Spring nail trends 2014: Understated nails are back!

Nailed it

We’ve got the inside scoop on spring’s ultimate understated nails and tips on how to achieve the perfect at-home manicure.

Natural beauty

The new nude nail has been elevated this spring. Embrace your natural nail and give it a subtle upgrade with an opaque, neutral polish. Rita Remark, lead nail artist for Essie, recommends giving an opaque nude, like this one, a whirl.

Essie Nail Polish in "Spin The Bottle", $10, Shoppers Drug Mart.

Subtle sophistication

Along with varying shades of nude, pastels were seen all over the runways. When nails weren't totally bare, they were covered in soft, sherbet-like shades.

If you're looking to spice things up a bit try experimenting with understated nail art, like a chevron or stripe design. Minimalism is key!

Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in "Blue Orchid", $20, Murale.

Short and sweet

Say goodbye to talon-like nails. This season it's all about a clean and trim shape. Longer nails look best when shaped into a classic oval, but for short nails Rita recommends a “squoval”, which is a square shape with rounded corners. 

Nail file, $7, Sephora.

Matte mission For a different approach to a natural nail, try using a matte polish. Wear it over a nude hue for a raw finish or over a colour for a “velvet, contemporary finish that is très courant,” says Rita.

Essie Nail Polish in "Matte About You", $10, Shoppers Drug Mart.

Simple pleasures

An at-home manicure can still be pampering. To do so, soften your dry, stressed cuticles with a moisturizing treatment. Your nail beds will thank you, and you'll be prepped for a barely-there manicure in no time!

Brush-On Nourishing Cuticle Oil, $16, Sephora.

For more beauty trends click here.