When summer manicures roll back around, you know the drill: vibrant corals, beachy blues, maybe a butter yellow French tip, if you’re feeling fancy. It’s the only season that gives you full license to experiment with bright, joyful hues and whimsical holiday-inspired nail art. As a maximalist? I'm in my element.
So, imagine my surprise when 2026 (and a whole host of A-listers) brought us the summer of pure manicure minimalism. Victoria Beckham’s delicate rose water nails, JLo’s sheer ‘champagne silk’ mani and Tess Daly’s coveted ‘ballet blush’ colour are just a few of the natural, barely-there nail trends to emerge in the past few weeks.
But just when we thought glossy, understated manicures had surely reached their peak, trust Tess to put an elegant twist on her summer signature. On Instagram this week, our eagle eyes spotted that the presenter’s favourite – an ultra-glossy, blushed, ballet slipper-inspired baby pink – was given a fresh, nude update, creating what might just be the one ‘quiet luxury’ shade to convert me...
Tess’s new manicure keeps the same sophisticated oval shapes with a high-shine finish, but incorporates a subtle tint of pale beige to make the trend feel a little less, well, trend-like, and arguably much more timeless. Simple but elevated neutrals which make nails look effortlessly healthy and well-groomed never go out of style. Not to mention, they’re extremely versatile; nude nail colours are famously flattering on any skin tone, occasion and outfit. Read: they play just as nicely with summer dresses as they do with jeans and a jacket – which feels like a godsend, given this week’s unpredictable weather.
Chances are, Tess is thinking practically, too. Although most of us (devastatingly) don’t have a celebrity’s budget to work with when it comes to manis, her new variation of ballet blush is seriously low-maintenance. Since it’s so close to her natural nail colour, she could easily stretch up to six weeks between salon trips without having to worry about visible regrowth.
If you weren’t already sold, nude ballet blush nails are surprisingly easy to DIY:
For nail prep...
Careful, dedicated nail prep is essential – not only to extend the lifespan of the manicure but to create that clean, ‘fresh from the salon’ effect that defines Tess’s look. This means gently filing down the nail plate to achieve an even base and removing the cuticles at the base of the nail.
Tweezerman Glass Nail File
Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover
brushworks Cuticle Pusher
For the nude ballet blush colour...
Apply a base coat of your choice — think pale cool-toned pinks with beige, taupe or cream undertones — but work in sheer, light-handed layers to build up the opacity of the colour to your liking.
essie Nail Polish in Not Just A Pretty Face
Dior Vernis in Gris Dior
To finish...
For that super reflective finish, a quality top coat will do the trick – but applying a cuticle oil and hand cream regularly will make any mani look that much more polished.
essence Top Gloss
Townhouse UV Top Coat Polish
Manucurist Green Oil
Clarins Hand & Nail Treatment Cream
Cheers (again) for the inspo, T!
Beauty Assistant Urmi works across Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar, Red and Prima.
She fell into the world of beauty following a Masters in Magazine Journalism, and has been knee-deep in maximalist makeup, seasonal nail trends, and skincare myth-busting ever since. Both in and outside the office, she is best recognised by her signature red hair and elaborate set of acrylics.
