#nail-trends

#nail-trends

After a long, depressing winter full of muted manicures, it's hard not to think there's a direct correlation between nail color and mood. Spring 2026's trending nail polish colors aren't just shifting toward traditional pastels, though. Bright pops of color are being "beautifully balanced by soft, sheer finishes that allow a bit of the natural nail to peek through," says nail artist Olga Shtanhey. "It's about lightness and dimension more than opacity." In other words: color that feels airy, not lacquered.

While the Fall/Winter 2026 makeup and hair looks leaned into color and texture, nail pros followed suit with manicures that were equally eye-catching. Some shows went full maximalist, piling on chrome, charms, and dimensional finishes. (Word on the street is, matte nails might be making a comeback.) Others used fine-line details and updated color palettes to get the point across, while a few major houses - Carolina Herrera, Coach, and Marc Jacobs - skipped color altogether, opting for short shapes and bare nails.

While the fun-loving girls of the internet are still up in arms about Pantone's selection of cloud dancer - a subtle shade of white - as the color of the year, Pinterest is taking things in a much bolder direction. The platform's annual color trend forecast predicts five vibrant hues for 2026, including one that's impossible to ignore: wasabi. This yellow-leaning green is joyful, punchy, and totally in-your-face.

As beauty trends continue to cycle - with some overstaying their welcome and others still vying for a spot on everyone's social media feed - it can be hard to know what's "in."

Nail piercings were all the rage last year (and in the '90s), but now another nostalgic jewelry trend is making its way to your manicure. Enter: bangle nails - the look that shrinks your chunky bracelet stack so it's small enough to live on your fingertips. Inspired by the oversized accessories dominating Pinterest boards and fashion runways alike, bangle nails are all about contrasting texture and playful maximalism.

What Is A Tabi, Anyway? Inspired by the iconic Maison Margiela Tabi shoe - famous for its split-toe, hoof-like silhouette -these manis feature a distinct slit down the center of each nail, creating a subtle (but striking) divide. The look is unexpected, a little avant-garde, and instantly recognizable to anyone who's ever clocked the cult-favorite (and extremely polarizing) shoe on the street.

"Pumpkin spice for fall" is about as groundbreaking as "florals for spring." After years of showing up in everything from Oreos to makeup palettes, the world has officially hit peak pumpkin - and, let's be honest: It's started to feel a little... basic. But just when it seemed like the trend had maxed out, Selena Gomez somehow found a way to make it feel cool again.

Eri Ishizu, a Los Angeles- and New York-based nail tech, created the star's pretty pink set - and she shared exactly how she did it on Instagram.

This mystical-like shine doesn't come from a classic top coat or even the squeaky clean look of a soap nail. Aurora manis almost shimmer in the light.

Watery nails feature diluted shades with an ultra-glossy finish, mimicking sunlight on water while allowing natural nails to show through, creating an elegant look.

Ethereal shimmers and pearlescent nails in mermaid-inspired tones are set to trend this spring, alongside classic shades like ballet pink and soft blue.