The guide to the 6 mid-April 2026 shades, occasion by occasion: peony pink (feminine brilliance), pistachio green (bold chic on short nails), lilac (the go-anywhere pastel), sky blue (pre-departure freshness), soft coral (the terrace lunch) and milk white (office-chic). For each: how to wear it and on which moment, on this pre-May turning point. All in OPI semi-permanent at €45, wear 2 to 3 weeks.
Mid-April is a genuine turning point: full spring is here, but the pre-May moment is approaching — 17 days separate us from May 1st, exactly the wear of a semi-permanent applied today. So for each of the six shades in the salon selection, here is the how-to: how to wear it and for which occasion, from now to the long weekend.
1. Peony pink — feminine brilliance
Deeper than soft pink, less bold than red. Peony pink evokes the first April bloom in the Palais-Royal garden. A vivid yet gentle shade, perfect for fair to golden skin.
2. Pistachio green — unexpected chic
Pistachio green — warmer than sage, softer than mint — emerges as the daring shade of spring. Ideal on short nails. Particularly flatters olive and mixed skin tones.
3. Lilac — the season's safe bet
Present since March in our requests, lilac remains on top of the podium. A powdered pastel violet, elegant, neutral in its boldness.
4. Sky blue — Mediterranean freshness
Sky blue announces the holidays. Cool, luminous, it flatters lightly tanned skin. Keep in mind for those leaving for the south in mid-May.
5. Soft coral — the solar accent
Soft coral is summer's outpost. More pink than orange, warmer than rose, it brings a touch of warmth without going loud. Our signature for terrace lunches.
6. Milk white — sophisticated minimal
Not pure white — too harsh. Milk white is slightly creamy, almost ivory. Very on-trend for office-chic this spring. Visually lengthens fingers on short nails.
Recap table: 6 shades, 6 characters
| Shade | Character | Best skin tones |
|---|---|---|
| Peony pink | Vivid elegant | Fair to golden |
| Pistachio green | Bold chic | Olive, mixed |
| Lilac | Powdered pastel | All |
| Sky blue | Cool luminous | Tanned, olive |
| Soft coral | Solar | Golden, mixed |
| Milk white | Minimal | All (lengthening effect) |
The French option for these 6 shades
Over a nude base, the French design option at +€10 lets you add a coloured tip in one of these 6 shades. Wearable effect, original, perfect for those who don't dare full-length colour.
💡 Tip: our colour analysis tool reads your skin tone and recommends the best of the 6 shades for you. Quick online test, ideal before your appointment.
How to pair for the May 1st bridge?
May 1st falls on a Friday in 2026. For those taking the long weekend, two strategies:
- Bold colour: pick coral or peony to embrace full-bloom spring.
- Discreet colour: opt for milk white or lilac — always flawless at the office the following Monday.
Application now or D-2 before departure?
OPI semi-permanent holds 2 to 3 weeks. Applied mid-April, it will be perfect for the bridge. No need to wait until the last minute — you'll avoid the last week of April rush.
📅 The April 2026 series: you're reading the shade-by-shade guide, published in mid-April. Also worth a read, end of April: the recap of what we actually saw in salon across the whole month.