There was a time, not too long ago, when I—along with many Gen Zs with a millennial rising—snubbed the humble manicure for trending aesthetics. We waved goodbye to the swipes of color and bid farewell to French tips, and in their place came chrome and aura nails. Not to mention the great produce renaissance (read: watermelon and tomato nails). Collectively, we are one cucumber mani away from transforming into a walking salad.
But for summer 2026, the masses seem to also be loving a classic manicure, with a look recently dubbed “petal nails.”
The latest celebrities to fall under the spell of petal nails? Just our faves like Victoria Beckham, Dua Lipa, and Selena Gomez. Check out the pics below to admire them in all their glossy glory:
What are petal nails?
Petal nails live somewhere between blush pink, creamy nude, and your natural nail. As Kimberly Medina, senior artist at Paintbox NYC, explains: “Petal nails are a soft, floral-inspired trend that captures the delicate beauty of flower petals. Think watercolor-like blooms, soft washes of color, and, if you’re feeling fancy, subtle, romantic nail art that feels fresh and effortless.”
She adds that the appeal lies in the trend’s understated nature: “Petal nails offer a way to embrace nail art without feeling too bold. It’s meant to stay minimalistic, not as intricate as an actual flower—capturing the softness and likeness of a petal rather than intense details.”
So, in other words, they don’t overshadow your jewelry, your outfit, or your summer tan. Rather, they complement it!
How to recreate petal nails
As I’m sure you’ve gathered, this isn’t a manicure that relies on intricate nail art or over-the-top extensions. Instead, you're going to work with your natural length and ask your nail tech for a sheer wash of pink with a glassy, high-shine finish. Shape-wise, opt for a squoval, oval, or almond—all of which feel suitably petal-esque.
For those recreating the look at home, Medina recommends starting “with a sheer, milky base in shades like blush pink, nude, lavender, peach, or soft blue.” She continues: “Then, use a fine detail brush to layer delicate petal shapes or blend colors for a watercolor effect. For a more dimensional nail, add a glazed topcoat or subtle 3D accents. And finally, it’s important to keep nails healthy with regular cuticle oil.”
Tomato reds may be for summer’s extroverts, but petal nails are the ideal option for those tapping into understated chic. There’s a nail option for all!
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
