As the year draws to a close, attention turns to what’s next. For nails in 2026, that means richer colour stories, smarter use of texture, and silhouettes that extend beyond the classic almond. Below, we tap three celebrity nail artists about the trends they see shaping the year ahead
Photo: @maco_mani
Nuance nails
If there is one nail trend that underpins almost everything else for 2026, it’s gossamer colours: layered, sheer, and slightly unpredictable. “I’ve seen a lot of watercolour in the nail art zeitgeist as of late," says LA-based Natalie Minerva, the woman behind Euphoria's covetable claws. Coming out of Japan and Korea, this trend – dubbed "Nuance Nails" – provides plenty of options in terms palettes and patterns, meaning it can be adapted throughout the year.
Beyond watercolour creations, jelly nails is also making a mark on 2026. “I’ve always loved sheer tobacco toned jelly on nails and I’ve been seeing a lot of it online again," says Minerva. “Having the simple one colour jelly is essentially nail art in a bottle because of its sheer effect. I consider it to be the modern, fashion-forward take on a stained glass set of nails.”
Photo: Getty
Velvet magnetism
"Cat eye nails have been around for about a decade in Japan, but the new shades and silky textures – like velvet – we’re seeing now give them a fresh edge," says Miki Higuchi, the New York nail tech who tends to Ariana Grande's nails. "I believe they’re only going to grow even more popular in 2026."
Celebrity culture helped accelerate the shift, but the appeal now goes deeper than trend-chasing. "They really became popular when Hailey Bieber wore them around October, but what makes them feel new is how wearable they’ve become" Higuchi says, speaking about the Bieber's brown Met Gala nails. She also predicts a practical knock-on effect. "Since cat eye manicures are mostly done with gel now, I wouldn’t be surprised if cat eye regular polishes start becoming more available in the future."
Photo: @sarahbreze
Graphic linework
Patterns return in 2026, spear-headed by surprisingly wearable argyles and tartans. “Plaid nails are easy to create with just a few colors and skinny lines," says Higuchi. “It’s an understated, slightly nerd-chic trend that’s snuck in from the fashion world and is ready to take over our hands completely," adds Swedish nail artist Danielle Lundgren.
“I’ve been seeing striped sets a lot lately, too, which seems like the perfect follow up to the polka dot trend,” says Minerva. “What’s great about stripes is that the combinations are endless and you can really mix and match colours, textures, and effects.” What changes next year is how those stripes are executed. “Obviously stripes are a classic look, but in 2026 they will show up differently with unique effects like cat eye or 3D textures,” she adds.
Photo: @mynameismikinail
The new French
For 2026, the classic French manicure mutates. Instead of crisp white tips, lines shift position, materials change, and negative space does more of the heavy lifting. Higuchi points to one particularly refined evolution: “Nails with thin metal lines painted on the cuticle area are simple, yet create the effect of wearing nail jewellery on your nails,” she says. Lundgren flags striped tips as another possible direction which is all about precise placement.
Photo: Nitro&Co
Nail jewellery
While Zara Larsson and her makeup artist Sophia Sinot may have ushered in a Pop Princess renaissance of glittering face embellishments – bedazzling our list of the 2026 makeup trends to try – the world of nail art sees an equally sparkling shift. Lundgren highlights point-back crystals as a key direction, while Higuchi frames the broader idea as jewellery for the nail itself. For your manicures, the key seems to be restraint. One element, carefully positioned, replaces those more-is-more embellishment of yore.
Photo: @mynameismikinail
Soft minimalism
If some trends push the nail art envelope, this one pulls them back, without stripping them bare. “I say this with a grain of salt, but I think we are collectively toning it down with our nails,” notes Minerva. “That doesn’t mean no nail art at all. It just means that 2026 might be a less-is-more year.”
Minimal, however, doesn’t mean boring. “When I say minimalist, I still mean design, but perhaps it’s simpler: colour-blocking nails, a simple colour band across the nail, or a clean outline nail,” Minerva continues. “I’m hoping we see new innovations that offer something eye-catching and at the same time is easy on the eye.” It’s (probably) the trend most likely to shape our everyday nails next year.
Photo: @mynameismikinail
Sharper silhouettes
Shape becomes a new site of expression in 2026. “I think the cat claw shape will become a new addition to the classic nail shapes,” says Higuchi. “It’s visually bold. Some styles can be impractical for daily wear due to their sharpness, but it’s possible to create a short version as well.”