Nail Colors for Every Central Ohio Season: From Arts Festival Brights to Wildlights Shimmer

Central Ohio has a real calendar. Prom and graduation in spring, the Columbus Arts Festival on the riverfront every June, the Delaware County Fair and Little Brown Jug every September, Buckeye football all fall, and Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo through the holidays.

Here's a nail color plan that follows the year, so you always have an idea ready when you sit down.

Spring (March to May)

After a gray Ohio winter, everyone wants color again.

• Soft lavender and lilac. The first color guests ask for when the weather breaks.
• Butter yellow. Fresh and happy without being loud.
• Sage green. Calm and pretty. See our sage green nail ideas.
• Milky pink French. The go to for Easter, Mother's Day and graduation photos.

Spring tip: if you have a graduation party every weekend in May, go gel or dip so you aren't redoing nails each week.

Summer (June to August)

The Columbus Arts Festival kicks off summer downtown, and from then on your hands and feet are on display at pools, patios, lakes and festivals.

• Coral and tangerine. Bright, warm and great with a tan.
• Hot pink. Fun on toes and fingers.
• Turquoise and ocean blue. Perfect for vacation and lake days at Alum Creek.
• Bright nail art. Fruit, flowers and swirls. Festival season is the time to try something playful. Our nail art starts at $10.

Summer tip: gel on toes lasts much longer than regular polish in sandals and pool water.

Fall (September to November)

Fall in Central Ohio means football Saturdays, the Delaware County Fair, apple picking and Thanksgiving.

• Burgundy and wine. The classic fall shade.
• Chocolate and espresso brown. Rich, warm and very in.
• Olive and forest green. Earthy and elegant.
• Scarlet with a gray accent. For game days. See our Ohio State game day nail ideas.
• Burnt orange. Fun for Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Fall tip: darker colors show chips more, so this is a good season for gel or dip.

Winter (December to February)

Shine season. Holiday lights, parties and New Year's Eve.

• Deep red. Always right for the holidays.
• Champagne and gold chrome. Looks amazing in photos under Wildlights or a lit up tree.
• Navy with silver. Great for New Year's Eve.
• Milky white with gold flecks. Wintry and clean.
• Soft nude in January. A nice reset after the holidays.

Winter tip: dry air is rough on cuticles. A hydration gel manicure ($55) helps a lot. For more ideas, see our holiday nails guide.

Shades that work all year

If you just want one shade that always looks good:

• Soft pink or nude that matches your skin tone
• Classic French
• A true red

These work for work, weddings, interviews and photos in any season. Our post on elegant nail ideas for work has more.

Quick answers

How do I find a nude that suits my skin tone?

Ask your technician to swatch two or three shades on one nail. The right nude makes your fingers look longer, not washed out.

Can I change color without a full manicure?

Yes. A gel polish change is $35 for hands, and a regular polish change is $15.

Do you have seasonal colors in both salons?

Yes. Polaris and Lewis Center share the same menu, and both carry seasonal shades.

Book at Polaris or Lewis Center.