15 spring nail trends (that aren’t florals) to have on your radar in 2026

Baby blue, we’ve missed you. While we were off flirting with winter neutrals and moodier shades, we almost forgot how much we love spring nail trends. The new season sees us drop the serious act and get more playful again with lightweight shades (hello pastels) and upbeat designs that can help lift our mood – exactly what we need during this dreary, grey start to the year.

Not sure what direction to head in? Try co-ordinating your manicure to your spring makeup vibe. If you love a bare-faced look, sheer textures and a little lip balm, then natural-looking lipgloss nails might be more your bag. Or for a brighter twist, aura nails can be adapted to almost any colour combination you can think of. If you’re more of a minimalist, soap nails are always on-trend. Or go bold with leopard print nails, the unexpected chic manicure that has been trending this spring.

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Nail your manicure this season.

By Dominic Cadogan

For the manicure maximalists out there, 3D designs are everywhere. We’ve also been seeing tons of rainbow and pastel chromes, too. Elsewhere, sheer textures in cute colours will become a whole movement. International nail artist, Julia Diogo, has already spotlit milky lavender as one mani to watch.

But, according to Maria Mukaranda, beauty expert at Cosmetify, after analysing search volume data on Pinterest to reveal the nail designs that will be huge this season, these are the designs in particular that we’re coveting right now. We’ve rounded them up below to save for your spring nail vision board. Here’s 15 spring nail trends to watch out for in 2026…

Stars

Whether it’s due Pinkpantheress’ 2025 earworm “Stars”, we don’t know, but we’ve all got stars in our eyes and on our nails. Whether they’re the star of the show (pun intended) or a fun cherry to add on top of your signature manicure, they’re a super versatile style for spring. Play with pastels, chrome, cat-eye or more and show the world the star that you are.

Cloudy French

ICYMI, we already let you in on the replacement to 2025’s milk nails: the Cloudy French. The only cool-girl manicure you need to know about this spring, it lets your natural nail shine while giving the tip just a whisper of a cloudy off-white colour. Super sophisticated and the perfect soft shade for spring.

Barcode nails

When it comes to nail trends, Korea is always at the forefront – look no further than velvet nails, blush nails or jelly nails. For 2026, there’s a new trend bubbling up on the scene: Barcode nails. Not your typical black and white pattern, using cat-eye nail polish as the base, manicurists are creating a barcode-esque pattern with horizontal lines down the nail bed that shimmer and catch the light. A style that works with any colour combination, it can be decorated with cute nail accessories like stars or left as is.

Olive

Olive started as an oddball outlier shade, but it’s slowly picked up a growing fanbase. Searches for the shade are already up 85%. We love that it’s equal parts awkward and sophisticated for an offbeat mani that’s a little more unpredictable. And if you want to go full Martini fantasy, add a tiny dot of red for a playful stuffed olive look.

Fawn nails

When we asked some of our fave nail artists for the nail trends that will define 2026, almost all of them earmarked fawn nails. Also known as bambi nails, the trend is a playful take on deer print – as an alternative to wild cats like leopard or cheetah – that feels perfect to start the year with.

Lace

Delicate but sexy, lace nails had already been slowly bubbling up towards the end of the year. Like a pair of lace tights for your nails, go soft with white or bolder in black or red.

Pastel colours

Another top hitter? Pastels. No surprises here. Searches for “pastel colours” are up 150%. The options are endless, whether you want zesty colours like sage, lilac, lemon or peach. And if you can’t choose, just wear them all.

Minimalist manicures

Searches for “minimalistic manicure” have seen an increase of 128.5%. So, although we’ll see bright and pastel chromes creep in, neutral nudes, sheer milky shades and nearly naked manis are still a forever fave.

Strawberries

The strawberry girl movement is tipped to make a confident return and already, searches for “strawberry nails” have increased by 108.3%. She’s a fruity cutie and we love her.

Colourful French tips

Searches for “colourful French tip” are up 100%, and the trend is also backed by the top manicurists. “Mine and my clients go-to spring manicure is always a sheer base with a pinky hue and a pop of colour, particularly a neon or pastel French,” says luxury manicurist Georgia Rae, who was responsible for Sofia Richie’s wedding mani. “I feel like this gives us that much-needed dopamine hit after winter. It’s the perfect way of experimenting and being adventurous with shades you’re drawn to but wouldn’t necessarily wear as a block colour,” she says. “It’s a subtle nod to spring-summer whilst still keeping that clean, minimal look that everyone is loving lately,” agrees pro manicurist, Alyx Lippiatt.

Pearl

If you’re not about the pastels, take things in a different direction with pretty pearlescent nails. Not just a great bridal choice, though they are perfect for wedding nails, they feel both luxe and beachy. It’s not hard to see why searches for pearl nails are up 69.4%.

Jelly nails

Pastels, yes. But remixed with a sheer, shiny jelly texture to give them a whole new modern spin. We love.

Bold chrome

We don’t need to stick with silky pink when there’s a whole spectrum of rainbow chromes out there. Bringing together two of the biggest nail trends – chrome and cat-eye – these colour-changing nails are even more mesmerising.

Baby blue

Blueberry milk nails enjoyed a whole moment last year and baby blue or cornflower shades will continue to be a popular choice this spring.

Tangerine dream

On the opposite end of the colour wheel, bright tangerine feels like the best way to welcome warmer, sunnier days and eventually the start of summer. Whether you’re going full out orange or just a slice, this juicy shade is hard to pass up.

For more from Glamour’s Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk