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The 10 Best Butter Yellow Nail Polishes for Spring 2025
The trendy pastel shade is more versatile than you think
Butter yellow is one of spring's biggest fashion trends, but the shade makes for a pretty manicure color, too. Yellow nail polish, depending on its undertones and intensity, works well as a neutral and can replace cream and white as a nail art base color. "True neutrals tend to be soft, muted, and don’t carry vibrant hues," Erica De Los Santos, a freelance nail artist and founder of Nail'd It Beauty Lounge, tells Bazaar. "Butter yellow, however, often leans more warm and saturated."
The pastel is surprisingly versatile. "In spring, it brings a cheerful, uplifting vibe that helps shake off the winter blues, especially when combined with other pastels or soft florals," says De Los Santos. "During summer, butter yellow pops against sun-kissed skin and gives that glowing, radiant feel that reminds you of sunshine and long, warm days." The mani expert says it works in cooler weather as well. "In fall, it can transition perfectly when paired with earthy tones like burnt orange or deep browns—think fall foliage vibes with a modern twist. It’s all about how you use it in your overall palette," she says.
With its warm undertones, the beauty of butter yellow nails is that the options are limitless. Whether you're looking for a full-coat swipe or just the tips, we rounded up the best butter yellow nail polishes to set the stage for your next nail look.
Buttermilk Mani
If you’re not 100 percent convinced that you should try this trend, start by dipping your toe into the mix with a milkier shade of yellow, like buttercream or buttermilk. This softer, paler option is the most neutral version of the color that still looks buttery on its own, but works nicely as a base for 3D accents and nail art. "If the butter yellow has a whiter base and is more subdued, it could lean neutral," says De Los Santos.
Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish in Atelier at The Bay
This is almost a perfect match to the shade nail artist @aanchysnails used to create the above look. It’s heavier on the cream but still has just enough yellow to make it not boring.
Pacifica Plant Magic Nail Polish in Happy Yellow
Pacifica pulled off a polish that looks like an actual stick of butter. The 16-free formula uses plant-based ingredients without compromising longevity or vibrancy.
Butter Chrome
Balance out the warm undertones of yellow by topping it with a cool, pearlescent chrome. "For a more elevated or luxe feel, chrome gold or glittery gold accents can enhance butter yellow and give it that rich, polished finish," says De Los Santos. The metallic accent won't drown out the yellow. Instead, it’ll add a shimmery top coat that tones down the temperature and better complements skin with cooler undertones.
It's fitting that Chanel's version of a butter yellow is classic pastel. The shade isn't too milky or bright, so it'll remain a true classic no matter how nail color trends ebb and flow.
Olive & June Quick Dry Polish in Sunny
Sunny by Olive & June feels cooler than other yellows on this list. With chrome powder layered on top, this shade would pop perfectly on those with cool undertones.
Butter French
De Los Santos recommends a vibrant yellow applied just to the tips, French manicure style, if you want to try the trend without going full coverage. You can also paint a reverse French mani where, instead of painting the tips, run the stripe across the cuticle line.
Revlon Ultra HD Snap Nail Color in Makin' The Most
Here’s a shade that's more vivid than pastel but not too orangey or intense. The formula is pigmented enough that you only need one coat for full coverage, and it has moisturizing shea butter, as well as spinach, avocado, and green tea extracts to nourish nails.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish in Does Not Comcute
Similarly, Sally Hansen’s Does Not Comcute shade is a solid choice for painting accents—or you may like this middle-of-the-road yellow enough to paint the entire nail. The quick-dry formula is a three-in-one, so you get a base, color, and top coats in a single swipe.
Yellow Aura
Turn the vibrancy up a notch with a monochromatic aura mani that combines a neutral, milky base with a sunny aura right at the center. Use a sponge application technique for the brighter yellow to create the ombré effect.
The most vibrant yellow on this list comes via Le Mini Macaron. Lemon Sorbet looks exactly as the name suggests, and the rich golden undertones work on a range of complexions.
CND Vinylux Long Wear Polish in Jellied
Shade-wise, CND’s yellow isn’t as saturated as Le Mini Macaron's, but it's still vibrant enough for the aura look. If you're unfamiliar with Vinylux, it’s a gel-like formula that lasts for a week (or more), doesn't require LED to cure, and comes off with regular nail polish remover.
Subtle Art
Mix and match by choosing a couple of nails for nail art, then breaking it up with pops of butter yellow. "It’s a great way to incorporate the shade without letting it overpower your whole look," says De Los Santos.
Butter London Patent Shine 10x Nail Lacquer in Bit of Sunshine
Naturally, a brand called Butter London would have the perfect butter yellow nail polish shade. This high-gloss formula is more of a yellow-tinted cream shade that can serve as a year-round alternative to a crisp white polish.
OPI Nature Strong Nail Lacquer in Make My Daisy
Daisy yellow is a classic spring mani shade. This plant and mineral-based polish from OPI is made from sugar cane, potatoes, and clay. However, despite being natural, it still wears for a week or more if you pair it with a top coat.
Meet the Experts:
- Erica De Los Santos is a freelance nail artist and founder of Nail'd It Beauty Lounge, based in New Jersey and New York.
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