Desperate For Spring? Essie’s Rita Remark Has Your Spring Nail Download!

Spring has officially arrived, and it is time for your manicure to follow suit. To help us navigate the season’s shift from “boot hibernation” to open-toe weather, we sat down with essie Global Ambassador Rita Remark for the ultimate trend download.

According to Rita, this season is less about traditional color and more about the “cheeky and daring” interplay of texture and finish. From the high-gloss allure of the Glass Nail Collection to the ridge-filling magic of her latest “obsession,” the Good as New Nail Perfector, Rita is sharing the must-have products and DIY art tips—like the super-chic polka dot—to ensure your nails are statement-making all spring long. —Noa Nichol

The “Glass” Glow: You’ve highlighted the Glass Nail Collection as a seasonal must-have for that ultra-shiny, jelly-like finish. Between the “juicy” sheer pink of Cincin and the bold Blue Light, how should we be choosing our “glass” shade to best flatter our spring skin tone?

Glass shades require a bit of finesse when choosing the shade and depth. The easiest way to navigate is, if you have very pale, or blue tones in your skin, be sure to add 2, maybe three coats when using any blue, purple or dark cherry glass shades. When applied with two coats, they look like candy, with just one? Sadly, on any skintone, a bruise.

Beyond “Childish” Cute: You mentioned that spring nail art can be “cheeky, daring, and statement-making” rather than just childish. For someone wanting to try the polka dot trend with Bikini So Teeny and Bahama Mama, how do we keep the look sophisticated and “super chic”?

If sophisticated and super chic is the aim, I’d forget pairing cornflower blue and maroon – those lean more edgy, exciting and sartorial. For sophistication, choose a tonal color combo, like light blue and navy, red and pink, or yellow and white. When the contrast is softer, so is the effect. With these color combinations, you can polish one hand in each shade and then add polka dots to each with the other. You also can do a french tip with the polka dots for an even softer effect.

The Texture Shift: You’ve noted that spring color is taking a back seat to texture this year. Can you explain what you mean by “how the color wears” and why texture is becoming the ultimate “A-List” statement for 2026?

While there are color trends, of course, the bigger story is HOW you wear that color. If you choose soft lilac, is the color cream or is it sheer? metallic or pearl? The conversation revolves more around the effect than the color itself. 

Boot Hibernation Reset: You always mark the start of spring with a Lilacism manicure. Why is this specific soft pastel the perfect “fresh start” for a pedicure as our feet finally emerge from winter hibernation?

It’s a cooler tone and therefore more versatile with winter and spring wardrobe staples. Subconsciously, warmer toned shades like oranges, corals and pinks, along with more pastel and vibrant tones, feel more spring and summer coded. So this shade bridges the gap between winter and summer. Bonus : it works well even on pale skin tones, so don’t worry about building any summer tan beforehand.

The “Good As New” Obsession: You’ve called the Good as New Nail Perfector your latest obsession. For the DIY enthusiast, what is the secret to using this ridge-filling formula to achieve a professional, streak-free “glass-like” finish at home?

That’s the best part: there’s no secret, no gate-keeping pro-skill required. Be sure to apply as you would any base coat: thinly and over cleansed, oil-free nail plates.