Nail trends
Autumn edit
As the heatwaves of summer 2026 subside, Kezia Parkins takes a look at the nail trends that will be bringing the heat into the cooler months, with the looks you should watch for autumn/ winter 2026
Winter wine
When autumn/winter comes around, the deep, moody reds come out. This year, we see wine-inspired reds taking centre stage.
“Every autumn, we naturally gravitate towards deeper shades, but this year it’s all about rich, luxurious reds with real depth,” says nail expert Suzanne Cummins. “Think vintage wine – colours that instantly elevates any outfit.”
Reds this season can be elevated with a chrome overlay that adds a frosted feel, perfect for Christmas time.
“Adding a chrome finish gives it a modern edge, creating an eye-catching, shiny effect that feels incredibly chic. It’s timeless, elegant and, in my opinion, the ultimate power manicure for autumn and winter.”
Top of the dots
Polka dots have been huge in nail art in 2026, becoming one of the most wearable, customisable and achievable nail trends of the year.
“Minimalist nail art is having a huge moment, and polka dots are making a comeback in a much more refined way,” says Cummins. “Instead of bold, all-over spots, we’re seeing delicate inverted dots placed along the cuticle or at the base of the nail. It’s playful, modern and surprisingly elegant. These tiny details add personality without feeling overpowering, proving that sometimes the smallest design elements make the biggest impact.”
For A/W we see polka dots going monochromatic with classic colour combinations and more muted shades of red, olive and brown.
Perfect plaid
Winter is all about mulled wine, cable knit jumpers and classic prints. Plaid and tartan never fail to conjure up the vision of cosy autumn nights and is incredibly customisable and wearable.
The technique often mixes timeless criss-cross Scottish inspired checks achieved with line work with, translucent jelly colours to create the depth and layering eponymous with the pattern.
The result can be preppy-punk Vivienne Westwood vibes, or a more luxe Burberry-inspired look.
Plaid prints pair perfectly with other patterns like polka dots. Combine this with autumnal shades and you have the perfect pick ‘n’ mix set for the season.
Pop the pill
Are pill capsule nails the new French? The look involves bold, high-contrast colour combinations split cleanly down the centre of the nail, creating a playful pill capsule look.
Data from Google revealed that searches for “pill nails” rose by 84% over three months during summer. “What makes this trend so appealing is its simplicity and achievability and the ability to make it completely your own by customising the colours to suit your preferences. A trend that can be tailored to suit the wearer is always going to have a much wider appeal,” says Annabelle Taurua, beauty expert at Fresha.
“We’re seeing a variation in the way that people are wearing it. Many are pairing contrasting solid block colours, whilst others are getting creative and mixing different polish finishes to get a really elevated version of the trend, pairing flat colours with contrasting colours in chrome or cat-eye finishes.”
Colour combinations great for winter include chocolate brown and baby blue or teal, olive green and silver chrome and deep red with soft pink.
When it comes to nail shape, short-to-medium-length almond shape works best if you really want the design to look like a pill capsule, but the clean lines and colour block also looks great on a blunt square finish.
Savoury snacks
Every year there is a hot superstar superfood dominating health and beauty conversation, or a cute Instagrammable snack that gets all the girlies going, and these always seem to find their way onto the nails of those in the know. In 2026, inspiration is being increasingly taken from the savoury over the sweet, which is perfect as we go into the cooler months.
If you haven’t seen the wellness babes banging on about the benefits of sardines, you are clearly not as chronically online as we are. These salty slipperies, while not to everyone’s taste, have been responsible for some of the most creative nail art of the year, going unexpectedly viral across Instagram and TikTok – from taking inspiration from the beautiful tin designs, to using chrome to create the perfect silver fish.
“Sardine nails follow a Mediterranean-inspired coastal aesthetic that has been popular in fashion, homeware, and now nails,” says Taurua. “In fact, whimsical nail art combining tiny silver fish, green olives, lemons, and tomatoes has been popping up all over social media, showing inspiration from coastal Mediterranean cafes and oceanfront restaurants.
“Most people jumping on the trend go for a minimalist milky or neutral base manicure with a playful tinned-fish motif. This is sometimes paired with tackle-box accents or cocktail-inspired olive accents.”
Nude nail luxury
According to social media and glossy mags, in 2026, nude, healthy nails are the biggest quiet luxury flex. While this can involve totally bare nails, boasting strength, shine and uniformity in length, it can also mean replicating this with products for longevity.
Searches for “minimalist nails” increased by 261% in the past year, according to Fresha research, reflecting a move towards more natural-looking options. Japanese manicures tap into this shift by focusing on healthy natural nails, combining nourishing treatments with subtle shine for a polished yet effortless finish.
The same research showed that global searches for “Japanese manicures” increased 110% over the same period, highlighting the growing appeal of understated natural and healthy looking nails.
“This style is all about enhancing what you already have, creating a healthy-looking finish with a focus on nourishment, shine and overall nail care,” says Taurua.
A traditional Japanese manicure uses nourishing treatments and buffing techniques to create a natural shine without polish with detailed prep and cuticle care.
This is inspiring techs to hone their prep skills and use sheer gel colours to achieve the same glossy, minimalist finish with added wear.