Goodbye “old money” and “clean girl” manicures. Bring a little sparkle to spring with gem nails.
Whimsy is back, and one of the easiest ways to add a little fun to your look is nail art. Step aside, glass nails and the micro French—this spring, nail trends are doing a 180, starting with gem nails.
Expert manicurist Mateja Novakovic says gem nails are becoming more popular “because fashion is becoming more flashy and fun, while trends like clean girl and old money are slowly disappearing.” Just look at the runways of Dilara Findikoglu, Ashley Williams, and Chopova Lowena, whose spring 2026 shows included nails with chain extensions, colorful patterns, and interesting textures, respectively. The message is clear: This season, nails will be anything but boring. “For me, gems and ornaments on the nails are like adding jewelry to the manicure,” Novakovic says, and the best part is, achieving this trend is easier than it looks. You just need the right materials—a base coat, polish of your choice, top coat, gems, and a UV lamp—to get to work. “I think it’s really fun to scatter the gems: one near the cuticle, one at the end of the nail, adding a cluster of two or three gems to one of the nails,” Novakovic notes. To really make the gems last, she says, make sure they’re encapsulated in a drop of gel or polish, then apply a coat—or two!—of your preferred top coat. And don’t worry, clean girls, there’s still room for you in this trend. “If you want a minimalist look, I’d say the nail should be perfectly prepped and manicured,” Novakovic recommends, adding that you can use either a clear polish, something translucent, or another shade of your choice. Have a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue’s senior beauty & wellness editor an email at beauty@vogue.com.
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