"Dandelion Yellow" Nails Are Here to Give You an Instant Dose of Happy

"Dandelion yellow" nail designs are currently trending.

This version of the shade is golden in undertone, making it more approachable.

Shop our favorite yellow nail polishes to try the look at home.

In the same way a shot of Emergen-C after a night of drinking can take you from hovering over the porcelain throne to high-fiving your boss the next morning, a nice bright nail polish color [1] can make a bleary day feel a little more happy. The shade that's trending right now [2] isn't too off the mark from the powdered drink mix, either: "dandelion yellow."

The name, coined by manicurist and global lead educator for Essie Rita Remark [3], perfectly matches spring's earliest bloomer — the dandelion — and is the perfect soft-meets-sunny blend of pastel yellow and orange.

"This version of yellow [4] is much more golden than we're used to seeing — it's like butter," Remark says. "Previously, we'd seen cooler-tone yellows [5], edging on the side of green or lemon-lime [6]. I love that this shade is trending because it means yellow is now a nail color that has staying power. It's not just a niche, one-season trend. It's more approachable and less of a risk. A color that previously felt polarizing and controversial among nail enthusiasts [7] now boasts variations of hue and more options for those of us trying to find the perfect complement to our skin tone."

Even with zero flowers blooming outside and scarce sunny days left, you can still convince your brain to think warmer thoughts with a yellow manicure. The inspiration and nail polish colors worth a trip (to the store) are ahead.

Solid Yellow Nail Designs

Prefer to keep your nails simple? This solid yellow manicure is perfect for minimalists but without feeling boring. Look for a golden polish that's opaque to ensure full, streak-free coverage.

Essie Nail Polish in All Fun and Games

Try: Essie Nail Polish in All Fun and Games [8] ($10)

Yellow and Blue Nail Designs

There are many reasons you might want to add a touch of blue to your yellow manicure — the biggest being to show your support for Ukraine — and this simplistic manicure design is just the way to do so.

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Mellow Yellow

Try: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Mellow Yellow [9] ($3)

Neon Yellow Nail Designs

While "dandelion" yellow definitely veers more golden than neon, this polish shade is the perfect in-between that marries both trends into one. For extra visual interest, try adding two accent nails per hand with subtle strokes of the shade.

Opi Nail Lacquer in Exotic Birds Do Not Tweet

Opi Nail Lacquer in Exotic Birds Do Not Tweet [10] ($11)

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