What are barcode nails? Trend guide, styles & inspiration
By Jess Watts | 31 January 2026 | Feature, Nail Art, News, Trends
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 – but what exactly are they, and how are they created?
Originating in South Korea, barcode nails utilise the same magnetic effect as cat eye and velvet designs, but rather than dispersing the particles with a magnet, or manipulating them to form a vertical line of reflection down the centre of the nail, this trend calls for a horizontal line of light.
Inspired by the LED light of a barcode scanner, the nail design features one (or multiple) lines of light that shift up and down with the movement of the fingers.
To achieve the look, apply a magnetic nail colour. Then, holding a magnet tool horizontally, guid the magnetic particles into a thin line across the nail. If you are using a gel product, cure the design in place before adding additional lines.
There are various iterations of the trend, and barcode nails can be customised according to the preferred colour palette and style of the wearer.
Scan our gallery of barcode nail art for inspo:
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