Bubblegum Nails Are Spring’s Most Coveted Mani

Even nail minimalists want to blow off steam sometimes—and bubblegum nails are the teensy shade shift that is keeping things cute for spring.

Sheer pink Frenchies and pale pink milk nails have become the go-to uniform of minimal girls searching for something soft and subtle, but if you want to keep the clean look while introducing a little more color, bubblegum nails are where it’s at.

What are bubblegum nails?

As the name suggests, the trend taps into a bubblegum pink color palette, taking things a little brighter than French pinks. But to keep it fresh, delicate, and dewy, the look also channels a slightly sheer, see-through bubblegum texture (like when you blow a bubble versus fresh out of the wrapper).

It’s a subtle shift, but we don’t need Meryl Streep here to explain how the nuances between two shades can shift the whole mood (remember cerulean, people). The cheery pink channels pure spring vibes, and it adds and adorable edge to a mani that still feels polished and sophisticated.

How to wear bubblegum nails?

There’s plenty of ways to wear the trend. We’ve seen them served up short, long, sheer, square, and squoval. Most recently luxury nail artist Harriet Westmoreland created a cute short set for her celebrity client Lily Allen. We’ve also seen them worn on toes for a matchy-matchy mani-pedi moment.

Below, we’ve rounded up nine of our favorite ways to wear the bubblegum nail trend:

Short, rounded bubblegum nails