Now that January is over and 2026 is picking up steam, if you’ve been busy prioritising skincare and wellness – now is the time to consider which nail colours you’ll pick for your next manicure.
Leaving behind the glitz and glamour of winter, the start of the year is often a time for restraint and reflection, but that doesn’t mean your manicure has to be boring. With a few modern updates to signature spring tones, your nails will have everyone wondering if being the main character is top of your 2026 resolutions.
So, whether you’re after a ‘New Year, New Me’ vibe, want to strip things back and keep it simple, or lean into the fresh springtime season (did somebody say florals for spring?) – there’s a manicure for whatever mood you’re in as the days get longer and the weather (fingers crossed!) starts to pick up.
Keep reading to find out the nail colours that are in and out for the spring season to help you start the year off with a bang.
In: Cloud nails
Out: Liquorice nails
After darker, moodier nail colours reigned throughout winter, embrace spring with lighter, brighter shades. Unsurprisingly, as Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Cloud Dancer white is trending this season. Say goodbye to black liquorice nails and hello to cloud nails. Whether you’re going for literal cloud-inspired nails or using white as the starting point for the cloudy French manicure, soft white and milky nails are the way to go.
In: Polka dot nails
Out: Bow nails
We’ve been obsessed with polka dot nails since they started popping up last summer, but spring 2026 is where you’ll spot the design everywhere. Instead of bows – which are equally as cute, but feel far more festive – the dotty design is a versatile style that works for all seasons. For spring, we’re loving sheer jelly nails, finished off with polka dots. Whether it’s spring-appropriate nail colours like pink or white, or more adventurous multicoloured or chrome variations – just have fun with it.