Princess Cake Nails The Scandi-Chic Pastel Summer Trend
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When it comes to summer beauty, nothing feels fresher than soft pastels, playful details, and a touch of Scandinavian minimalism. One of the most delightful nail trends making waves right now is the princess cake manicure—a style inspired by Sweden’s beloved dessert, the prinsesstårta. Imagine the sweet mix of pale pink polish, pistachio green marzipan, and just a hint of white whipped cream. Now take those colors, add some artistry, and you’ve got a nail look that’s both timeless and trendy.
As someone who has been testing nail art for years—everything from understated neutrals to intricate 3D designs—I can say this pastel trend isn’t just about looks. It carries the charm of TikTok virality, the comfort of Swedish fika, and the joy of blending sugar, sponge cake, pastry cream, marzipan, and jam into a visual feast. Ahead, I’ll walk you through the trend, share inspirations, and explain how to style your nails so they feel like a personal expression of chic Scandinavian summer living.
The Trend
Earlier this year, princess manicures started trending on TikTok, and quickly gained attention beyond the app. The original version leaned toward pale pink polish on short, neatly-trimmed nails. It was understated, pretty, sweet—and admittedly a little boring if you prefer bolder styles. I tried it myself in the spring, and while it felt fresh, it lacked the excitement of something indulgent.
That’s where the princess cake manicure enters. Just like adding an extra layer of jam or sponge to your favorite dessert, this look adds flavor and depth to an otherwise minimal style. The beauty lies in honoring the classic dessert’s colors. You’ve got that soft pink foundation, the pistachio-green marzipan on top, and for adventurous nail lovers, a swipe of white to mimic whipped cream.
What I love most is the versatility. Just as the original Swedish cake varies—from deeper pistachio tones to brighter shades depending on food coloring preferences—so too can your nails. Whether you’re heading to a café like Konditori Vete-Katten in Stockholm, lighting a Prinsesstårta Candle, or listening to ABBA while painting your nails at home, this manicure makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a Nordic fairytale.
Princess Cake Nail Inspiration
If you’re looking for inspiration, think of your nails as mini slices of cake, each one layered with flavor. Here are my favorite ways to bring the princess cake manicure to life:
1. Princess Necessities
Sometimes, simplicity is the sweetest. A set of opaque shorties painted in soft pink and pistachio green is as classic as it gets. Even if you’re not into desserts, these shades deserve a permanent spot in your nail polish cabinet. Personally, I always keep one green polish on hand because it instantly feels chic.
2. All-Out Royal
For those of us who treat nail art as a royal affair, the 3D detailing trend is irresistible. I once tried a pearl-dotted pointer finger design similar to this and couldn’t stop staring at it. The combination of pink, green, and intricate nail art captures the energy of a princess living her dream.
3. Cateye Magic
A shimmering cat eye manicure with a pistachio-green shade as the main event and a touch of pink is pure magic. It mirrors the delight of cutting into a cake slice. When I wore a cat eye polish for the first time, people literally stopped to ask about the shade—it has that much sparkle.
4. Cherry On Top
Traditionally, a princess cake is topped with a sugar rose, but swapping it for pink glass cherries with green stems is a modern twist. Pair that with white French tips, and you’ve got nails that remind you of whipped cream and summer desserts.
5. All the Details
For detail lovers, 3D cherry blossoms can replace roses. Add in a hint of gold leaf, and suddenly your manicure feels like edible art. Whenever I experiment with gold foil, I find it instantly elevates the design.
6. Marzipan Frenchies
French tips are timeless, but when you switch them to marzipan-green French tips over a glossy nude-pink base, the effect is Scandi elegance. I love almond-shaped nails for this—it makes the green tips even more striking.
7. Peony Princess
Tiny painted peonies add romance to your nails. This design reminds me of an afternoon at Sant Ambroeus, sipping coffee with a slice of cake. Gold accessories complete the royal vibe.
8. Daisy Decor
Nothing says summer like daisy nail designs. Add pink daisies on a green French manicure, and suddenly it feels like a scene out of Midsommar—but in the nicest, non-scary way. I tried a DIY daisy set last July, and it was surprisingly easy with a dotting tool.
9. Pure Princess
Sometimes, keeping it traditional works. A soft pink jelly polish gives off a princess manicure vibe with just enough elegance. Add a bit of length and you’re instantly chic.
10. Make ’Em Shine
For sparkle lovers, green chrome French tips over a soft pink base are a dream. I especially love how the metallic sheen resembles a thin layer of marzipan folding over cake.
11. Swede City
Want to mix it up? Add green, pink, yellow, and blue nails to channel the fun of Ikea-inspired colors. I once wore a similar set on a summer trip, and the compliments didn’t stop.
12. Holographic Princess
This is where the fairytale really shines. A holographic manicure with pink and green shades looks otherworldly. Lights Lacquer’s Wings & Things polish, with its opalescent coral pink and green shift, captures the magic perfectly.
13. Soft Ombré Shades
If you’ve ever mixed food coloring unevenly, you know the accidental ombré effect it creates. On nails, though, it’s intentional and trendy. I find ombré manicures to be versatile—they work for both casual days and weddings.
14. Rose-Covered Sweetness
At last, the classic roses make their appearance. Hand-drawn tiny roses with stems and leaves over a creamy base shade create the sweetest look. As someone who once hand-painted roses on a set, I can confirm it takes patience but looks incredible.
15. Marzipan Majesty
Finally, embrace the cake’s history. Originally called grön tårta (green cake), the dessert was beloved by Swedish princesses Margaretha, Märtha, and Astrid. A pistachio green manicure pays homage to that legacy. Sometimes, sticking to one bold color is the most powerful statement.
Styling Tips for Princess Cake Nails
What makes this trend stand out is that it doesn’t just live on TikTok or in Scandinavian bakeries—it’s wearable for everyday life. Here’s how to make it work for you:
- Pair green and pink nails with light summer dresses, especially in white linen or soft cotton.
- For evening outings, add gold accessories—they complement both pastel pinks and pistachio tones.
- Don’t shy away from mixing in blue or yellow details; the playful nod to Ikea chic feels unexpected and stylish.
- Keep your nails healthy with pastry cream-like cuticle oils—hydration is key to making polish shine.
Why the Princess Cake Manicure Feels So Special
Unlike other nail trends, this one is about more than aesthetics. It blends Swedish culture, ABBA nostalgia, Euro summer dreams, and dessert inspiration into one. Whenever I wear princess cake nails, I feel connected to a moment of joy—whether that’s indulging in fika at a café, planning a trip abroad, or just taking 20 minutes for myself.
It’s not just about the understated polish, intricate 3D details, holographic sparkle, or soft ombré shades—it’s about the feeling they bring. Just as every slice of sponge cake holds a little surprise inside, each manicure tells its own story.
