Spring Style: Nail Edition

Image credit: Pixabay

When you walk into the nail salon, one of the hardest decisions that you have to make greets you immediately: What color do you want? Unless you go in with a plan for a French mani or have a signature go-to color, this decision is a big one. With each season that comes and goes, the choices become different too. Springtime is a great season for nails, and because pastels and floral designs are in season, making the decision is a bit more fun with all the choices that are trending.

Before choosing a color, you have to decide between acrylics, gel or dip powder nails.

According to Thao Trinh, who has worked as a nail technician for 15 years, most people get gel manicures because they last about two and a half weeks.

Lately, dip powder nails have also been popular for the convenience of not having to wait for them to dry, Trinh said.

“I 100 percent prefer dip because it dries so fast and I think it looks better,” said Maddie Katoski, a criminal justice major. "I feel like when I have gotten gels they look nice and shiny but if they start to peel they will peel off all in one strip.”

Rose Soboleski, a sophomore government major, felt the same way when asked about her preference. She said she prefers dip because it feels like acrylic. With dip, your real nails are used, so she feels like there is less damage done to your nail and the manicure lasts longer.

With the dip powder and gel nails come a new wave of colors for the transition from winter to spring. Trinh said people are loving bright colors, from pinks to blues to oranges.

Soboleski’s go-to colors in the springtime are pale yellow and baby blue. Katoski said that she loves a pale yellow but also thinks that no one can ever go wrong with a nice pink.

Trinh mentioned that another popular nail trend that many people tend to get in the spring is more pointy shapes instead of straight nails. She said that when it comes to designs, spring is the time for fun flowers like daisies, a favorite at her salon.

“My favorite spring look is always light pink. I like colors that make me look tan for the warm weather,” said Mary Gately, a sophomore government and communications double major.