Are you ready for flawless, simple spring nails? Follow our easy step-by-step guide on how to get the perfect spring-ready manicure, from cleansing and shaping to selecting the perfect trending polish shades, adding seasonal flair to spring time nails and more.

This post contains affiliate links. Should a purchase be made, Love Beauty Thrive may receive a small commission at no added cost to you. Affiliate disclosure is available here. Thank you.
Simple Spring Nails: A Step-By-Step Guide
Get ready for spring with gorgeous nails that shine! Here’s our easy-to-follow nail care guide, designed to prep your lovely hands for perfect, simple spring nails. If you want a beautiful, spring-ready manicure, let’s dive in to cleansing, shaping, selecting the best new shades of polish, bestselling nail care products and even adding some seasonal charm.

You’ll have beautiful spring time nails in no time! Let’s get started . . .
Cleanse and Remove Old Polish
Are you ready for simple spring nails? Start by removing any old nail polish using a gentle nail polish remover. Opt for acetone-free removers to avoid drying out your nails.
Soak and Exfoliate
Prepare a bowl of warm water and soak your hands for a few minutes to soften the cuticles. Use a gentle exfoliating scrub to slough away any dead skin cells around the nails and on the hands (an important step for spring time nails).
Shape and Trim
Once your nails are softened, use a nail clipper to trim them to your desired length. Then, shape your nails with a quality nail file. Opt for a gentle file and avoid sawing back and forth, which can cause nail damage (i.e., file your nails in one direction only).
Push Back Cuticles
Gently push back your cuticles using a cuticle pusher or orangewood stick. Avoid cutting your cuticles when prepping your spring time nails, as this can cause damage and increase the risk of infection. Pushing them back helps create a clean nail bed for polish application.
Moisturize
Apply a nourishing cuticle oil or cream to hydrate and condition your nails and cuticles. Massage the product into your simple spring nails and surrounding skin to promote healthy nail growth. If you’d like to learn more, here is exactly how to strengthen your nails with cuticle oil the right way.
Buff and Smooth
Use a buffing block to gently smooth the surface of your spring time nails and remove any ridges. This will create a smooth canvas for your nail polish and help it adhere better.
Apply Base Coat
Before applying nail polish, always start with a base coat. This helps protect your nails from staining and provides a smooth base for your polish to adhere to. It also helps your manicure to last longer before chipping. Choose a strengthening or nourishing base coat for added nail care benefits.
Choose Your Spring Shade
Select your favorite spring-inspired nail polish color. Whether you prefer soft pastels, vibrant brights, or subtle neutrals, choose a shade that reflects the fresh vibrancy of the season. If you are looking for shades that are perfect for simple spring nails, consider pale pinks, nudes or even a classic French manicure.
Apply Nail Polish
Apply thin, even coats of nail polish, starting from the center of the nail and then moving out towards the edges. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next layer to prevent smudging and ensure a smooth finish.
Add Nail Art (Optional)
Get creative and add spring-inspired nail art designs if desired. You can use nail polish, nail art brushes, dotting tools, or nail stickers or gem to create floral patterns, geometric shapes, or any other designs that capture the vibrant essence of spring. Keep it minimal and subtle if you’re going for a simplistic look.
Seal with Top Coat
Once your nail polish is dry, seal your manicure with a top coat to protect it from chipping and add shine. Choose a fast-drying top coat for quick and easy application. It makes an incredible difference in your manicure’s lasting power for spring time nails too.
Hydrate Regularly
Maintain healthy nails by regularly moisturizing your hands and cuticles. Use hand cream or cuticle oil daily to keep your nails hydrated and prevent dryness and brittleness.

If you’d like more helpful habits on caring for your hands, here are the best ever tips on how to moisturize extra dry hands. They are sure to help improve both the look and feel of your skin – and your spring time nails.
You’ll also want to read our guide on exactly how to use cuticle oil to strengthen nails the right way. You nails will be strong, beautiful, healthy and less prone to hangnails and drying brittleness.
Protect Your Simple Spring Nails
Be mindful of your nails and protect your manicure by wearing gloves when doing household chores or engaging in other activities that may cause damage to your nails. And always be sure to remove your polish in a way that protects the health of your nails (e.g., with a safe nail polish remover and by never peeling, picking or chipping off your old polish).
Simple Spring Nails: Favorite Nail Care Products
If you’re interested in bestselling nail care products for your simple spring nails and beautiful spring-inspired manicures, here are 5 of our favorite best sellers for spring time nails!
- Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover
- Hard as Hoof Coconut Nail Strengthening Cream
- Nail-Aid Keratin 3 Day Nail Growth Nail Treatment & Strengthener
- Cuccio Naturale Revitalizing Hydrating Oil (Repaired Cuticles Overnight)
- CND SolarOil Natural Jojoba & Vitamin E Cuticle Oil
Simple Spring Nails: An Easy Step-By-Step Guide
As you flaunt your spring manicure, remember that gorgeous, healthy nails are the ultimate accessory! Our easy step-by-step guide to simple spring nails makes sure that your nails are not just beautiful and on trend, but also strong and vibrant, ready for spring in style. If you ever have any questions or concerns about the health of your nails, talk to a qualified nail professional or your doctor.

Your spring time nails will thank you with gorgeous health and beauty.
Follow on Pinterest
We love connecting with you, and we love Pinterest (we hope you loved reading about simple spring nails and nail care)! You can follow Love Beauty Thrive on Pinterest here. Save this post for later using this pin. As always, thanks so much for reading, and for all the love!

You May Also Like
How to Use Cuticle Oil to Strengthen Nails
7 Best Moisturizing Tips For Dry Hands
8 Hair & Beauty Deals To Buy At Costco
9 Unbelievable Hair & Beauty Benefits Of Castor Oil That You Never Knew
