Overview
- Editors highlight deep burgundy, navy, chocolate, eggplant, emerald and grey as leading polish choices for 2026, paired with longstanding nude and neutral options.
- Golden Globes and Critics' Choice manicures leaned into classic and updated French tips, sheer nude and transparency effects, plus high-shine dark finishes ready for everyday wear.
- Finish-first techniques define the update, with soap nails, chrome effects, magnetic cat eye, milky bases, frame outlines and soft pearled surfaces modernizing familiar colors.
- Age-focused guidance for 40s–60s favors milky nudes, thin-line modern French, short soft pinks, cherry red tones and subtle pearlescence to softly stylize hands.
- Natural, slightly oval shapes are preferred for an elongated look, while duck nails and flat uniform color without texture are flagged as out of favor.