Dua Lipa and Sabrina Carpenter have already embraced it: our grandmothers’ pearlescent manicure is making a big comeback in the summer of 2026
This summer of 2026, the trend everyone’s talking about isn’t coming from the runways or the latest luxury collections. It’s coming from your grandmother’s makeup drawer. The pearlescentmanicure from the 1990s is back, and it’s emerging as the season’s chicest and most minimalist choice.
Pearlescent nails: a trend that’s much older than you might think
Many people think that glass nails—those pearlescent, iridescent nails—are a recent invention. Yet their origins date back to the 1990s, a decade defined by sophisticated simplicity. Icons like Gwyneth Paltrow and Sarah Jessica Parker were already sporting them on the most legendary red carpets of the time.
In fact, these nails predated the ” cinnamon donut nails ” trend popularized by Hailey Bieber in 2024. The trend had simply taken a different path—back to our grandmothers’ makeup bags—when it was supplanted by the French manicure featuring bright colors and geometric patterns.
What’s more, this comeback is no mere trend. It’s part of a broader movement that celebrates elegant shades, such as the “Old Money” manicure or the Japanese manicure—both of which emphasize understated chic rather than exuberance.
From 90s icons to today’s it-girls
Now, celebrities like Dua Lipa, Sabrina Carpenter, Amaia Salamanca, and Eiza González are bringing these nails back into style. They wear them in all shapes: almond-shaped, round, extra-long, or short, sometimes adorned with gemstones, lines, or tiny dots.
On the other hand, their charm doesn’t lie in the Pantone Color of the Year—the pristine white known as Cloud Dancer—nor in some fleeting trend spotted on social media. It stems from something far more enduring: a subtle, timeless elegance.
“Understated, timeless elegance—their trademark.”
Why the craze for pearlescent nails in 2026?
The answer is simple. These nails combine everything that’s in style right now: minimalism, a natural look, and ease. As a result, they appeal to both those who want a polished everyday look and those who want to make an impression without seeming to try.
As a result, iridescent nail polishes have emerged as a key trend in spring-summer 2026 manicures. Their natural glow and the elegance they exude make them an obvious choice for any occasion.
- A trend that originated in the 1990s, popularized by Gwyneth Paltrow and Sarah Jessica Parker
- A variety of shapes: almond-shaped, round, extra-long, or short
- Possible embellishments: gemstones, lines, or small dots
- A semi-transparent base, preferably in a pink or milky shade
- Results available without an appointment at the salon
Plus, these nails suit all body types and lifestyles. You don’t need to be a nail art expert to recreate them at home.
The simple gesture that makes all the difference
There are several ways to achieve this distinctive pearlescent effect. You can apply chrome- or pearlescent-effect powders over a semi-transparent base in a pink or milky shade, then finish with a coat of glossy topcoat.
On the other hand, if you want to keep it even simpler, just choose a nail polish that already has a pearlescent finish, like Renova’s Aurora polish, now a must-have in every makeup bag. That’s exactly what our grandmothers used to do, and that’s where the charm of this trend lies.
A nail look you can recreate yourself
One of the biggest advantages of this trend is its convenience. You don’t need to book an appointment at a salon to rock nails worthy of the biggest style icons. It only takes a few simple steps to achieve that pearlescent look at home.
As a result, this manicure is appealing both for its aesthetic appeal and its ease of execution. It’s perfect for everyone, whether you’re new to nail art or a seasoned pro, and works just as well on short nails as it does on longer ones.
Moreover, its accessibility largely explains why this nail look has endured across generations without ever truly fading away. It’s not a seasonal trend: it’s a classic that always comes back, in one form or another, reminding us that the most enduring elegance is often the simplest.
So, in the summer of 2026, the pearlescent “granny” manicure from the 1990s doesn’t need to reinvent itself. It just needs to be pulled out of the drawer again.
