I used to exclusively wear glossy, no-chip, crisp red-burgundy colored manicures—and pedicures to match. But years of being a beauty editor broke the spell, and I now cherish the chance to deviate and have a little fun with my nail appointments—something that is the common denominator of all summer 2026's nail trends. "Manicures are no longer just about a color choice," explains nail artist Olha Shtanhei. ""It's part of your image, mood, lifestyle, confidence, and self-expression."
It used to be that you had to choose between a practical, expressive, or luxury-focused, minimalist manicure. But it turns out, we're not compromising anymore when it comes to our nails. "The modern client wants all three," says Shtanhei. "They want nails that are practical enough for their lifestyle, expressive enough to feel personal, and luxurious enough to make them feel finished. Consumers no longer want to sacrifice comfort or daily life for beauty."
