The Secret to Making Any Manicure Look More Expensive? A Halo Effect
This trending nail art design strikes the perfect balance between polished and playful.
Manicure trends are in endless supply this season—and we’re not complaining. First came glossy coral shades, followed by pearl finishes and every imaginable variation of blue. Now, the spotlight is shifting to elevated nail art.
If you’re a manicure minimalist, there’s no need to worry. Today’s nail art trends are taking traditionally intricate designs and bold finishes in a softer, more refined direction. The result feels equal parts polished and playful, with just enough personality to make a statement. Halo nails—a look first popularized by Dua Lipa last year—are the perfect example. And for summer 2026, they’re making a major comeback.
What are halo nails?
According to Daisy Kalnina, founder of The GelBottle Inc, you can think of ‘halo nails’ as the lovechild of a French manicure and a half-moon or reverse French. “There’s a curved arc of color following the cuticle at the base, mirrored by a matching tip at the free edge, with a contrasting centwe in between." This creates a neat oval frame of color around the nail; the result is a subtle ‘halo’ effect.
Why are they trending for summer?
Kalnina notes that the halo technique has been a favorite within the nail industry for a while, but it was Dua Lipa’s influence that pushed it back into the spotlight. “It’s the sweet spot between minimalist and maximalist,” she adds. “It’s more considered than a block color and more playful than simple French tips, but also less chaotic than full-on nail art.”
Visually, the contrast between a cool, sheer centre and a vivid halo helps to naturally elongate the fingers and flatter all skin tones, says Kalnina, as it catches the light in the way that sun-kissed skin does.
And when holidays and hectic summer schedules make a case for low-maintenance manicures that stretch time between nail appointments, halo nails are even more appealing. By concentrating color around the outer edges and cuffs of the nails, growth looks almost invisible.
What are some elegant ways to wear them?
According to Kalnina, some of the chicest ways to try halo nails this summer include coral halos around sheer nude centers, as well as cobalt and soft sky-blue combinations. Other standout options include lavender and lemon-yellow hues, or a pearlescent, glazed halo layered over a milky base for a look that’s understated yet luminous.
“Summer is all about light and contrast, and halo nails deliver both,” says Kalnina. “For a next-level finish, opt for the trending cat-eye halo. The magnetic pigment shifts and catches the light from every angle, making the halo effect appear almost illuminated.”
Featuring all of the above—and more—keep scrolling for nine of the chicest halo nail ideas to save for your next salon appointment.
Pink aura
Glossy pink nails rarely fail to flatter. For proof? See exhibit A: this diffused hot pink aura gradient, topped with an ultra high-shine top coat.
Chrome accents
If you'd prefer to keep things simpler still, micro chrome accents might be for you. Skimming only the outer edges of the nail, from tip to cuff, this reflective silver design is as wearable as it is edgy.
Blue mood
When an airbrushed halo effect meets a mesmerising sky blue blend, the result is bound to attract compliments, wherever you go.
Futuristic gradients
Do mismatched nails get cooler than this? Seems unlikely. Something about this collage of sunset orange, navy blue and milky off-whites feels like next-level nail inspiration sent back from the future.
Gems on gems
Have we mentioned that halo nails have range? If airbrushed and aura effects aren't to your taste, gems might just be. Take inspiration from these tiny silver pearls.
Cat-eye chrome
'Sophisticated' doesn't have to mean 'simple'! Opt for a magnetic cat-eye finish for dimension, with a statement-making chrome trim.
Blue on brown
If blue and brown color combos are dominating homeware, the same can be said for manicures. Keep things refined by pairing it with simple, softly rounded shapes.
Pretty pearl
Beach-inspired sets are only too fitting for summer, so I'm bookmarking this gorgeous mix of striking gold chrome and an iridescent cream centre.
Gothic green
Green for summer, but not as you know it. Vampy, gothic-inspired colors which are usually reserved for colder months feel chic and elegant in a grown-up way, as seen here.
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.
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