Nail Art Trends 2026
“I love trying to match whatever people’s vibe is, but the ones I’ve been seeing more is very chrome, clean, polished, clean girl aesthetic,” said Heidi Delyla Fletes, a cosmetology and English major completing her first year at Santa Monica College.
“I think it's mostly because of influencers nowadays. We see a lot of girls wanting that clean-girl aesthetic and we love it.” Fletes said.
Fletes said Hailey Bieber Kylier Jenner are some of the celebrities sparking inspiration among younger generations with pearl chrome polishes. She enjoys bringing that television and social media influence to life.
Nail technicians, students and artists navigate the unique, intergenerational, colorful, growing community of nail art fans. The variety of art includes minimalistic nail designs, complimented by jewelry, rings and bracelets, or maximalist trends that include animal prints, jewels, charms and handcrafted chain link accents.
According to Nail Care Industry Statistics: 2026 Verified Data & Trends, a report by Marie Larsen, an Industry Analyst at Gitnux, which uses artificial intelligence in its research process, millennial women make up 42% of salon visitors; while 55% of Gen Z consumers prefer gel manicures. It is clear that millennials and Gen Zers incorporate online and Hollywood influence into the salon, having grown up in a predominantly digital world.
Fletes said social media is a great way to learn new techniques that promote the typical “clean girl” aesthetic. She has referred to Instagram before to help educate clients on the different products and methods needed to achieve their dream looks. Flete showcases her studies and progress as a cosmetology student specializing in makeup, custom press-ons and Gel-X applications on her Instagram profile PearlWavesBeauty.
“A lot of different girls from different parts of the world — not even in the U.S., but, you know in Asia they’re doing a whole bunch of artistic stuff that is very you know mural like,” Fletes said. “You have to practice them and also look up like what products to use so that you can try to replicate it.”
This muralistic aesthetic, known as Douyin, is taking over the internet.
“This viral trend has revolutionized modern nail art by introducing bold colors, dimensional embellishments, and unique application methods. The Douyin nails movement represents a fusion of traditional gel manicure techniques with contemporary artistic expression that delivers stunning visual impact,” said Lina Rose in her article “Douyin Nails: Viral Chinese Nail Art.”
Fletes said it’s important to her to pass as much information along to her clients as possible so if they go to a different artist, they know what aesthetic to ask for.
“You have to break it down for the client or help create the client’s vision with everything you know from TikTok University or Instagram University,” Fletes said.
Lesli Stephani Vargas Martinez is a second-year Cosmetology major at SMC and showcases her work on Instagram as VampedByLes.
“I think the technique or style to come back is big bling and junk nails. Now in 2026, nail art has made a drastic difference thanks to groups like KATSEYE or even in trending shows like Euphoria,” Martinez said.
“I have created designs that rely on deep French tips with intricate designs. This includes, and is not minimal to, 3D art, charms, bold maximalist designs like what would trend back in the 2000s being tiger and leopard print with bold, beautiful colors,” Martinez said.
“I notice many of my clients bring in bold designs and ask for very heavy gems and charms. I'm talking those that need to be glued down extra so that you don’t break them off,” Martinez said.
“I genuinely enjoy seeing that bold style return to nails, nails to me is an expression of yourself,” Martinez said. “When a client brings to me a complex inspiration picture I am always joyful to recreate in my own way to add my spark to it. In the end, seeing my client happy with their nails and designs lets me know I am doing something right.”
Rocio Cruz, a nail technician from Inglewood, California, and an El Camino College Cosmetology Alumna, started her own business, RC Nail Addiction, from home during the pandemic in 2020.
“What’s in right now, it’s using your natural nails. Natural and short,” Cruz said. “It makes them look classier.”
The clientele she has built over the last six years include Gen Z, millennial and Gen X women. Many of them are regulars — she has built trust and rapport using a collaborative and educational approach, as highlighted by Fletes.
“Usually they come with a picture from a famous artist that is using that nail design,” Cruz said. “Those platforms really help me as well to be able to get my client whatever she wants or what nail design she wants.”
Cruz said the inspiration photos her clients bring alleviate the pressure of figuring it out without a clear direction. Depending on the time of year or season, the colors and designs her clients are seeking also vary.
“The colors coming right now, which is going to be summer, are going to be bright, fun colors,” Cruz said, adding that she can rely on the seasons to guide what color palettes she will anticipate working in.
“I’ve seen today that the nail trend is polka dots. There’s polka dots everywhere. I’m not sure if it's because of the summer coming or what but also my clients prefer cat-eye,” Cruz said.
“They get mesmerized by the way it's done because the polish does have some kind of powder that attracts the magnets in the way they move, and they love that,” Cruz said.
Social media tutorials spotlight all the versatile ways cat-eye polish can be used, including different methods of using magnets to create hearts, swirls and other shapes.