At the 98th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, celebrities showed up with nails that were just as attention-grabbing as a perfectly executed red lip or Old Hollywood hairstyle. Some stars went all out with statement manicures to match their black-tie ensembles.
A dark gel base creates depth, layered with a silver cat-eye polish that's magnetized so the shimmer pools toward the center like a glowing orb. On top, an iridescent chrome powder creates that signature color shift. Of course, none of these techniques are new - chrome powders and cat-eye gels have both been trending on their own recently - but paired together, they deliver a nail design that feels surprisingly fresh.
Caring for our fingernails and toenails is often an afterthought, says professional nail technician Titilayo Bankole. Many of us don't think of maintaining our nails the way we do our teeth and hair. But they deserve more attention (and not just in the form of fun nail art), she says. Our nails are essential to our daily lives. "If you lose a nail, try picking up a coin off the floor. Try buttoning your shirt. It's almost impossible to do,"
It feels like an episode of The Jetsons come to life, but the truth is that the AI boom has officially entered the physical world. Most of us interact with artificial intelligence through screens- Gemini drafts our emails, ChatGPT summarizes our docs-but behind the scenes, engineers are racing to give AI hands and feet. Robots already pack boxes in warehouses and make guacamole in fast-food kitchens. Soon, they will be washing dishes, taking care of pets, and performing your manicure.
Though it's merely a line, a stripe instantly takes a plain manicure into something more playful and experimental. On TikTok, a search for "striped nails" brings up thousands of colorful results, proving that even a simple design makes a big impact. Whether due to their graphic appeal or ability to make your fingertips pop without feeling overdone, the trend has won the hearts of countless nail art aficionados. Creator @sofia_linaresss showed off a set of horizontal lines and joked that she had a " bad case of the stripes," while @madysenclarke revealed a chic set of line-adorned French tips that sparked a flood of compliments in her comments section.
After a long, depressing winter full of muted manicures, it's hard not to think there's a direct correlation between nail color and mood. Spring 2026's trending nail polish colors aren't just shifting toward traditional pastels, though. Bright pops of color are being "beautifully balanced by soft, sheer finishes that allow a bit of the natural nail to peek through," says nail artist Olga Shtanhey. "It's about lightness and dimension more than opacity." In other words: color that feels airy, not lacquered.
Whether you're following the decade's revival or not, its emblematic knitwear is coming for your nails. On TikTok, "mohair sweater nails" are going viral, with creators showing off striped tips with expertly blurred lines that evoke that amazing '90s-era thrift store find that all your friends are jealous of. These fuzzy sweater-inspired designs feature a fabric-like texture that brings the cozy vibes to your fingertips, making them perfect for your winter nail art game.
The 2026 Grammys red carpet was a sight to behold. Musicians stepped out in dazzling sequined gowns, naked dresses, custom suits, and cut-out designs, with each 'fit more jaw-dropping than the next. Stars' beauty looks were just as fun - everything from mermaid waves to vampy glam, intricate updos, and 2016-era makeup was on full display, proving the "clean girl" aesthetic has officially been kicked to the dust.