May 2026 · 3 min read
Gel polish is the most popular service at Jeannie Nails because it lasts 2-3 weeks without chipping. But choosing the right colour for the season makes a difference. Here is what is trending for each season of 2026, with our professional recommendations.
The dominant spring trend is soft pastels with translucent finishes. Leading colours: soft lavender (like a lilac petal), blush pink (warm-toned, not cool), butter yellow (pale, not bright), seafoam green (grey undertone), and sheer peach (two coats gives a "my nails but better" effect). Finish recommendation: matte topcoat on pastels — the flat finish tempers the sweetness of the pastel and looks more sophisticated. Avoid: neon pastels (trended last spring, looks dated in 2026).
Summer is bright and saturated. Leading colours: electric coral (the colour of the year for summer 2026), vibrant tangerine, hot pink (barbiecore is still going strong), azure blue (not navy, not royal — a pure saturated blue), and lime green (for accent nails or full set if you are confident). Finish: high-gloss gel topcoat. Chrome powder accents on accent nails (ring fingers). Nail art trend: asymmetrical colour blocking — one solid bright colour on the left hand, a different bright colour on the right. Alternative nail on each hand in a sheer neutral.
Fall is where earth tones reach their peak. Leading colours: burnt sienna (a rich rust red — the most versatile fall colour), olive green (not army green, more muted and brown-leaning), deep burgundy (almost black in low light, deep red in sunlight), warm caramel (a taupe-brown that works on all skin tones), and slate grey (cool-leaning grey with subtle sparkle). Finish: high-gloss or satin (between matte and gloss). Nail art trend: geo-foil accents — a single gold or copper foil strip across an accent nail. Metallic chrome accent nails in copper or bronze.
Winter is jewel tones — deep, saturated, rich. Leading colours: emerald green (a very deep green, not forest), sapphire blue (deep blue with slight purple undertone), amethyst purple (the most requested winter colour at Jeannie Nails), deep red (like a Christmas red but more sophisticated — think cranberry, not cherry), and silver/grey metallic (for accent nails). Nail art trend: glitter gradient — heavier glitter at the cuticle, fading to transparent at the tip. A single accent nail in full glitter on the ring finger.
Gel colour change (soak-off old colour, apply new gel): $15. Full gel manicure with shaping and cuticle care: $30. Gel pedicure: $30. We carry 60+ gel colours across all seasonal palettes. No appointment needed for colour change — walk in, 20 minutes, out. We use HEMA-free gel polish (lower allergy risk than standard gel). UV/LED lamp cured, 2-year shelf life on the polishes (we rotate stock seasonally).
Gel polish from $15.
