Trend alert: orange nail polish

Every season's got an "it" colour. Last winter, it was oceanic hues ranging from light turquoise to midnight blue. The season before that, nail aficionados were all trying to get their manicured paws on that perfect shade of taupe. This spring, it looks like the freshest colour on the block is a happy shade of orange.

Here are five shades that have me dreaming in tangerine.

Joe Fresh Nail Polish in Crush ($4 at Joe Fresh Style [540 Granville Street] and Real Canadian Superstores [various locations])
If you haven't yet decided if orange nail polish is right for you, indulge guilt-free with this sunny shade from Joe Fresh. At just $4 a pop or $10 for three bottles, you have very little to lose.

Revlon Scented Nail Enamel in Orange Pop ($6.49 at London Drugs [various locations])
Enjoy the scent of orange soda permanently permeating from your nails with this extra bright hue. If you're looking for a shade that's more subtle, try Mad About Mango, also part of the scented collection.

American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Neon Coral ($7.50 at American Apparel [various locations])
This tropical shade is less neon and more creamsicle. Think: Hawaiian sunsets, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen in her Saved by the Bell days, and eating ice-cream at the skatepark.

Essie Polish in Capri ($12 at BeautyMark [1268 Pacific Boulevard])
Ay mami! This fiery shade of orange is made for beach-bound attention getters. The polish goes on creamy and opaque, so it's perfect for both your toes and fingers.

OPI in A Good Man-darin is Hard to Find ($12 at Pure Nail Bar [various locations])
This salon-grade polish makes about a dozen shades of orange, from pale tangerines to blinding fluorescent shades. A Good Man-darin is Hard to Find is my favourite, not only because of it's cheeky name, but also for it's zesty medium-shade of orange.

You can follow Michelle da Silva on Twitter at twitter.com/michdas.