A nail expert's guide to spring's trendiest manicures and nail colours
Plus, the pedicure hack that'll save you come sandal season
If the first half of the year is anything to go by, 2026 nail trends are a lot more simple than the trends we've tried in the past.
The bare nail trend freed us all from decision fatigue through winter, a time when we'd all rather be focused on staying warm.
And despite the fact that spring is just around the corner, and a bit of colour with it, there's an undeniable curation to the sets we're saving now.
Here, BEAUTYcrew taps nail artist Victoria Houllis AKA Mannequin Hands for her expert predictions for the months ahead...
What are the nail colours we should be adding to our collections this spring?
Feel like you're having deja vu? You're not the only one.
"It sounds so much like last year, but I think pastel blue, yellow and pink will have a strong hold this spring," Houllis tells BEAUTYcrew.
"They are a classic, are flattering on any skin tone, and work well as a simple all over manicure colour, a French tip, or a polka dot look," she explains.
On the nail artist's advice, we've added OPI's Infinite Shine Sea Me Now Nail Polish ($25.95 from MYER), Manucurist's Green Polish in 'Mimosa' ($22 from MECCA), and Essie's Glass Nail Polish in 'Cin Cin' ($14.99 from Chemist Warehouse) to cart.
@nail.nuha
@cocorannne
@cocorannne
What are the trends defining nail art in spring?
"Scrapbook nails, animal prints (but in new and playful colour ways and finishes), and blooming gel (but in unexpected shapes)," dishes Houllis.
Personally, we've been saving sets that incorporate coloured pencil sketches, animal print pumps, and transparent gel sets for this exact reason.
@lightslacquer
@angelsnailz
@clawzbylys
Are there any trends from last year that you've noticed have become less popular recently?
If you're a bit over mix and match maximalist manicures you're not alone.
"I can’t say my clients follow trends very often, but I do find there’s been an uptick in a uniform set," Houllis shared with us.
Honestly, our decision fatigue is relieved.
@mannequin.hands
@nailsbymei
@mannequin.hands
What are your tips for maintaining a healthy pedicure as the weather starts to warm up?
After our toes have been stashed away in closed toe shoes all winter, they often need a bit more TLC.
"Lather up your feet in lotion before bed while it’s still cold enough to wear socks, this will ensure by open toe season your heels will be in fine form," advises the nail artist.
We're adding Naturium's The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Butter ($38 from Sephora) and Papinelle's Cosy Bed Ultra Soft Winter Blue Socks ($22.95 from David Jones) to our evening routine to get the job done.
@nailsbymh
Main image credit: @dualipa
Loving all the nonchalant nail trends? You'll love low contrast hair.
Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).
