essie “Marshmallow” creates that perfect milky base. For the stars, try OPI “Big Apple Red” or Essie “Really Red” with a thin nail art brush. Amazon has star nail decals if you prefer that route.
10. Sheer Pink with Black Dots
This modern take on polka dots uses a sheer pink base with randomly scattered black dots. It’s playful but grown-up—perfect if you want pattern without feeling too themed.
How to recreate: Apply your sheer pink base (2 coats should give you that translucent effect). Once dry, use a dotting tool in black polish to create random dots in varying sizes. The irregular placement makes it look more artistic than uniform dots would.
Shop the look: Essie “Mademoiselle” creates that perfect sheer pink base. For dots, any black polish works—try Essie “Licorice” or OPI “Black Onyx.” A dotting tool set from Amazon costs under $10 and makes this super easy.
11. Earthy Olive Green
Olive green might seem unconventional for Easter, but it’s actually perfect for spring and works beautifully with all the pastels in your wardrobe. This shade feels modern and unexpected while still being seasonally appropriate.
How to recreate: Olive green can be sheer, so build up 2-3 thin coats. A glossy top coat makes the color more vibrant. This shade surprisingly complements Easter outfits beautifully.
Shop the look: Essie “Sew Psyched” is a gorgeous muted olive. OPI “Suzi—The First Lady of Nails” leans slightly warmer. For a deeper olive, try Zoya “Dillon.”
12. Nude with White Daisies
This charming design features delicate white daisy details on a nude base—quintessentially spring without being overly Easter. The simple flowers feel hand-painted and artisanal, making your nails look professionally done.
How to recreate: Apply your nude base and let it fully dry. Use a white polish with a thin brush to create five small petals in a circle. Add a tiny yellow or white dot in the center. Practice on paper first if you’re nervous—daisies are actually one of the easier flowers to paint!
Shop the look: Use OPI “Samoan Sand” or Essie “Ballet Slippers” for the base. Essie “Blanc” for petals, and a yellow striper polish or acrylic paint for centers. Sally Hansen’s nail art pens make this much easier for beginners.
13. Pink with White Polka Dots
Classic, cheerful, and undeniably Easter—this pink base with crisp white dots is perfect if you want something recognizably festive. The almond shape and high shine keep it from feeling juvenile.
How to recreate: Apply 2 coats of your pink base. Once completely dry, use a dotting tool to create evenly spaced white dots. For a more uniform look, plan out your dot placement before you start.
Shop the look: Essie “Lapiz of Luxury” is a beautiful medium pink. For white, try Essie “Blanc” or OPI “Alpine Snow.” A dotting tool set gives you multiple sizes to play with—I recommend the Winstonia set.
14. Iridescent Pink Gradient
This subtle pink shimmer with iridescent undertones is absolutely stunning. The gradient effect from light to slightly more saturated pink creates dimension while the shimmer adds that perfect Easter glow.
How to recreate: Start with a sheer pink base, then apply an iridescent pink shimmer more heavily at the tips, fading toward the cuticle. Build gradually for the most natural gradient effect.
Shop the look: Essie “Fiji” as your base with OPI “I’m a Cloudbreaker” layered on top works beautifully. For a one-polish solution, try ILNP “Caroline” or Essie “Set in Stones.”
15. Rich Chocolate Brown
Hear me out—chocolate brown for Easter is actually genius. It references chocolate eggs and bunnies while being completely wearable and sophisticated. This deep, glossy brown works with everything in your spring wardrobe.
How to recreate: Apply 2 coats of a rich chocolate brown. The key is achieving full opacity and a high-gloss finish—this shade shows streaks easily, so take your time with thin, even coats.
Shop the look: OPI “Chocolate Moose” is a cult classic. Essie “Hot Coco” is slightly warmer. For gel, try Beetles “Chocolate Kiss.” A good glossy top coat is essential to make brown look expensive rather than muddy.
My Easter Nail Tips
After trying countless Easter manicures, here’s what I’ve learned: the best Easter nails don’t scream “holiday”—they just feel fresh, spring-appropriate, and special. You don’t need elaborate designs to make an impact. Sometimes a perfect pastel or unexpected shimmer is all you need.
If you’re doing your nails at home, start your manicure 2-3 days before Easter. This gives you time to fix any mistakes without the pressure of doing them perfectly the night before. Always use a base coat (it prevents staining and helps polish last longer) and a quality top coat (Seche Vite is my ride-or-die for fast-drying shine).
For nail art beginners, start with dotting tools and simple patterns before attempting intricate designs. Nail art tape, stencils, and decals are your friends—there’s no shame in using them to create clean, professional-looking designs. And if all else fails, a perfectly applied pastel with glossy top coat will always look chic and Easter-appropriate.
