50 mood-boosting manicures: nail art that will make you smile

Everyone needs a bit of sunshine – so if the weather isn’t complying, why not add it to nails instead? These feel-good fingertips are sure to bring a smile to your face! From bright yellow hues – a colour strongly linked to happiness and positivity, to playful patterns and cute characters, these nails are pure…

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5 nail art trends set to dominate spring 2026

This spring/summer, nail trends are encapsulating a variety of preferences. From delicate, fine line artwork and subtle shades to bold, maximalist manicures, the season truly celebrates diversity in expression. Let’s take a look at this year’s five signature spring nail styles… 1. Blooming botanicals Floral and foliage-themed fingertips are firm favourites during the warmer months.…

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19 designs to make your Lunar New Year nails the ‘mane’ event

Chinese New Year 2026 nail art lead image courtesy of Instagram.com/emilygossipnails

Lunar New Year begins on 17 February 2026, with the festivities characterised by firework displays, cultural traditions and communal gatherings, culminating in the annual Lantern Festival. Each year is associated with one of the 12 zodiac animals, with 2026 ushering in the Year of the Horse, or more specifically, the Fire Horse. This sign brings…

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Nail artist shares intricate Lunar New Year nail design details

Nevoienna Ariana Chinese New Year nail art lead image

Philadelphia-based nail technician, Ariana Nevoienna, has over seven years’ experience in the nail industry, having trained in her home country of Ukraine before moving to the US three years ago. “I studied at an art school from a young age, which strongly influenced my creative vision,” the nail artist says. “Because of this background, my…

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60 trending nail art ideas for February

February may be the shortest month of the year, but it delivers no shortage of nail inspiration. From romantic reds and soft pinks to winter neutrals and playful accents, browse our roundup of designs to nail February in style…

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Tie the knot in style with 10 stunning wedding nail designs

Image courtesy of Instagram.com/peachinails

Everyone wants to feel their best on their wedding day, but we know that planning wedding looks can be overwhelming. So, Scratch has put together a list of marital manicures to help you nail your nuptials! Browse inspo below to find a style that suits you… 1. Clean girl classic It’s no secret that a…

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94 Valentine’s Day cat eye nail ideas: heart designs, French manicures & more

Check out entries to the 4 February 2026 nail art challenge from Scratch, in which techs were tasked with creating a design to fit the theme: Valentine’s Cat Eye. Each nail style was submitted via Instagram or Facebook using #ShowScratch #CreativeChallenge. Follow Scratch on Instagram and Facebook for future Creative Challenges – launching every other Wednesday.

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22 customisable Valentine’s nail art ideas for a personal touch

Everyone loves a thoughtful handwritten note or personalised message. Translate this onto nails with swoon-worthy styles and tailored talons, because what could be cuter than personalised Valentine’s Day nail art? Halo VIP & content creator, Michaela Phillips, predicts that popular Valentine’s nail art in 2026 will include ‘personalised initial details for loved ones, adding a…

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What are barcode nails? Trend guide, styles & inspiration

Nail trends come and go in the blink of an eye. From glazed donut finishes to polka dots, tartan prints and cat eye designs, there’s always a new look taking over our feeds. Now, a fresh twist on the magnetic effect behind cat eye nails is making waves on social media. Enter barcode nails –…

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10 times Megan Fox’s nail looks stole the spotlight

Alongside her acting career, Megan Fox is also known for her styling, in particular an array of stunning nail looks courtesy of her go-to tech, Brittney Boyce (@nails_of_la). Let’s take a look at some of her standout nail designs… Brittney Boyce has treated Fox to an array of jewel-encrusted talons, with metallic features taking centre…

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18 silly goose nail designs guaranteed to make you smile

Silly goose – arguably one of the best terms in the English language – is lovingly reserved for someone behaving in a comedically foolish and delightfully unserious way. In honour of all the silly geese among us, we’ve rounded up 20 goose-tastic nail styles that perfectly capture that unapologetically absurd energy…

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78 winter nail designs: nail art contest entries & winner

The winner of the Scratch Snap nail art contest for January is Bristol nail pro, Kellie Sanfiz-Gould. In a showcase of talent, UK&I techs created salon-style nail designs inspired by theme, Frosted Fingertips, in the bid to win an Artistic Nail Design prize. Entries were judged by Victoria Trafford, Artistic educator & brand manager at Sweet Squared, and Scratch editor, Rebecca Hitchon. Victoria comments: “The nail…

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The 2016 nail trends making a 2026 comeback

Social media has fallen head over heels into a time warp. Users are embracing 2016-core, from shoelace chokers to Snapchat filters… but what are the 2016 nail trends that are making a comeback a decade later? The March 2016 edition of Scratch shone a spotlight on trending nail styles, and we are shocked by how…

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What are power clash nails & why are chaotic manicures trending?

The latest iteration of the mix ‘n’ match manicure, power clash nails are an anti-minimalist’s dream. But what are they, and how are they styled? What are power clash nails? Characterised by mismatched patterns and colour palettes, power clash nails thrive on intentional chaos. Each nail becomes a kaleidoscope of bold hues, graphic prints, abstract…

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