This post shows you 26 of the best May nail designs you can use for inspo.
May is the season when we begin to start transitioning away from gentle spring designs to more bold summer ones.
This season we have been seeing a lot of bold color palette, including fluoro colors and pastels.
There truly isn’t a better month to start experimenting with the craziest colors you can get your hands on.
Between a variety of different patterns such as checkers, flowers, French tips, and stripes, we have created the ULTIMATE May Nail guide with everything you could possibly want this season.
Rest assured that whether you’re looking for something that is simple and cute, or you want something that’s bold and out-the-box, there will definitely be something for you, girl.
After you read this article, you won’t ever find yourself struggling for May nail inspo ever again 😉
26 May Nails You’ll Love
1. Abstract Blue Design
Starting off with a bang, these gorgeous nails are the perfect combination of checkers, French tips, and flowers.
Because of their complex nature, I can guarantee you that these one-of-kind gems will not be seen anywhere except on your own fingers.
No double-ups with your besties? Sign me up!
My favorite thing about designs like this one is that you can substitute the blue shades for any other fun spring color.
I would personally be opting for a pink or an orange, but it’s up to you and your own creative device 🙂
2. Blue and Orange Nails with Spring Twist
Between the gorgeous shades of orange and blue and the flower & zebra details, these nails really are doing the absolute most.
Because of the use of gentle shades of color, these nails are oozing with fun spring vibes, without being “too much”, like some of the more bold designs.
I will definitely be saving these as a go-to. What about you?
3. Blue French Tips with a Twist
This quirky twist on the classic French tip moment stole our hearts the minute we laid eyes on it.
It is the perfect balance between simple and elegant while also being super out-the-box and creative.
If you don’t like the color blue, this particular design would also look amazing with a light pink or purple too!
4. Elegant Black Flowers
These gorgeous simple flowers are oozing with all the elegant spring vibes.
Some of my favorite nail designs are those which are simple in nature, yet still have an element of uniqueness and fun to them.
These nails do just that.
The beautiful flowers contrasted against the supernatural base make the details super enticing to look at and really stand out to the eye.
5. Blue French Tips with Smiley Face Details
French tips with quirky details would have to be some of my favorite combos to date. I mean c’mon, just look at these beauties!
With the mix of the stunning shade of blue on the French tip, the gorgeous almond shape, and the ADORABLE smiley face details, these stunners are the perfect nails for any spring occasion you have to attend this May.
6. Fluorescent Orange French Tips
While these nails might initially look like a pair of normal French tips, the block color on the pinky finger adds an edgy twist, while still maintaining an element of simplicity to them.
I also love this one because it’s very rare that we see the pinky finger used as a detail nail.
This out-of-the-box thinking makes for such a unique design that I can assure you nobody else would’ve thought of this season!
7. Gorgeous Pink Swirls
We’ve been seeing a lot of swirl designs like this one – and you can probably see why.
The way that these swirls are placed on the nails strategically has a dripping look to it, which is super captivating for the human eye to look at.
I also love the subtle sparkle in the pink shade.
It adds a fun spring vibe, which is very captivating!
8. French Tips with a Swirl Twist
I don’t know about you, but swirls and French tips are a complete match made in heaven.
I mean, just look for yourself!
Adding a unique twist to what would otherwise be a staple go-to, this design really is doing it.
While the orange and pink complement each other so beautifully, other vibrant colors such as purples or blues could also be used too!
9. Multicolored Flowers on a Natural Base
Who doesn’t love some multicolored flowers on their nails for the spring season?
Even though May is the last season of Spring, and we are transitioning into Summer, this Spring staple had to be included.
It’s quite simple.
Just some multicolored flowers on a natural nail, but the effect it has is immense!
10. Multicoloured French Tips
You can’t go wrong with some good ol’ French tips, can you?
During May we see a lot of nail designs start to shift away from gentle spring pastels to more bright summery colors. The color scheme of these show just that – and we love it!
11. Multicolored Sparkle Nails
Some simple multicolored nails for Spring are an easy way to turn some heads in any room you walk into this season.
The sparkles in the top coat are a super nice addition – taking something quite bland and elevating it to a whole new level.
12. Pastel Flowers & Swirls
This design is the ULTIMATE nail design that you need to try out this May if you have got a bit of extra time and want to put your creativity to good use.
It is the perfect combination of pastels, flowers and swirls – everything that we’ve been seeing loads of this season.
13. Orange and Pink Swirls
If I saw a girl out in public with these nails, I think my jaw would drop to the floor!
Everything about them- the shades of pink and orange, the elegant patterns of the swirls, the long almond shape.
They really are such an all-rounder and ticking so many boxes!
14. Pink and Orange Checkers
Checker patterns have been a favorite on many people’s nails for quite some time, but these pink and orange shades add a spring touch to the already fantastic gem.
Not only do the colors bring this design to life, but the gentle stiletto shape also adds a quirky touch as well.
15. Pastel French Tips with Flowers
Gorgeous pastel French tips with gentle flower details are the perfect way to elevate any nails this springtime.
The amazing thing about designs like this is the fact that they are so simple, yet look like they might’ve taken hours!
By using a wide array of different pastel colors for the French tips, it gives a super exciting and energetic feel to the nails which would not have the same impact if only one color was used.
16. Pink Nails with Flowers
Simple flower designs against a super basic color would have to be one of my favorite combos to experiment with in spring time.
The contrast of the bold baby pink background against the orange in the center of the flowers adds a very eye-catching juxtaposition that you find yourself struggling to look away from!
17. Pink Wave Nails
“W.O.W!” is all we have to say about these ones.
While they might look intimidating at first, the end result absolutely pays off and is more than worth it.
I particularly love the white details and gorgeous dots alongside the swirls.
The attention to detail is magnificent.
18. Purple and Green Nails with White Hawaii Flowers
For the girlies that are super creatively gifted and have a way with flower designs, these beauties might be the ones for you.
Although a simple white polish and super fine brush could be used to paint all the flowers by hand, Hawaiian flower stickers could be just as effective as well!
This design particularly caught my fancy because the bold shades of purple and aqua have such a summer feel to them, which is perfect to start transitioning to during the last stages of Spring.
19. Red French Tips with Flower Details
Simple flower designs like this are an oldie, but a goodie! And we keep coming back to them for very good reason.
Paired with a stunning red French tip and the darling almond shape, I feel like I’m laying in the May sunshine just looking at these guys!
20. Quirky Pastel French Tips
This one is quite different from a lot of the other French tip designs we’ve been seeing a lot of this springtime.
From the quirky shades to the interesting square shape, this abstract design uses out-the-box techniques to create something super unique that we haven’t seen before.
The use of the two different shades of color on each nail is very pleasing to look at and is bringing all the fun spring vibes to the party.
21. Red Nails with Strawberry Details
I love stunning red shades like this one for transitioning from Springtime to Summertime.
While the absolutely darling strawberry details bring the gentle spring feel, the boldness of the red makes me feel ready for a summer party!
What more could you want?
I don’t know about you, but I will definitely be telling all my girls about this design this season!
22. Sparkle Nails with Pastel Colors
These gentle pastel sparkles STOLE my heart the minute I laid eyes on them.
Something about them just screams “May!”
I also love how elegant and classic this design feels.
Even though they are super fun and creative, their daintiness is to die for and can be really hard to pull off in springtime designs like these ones.
23. Spring Blue Details on a Natural Nail
May is the perfect time to start transitioning away from Spring nails and more towards Summer nails.
These guys honestly make me feel like I’m at the beach reading a book just looking at them!
Between the almond shape, the gorgeous blues, and the stunning natural base color, they really do make for the perfect May nail.
24. Spring Zebra Pattern
Twists on some of the OG nail designs are some of my favorites.
These ones are teleporting me right back to 2013 with the zebra vibes!
The use of the purple and pink colors brings such a fun, light-hearted spring feel while still being simple and straightforward.
These beauties are perfect for the girlies that don’t have much of a creative side but are still here to impress.
25. White French Tips with Cherry Details
You can’t go wrong with a simple white French tip moment and some gorgeous cherry details.
Cherry details have been all the rage over the past few years, so why not add them to your spring nails this May?
Simple designs like this are great because they also work so well when transitioning into the summer months and you run out of time to change your spring nails.
26. Yellow Swirls on an Almond Shape
As you can probably tell – I have indeed saved the best for last.
The most eye-catching part about these stunners is the contrast between the different shades of yellow.
It’s so incredibly captivating to look at.
The quirky swirl down the middle of each nail is the perfect way to bring an exciting spring vibe to any room you walk into.
Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself!
27. Blue daisies
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