The Spring Nail Art Trends of 2026 Are All About Embracing Joy

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I vividly remember being a preteen, hunting for glittery accessories at the mall to round out a colorful back-to-school outfit. It was a simpler time, full of real, unencumbered joy (probably because I had no concept of bills or current events). Fast-forward to more than a decade later: In spring 2026, life is decidedly more complicated, but nail art is channeling the bliss of being young and responsibility-free.

According to pros, this season’s manicures remix the patterns many of us loved growing up, such as glitter and stripes, but with a refined update that’s fit for 2026. “The general vibe for nail art this spring is playful and expressive,” says Sarah Chue, a nail artist in Los Angeles. Expect layered cat-eye polishes that shift in the light, sprinkled-on gem accents, and animal prints that feel sophisticated instead of gaudy.

Before you assume we’re headed into full-on maximalism, think again. “It’s less about heavy designs and more about color, placement, and small details,” says Elise McKenna Jacobs, a New York-based nail artist. Picture gems scattered on a neutral base, a stripe that curves just off center, and a veil of shimmer over a milky pastel.

Texture is also taking center stage. Fluted surfaces and silky cat-eye effects add dimension without being overwhelming. If the past few seasons were dominated by quiet luxury, spring 2026 is about embracing joyful details. Keep reading for the top 2026 nail art trends, according to experts.

Gem nails

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Fact: Everyone owned at least one colorfully bedazzled item in the ’80s and ’90s. Gem nails bring that sparkle to 2026. These manicures are glitzy and fun—more rainbow gem-studded jean jacket than Fabergé egg. Multicolor microstones, iridescent dots, and sparkle clusters are scattered over a sheer, neutral base for an effect that feels fun and celebratory, but not busy. Mixing jewel-toned accents with muted backgrounds makes the gems appear to float, almost like confetti frozen in midair.

Bana Jarjour, a nail artist in Los Angeles, opted for this look for her most recent birthday. “Rhinestones are big, and I love a bedazzled moment, especially when they’re different colors,” says Jarjour. “It’s somewhere between chrome nail art and a pierced nail charm,” she adds.

To get this look, you can artfully press rhinestone gems onto the nail using tweezers, then apply nail glue to secure them. For an easier option, opt for rhinestone nail stickers—Daily Charme and Teenitor have glitzy, colorful gems that add a touch of sparkle to any manicure.

Ribbed Nails

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This look captures the elegance of the reeded-glass panels in a mid-century modern home (or the fancy glasses you take out only during the holidays). “It takes the minimalist, solid-colored mani to the next level,” says Gianni Garcia, creative director at Art Nail NYC. Look closely and you’ll see this manicure has a shimmery cat-eye base, created using magnetic polish (which can mimic the way light refracts through glass). From there, slightly raised, translucent stripes are layered on top to re-create that signature ribbed texture.

“Use spider gel to make the stripes rather than just drawing them on with a thin liner brush—it’s quicker and gives you that true raised effect,” Garcia explains. He also recommends sealing the design with a matte topcoat once the stripes are set; the contrast between the velvety finish and the reflective base amplifies the illusion of depth.

While the trend is just beginning to gain traction stateside, soft textures in nail art have been popular in South Korea for some time—and they’re still going strong. “Textured gel is currently very popular. It works beautifully as an accent and has a refined, expressive finish,” Minseo Kang, a nail artist in Seoul, previously told Allure. Artists often use a small, flat brush with bristles that are denser at the base and finer at the tips—almost like a wide-tooth comb—to create ultra-precise ridges that feel architectural yet delicate.

Cat-eye Swirl Nails

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Behold, this spring’s most mesmerizing nail art trend: cat-eye swirls. The reflective, molten finish gives it a silk-like effect that’s sleek, fluid, and almost impossibly glossy. Think of it as the grown-up version of your favorite glitter polish. It’s more sophisticated and designed to catch the light from every angle.

To create the look, Chue recommends, mentally divide the nail into three or four sections, and work in stages with a magnetic polish. (We’re big fans of the DND 9D Cat Eye Glassball polishes for their glossy finish and long wear time.) “Apply the polish one section at a time, use your magnet to create the cat-eye at whatever angle you like, then cure before moving on,” she explains. “Repeat until the entire nail is covered, then finish with a high-gloss gel topcoat.” The sectional approach allows the light-reflecting pigments to shift in multiple directions, enhancing that silk-like movement.

For a textured finish, Garcia suggests, start with a cat-eye base, and layer cured, clear finishing gel in soft, swirling lines across the nail. The slightly raised details amplify the silky visual by adding even more dimension.

Striped Nails

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For spring 2026, this preppy, linear motif is getting a modern refresh through unexpected placement, mixed finishes, and subtle color play—all while still feeling nostalgic.

Instead of allover stripes, expect to see razor-thin metallic stripes (like the barcode nail trend coming out of South Korea), curved bands that arc diagonally across a sheer base, or contrasting matte and gloss stripes layered in the same shade for a barely-there effect. We’ve also been seeing striped French manicures in clashing colors, reminiscent of those striped-turtleneck sweaters from the early aughts that you'd buy during a back-to-school sale.

If you have a class picture where you're wearing said sweater that haunts you (we’ve been there), don’t worry; this season’s stripes feel intentional and refined, not overwhelming. The result is a graphic manicure that’s equal parts fun and wearable.

Animal Prints

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Animal prints may be perennial, but the way we’re wearing them isn’t. In 2025, it was all about bold statements, with splotchy cow spots and gritty reptilian textures leading the trend. For 2026, though, artists are forecasting something more delicate: fine-lined, whisper-thin animal motifs that feel subtle and soft.

The shift is already underway as deer nails quietly take over our feeds. This look features petite fawn spots, soft woodland hues, and barely-there detailing that feels distinctly spring-coded.

That doesn’t mean the drama is disappearing completely. “There is a resurgence of tiger-print nails,” says Rita Pinto, owner of New York City nail salon Vanity Projects. And since it’s the year of the Fire Horse, this trend is apt. Lean into the heat fully by placing thin vein-like stripes over a red-orange base, or opt for a more hyperrealistic look with a cooper-toned brown polish layered with black stripes.