Pantone has named Cloud Dancer its Color of the Year for 2026, a shade described as a 'lofty white' that brings 'calm and peace'. This off-white hue aims to act as a versatile base, allowing other colours to 'shine' and providing opportunities for adaptation and contrast.
For UK salons, Cloud Dancer's selection presents a chance to capitalise on established trends. The 'milky mani' trend, which saw 444,900 Google searches between October 2024 and September 2025, aligns perfectly with this soft, creamy finish. It taps into the enduring appeal of the 'clean girl' aesthetic, offering clients a refined yet fresh manicure.
Beyond simple application, Cloud Dancer lends itself to popular nail art styles. Polka dots, a trend gaining traction in 2025 and expected to continue, can be applied over this versatile white base. Similarly, the classic French manicure, known for its crisp white tip, can now feature this softer, more ethereal shade, offering a modern take on a timeless look.
The influence of trends like 'glazed donut' nails, popularised by Hailey Bieber's nail artist, also provides an avenue for Cloud Dancer. Applying chrome finishes over this white base can create a pearlescent effect, a subtle yet eye-catching variation. Even the enduring monochrome trend can incorporate Cloud Dancer, pairing it with black for a high-contrast, contemporary design.
While Pantone highlights Cloud Dancer's versatility and harmonising qualities, the true impact for salons will be in how effectively they integrate this shade into their service offerings. Adapting existing popular nail art and manicure styles with this new core colour allows businesses to stay current and cater to client desires for both understated elegance and subtle trend-following.
