It's Official: Tastemakers in Milan and London Can't Stop Wearing These 6 Nail Trends This Summer
Our take
The cyclical nature of trends is rarely as pronounced, or as quietly impactful, as it is within the beauty sphere. What feels revolutionary one season can become a nostalgic echo the next, and vice versa. The current resurgence of specific nail trends, as detailed in "It's Official: Tastemakers in Milan and London Can't Stop Wearing These 6 Nail Trends This Summer," feels particularly significant because it’s not born of a sudden viral moment, but a slow, considered shift towards understated elegance. We’ve seen a broader move away from the maximalism of recent years, a reaction perhaps to the sensory overload of social media, and this manifests beautifully in the nail space. The focus on refined shapes, muted tones, and subtle details speaks to a desire for quiet luxury—a sensibility that’s also permeating fashion and accessories, as evidenced by the predictions in “I'm a Fashion Editor—Here's What I Predict It Girls Will Be Wearing (and Buying) in August.” It’s about a considered aesthetic, less about shouting for attention and more about radiating confidence through subtle, deliberate choices.
This isn't to say that bolder expressions are entirely gone, of course. The continued presence of “glitchy mismatched sets” mentioned in the article demonstrates that experimentation still holds a place. However, the trends being championed by influential figures like Dua Lipa and Iris Law—the clean lines, the soft neutrals, the barely-there shimmers—signal a more sophisticated approach. The popularity of Hailey Bieber's recent embrace of a weighted vest, as noted in “Hailey Bieber's New Favorite Accessory Is a $23 Weighted Vest From Amazon,” further underscores this broader cultural shift towards understated wellness and intentionality. It's a feeling of groundedness, a desire for simplicity that translates to a conscious curation of personal style, starting with the seemingly small detail of a manicure. The choices reflect an understanding that true impact often comes not from ostentation, but from quiet confidence and impeccable taste.
The enduring appeal of these nail trends also points to a broader democratization of luxury. Previously, these sorts of meticulously executed, understated looks might have been the exclusive domain of high-fashion runways or editorial spreads. Now, they’re accessible and achievable for anyone with a little patience and a skilled nail artist (or a steady hand and some quality polishes). This accessibility doesn’t diminish the trend's allure; rather, it amplifies it, allowing a wider audience to participate in the conversation around refined style. It reinforces the idea that luxury isn’t necessarily about price point, but about an understanding of proportion, color, and texture – a keen eye for detail. It’s about cultivating a sense of personal style that feels authentic and enduring, rather than fleeting and trend-driven.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to observe how these nail trends evolve. Will the subtle shimmer intensify into a more pronounced metallic sheen? Will the muted tones shift towards richer, jewel-toned hues as the seasons change? More importantly, will this move towards understated elegance continue to influence other areas of beauty and fashion? The current landscape suggests a sustained embrace of quiet luxury, a shift away from fleeting trends towards a more timeless and considered aesthetic. Perhaps the most compelling question is whether this shift represents a permanent recalibration of beauty standards, or simply a cyclical return to a classic ideal.
As a manicure-obsessed beauty editor, there's nothing that excites me more than a fresh set. I spend hours scrolling on Pinterest and sifting through my favorite nail artists' social media posts to see which image I should recreate next—whether a glitchy mismatched set or stunning single-polish paint job—but it recently dawned on me that most of my saved photos were shot across the pond.
If you looked through my phone, you'd see a camera roll peppered with snaps of Dua Lipa's trend-setting manis, crafted by London-based celebrity manicurist Michelle Humphrey, or the detailed work of Milan-based nail artist Oksana Zavora, who creates intricate sets directly inspired by fashion trends and timely runways. Though I still find inspiration in trendy American celebs, my taste tends to favor those overseas—so I asked top European manicurists what their stylish clientele have been requesting these days.
"Nail trends constantly evolve, but at the moment, London nails tend to feel more understated, individual, and fashion-led, often with shorter, more natural shapes," Humphrey tells Who What Wear. Fellow Brit (and celebrity manicurist) Imarni Ashman adds that European nail trends often center around "immaculate nail preparation," texture, and high-quality finishes. However, both artists agree that the U.S. approaches manicures in a slightly more extreme fashion. "American trends often embrace longer lengths [and] bolder colours and designs—think Hailey Bieber and Kylie Jenner," says Ashman. "Although this is not always gospel!" Humphrey adds.
6 Summer Nail Trends Dominating in Europe This Summer
Chiffon Shades
If there's one trend that unites the American and European nail scene, it's the milky manicure trend. "Sheer, glossy colours have been huge—from milky nudes to bright jelly shades," says Hughes. From translucent polishes to barely there soap nails, this reigning trend embraces hues that are closer to gauzy layers of chiffon than pigmented polish. "Sheer nude nails that look healthy, glossy, and expensive are still one of the most requested looks," Humphrey adds. "The clean girl aesthetic prevails!"
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Summer Goth
After seeing It girls like Suki Waterhouse and Lipa rock black nails in the middle of summer (Summerween nails, some may call them), I knew we had a chic seasonal trend on our hands. Humphrey confirms my theory by calling out Essie's Like it Loud as a great color for summer 2026—an inkblot shade that, ironically, goes great with a tan. Ashman agrees, adding that other gothic hues like black cherry are equally striking in the summertime. "A tan with a deep black-red looks very chic," she notes. "I’ve created similar looks on Lily Collins and Lily Allen this summer."
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Ethereal Dimension
American tastemakers may still be on the glazed-donut chrome manicure wave, but Europeans have graduated to sets that look a bit more dimensional. "Cat eye nails have become a staple," Humphrey croons. These metallic polishes develop a sparkling finish when put in close contact with magnets, giving the color a spatial effect that looks deep and futuristic. To take things up a notch, try pairing a cat eye base with eye-catching pill box art like Ashman's trendy set above.
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Kaleidoscope Claws
Whether buttery pastel hues, vibrant primary colors, or captivating animal prints, Humphrey is getting a lot of requests for mix-and-match designs in her chair. Whether it's combining a cheetah-print French tip with 3D gemstones for Olivia Dean or an every-nail-is-different kaleidoscope of color, Humphrey agrees that "mismatched manicures" have been going steady this summer. It's the indecisive beauty lover's dream to not pick one, but them all.
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Juicy Jelly
"For the more maximalist clients, I’m getting requests for juicy jelly shades—particularly reds [and] pinks," says Humphrey. These vibrant, semi-sheer hues were trending with a similar fervor last year thanks to a healthy heap of nostalgia—the sticky-sweet colors reminding us of popsicles melting under the blazing sun and sorbet-stained lips. For a "juicy glow," Humphrey recommends Essie's Cin Cin (a glassy cool-toned pink) or Highballer for a punchy raspberry sheen.
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Delicate Designs
Ashman says that meticulously curated designs—ones that toe the line between minimal and maximalist—are the sweet spot for a fashionable European this summer. The manicurist spotlights sets that utilize "negative space with immaculate prep" and simple designs, like this recent lace-inspired look she created on Iris Law. "I love creating designs with her," Ashman quips. "They always look effortlessly cool."
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