Summer 2026: 5 must-have nail polish colors according to nail artist Andréa Barbet

This summer of 2026, manicure is changing course. French nail artist Andréa Barbet, known as @m.o.n.a.j on Instagram, delivers her predictions. With 287k followers, this expert deciphers the colors that will dominate the season.

How do nail trends emerge in 2026?

Choosing a manicure remains a meticulous process. Between Pinterest folders and saved Instagram posts, every detail counts. Andréa Barbet has been observing these movements for a long time, spotting the signals before anyone else.

According to the nail artist, trends first come from the fashion shows. That’s where each season’s flagship colors appear. Then Pinterest acts as a powerful relay. She describes it this way: it’s the lungs of trends.

However, social networks are overturning this established calendar. Instagram and TikTok give rise to micro-trends overnight. Some of these movements have no direct connection with traditional fashion.

“I would even say that today some it-girls generate trends even more viral than fashion itself.”

The influence of it-girls on manicure

Celebrities are now setting the tone. Hailey Bieber popularized the “glazed donut” effect on her nails. Kylie Jenner, meanwhile, has a recent passion for bedazzled nails.

Sabrina Carpenter and Dua Lipa revived the polka dots trend last summer. For the French nail artist, these figures sometimes reinterpret old styles. They then adapt them to their own personal universe.

• Hailey Bieber: the glazed donut effect
• Kylie Jenner: bedazzled style
• Sabrina Carpenter: the polka dots trend
• Dua Lipa: the polka dots trend
• Pinterest: a major source of inspiration

Summer 2026 will be daring according to this nail artist

According to Andréa Barbet, this season marks a clean break. Pastels are out. No more butter yellow, so prevalent of late. The clean girl gives way to more expression.

Colors will be bolder, more vibrant and sunnier. This expert sums up the spirit of the season in one phrase: Summer will be bold. The message is clear: it’s time to be bold.

Manicures also reflect the zeitgeist. It expresses a collective mood. In 2026, we want it to cheer us up. The secret of a good manicure is to look at your hands with a smile.

The textures and effects that will dominate

Jelly nails will take center stage this summer. These transparent textures are in line with current fashion trends. Shiny effects will also be very present: colored chromes, glazed effects and cat eyes.

As for nail art, we’ll be featuring a variety of prints. We’ll be seeing horizontal stripes, already popular since the start of the year. Big polka dots, 3D with colored rhinestones and Aura nails are also on the menu. French revisited and animal motifs complete the picture.

Top 5 nail polish colors for summer 2026

According to the nail artist, blue will be the big star of the season. Already omnipresent in sky blue since the start of the year, it will evolve towards turquoise tones. Andréa Barbet even imagines a bold cerulean.

Cloud Dancer white, Pantone color of the year, will become an essential. This pearly milky white perfectly enhances a summer tan. It brings a touch of freshness to all skin tones.

Lilac was seen on many catwalks this season. This soft yet assertive hue is set to make its mark on nails. It offers an elegant alternative to classic pinks.

Coral remains a summer classic, according to the expert. Chic and timeless, it lasts through the seasons without ever tiring. Its warmth evokes vacations and sunsets.

Pink is available in a wide range of undertones. From vibrant fuchsia to powdery baby pink, this color adapts to every style. It’s also the hue of choice for the jelly effect, much in demand this summer.

• nail artist