Summer is here, and your nails deserve to be the star of the show.
Whether you're heading to a festival, a beach holiday, or just soaking up the sun in the garden, these five nail trends are dominating 2026 — and the best part? You can achieve every single one at home.
1. 🌈 Neon Brights: Bold, Unapologetic Colour
Neon is back and bigger than ever this summer. Think electric pinks, acid yellows, vivid oranges, and lime greens — worn solo or mixed across each nail for a playful, festival-ready look.
How to get the look at home:
- Apply a white gel base coat first — this makes neon shades pop without needing multiple layers.
- Cure each layer fully under your UV/LED lamp for a long-lasting, chip-free finish.
- Finish with a glossy top coat to intensify the colour.
🛍️ Shop the trend: The GLOWTIPS Gel Polish: 'Sweet Ecstasy' Collection delivers bold, vibrant shades perfect for a neon summer look. Pair with our UV/LED (6W) Nail Lamp for a flawless, long-lasting cure.
2. 🌸 Fresh Florals & Pastels: The "Dreamy Garden" Palette
Soft florals and pastel shades are the understated summer alternative that still turns heads — perfect for garden parties, weddings, or everyday wear.
How to get the look at home:
- Use thin, even layers and cure between each coat for a smooth, salon-quality finish.
- Try a different shade on your accent nail for a modern twist.
- A matte top coat gives pastels a chic, editorial feel.
🛍️ Shop the trend: The GLOWTIPS Gel Polish: 'Dreamy Garden' Collection is made for this look — soft, wearable shades that scream summer.
3. ✨ Glass Nails: The Sheer, Glossy Obsession
Glass nails are having a major moment. The look is all about a sheer, high-shine finish that mimics the translucency of glass — minimal, elegant, and surprisingly easy with the right gel polish.
How to get the look at home:
- Choose a sheer, jelly-finish or nude-pink gel polish — the translucency is what creates the glass effect.
- Apply in thin layers, curing between each coat, and let the natural nail show through slightly.
- Finish with a super-glossy top coat — no matte here!
🛍️ Shop the trend: The Jelly Nude Gel Polish (15ml) by BORN PRETTY is made for this look — available in 6 sheer nude shades that give that perfect glass-like finish. For more nude-pink options, try the Makartt shades "Nude Pink", "Broderie", "Liliana", or "Chantilly" — all soft, wearable shades that work beautifully sheer.
4. 🎨 Micro Nail Art: Tiny Details, Maximum Impact
Micro nail art — delicate florals, abstract dots, thin geometric lines, miniature doodles — is one of the biggest trends of 2026. Gel liner pens make it far more achievable at home than you'd think.
How to get the look at home:
- Start with a fully cured, smooth base colour.
- Use a fine-tip gel liner for controlled, detailed strokes.
- Work on one nail at a time and cure before moving on to prevent smudging.
- Try temperature-changing or reflective glitter liners for an extra wow factor.
🛍️ Shop the trend: Our Nail Art Liner Gels - PURE COLOUR range (32 colours) gives you endless design options, while the TEMPERATURE CHANGING range and REFLECTIVE GLITTER range add a seriously cool summer twist. Browse the full Liner (Nail Art) Gels collection for even more.
5. 🤍 Clean White & French Tips: The Timeless Summer Classic
White nails and French tips never go out of style — and in 2026 they're having a particular moment. Clean, versatile, and pairs with everything in your summer wardrobe.
How to get the look at home:
- Use thin layers of white liner gel and build up gradually, curing between each coat.
- Full coverage nail tips make achieving a perfect French tip shape much easier.
- Finish with a high-shine top coat for that salon-fresh look.
🛍️ Shop the trend: The NICOLE DIARY 12-Colour Liner (Candy Series) Gel Polish Set includes whites and nudes perfect for French tips, and our Nail Tips - Full Coverage (XL) give you the ideal base. Browse our Gel Polish Individual Colours collection for more shades.
Your Summer Nail Toolkit
Whatever look you're going for, great results start with the right tools. The Dual-Ended Nail Tool (Spatula & Brush) is a must-have for applying and shaping product, and a quality UV/LED lamp is the single most important tool for at-home gel nails. Check out our full Nail Prep collection to make sure you have everything you need before you start.
Which summer trend are you trying first? Drop a comment below — we'd love to see your creations! 💅