Butter nails: the new trend
What exactly are we talking about?
After the rise of the soap nails, it’s now time for Butter nails to shine – and it’s all about yellow polishes. But not just any yellow. Forget neon or intense mustard shades. What we’re loving now is butter yellow – a delicate, pastel, almost creamy buttery hue that radiates softness and sunshine. This refined and fresh polish shade fits perfectly with the clean girl aesthetic and the quiet luxury vibe.
Where did it start? A manicure by Tom Bachik, celebrity nail artist, for Selena Gomez kicked things off. Then Hailey Bieber took up the trend, pairing her Butter nails with the signature butter skin glow from Rhode, her skincare brand. The result? Hydrated, radiant skin and nails in perfect harmony. And the combo was an instant hit.
@tombachik.
Pastel yellow takes the spotlight on the runway
It’s one of the standout colors from the Spring-Summer 2025 Fashion Week shows. From Jacquemus to Balenciaga and Coperni, every major fashion house has given its own take on this sunshine hue. Today, the trend has spread to the fingertips of beauty lovers everywhere, all looking for that radiant, runway-inspired look.
(@tagwalk)
How to wear yellow on your nails
Yellow might seem intimidating at first. But when used well, this sunshine shade flatters every skin tone and adds a stylishly modern twist to any look. Here’s how to wear Butter nails your way.
Go bold with a block color
Nothing beats a solid color look to let yellow shine in all its glory. The good news? Our Green™ and Green Flash™ collections include a dreamy range of yellow shades that make it easy to tap into this trend.
Looking for a yellow that’s radiant yet understated? Mimosa is a soft pastel yellow with a buttery vibe – fresh as a lemon and beautifully delicate. Ideal on short, rounded nails, it pairs especially well with lighter skin tones.
Prefer a glossier finish? Try Lemonade, a pale, zesty yellow polish flecked with sparkles, like a fizzy lemon sorbet. It’s the perfect match for medium to deeper skin tones.
With Shell, yellow takes a step back in favor of a minimalist, nuanced white. Both raw and refined, this soft shade looks stunning on all skin tones, from fair to sun-kissed. Perfect for a barely-there manicure look!
For something more festive, Gold is a velvety, glittering gold with a jewel-like finish—like a cascade of light across your nails. It's ideal for radiant nails that shine day or night, in any season! We love it on long, almond-shaped nails to really highlight its glamorous edge.
To fully embrace your love for yellow, there’s nothing quite like Gold Button (available in Green™ only): a dose of sunshine at your fingertips—joyful, bold, and wonderfully summery. We especially love this bright yellow pop on short nails and sun-kissed skin!
Get creative with nail art
Yellow polishes lend themselves beautifully to graphic and delicate nail art designs. Here are a few ideas spotted on social media and in the studios of our favorite nail artists:
Butter glazed nails: fall in love with this icy, glazed version of Butter nails—super easy to recreate! Start with a layer of Green Mimosa polish, then add a dusting of White Glazed Effect Powder and seal everything with Sunshine Top Coat.
(@griffegriffegriffe)
Mimosa & Lisa Lilas gradient: this gradient design beautifully blends the soft yellow of Mimosa with the gentle lilac of Lisa Lilas, evoking the fields of southern France for a dreamy, summery vibe.
(@m.o.n.a.j)
Floral nail art: create sunny floral patterns in yellow using a dotting tool over a base of Pale Rose polish. It’s the perfect 100% springtime boho look.
Pearl nail art: go for pearlized effects on a pale yellow base for a look that’s precious, textured, and totally unique. Try a beautiful blend of Moon’s pearly white and Lemonade’s shimmery yellow.
Caring for your yellow manicure
Yellow is a radiant choice for nails—but it can also highlight imperfections if your application isn’t meticulous. Three golden rules: prep, protect, hydrate.
Nail prep comes first
Every flawless manicure starts with a clean, well-prepped nail base. Follow our nail prep tips for best results. Begin by gently shaping your nails with a file. Apply a little Effective Emollient to soften cuticles, then push them back with a steel cuticle pusher for a clean, polished contour. Finally, use a nail buffer sponge to gently smooth the surface and help polish adhere better.
Always use a base and top coat
Your base and top coat are your best friends for extending the life of your yellow manicure. A layer of Green™ Base Coat (if you're using a Green™ polish) or Green Flash™ Vitamin-Enriched Base Coat (for Green Flash™ polish) helps to even out the nail plate and prep it for color. Finish with a Sunshine Top Coat for Green™, or the Green Flash™ Top Coat for gel polish users. These final layers add shine and seal in color beautifully.
Hydration, hydration, hydration
Even with your nails polished, make time for daily TLC. Massage in a drop of Green Oil and/or a bit of Perfecting Concentrate to nourish your cuticles and keep your nails hydrated.
Halfway between citrusy brightness and milky softness, Butter nails mark the joyful return of soft, radiant, and thoroughly modern yellow tones. Whether pastel, pearly, or glittery, yellow brings sunshine to every manicure ☀️ Choose your hue based on your mood, your nail shape, your skin tone—even your playlist! Ready to butter up your nails?
