Pinterest has released its 2026 trend report, highlighting 10 styles expected to influence nail art. A 100% surge in searches for 'jelly candy aesthetic' signals the rise of 'Gimme Gummy', suggesting a move towards tactile, rubberised nail art and 3D embellishments. This focus on texture could offer salons new service avenues beyond traditional polish applications.
The report also identifies 'FunHaus', a circus-inspired aesthetic featuring bold stripes and sculptural shapes, and 'Cabbage Crush', which translates the deep greens and purples of cabbage into nail colours. For businesses keen to offer contemporary options, these distinct visual themes provide clear design briefs.
'Neo Deco' revives the Art Deco style with a modern, shiny twist, incorporating chrome and brass accents into geometric patterns. This trend appeals to Gen X and millennials seeking a departure from minimalism. Separately, 'Glitchy Glam' embraces intentional imperfection, with a 125% increase in searches for mismatched coloured nails indicating a growing demand for playful, non-uniform manicures.
Lace patterns, seen on nails at London Fashion Week SS26, are predicted to return with the 'Laced Up' trend, favouring intricate details. Simultaneously, the 'Vamp Romantic' aesthetic, buoyed by a 90% rise in 'vampire beauty' searches, points to a resurgence of dark, glossy finishes. These trends offer salons distinct aesthetic choices for clients.
Looking ahead, 'Cool Blue' suggests a continued appreciation for cool-toned polishes year-round, while 'Wilderkind' introduces a softer take on animal prints, favouring subtle patterns like fawn freckles and butterfly wings. The 'Extra Celestial' trend, with an 80% rise in 'alien core aesthetic' searches and a growing popularity for silver and 'glass nails', indicates a desire for otherworldly, opalescent, and chrome-infused designs.
These predictions offer a forward-looking glimpse for UK nail technicians. The challenge lies in translating these broad concepts into marketable services and exploring the materials and techniques required to execute them effectively.
