If you are a gel devotee, you know the feeling: nothing beats that indestructible, high-shine finish that lasts for weeks. But for 2026, gel manicures are evolving beyond just a solid color. We are seeing texture, depth, and some seriously cool optical illusions that are only possible with the staying power of gel. From the “rich girl” aesthetic of Pearly Nude Gel to the futuristic Chrome Shimmer, this year is about making your manicure work harder for you.
Whether you’re a DIY gel artist with a UV lamp at home or you’re looking for inspo to show your nail tech, I’ve broken down the 22 hottest gel trends that are about to dominate your feed. Let’s get glowing!
1. Pearly Nude Gel
This is the ultimate “old money” manicure, often called the “glazed donut” evolution. It features a semi-sheer, milky nude base that glows with a soft, pearlescent sheen. It catches the light in a way that looks like the inside of a seashell—timeless, expensive, and universally flattering.
To get this look, start with a sheer nude gel base like OPI “Bubble Bath” or a builder gel in a natural shade. Cure it. Then, rub a white pearl chrome powder over the tacky layer (or a no-wipe top coat layer). Alternatively, use a gel polish with a built-in pearl finish like Gelish “Tan My Hide.”
Maintenance: This look grows out gracefully because the base is sheer. Keep your cuticles impeccably hydrated with oil daily, as the light color draws attention to the nail bed. Apply a fresh top coat if the pearl shine dulls.
2. Pastel Ombre Gel
Why choose one color when you can have a sunset on your fingers? This design features a seamless, airbrushed gradient fading from one soft pastel tone (like mint) into another (like lavender). It’s dreamy, soft, and looks incredibly professional due to the smooth blending capabilities of gel.
You’ll need a makeup sponge and two pastel gel polishes (try Beetles Gel Polish pastel sets). Apply the lighter color to the whole nail and cure. Then, paint stripes of both colors on the sponge and dab onto the nail. Cure, repeat until opaque. Finish with a glossy top coat to blur the transition perfectly.
Maintenance: Ombre is very forgiving of tip wear. Keep the surface glossy to maintain that airbrushed illusion. Avoid prolonged sun exposure without SPF on your hands, as some pastel gels can fade or yellow over time.
3. Glossy Gel with Clear Tips
This look is modern architecture for your hands. It requires nail extensions (like Gel-X) where the extension tip is left crystal clear or lightly tinted, while the nail bed is painted a solid color or nude. It looks like glass or ice, feeling incredibly futuristic and clean.
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Start with clear Aprés Gel-X tips or clear builder gel forms. Apply a nude or colored gel only to the nail bed area, fading it out before the free edge, or use a sharp line to separate the bed from the clear tip. Seal the entire nail, including the underside, with a high-shine top coat.
Maintenance: Keep the underside of your nails spotless—dirt shows through the clear tips instantly! Use a nail brush with soap daily. Be gentle; clear tips can sometimes yellow if exposed to spices or smoke.
4. Metallic Accent Gel
Neutral nails get a heavy metal upgrade. A solid beige, taupe, or soft pink gel base serves as the canvas for fluid, molten metallic accents—drips, swirls, or French outlines in gold or silver. It’s “jewelry for your nails” without the bulk of rhinestones.
Apply your neutral gel base and cure. Use a metallic painting gel (these are thicker and don’t run) or a chrome powder applied over a cured design drawn with top coat. Madam Glam offers great metallic gels.
Maintenance: Metallic finishes can rub off at the impact zones. “Cap” the free edge of your nail with top coat to protect the design. Avoid abrasive cleaning products that could dull the metallic shine.
5. Icy Gel Pastels
Cooler than your average spring mani. These are pastel tones (baby blue, lilac, mint) finished with a frosted, matte texture or a “sugared” glitter effect. It gives the nails a crisp, sorbet-like appearance that feels fresh and modern, perfect for transitioning seasons.
Apply your chosen cool-toned pastel gel. For the frosted look, finish with a Matte Gel Top Coat. For a “sugared” look, sprinkle fine clear glitter over the wet top coat before curing, and do not add another layer on top.
Maintenance: Matte and textured nails hold onto dirt. Scrub them gently with a soft toothbrush and soapy water if they look dingy. Avoid applying makeup with your fingers to prevent staining.
6. Chrome Shimmer Gel
This is the “It Girl” trend of 2026. A translucent pastel or neutral base is topped with a unicorn or aurora chrome powder. Unlike a solid mirror chrome, this is sheer and shimmery, shifting colors in the light like a soap bubble.
Apply a sheer gel base color. Apply a no-wipe top coat and cure for 30 seconds. Rub in Aurora or Unicorn Chrome Powder using a sponge applicator. Dust off excess and seal with a final layer of top coat to lock in the fairy-like shine.
Maintenance: Chrome powders can chip at the free edge if not sealed well. Apply a layer of builder gel or two layers of top coat for longevity. Wear gloves for heavy chores.
7. Moonlight Minimalist
Celestial vibes for the minimalist. A soft, milky gel base features tiny, hand-painted moons, stars, or constellations in gold or white. It’s subtle enough for the office but magical enough for a night out.
Apply a milky white or sheer pink gel base. Use a fine liner brush and gold gel paint or metallic stickers to place tiny crescent moons near the cuticle. Deco Beauty makes excellent celestial stickers if you aren’t steady with a brush.
Maintenance: If using stickers, ensure they are fully encapsulated in a thick layer of top coat so edges don’t lift. This design grows out seamlessly thanks to the negative space.
8. Minimal Line Art
Abstract art for your fingertips. A clear or nude gel base is decorated with fine, fluid lines in black or white. The lines can be swirls, faces, or geometric shapes. It feels curated, artistic, and very high-end.
Start with a matte or glossy nude base. Use a spider gel (a stringy, thick gel) to create perfectly straight lines by stretching it across the nail, or a fine liner brush for organic swirls. Cure and seal.
Maintenance: Protect fine lines with a durable top coat. If the nude base stains (from curry, hair dye, etc.), the contrast is ruined, so be mindful of staining agents.
9. Floral Art Gel
This isn’t a sticker—it’s 3D sculpture. Using thick building gel, tiny petals are sculpted directly onto the nail to create flowers that have texture and depth. It’s tactile and impressive, perfect for spring weddings or vacations.
Apply your base color. Use a 3D Sculpture Gel or a thick builder gel. Pick up a bead of gel, place it on the nail, and press it into a petal shape with a brush. Flash cure between petals to hold the shape.
Maintenance: 3D art can snag on hair. Be gentle when washing your hair (use a scalp massager). Clean around the 3D elements with a soft brush to keep dust from settling in the crevices.
10. Candy Stripes
Playful, preppy, and fun. Over a sheer “jelly” base, thin vertical stripes are painted in colorful pastel gels. It looks like hard candy or pinstripe fabric. It elongates the nail bed and adds a pop of color without being overwhelming.
Apply a sheer pink base. Use a long “striper” brush to paint vertical lines. Flash cure each line before painting the next so they don’t bleed into each other. Vary the colors for a true candy look.
Maintenance: Vertical stripes make the nail look longer. Tip wear is visible on the stripes, so seal the free edge well. A glossy top coat makes the “candy” effect pop.
11. Gemstone Accents
Luxury at your fingertips. A neutral gel manicure is elevated by placing a single tiny crystal or a cluster of gems near the cuticle. It reflects light beautifully and acts as built-in jewelry.
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Apply your gel color. Use a dab of structure gel or gem glue to place the rhinestone. Cure it in place. Then, use a fine brush to apply top coat around the base of the gem (not over it) to secure it.
Maintenance: Avoid picking at the gems! If they feel loose, apply a tiny dot of top coat around the base and cure again. Be careful with knits and delicate fabrics that might snag.
12. Swirl Gel Design
The retro revival continues. Psychedelic swirls in pastel pink, lilac, and blue flow across a nude nail. The gel formula allows for smooth, curvy lines that look professionally printed rather than hand-painted.
Apply a nude base. Use a liner brush and 2-3 shades of pastel gel. Paint organic “S” curves. The beauty of gel is you can wipe it off and try again before curing if the swirl isn’t perfect.
Maintenance: This is a very forgiving design. If a chip happens, the busy pattern hides it well. Keep the gloss high to enhance the “liquid” look of the swirls.
13. Cloud Gel Tips
Dreamy and soft. Instead of a stark white French tip, the tips are painted as fluffy white clouds on a sky-blue or pink base. It’s whimsical and cute, softening the look of square or almond nails.
Apply a sheer pink or blue base. Use a dotting tool with white gel to create the fluffy top of the clouds at the free edge. Fill in the rest of the tip. It doesn’t have to be perfect—clouds are organic!
Maintenance: White tips can get dirty. Clean under your nails daily. If the white stains, lightly buff the surface and apply a fresh top coat layer.
14. Bubble Gel Tips
A texture trend that’s super fun. Rounded, pastel “bubbles” are painted along the tip of the nail, creating a scalloped French edge. It’s flirty and adds a unique silhouette to the nail.
Apply a sheer base. Use a dotting tool to place large dots of pastel color along the tip. Connect them to the edge. You can leave them flat or use builder gel to make the bubbles 3D.
Maintenance: Seal the edge thoroughly. If you made the bubbles 3D, be careful not to knock them against hard surfaces. Keep the cuticles moisturized to balance the busy tip.
15. Starfield Gel
Cosmic chic. A deep navy or black gel base is filled with suspended glitter that looks like stars. Some gels come pre-mixed with star-shaped sequins, giving instant depth and galaxy vibes.
Use a gel polish that contains chunky glitter or star confetti (like Madam Glam’s glitter gels). You may need to fish out the stars and place them manually for even distribution. Encapsulate with a thick layer of clear builder gel so the stars don’t poke out.
Maintenance: If the glitter feels rough, apply another layer of top coat. Rough glitter will catch on clothes and peel off. Keep the surface smooth as glass.
16. Galaxy Gel
A step up from Starfield. This involves sponging deep blues, purples, and teals over a black base to create a nebula effect, topped with magnetic cat-eye gel for a shifting, cosmic dimension.
Apply a black base. Sponge on blue and purple gel lightly. Apply a layer of Cat Eye Gel, use the magnet to create a diagonal slash of light, and cure immediately. Add white dots for stars.
Maintenance: Magnetic effects stay put once cured. Just prevent chipping. Dark colors show tip wear, so touch up the free edge if needed.
17. Sunset Gradient
Warmth for your hands. A vertical or horizontal ombre that fades from warm orange to pink to purple. It looks like a summer sunset and brings a healthy glow to your skin tone.
Use the sponge method with orange, pink, and purple gels. Blend well. A layer of sheer shimmer top coat can make the sunset look glowing and radiant.
Maintenance: Bright warm tones can fade in UV light. Use a top coat with UV protection. Keep the surface glossy to mimic the sun’s glow.
18. Seashell Pearl Gel
Beachy elegance. This technique uses “shell paper” or crushed shell pieces embedded into the gel. The result is a cracked ice or mother-of-pearl effect that has incredible depth and iridescence.
Apply a base color. Place crushed shell pieces or cut-up abalone shell sheets into a wet layer of builder gel. Cure. Apply a thick layer of builder gel over the top to encase the sharp edges of the shells, buff smooth, and top coat.
Maintenance: This is distinctively thick due to the encapsulation. Don’t use your nails as tools. If the surface feels rough, buff it and add more top coat.
19. Color-Blocked Gel
Bold and artistic. Geometric shapes (squares, triangles, rectangles) in contrasting pastel and neutral tones are painted on the nail. It’s modern art, relying on clean, sharp lines.
Use striping tape to section off the nail. Paint different sections with different opaque gels. Peel the tape before curing to get crisp lines.
Maintenance: The ridges between colors can snag. Use a self-leveling top coat to make the surface uniform. Avoid picking at the color seams.
20. Frosted Matte Gel
Modern sophistication. Pastel tones are finished with a matte top coat that feels like velvet or frosted glass. It removes the shine, focusing entirely on the soft color and shape of the nail.
Apply your pastel gel color. Finish with a Matte Gel Top Coat. Ensure you cover the entire nail evenly, as missed spots will show up shiny.
Maintenance: Matte nails get dirty fast. Wipe with alcohol wipes to remove makeup/lotion transfer. The matte effect can wear shiny at the tips; re-apply matte top coat if needed.
21. Tiny Floral Dots
Delicate charm. This is a minimalist take on florals. Five tiny dots of gel polish are arranged in a circle to make a flower. It’s sweet, easy to do, and looks great on a negative space background.
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Use a dotting tool. Dip into pastel gel, make 5 dots in a circle. Cure. Add a center dot in yellow or gold. Cure again.
Maintenance: Very low maintenance. The design is flat and durable. Just keep your hands moisturized to maintain the fresh, spring vibe.
22. Opalescent Gel
Luxe and trendsetting. This mimics the fire of a real opal stone. It involves layering sheer milky gels with iridescent flakes and mylar paper to create a stone-like depth that flashes pink, blue, and green.
Apply a milky white base. Press iridescent mylar flakes into the tacky layer. Apply a coat of sheer pink or milky gel over the flakes to “bury” them deep inside. Finish with gloss.
Maintenance: This is a sturdy manicure. The depth hides scratches well. Just keep the top coat glossy to allow the light to penetrate the layers and hit the flakes.
