Butter Yellow Nails: The Latest Summer Manicure Trend
Butter Yellow Nails Are the Sunny Manicure Upgrade You Didn’t Know You Needed
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Let’s talk butter yellow nails, aka the soft, creamy shade quietly taking over everything from red carpets to TikTok. It’s not neon or mustard. It’s that dreamy in-between pastel yellow that looks like sunshine in a bottle (but make it fashion). And if you’ve been scrolling lately, you’ve probably seen this trend on Hailey Bieber, Selena Gomez, Kelsea Ballerini, and even Blackpink’s Rosé.
It’s officially a thing, and I’m ready for these summery nails! I’m already obsessed with pastel shades, Easter designs, pink nails and flowery patterns, so bring on these sunny yellow nails!!
Butter Yellow Nails: The Latest Summer Manicure Trend
Next time you stare at a nail polish wall, skip the safe pink and try this creamy shade instead. If you want the look from home, get your DIY skills ready!
How to Get the Butter Yellow Nail Look
With the right products and techniques, achieving this fresh look at home or with your nail tech is easy.
Here’s the best way to get the perfect butter yellow nail trend:
Prep Your Nails– Start with nail polish remover to clean off any old polish, then shape your nails into a short or natural shape. Use an orangewood stick to push back cuticles for that pristine cuticle look.
Hydrate & Protect– Apply cuticle oil and hand cream to keep your nails looking healthy and nourished. A solid foundation is key to achieving that healthy shine. Add your good-quality base coat and let it dry.
Thin Layers of Polish– Look for a creamy pastel yellow polish or a darker shade of yellow. Nothing too bright or neon. This should feel like sunshine mixed with vanilla gelato. Apply thin coats for a soft, even finish.
High-Shine Finish– The fun part is sealing it all with a high-shine top coat to create that signature butter yellow nail look. This will give your nails a glossy finish, enhancing the subtle yellow, depending on your preferred look.
Clean Up & Moisturise– Use an orangewood stick dipped in nail polish remover to clean excess polish.
Daily TLC– Apply another layer of hand cream for that perfect example of a good manicure, and bonus points if you reapply cuticle oil daily to maintain that fresh look.
Why Everyone’s Obsessed
There’s something about a butter-yellow manicure that just feels fresh. It’s soft, subtle, and somehow flatters every skin tone. And if you’re into short nails, classic French tips, or the whole negative space thing, butter yellow plays nice with all of it.
Plus, it gives “I drink lemon water and have my life together” energy, even if you definitely had cereal for dinner last night.
The Celeb-Approved Shade
Kendall Jenner was spotted with yellow nails on Instagram. Hailey has rocked a pastel yellow version with her signature glazed finish. And if you’re into tiny heart details, butter yellow makes the cutest base for minimalist daisy mani or flowers.
Behind many of these buttery looks are genius nail artists like Jin Soon Choi, who know how to make this soft pastel shade pop without overwhelming your look.
A Few Ideas for Your Next Manicure
Yellow Frenchies with a sheer base
A delicate pattern on a buttery background
Keeping it simple with a block colour of butter yellow nails
Mix-and-match yellow nail designs—add a little negative space, maybe a flower or two
Or go full lemon nails and lean into summer early
Either way, butter yellow is having a moment, and it’s worth hopping on board.
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