7 Inspired (And Less Toxic) Looks for Nails This Spring

The hottest trends for nails this season.

Put away your bold blues, greens, and purples of yesteryear (or, last year). This spring, the hottest nail colors are light, pretty neutrals and soft pastels at home in your flower garden. But not to worry – bold metallics and funky patterns are circling the edges of the country club, ready to sharpen out the edges of the season. Here are seven of the sassiest shades of the future, refashioned without many of the harmful chemicals of the past.

Blooming Buds

Natural neutrals are now gracing our fingertips, as pretty and delicate as the buds blooming outside our windows. And what better to crown the pretty princess of color than this sheer shade (Coronation $12.50) from Priti NYC. This non-toxic polish is made without the chemicals commonly found in nail polishes, including toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DHB) and formaldehyde. Ready to replace your old nail polish? Priti NYC also offers a recycling program for your used bottles.

Back To Your Roots

Want to take neutral to the next level? Spa Ritual offers up near-skin tones with their latest nail lacquer duo, Soil 2012 ($20.00). It contains Back to Your Roots, a shimmering, olive-toned shade, and Native Soil, a deep, rich, nutty brown. This line is a limited edition duo of vegan varnish which donates 20% of profits to the social/environmental non-profit Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods (SOIL) located on Haiti. Buyers also get a package of wild flower seeds with each purchase. You can find the duo, available in April, at sites such as Beauty.com. Spa Ritual nail colors are also free of toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DHB) and formaldehyde.

Heavy Metals

Not feeling neutrals for your nails this spring? Coming to you this April, Priti NYC has you covered with some heavy metals that will leave you ready to rock it with your fingertips. Inspired by the 2012 London Olympics, Priti is offering four edgy, metallic shades in gold, silver, and bronze, each of which are respectively reminiscent of the Olympic medals. Here we see Chrysanthos ($12.50), offering up a rich, shimmery gold that shines with a single coating.

Sassy Shimmer

If you want to go for some pretty shimmer, check out Priti’s bronze color, Bills Bronze ($12.50), combining the best of both neutral and metallic trends. This pretty color offers up a shimmery, silvery pink for your nails. Sure, it might represent third place, but you’ll come out on top with this lovely, light tone for your tips.

Funky Bold Colors

Metals and neutrals aren’t the only colors for warmer weather. Spa Ritual gets into the spirit of things with Spirit Child Shimmer ($10.00), a funky, deep red with a subtle gloss of gold to it. It’s a classic color with a dash of vintage disco.

The Half-Moon Manicure

Funky takes a front place with the half-moon nail. Made popular by seductress Dita Von Teese, this classic retro look gets an update from Priti’s Red Riding Hood Tulip ($10.00). If you’re like most people, you’re probably not adept or double-jointed enough to get those perfect half moons. Here’s a great tutorial with some tips to a chic half-moon manicure.

Art-Inspired

Want to take the half-moons even farther? Consider tricking out your tips with some creative, art-inspired images. Patterns are all the rage this spring, with some artful nail enthusiastic taking it to the next level. Pictured here is Keith Haring-inspired nails, done up with OPI nail polish. OPI nail colors are also free of DBP, toluene and formaldehyde.

FTC Compliance

Image: Ladyblitz, MTV via Cake Creations, Spa Ritual, Priti Nails

Katherine Butler

Katherine Butler is the Beauty Editor of EcoSalon and currently resides in Los Angeles, California.