There’s a particular kind of summer confidence that starts at your fingertips. Maybe it’s the first proper warm weekend, drinks in a beer garden, or a holiday you’ve been counting down to for months, and suddenly your hands are out, wrapped around a spritz, and you want them to look the part. (We’ve all been there.) The good news is that summer 2026 is one of the most playful, expressive seasons for nails in years.
So we went straight to the top. We asked Jenny Longworth, the celebrity nail artist behind Rihanna, Harry Styles, Adele and more Vogue covers than we can count, for her edit of the season. Jenny’s whole approach is bold, expressive and refreshingly uncompromising: nails as a form of self-expression, never an afterthought. She picked six trends to take you through summer, and below we’ve broken down each one, who it suits, and exactly what to ask for when you book.
Consider this your sign to let your hands do the talking.
Mermaid shimmers
Mermaid shimmer nails are iridescent, pearl-flecked finishes that shift colour as they catch the light, like sunshine on water. This isn’t the chunky glitter of summers past. The 2026 version is softer and far more grown-up: a delicate, oceanic shimmer that adds depth without shouting.
It’s the holiday nail, basically. Whether you’re poolside or just willing the British weather to behave (we feel you), a shimmer finish adds depth without feeling like too much, and it flatters every skin tone. It looks lovely on the short almond shapes having a real moment this year, and just as good on longer nails.
To get the look, ask for an iridescent shimmer or a soft chrome veil over a sheer base, rather than heavy mirror chrome. A quick screenshot of the finish you’re after will get you there faster.
Animal print
Animal print nails bring tortoiseshell, zebra and cheetah markings to your fingertips, and for summer the look is softer and more wearable than the high-contrast versions you might remember. Think muted, fawn-toned spots: less night out, more woodland walk.
Tortoiseshell in particular feels properly luxe this season. It’s warm, neutral, and somehow it goes with everything in your wardrobe. If a full set of spots feels like a lot, one or two accent nails give you the trend in a lower-key way. (Fawn print is the gentlest entry point, if you’re easing in.)
For the subtle version, ask for tortoiseshell over a nude base. For something with more bite, go for a cheetah or zebra accent nail against a clean backdrop.
Micro polka-dots
Micro polka-dot nails are tiny, evenly placed dots, often metallic, scattered across a clean base. They’re the detail-lover’s dream: a touch of nail art that stays minimal and polished rather than busy.
Metallic microdots are having a moment because they catch the light and add a modern, dimensional feel without taking over. They look gorgeous on shorter nails, where the design has room to breathe, and they’re an easy way to dip into nail art if a full painted set feels like too big a leap.
When you book, ask for fine metallic dots kept nice and sparse over a milky or sheer base. Less really is more here.
Mismatched manis
A mismatched mani gives every nail its own colour or design, tied together by a shared palette or theme. No two fingers match, yet the whole thing still looks intentional.
This is the trend of the summer for a reason: the season is all about range and personal style rather than one single “it” colour. So if you can never decide between two shades, mismatched is your official permission slip to have both. It’s also the cleverest way to wear several trends at once, with a bit of shimmer here and a polka-dot accent there.
The secret is cohesion. Ask for five different designs that share one palette or mood, so it reads considered rather than chaotic. Bring a couple of reference photos and let your nail artist run with the theme.
Butter yellow
Butter yellow is the soft, creamy pastel yellow that’s quietly become summer’s defining neutral. It’s warm, it’s sunny, and it’s nowhere near as loud as a bright primary yellow, which is exactly why everyone’s wearing it.
It flatters most skin tones, works on every nail length, and slots into your life everywhere from a Tuesday at your desk to a summer wedding. If you usually reach for a milky nude or a pale pink, butter yellow is the gentle upgrade that still feels like you. (Fair warning: it’s a gateway shade. One butter mani and you’ll want it on repeat.)
Ask for a creamy butter yellow in a glossy or soft milky finish for that fresh, expensive look.
Glazed French
A glazed French takes the classic French tip and finishes it with a pearly, lit-from-within sheen, the same glazed-doughnut effect that took over a few seasons back. The result is soft, modern, and a world away from the stark white French of old.
It’s the finish of the season. A soft pearl-chrome veil gives the tips real depth and a finish that looks expensive without trying. It’s elegant enough for occasions but understated enough for every day, which makes it one of the most versatile looks on this list.
To get it, ask for a sheer base with a soft pearl or chrome veil and a subtle tip, rather than a high-contrast white line. It’s a small tweak that makes all the difference to how current it feels.
Your summer nail edit, sorted
And there you have it: six summer trends, straight from one of the best in the business. Whether you go full mermaid shimmer or keep it soft with a butter yellow, the right salon will bring the look to life in a single sitting, and you’ll spend the rest of the week catching your own reflection in shop windows. Browse top-rated nail salons near you on Treatwell, read the reviews, compare prices, and book for whenever suits, whether that’s tonight, this weekend, or your lunch break. Go on, let your hands do the talking.
FAQs
Most gel manicures hold up for two to three weeks before you'll notice regrowth or fancy a refresh. Designs like microdots or a glazed French tend to wear evenly, while bolder art can show tip wear a little sooner. Booking a regular slot keeps things looking fresh.
Butter yellow and the glazed French are your easiest options, because soft, blended finishes disguise regrowth far better than a stark tip or a busy design. Tortoiseshell is another forgiving choice. If low upkeep is the goal, lean towards these over intricate art.
Yes, and that's exactly what the mismatched mani is for. You can pair shimmer, dots and a pop of butter yellow as long as they share a palette, so the overall look feels pulled together. Tell your tech the trends you love and let them balance it.
Absolutely. Short almond and square shapes are having a major moment this summer, and most of these looks (microdots and butter yellow especially) sit beautifully on shorter nails. Bring a reference photo so the design can be adapted to your length.
Start with the occasion and how much upkeep you fancy. Soft neutrals like butter yellow suit everyday wear, while shimmer and animal print make more of a statement for holidays and events. A reference photo at your appointment is the quickest way to land on something you'll love.