TRENDWATCH

NAILED IT: SS26 edition

Revealed: 5 hot nail trends to note for the new season, with product edits, inspo & pro tips to shape your offerings

BY JESS WATTS

This spring/summer, nail trends are encapsulating a variety of client preferences. From delicate, fine line artwork and whisper-soft shades to bold, maximalist manicures, SS26 truly celebrates diversity in expression. As the ‘2026 is the new 2016’ trend dominates social media, the nostalgic return of 2016 styling also offers an extra level of playfulness. Let’s explore nail styles set to prove popular, and how you can take elements of the looks to craft bespoke designs...

The Manicure Company educator, Laura Cox, was inspired by spring’ new beginnings when creating this nature-themed design. She used The Manicure Company Gel Polish in Dairy Free and Zero Gel Polishes in Honey Drip and Expensive Fizz.

Blooming botanicals

Spring and summer welcome the return of fabulous florals and flourishing foliage – not only in nature, but on nails, bringing with them bursts of colour and texture.

1 The Manicure Company Zero Gel Polish in Honey Drip £11.50 + VAT www.themanicurecompany.com

2 The GelBottle Inc Magnetic Gel Polish in That Girl £17.95 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com

3 Roxi Gel Polish in Ballet £6 + VAT www.roxinails.co.uk / www.nsinails.co.uk

4 The Manicure Company Cosmic Spring Gel Polish Collection £42.15 + VAT www.themanicurecompany.com

5 Bluestreak Crystals Serinity Flat Back Crystals Non Hotfix in Light Rose & Crystal Soft Mint (50pk each) from £2.15 + VAT www.bluestreakcrystals.com

6 OPI GelColor in OPI’m A Bubble Bunny £19.90 + VAT uk.wella.professionalstore.com

7 Halo Gel Polish in Sweetpea £5.95 + VAT www.purenails.co.uk

Michigan nail tech, @tnailguy, adds an ethereal glow to this stunning style, blending jewel-toned jade with a mesmerising cat eye finish.

Instagram.com/tnailguy

8 Glitterbels Coloured Acrylic Powder in Sparkling Mint £7.99 inc VAT www.glitterbels.com

9 Andreia Professional Gel Polish in 286 £5.99 + VAT www.andreiaprofessional.comwww.salon-services.com

Pastel pink perfectly combines with mint green in this gem-bellished floral mani by New Zealand nail artist, Cory of @nail_the_mani.

Instagram.com/nail_the_mani

Sarah Akhtyska, award-winning nail technician, educator & competition judge, comments: “Clients' focus is now on the decorative experience: the ‘spectacle’ created by fusing colour, texture and multi-layered design accents.”

Sarah encapsulates miniature dried flowers on a nude nail base, adding sparkling gold glitter accents.

Sara Pinto, nail product & academy director at Andreia Professional, comments: “Expect nature-inspired tones to trend this spring. Soft, botanical green hues will be popular on nails.”

Colour trend report, Pinterest Palette 2026, revealed that a desire to reconnect with nature will see people gravitate towards luxurious and jewel-toned hue, jade. “It’s nature, dressed up,” said the social media platform. In a similar vein, Pinterest Predicts 2026 tipped ‘Wilderkind’ as one of this year’s standout styles. ‘A trend that whispers instead of roars’, its colour palette is ruled by soft, leafy greens and petal pinks.

Nail artist, influencer & brand owner, Kirsty Meakin, says: “Abstract swirls and watercolour-style blends will trend this spring/summer. Pastels with personality, such as lilac haze, mint sorbet and soft sky blue, will also be popular.”

Give it a swirl

Swirl nails are abstract, customisable and mesmerising. From the shades used to the degree of blending, they can be tailored to suit each client’s preferences. The rising appeal of the style is reflected in Google Trends data, which shows that searches for ‘pastel swirl nails’ have increased by 70% over the past year.

This swirl style by Scottish nail artist, Jema Baynes of @jellybayn_nails, is out of this world. Celestial silver chrome catches the light, standing out against purple, pink and black marbling.

1 Light Elegance ButterCream in Ask Alice £17.95 + VAT www.lightelegance.co.uk

2 HD Professional Nail Systems Coloured Acrylic Powder in Mae £11.99 + VAT www.hazeldixonnails.com

3 Kirsty Meakin Gel Polish in Tokyo by Day £14.99 + VAT www.kirstymeakin.com

4 Halo Create Chrome Powder in #BeEmpowered £2.49 + VAT www.purenails.co.uk

5 Glitterbels Rainbow Fine Detailer Brushes (Set of 3) £15 inc VAT www.glitterbels.com

6 Artistic Colour Revolution Reactive Nail Lacquer in You Plan-et £3.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

7 NSI Secrets Baby Blue Prism Paint £3.50 + VAT www.nsinails.co.uk

8 CND Shellac™ VIVID in Shamrock Green £14.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

9 Gelish Blooming Gel £16.99 + VAT www.gelishmorgantaylor.co.uk

10 Roxi Blooming Gel £15 + VAT www.roxinails.co.uk / www.nsinails.co.uk

11 Hara Professional Gel Polish in Daffodil £7.15 + VAT www.astonandfincher.co.uk

12 Katie Barnes Short Liner Brush 01 £21.99 inc VAT www.katiebarnesacademy.com

Instagram.com/jellybayn_nails

This hypnotising manicure, crafted by Birmingham-based pro, Rosie Lynall of @nails.bab, incorporates spring/summer shades in playful swirls. It's a look that’s equal parts nostalgic and on-trend.

Instagram.com/nails.bab

Bristol nail tech, Charlotte Cliff (@charlotteellennails), uses punchy green tones for these feel-good fingertips.

Instagram.com/charlotteellennails

Award-winning nail pro, Aleasha Rennie (@aleashas_nails_xx), fuses fresh hues and swirl accent nails for a design that’s bound to put a spring in any client’s step.

Instagram.com/aleashas_nails_xx

Time-saving tip

If you want to speed up the process of crafting swirl nails, use blooming gel. The product disperses colours effortlessly, causing them to diffuse across the nail surface. The result is a stunning marble effect.

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Pearlescent perfection

The past few years have seen shimmery nail finishes take over. From chrome glazes to cat eye effects, shiny sheens have dominated – and this spring/summer, we are set to see a rise in pearlescent nails. Pinterest reveals that searches for the term, ‘opalescent’, have risen by 115% over the past year.

Mumbai nail artist, Batul Pardawala of @bristle.dust, elevates pastel ombré tips with a subtly sparkling top coat.

Instagram.com/bristle.dust

Glazed yellow French-style tips, like these by NYC nail salon, @vanityprojects, are set to shine this season. Butter yellow was a standout shade in 2025, and nails featuring the hue have been named the seventh most ‘in-demand beauty trend for 2026’ by booking platform, Fresha.

Instagram.com/vanityprojects

Ireland-based nail pro, @nailsbysasha.ie, creates a dreamy pastel manicure using The GelBottle Inc BIAB™ shades: Fancy, a baby pink, and Slushy, an icy blue. She finishes the look with a delicate chrome glaze.

Instagram.com/nailsbysasha.ie

1 The GelBottle Inc BIAB™ in Fancy £18.95 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com

GET THE LOOK

2 Halo Gel Polish Sparkle Top Coat £5.95 + VAT www.purenails.co.uk

3 Katie Barnes Ombre Brush 09 £21.99 inc VAT www.katiebarnesacademy.com

4 Gelish Cream Gel Palette in Pretty Pastels £19.99 + VAT www.gelishmorgantaylor.co.uk

5 Artistic Chrome Pen in Pink Opal £5.45 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

6 Glitter Planet Flat Back Pearls in White & Cream £5.40 inc VAT www.glitterplanetuk.com

7 NSI Hema Free Carving Gel £9.95 + VAT www.nsinails.co.uk

8 Andreia Professional Gel Polish in 202 £5.99 + VAT www.andreiaprofessional.comwww.salon-services.com

9 Glitterbels Nail Varnish in Akoya Pearl £9.30 inc VAT www.glitterbels.com

Sara Pinto says: “Opalescent pastels – such as lavender, mint and peach, will trend this spring/ summer. Colour palettes are shifting from solid, saturated tones to layered hues, intricate shimmers and subtle, iridescent shades.”

Kirsty Meakin agrees, sharing: “Pearlescent finishes and shell-inspired sheens will be popular.”

This nail design by Hertfordshire-based beauty pro, @by.dorothyjennifer, puts the 'pearl' in pearlescent, with 3D sculpted shell effects and pearl accents.

Instagram.com/by.dorothyjennifer

Jovial geometrics

Pinterest Predicts 2026 lists ‘Neo Deco’ as a style that is set to stun. “After years of heavy minimalism, this retro aesthetic is back with crisp chevrons, fan arches and other geometric hits,” the social media platform states. For spring/summer 2026, the trend is going bold with bright, contrasting colours and eye-catching, abstract shapes.

With 2016 styles trending, checkerboard – a signature pattern of the year – is firmly back in the zeitgeist. Nail artist & educator, Marley Neufeldt of @mnartistry_yxe, channels nostalgia through this bold black, white and green look.

Instagram.com/mnartistry_yxe

There are two words to describe this colourful design by Southampton nail artist, Natalie Clampitt of @rebelnails86: curated chaos. These funky fingertips perfectly demonstrate clients’ calls for nail maximalism.

Instagram.com/carmencreatedit

Following the popularity of polka dot nails in 2025, dotty digits will continue to trend in spring/summer 2026. This design by Nail Order educator, @carmencreatedit, showcases bold customisations and eye-catching colour combinations.

Instagram.com/rebelnails86

Geometric pops of pastel draw attention to the fingertips in this manicure by Nessa of Atlanta salon, @the.nail.nest.

Instagram.com/the.nail.nest

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1 Glitterbels Unbelievabel Gel in Black £9.95 inc VAT www.glitterbels.com2 Light Elegance P+ Gel Polish in I’m Late £14.95 + VAT www.lightelegance.co.uk3 CND Shellac™ VIVID in Lazuli Blue £14.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com4 Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer in Mint For Me £5.50 + VAT www.gelishmorgantaylor.co.uk5 Artistic Colour Gloss Gel Polish in Graceful £9.95 inc VAT www.sweetsquared.com6 Halo Create Dotting Tool Double Ended Combo £9.85 + VAT www.purenails.co.uk7 OPI Nail Lacquer in Sunny Bunny £8 + VAT/RRP £15.60 uk.wella.professionalstore.com8 Gel Junkie Gel Polish in Curvaceous £7.95 inc VAT www.geljunkie.co.uk9 Hara Professional Jelly Gel Polish in Adore £7.15 + VAT www.astonandfincher.co.uk10 Andreia Professional Gel

Paint in 01 White £6.99 + VAT www.salon-services.comwww.andreiaprofessional.com

Cloudy claws

Inspired by Pantone’s Color of the Year 2026: Cloud Dancer, milky white manicures are on the rise. A neutral base for nail art, the soft white shade is versatile and pairs beautifully with this season’s other trending styles.

Kidderminster-based nail tech, Laura of @__killernailz, merges the geometric nail trend with Pantone’s hero hue in this sleek, monochrome mani.

Instagram.com/__killernailz

Image courtesy of Pantone

Cloud Dancer is described by Pantone as a ‘lofty white whose aerated presence acts as a whisper of calm and peace in a noisy world’. A spokesperson for the company comments: “Tied to simplicity, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer offers a clean, modern base for making a statement of minimalist chic, or endless creativity when used as a base for art. Whether you’re leaning into soft, dreamy pastels or high-contrast, statement-making details, white nails are the perfect way to keep things fresh, modern and effortlessly chic.”

1 OPI GelColor in Alpine Snow £19.90 + VAT uk.wella.professionalstore.com

2 Peacci Nail Polish in Jet Black £7.49 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com

3 Halo Gel Polish Plus+ in White £10.95 + VAT www.purenails.co.uk

4 Light Elegance ButterCream in Just White £15 + VAT www.lightelegance.co.uk

5 HD Professional Nail Systems Colour It! Gel Polish in Botanic Bluebell £10.49 + VAT www.hazeldixonnails.com

Lancashire-based salon owner, Holly Morris-Last of Hollystic Nails, comments: “Spring/summer 2026 catwalks were full of light, sheer fabrics embracing natural form. This will influence the nail world to enhance the natural nail with sheer tints and milky neutrals.”

Hand-painted lace details level up this look by nail artist, Paiwa Drew (@paiwaloves). The delicate white design tops nude tips, creating a sophisticated style.

Instagram.com/paiwaloves

Pinterest Predicts 2026 states: “Lace sets the pace in 2026, bringing unexpected elegance to absolutely everything.” Lace looks were also seen across SS26 Fashion Weeks, indicating that the delicate design is rising in popularity.

Manicurist & educator, Sammy MacDonald (@nailsbysammymac), adorned models' nails with lace accents for the Pauline Dujancourt spring/summer 2026 showcase at London Fashion Week.

Instagram.com/melanated.mani

Hybrid trend

Consider merging this season’s standout trends to create magical nail looks. Natural nail specialist, Anna of @melanated.mani, combines a pearlescent finish with the Cloud Dancer hue, letting holographic white pigment take centre stage.

Nail artist & content creator, Queenie Nguyen (@nailartbyqueenie), left her client on cloud nine with this interpretation of Pantone’s Color of the Year 2026. The pro took to Instagram , writing: “I decided to take Pantone’s Color of the Year very literally. [It’s] a playful reminder that nail art doesn’t always need to be serious.”

Instagram.com/nailartbyqueenie

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