Award-winning nail pro predicts top nail trends for 2026
By Guest Writer | 12 March 2026 | Art & Technique
Sarah Akhtyrska is an international nail competitor, Nailympia winner, educator & judge.
She started her career in Ukraine, and after becoming a regional trainer in nail aesthetics, Sarah relocated to the US in 2022. A year later, she co-founded A-SKY Studio in Manhattan. Now, she is sharing her nail trend predictions for 2026…
2026: the year of volume & a bold ’90s revival
From mid-2025, we started seeing a noticeable shift in nail trends moving toward volume, intricate composition and rich textures. Clients are no longer choosing between length and shape – their focus is now on the decorative experience: the ‘spectacle’ created by fusing colour, texture and multi-layered design accents.
This is a complete turnaround from the past few seasons that celebrated minimalism; 2026 is the year of expressive artistry. Nail artists with a background in design and fine art are bringing out their detail brushes, 3D gels, metallic foils, rhinestones, sequins and dense acrylic gels once again.
Asymmetrical shapes, raised textures and even miniature nail sculptures are steadily moving from competition stages into everyday salon fashion.
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’90s nostalgia: shine, chrome & the reinvented French manicure
The aesthetics of the 1990s have already made a confident comeback in 2026, and it looks like demand hasn’t dwindled. Chrome powder, metallic reflections, cat eye effects, bold colour contrasts and reinvented French manicures will continue to dominate.
Expect:
- Cheetah spot French-style tips.
- Miniature floral details, instead of solid smile lines.
- Magnetic highlights replacing hand-painted lines.
Even the most conservative nude nail looks are gaining personality – just a few uniquely shaped rhinestones are enough to keep manicures subtle yet unmistakably individual.
