Nail Art
Nail art is where technical skill meets client demand, and trends move fast. We follow the designs gaining traction in UK salons — chrome, 3D embellishments, jewellery nails, seasonal and red-carpet looks — and the techniques behind them. Just as importantly, we look at how nail artists turn creative work into profitable add-on services, build a social-media portfolio and price detailed sets fairly. If you want to keep your nail art relevant and commercial, this hub gathers the inspiration and the business thinking in one place.
55 articles
Jelly Bean Nails: Summer's Sheer Polish Trend
Jelly bean nails, a sheer, high-shine trend, see a 600% search surge for 'jelly pastel nails' ahead of summer 2026.
Lilac Nails Surge 132% in Popularity for Summer 2026
Google searches for lilac nails have increased by 132% in three months, signalling a strong trend for Summer 2026.
Honey Nails: A Sweet Summer Trend for Salons
Honey nails are the latest summer 2026 trend, bringing warm, golden hues and glossy finishes inspired by nature's sweetness.
Award-Winning Nail Artist's Editorial Project Showcases Design Versatility
Award-winning nail artist Zrinka Vuksan Bolancha's 'Swallow the Key' editorial project featured three distinct nail designs inspired by fashion.
OPI Launches Chrome and Glaze Toppers for Reflective Nails
OPI introduces new Chrome Effects powders and Infinite Shine Glaze Toppers to meet the growing demand for reflective nail art.
71 Wildlife Nail Art Designs Showcase Garden Biodiversity
Nail technicians submitted 71 diverse nail art designs inspired by garden wildlife for a recent creative challenge.
Home Salon Hr Beauty Upgrades to Dedicated Premises
Hr Beauty, a home salon established in 2020, has relocated to a dedicated new premises in Morton, Lincolnshire, in January 2026.
Swan Nail Trend Signals Shift Towards Delicate Aesthetics
Swan nail art is trending, featuring delicate swan designs on subtle base colours, aligning with a coquette aesthetic.
Jewellery Nails Trend Hits Social Media with 3D Embellishments
Jewellery nails, featuring 3D embellishments and chrome accents, are the latest maximalist manicure trend dominating social media feeds.
Spring Chrome Nails: Trends and Products for Salons
Spring 2026 nail trends favour light, shimmering chrome finishes. Salons can meet this demand with a range of specialised professional products.
Radina Ignatova Wins Cake-Themed Nail Art Contest
Radina Ignatova, founder of Artistic Touch – Nail Training Academy, won the April 'Scratch Snap' nail art contest for her cake-themed design.
Earth Day Nail Art Challenge Showcases Technician Creativity
Scratch magazine's April 22, 2026, Earth Day challenge showcased 19 planet-themed nail art designs from technicians.
Brighton Nail Studio Mixes Colourful Designs with Pug Companionship
Brighton's Meemees Nails offers vibrant nail services in a dog-friendly studio, combining personal consultations with a colourful aesthetic.
Nail Salon Rebrand Focuses on Client Mood and Owner Wellbeing
A Lancashire nail salon owner has rebranded to focus on client emotions and wellbeing, introducing a unique 'Mood Menu' for nail art.
Skittle Nails Trend: A Burst of Colour for Salons
The skittle nail trend, featuring a different vibrant colour on each nail, is a popular mood-boosting choice for spring manicures.
Leopard Print Nails Gain Spring Traction with Bold Colours
Bold, bright, and funky leopard print nail designs are dominating social media this spring, indicating a trend towards adventurous client choices.
Striped Nails Make a Comeback: A Style Revival
Striped nail art is experiencing a significant resurgence, appearing in French tip styles, varied widths, and even 3D embellishments. This classic pattern joins polka dots as a design making a notable return.
Euphoria Season 3 Spurs Glittering Nail Art Trends
Euphoria season 3 inspires elaborate glitter and gem-adorned nail designs, driven by artist Natalie Minerva.
Yorkshire Garden Salon Offers 360 Gel Shades
Yorkshire's The Yorkshire Nail Shed opens from a converted summerhouse, boasting 360 gel polish shades and a Scandinavian design.
Devil Wears Prada Movie Sparks Nail Art Trends for Salons
Nail art trends are being influenced by iconic quotes from 'The Devil Wears Prada' ahead of the sequel's release.
Nail Artist's 3D Designs Build 105K Instagram Following
Brydie Leishman's 3D nail art has garnered over 105K Instagram followers, showcasing a unique path to online success.
French Manicure Trends Emerge for Spring 2026
Spring 2026 sees a reinvention of the classic French manicure, offering salons fresh takes on a timeless nail staple.
Spring 2026 Pedicure Trends: Florals to Feline Eyes
Spring 2026 pedicure trends include floral art, pastel French tips, chrome finishes, cat eye effects, and animal prints.
Nail Artists Embrace Sweet Treats in Easter Design Challenge
36 nail artists shared Easter-themed designs inspired by sweet treats in a Scratch magazine challenge on April 2, 2026.
Y2K 'Groovy Chick' Nostalgia Drives New Nail Art Trend
The 'Groovy Chick' cartoon, a prominent Y2K trend, is inspiring new nail art designs as salons tap into client nostalgia.
Raspberry Pink Nails: A Summer Trend for Salons
Raspberry pink, a blend of bright pink and deep berry, is the latest must-have nail trend for spring and summer.
2026 Nail Trends: Volume and 90s Revival Predicted
Nail artist Sarah Akhtyrska predicts a 2026 trend towards volume, intricate designs, and a 90s revival, moving away from minimalism.
AI Nail Tech Enhances Disney Shanghai's Lunar New Year Offering
Disney Shanghai featured an AI nail art machine by Umia Beauty in February, applying themed designs for Lunar New Year shoppers.
March Manicure Trends: Short Nails See Surge in Searches
Google Trends reports a surge in searches for 'nail art ideas for short nails' as spring approaches. Salons should adapt offerings.
London Fashion Week AW26: Salon Impact of Runway Nail Trends
London Fashion Week AW26 runway nails offered ombré, Y2K crackle, cat eye, chrome, and textured designs for salon inspiration.
Elena Maltseva's Eye Nail Art Tutorial for Nailympia 2026
Elena Maltseva's tutorial details creating a realistic human eye nail art design for the Nailympia 2026 campaign.
Nail Techs Mark Year of the Horse with 17 Creative Designs
Seventeen nail technicians submitted Year of the Horse designs to a Scratch magazine challenge on 18 February 2026.
NYFW AW26 Nails: 3D, Sharp Shapes and Natural Tones Dominate
NYFW AW26 trends included 3D accents, sharp shapes, geometry, and natural finishes, offering diverse inspiration for UK salons.
Wedding Nail Trends Offer Salon Opportunities
Wedding nail trends showcase demand for sophisticated bridal manicures, presenting opportunities for salon upselling and specialised services.
Grammys 2026: Chrome and 3D Nails Dominate Red Carpet
The 68th Grammy Awards on February 1 featured extensive use of chrome and 3D embellishments on celebrity nails, highlighting key trends.
February's 60 Nail Art Ideas Surface
Sixty nail art designs for February showcase romantic reds, soft pinks, winter neutrals, and playful accents.
Barcode Nails: A New Trend for Salons
Barcode nails, a new South Korean trend, use magnetic polish to create horizontal light lines mimicking barcode scanners.
Somerset Nail Tech Creates Garden Studio Sanctuary
Nail artist Vienna Marchant built her own garden studio, The Gel Studio, in Minehead after a previous salon proved unsound. The four-month project resulted in a personal sanctuary for clients.
2016 Nail Trends Re-emerge for 2026 Manicure Styles
Nail trends from 2016, including cyber girl hues and metallic chrome, are making a comeback in 2026.
Power Clash Nails Trend Dominates Anti-Minimalist Manicures
Power clash nails champion intentional chaos with mismatched patterns and bold colours, rejecting traditional matching for maximalist self-expression.
Argyle Nail Art Trend Offers Creative Salon Opportunities
The argyle nail pattern, featuring diamond shapes and diagonal lines, is a global trend offering salons creative opportunities.
Nail Techs Showcase 58 Vintage Valentine's Designs
58 nail technicians submitted Vintage Valentine's designs for Scratch magazine's January 21, 2026, competition.
Bangle Nails: 3D Trend Forges Ahead in 2026
Bangle nails, a 3D jewellery-inspired trend for 2026, offer customisation but require precise application by technicians.
January Scratch Snap Nail Art Contest Now Open
UK & Ireland nail pros can enter the January Scratch Snap contest with a 'Frosted fingertips' theme until 19 January.
Nail Pros Predict Diverse Textures and Finishes for 2026
Nail technicians predict a wide array of textures and styles, from 'clean girl' nudes to chrome, will dominate 2026 trends.
Pantone's Cloud Dancer: Nail Trends for 2026
Pantone's 2026 Colour of the Year, Cloud Dancer, offers salons versatile options from milky manis to French tips.
January Diary: Key Dates for UK Nail & Beauty Businesses
January brings key dates like Veganuary, New Year's Day, and National Winter Skin Relief Day, offering themed opportunities.
Subtle Festive Nails Gain Traction for 2025 Christmas Season
Minimalist festive nail art is predicted to be the top trend this Christmas, favouring wearable and subtle designs.
Ryan Hobbs Wins Black Tie Sparkle Nail Art Contest
Ryan Hobbs secured first place in the Scratch Snap nail art contest with his 'Black Tie Sparkle' design, winning a crystal prize.
86 'White Christmas' Nail Art Ideas Showcase Technician Skill
86 nail technicians submitted 'White Christmas' themed designs to a Scratch magazine challenge on December 17, 2025, shared via social media.
Pinterest 2026 Nail Trends: 10 Styles for UK Salons
Pinterest's 2026 trend report outlines 10 key nail art styles, from 'Gimme Gummy' textures to 'Extra Celestial' cosmic designs.
Silver Nails Surge: A Festive Trend for Salons
Silver nails are seeing a notable search increase, positioning them as the 'new neutral' and offering salons a timely festive opportunity.
Christmas Nail Techs Face Glitter Fallout Post-Festive Season
UK nail technicians brace for a post-festive glitter clean-up challenge as clients demand sparkle, with 24 design ideas featured.
Short Christmas Nail Art: 30 Festive Designs Available
A new collection showcases 30 festive Christmas nail art designs specifically created for short nails.
Salon Owners: Embrace Competitions for Skill and Exposure
UK salon owners should leverage nail art competitions for skill development, team motivation, and crucial business exposure, moving beyond just prize potential.