Top 10 nail colors for May 2025
You may know the emotions and roll in, and suddenly everything feels lighter, brighter, and bustling with possibilities. It’s a moon in full bloom with spring and summer just rounding the corner. And with that shift, we refresh our palette of nail polish, one of our favorite annual rituals. Here are the top 10 nail colors for this year’s May 2025. However, it’s nothing more than the atmosphere.
From punchy citrus tones to soft, soul-slow neutral, this month’s colour lineup is playful, nostalgic and ridiculously wearable. Whether you’re interested in short, neat tips or long almond-shaped statements, there’s a shade (or five people) waiting to become your new obsession.
So, what are the trends in Tiktok, Instagram and your local nail bars? Find out what colours you’re making.
1. Strawberry milk shake pink
There’s definitely something dreamy about this soft, slightly cool pink colour. It is the colour of a retro milk bar drink, creamy, sweet and effortlessly clean. It flattens all skin tones and gives the nail a “barely there but better” look. It’s no wonder it’s top of the top 10 nail colors on the May 2025 list.
Pair for a very clean aesthetic with short round nails or longer with a glossy finish for soft girl moments.
2. Butter Yellow
The soft pastel yellow has serious main character moments. Think of it as low in neon, “fresh butter on toast”, warm, muted, and surprisingly wearable. It’s cheerful without yelling attention and brings a little sunlight to every gesture.
This shade is particularly hot in minimalist nail art circles. Some delicate daisies or small smiley faces and boom, instant serotonin.
3. The Mojito was created
Green will continue its reign in 2025, but this time it will be cooled down with a refreshing twist. The mintted mojito is the perfect hybrid of mint and pastel seaforms, and is a colour that is good enough to feel modern, but soft enough to wear with everything.
This allows you to make waves with gel sets across Instagram. It often comes with extra talent, paired with a glossy chrome finish or jelly texture.
4. Burnt coral
Sitting somewhere between terracotta and salmon, the burning coral is an adult version of a spring orange. It’s a little bold, a little rustic, and very nice, with the nails that correspond to tanned cheeks.
It feels sophisticated when worn on a mat. Shiny wear, it has beach holidays written everywhere. Either way, it’s a standout in the top 10 nail colors for May 2025.
5. Dusty lavender
This muted purple color is not about to become flashy. That’s exactly why we love it. The dusty lavender is chic and calm, and gives strong “Sunday Morning Coffee and Flower Market” energy.
It looks particularly stunning with its longer ffin-shaped nails.
6. Cherry Cola
Deep reds will likely encounter a brown splash like carbonated kola on ice. Cherry Cola Nails is rich and moody, and an unexpected twist in spring. It’s a favorite for those who lean against dark tones while still maintaining trends.
Bonus Points If matched with cherry scented cuticle oil. Yes, that’s what it is.
7. Sky Blue Shear
The barely blue blue is creating a quiet and shocking entrance this month. Sky Blue Shear Polish gives your nails a whisper of color. It’s fresh, cool and ridiculously chic.
These etheric tones are now leaning heavily in tichtok, often layered on two or three thin coats for the semi-transparent jelly effect.
8. Sage grey
Sage was everywhere in 2024 and matured to a slightly cooler, gray cousin in 2025. It’s perfect for neutral lovers who want something subtle, grounded, multipurpose, and still edgy.
This shade works beautifully with the shape of almonds and oval nails, pairing like a dream with silver rings and soft knitwear.
9. Orange sherbet
Playful, juicy, touch-retro orange sorbet nails explode into the scene with the pleasant energy we all crave at the end of spring. It has fewer creamy oranges and neon flavors, making it a vintage ice lolly.
It is also surprisingly flattering with both warm and cool skin tones, especially when worn with a soft sheen or ombré finish.
10. Ice latte beige
Aesthetics for a pretty girl? I’m still strong. Creamy and cool beige iced latte nails are the answer to those who crave simplicity with their polished edges. It’s modest yet luxurious, and helps with finishing touches like “just out of magazine shoots.”
This is a favorite among experts, influencers and everyone in between, screaming and whispering rather than screaming the top 10 nail colours of May 2025.
Final Thoughts
So you have it, this month there are the top 10 nail colors for May 2025 that dominates the hand, hashtags, and heart emojis. Whether you go for sweet pastels, rich neutrals, or something in between, one thing is clear. All of the colours this season are about balance. Soft but strong. It’s playful but wearable. Classic with a twist.
And honestly? We are here for all of the last swipes.
So, which shade do you try first?
Original source: www.byrdie.com
