The 10 most searched nail trends for spring 2026
By Jess Watts | 02 March 2026 | Art & Technique
Spring sees the return of pastel colour palettes, floral motifs and mood-boosting manicures. But what nail art trends will dominate in 2026?
Beauty booking platform, Fresha, has revealed the top 10 nail trends for spring 2026, based on search data comparing year-on-year figures from 2025 and 2026.
Introducing the most popular spring nail art trends of 2026:
1. Polka dot polish
A 2,100% increase in searches for dotty digits is indicative of this trend’s rise in popularity. Customisable, funky and timeless, the pattern reentered the zeitgeist after a slew of celebrity love, with figures such as Hailey Bieber and Dua Lipa rocking spotty sets.
Check out our gallery of spring polka dot designs here.
2. Butter yellow nails
Say hello to yellow! The epitome of spring, yellow nails had a moment last year, and according to the 467% increase in searches since then, the trend is going nowhere but up. Aside from block colour butter yellow nails, trending nail art includes chrome finishes and fun yellow accents.
Take a look at our roundup of butter yellow nail styles here.
3. Minimal manicures
Inspired by the clean girl aesthetic that prompted a rise in barely-there beauty, nude nails, micro art and subtle shades are all the rage in 2026, with searches for ‘minimal manicure’ increasing by 250%.
Click here for micro nail art inspo.
4. Cat eye swirls
Magnetic manis have trended on social media for a few years, but now, a new way to manipulate the magnetic particles has stolen the spotlight. Nailists are crafting swirling styles evocative of a far away galaxy using cat eye products. The swirl trend also transcends finishes, with many people opting for solid colour swirls this spring.
Check out our gallery of swirl nail styles here.
5. Earth-toned talons
This year sees a 100% increase in searches for ‘earth tone nails’, compared to last spring. A colour palette characterised by all things nature, tones include forest greens, sky blues, sunset oranges, sunshine yellows, stone greys and earthy browns.
Browse our roundup of earthy brown nails here.
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6. Plaid polish
Tartan talons rose in popularity during the cooler months of 2025, due to their cosy, autumnal associations. However, spring 2026 sees plaid transformed by pastel colours, layered to create stunning seasonal versions of the classic pattern.
Pick your perfect plaid from our gallery of nail designs.
7. Confetti claws
Inspired by the joy of colourful confetti, these maximalist manicures are guaranteed to put a spring in your step. Endlessly customisable, confetti claws can be styled as French-style tips, with encapsulated glitter and using hand-painted elements.
Check out our mood-boosting manicure gallery here.
8. Milky white manicures
Thanks to Pantone’s Color of the Year 2026, Cloud Dancer, milky white manis are trending. A versatile shade that speaks to the softer side of spring, white nails have long been a staple during the warmer months.
Discover five ways to wear Cloud Dancer on nails here.
9. Flower nail art
Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.
Seriously though, florals are a defining feature of spring, and the endless ways to wear them on nails add to their popularity. Who doesn’t want a beautiful bouquet blooming on their nails?
Take a look at our gallery of floral fingertips here.
10. Orange red nails
The bright tones of orange and red unite to create nails that yearn for warmth, sunshine and long evenings. Think springtime sunrises and sunsets – and maybe a cheeky Aperol Spritz the moment the beer gardens open.
Check out orange nail designs and product picks here.
