This spring, consider reaching for jelly nail polish to get a wash of juicy, semi-sheer color on your nails.
“Jelly polishes are like Jolly Rancher hard candy in manicure form,” says Olivia Van Iderstine, Olive & June’s VP of content and creative. “Jelly polishes are so fun to use in nail looks because they are so versatile and can completely change the look of a mani.”
Meet the expert
Olivia Van Iderstine is the resident trend expert and vice president of content and creative for Olive & June.
As Van Iderstone emphasizes, jelly nail polish can be worn alone or layered for a super dynamic look. “A single coat of jelly polish provides a gorgeous sheer wash of color, but applying two to three coats makes your mani look like a sweet and bouncy popsicle,” she says.
Another benefit of layered jelly nail polishes?”They add so much dimension, creating an almost 3D effect that lends so much visual interest,” says Van Iderstine. “It’s also such a fun way to have artistic and creative freedom over your manicure. Jelly polishes encourage play and customization.”
Scroll through 20 inspirational looks and jelly polish picks below.
This Lettuce is Radicchio
Olive and June
“This polish is a gorgeous magenta-purple jelly that is fun and sophisticated,” says Van Iderstine.
Hearth Jelly
This stunning orange jelly polish pops beautifully. It’s a bright orange with subtle yellow undertones that keep the shade friendly.
Candy Dipped
Olive and June
To try out a fiery shade without it being too loud, you can go for a jelly finish, which naturally adds a touch of softness. Van Iderstine describes this polish as “a candy apple red jelly that makes every spicy mani glow.”
Can I Borrow a Sweater?
Olive and June
Pretty and soft, this pink polish is absolutely stunning. It’s the perfect choice for a sweet and delicate look.
Moonjelly
Mooncat
“Moonjelly” is the perfect name for this polish, which makes your nails look otherworldly. It’s an iridescent, milky polish that reflects blue and purple hues.
Strawberries Are in Season Right Now
Olive and June
“This is a joyful pink jelly that is truly candy for your mani,” says Van Iderstine. It’s a classic hot pink that’s incredibly vibrant.
Jelly Baby
Olive and June
Pairing a sheer polish with a chunky glitter is such a fun way to get a look that’s equal parts fun and airy.
Lavender Stems
Olive and June
“This is a soft pastel lavender jelly that plays like a neutral and is so milky and bouncy,” says Van Iderstine. The touch of white in the polish adds so much softness to the look.
Hi-Def
Add a little ~ spice ~ to your jelly manicure by applying a polish with a hint of sparkle. This look features a bright greenish yellow polish complete with silver sparkles.
Sheer Rose
Cirque Colors
Jelly polishes are what give lip gloss nails their gorgeous high-shine finish. This polish features a sheer rosy pink polish that supplies a stunning, classic look.
Caramel or Caramel
Apres Nail
While jelly polishes are often seen in the pink-and-orange families, its super fun to go dark with your polish choice. This rich caramel brown looks gorge in a jelly finish.
Under the Tuscan Sun
Apres Nail
This warm orange polish has terracotta undertones that allow it to read almost like a neutral. It’s a shade that pops without straying neon.
Jade Jelly
Cirque Colors
Sheer green polishes can be tricky — choose the wrong shade, and it could appear unsavory. But this cool, sagey green looks cute and intentional.
Alia
Zoya
This deep raspberry shade truly looks like your nails are sporting a coat of lip gloss. It has the perfect balance of pink and purple, so the color retains its depth whilst being sheer.
Glass Orchid
Apres Nail
This purple shade is show-stopping on its own, but the jelly formula just takes it to the next level. You get the best of both worlds — a sheer finish with a deep and dramatic color.
Dove Jelly
Cirque Colors
This dusty greige polish is absolutely stunning. The gray creates a stunning stone look, grounded by brown undertones that keep it from reading sterile.
Rosy Pink
This pink polish is perfect to achieve that your-nails-but-better look. One coat will leave your nails looking naturally healthy and glowing.
La Luna
Lights Lacquer
This shade features a sage green that leans gray thanks to the addition of silver sparkles. The glitter is super finely milled so the polish reflects light without weighing down the look.
Michelangelo
Lights Lacquer
This is another orange polish that nearly reads like a neutral. It has jus a hint of red to add a grounding warmth to the shade.
Frida
Zoya
This shade is not for the faint of heart. If you’re feeling bold, a peacock-blue manicure is a great way to get there.
