Art & Technique
50 September nail ideas to get you in the cosy season spirit
According to the meteorological calendar, 1 September marks the beginning of autumn. For nail lovers, that can only mean one thing: it’s time to start browsing cosy season nail inspo. As the nights draw in and the air turns crisper, nail trends naturally shift towards deeper, richer hues. From earth-toned colour palettes to classic seasonal…
Read MoreSpot-on cosy season styling: 99 autumnal polka dot nail designs
Check out entries to the 2 September 2026 nail art challenge from Scratch, in which techs were tasked with creating a design to fit the theme: Autumn Polka Dots. 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.
Read MoreBedazzled nails: 40 ways to style the sparkly nail art trend
Glitzy, glamorous and endlessly customisable: bedazzled nails have it all. Here’s why they have firmly re-entered the trendsphere, and how they can be styled to suit anyone… Beauty trends rarely disappear for good: it’s called a trend cycle for a reason. The latest craze enjoying a 2026 resurgence speaks to our enduring love of all…
Read MoreLavender milk manicure: the unexpected nail colour trend for autumn/winter 2026
Autumn is approaching, which means a shift towards burgundy and brown nail shades. But before you dive into the deep tones of the cooler seasons, you might want to take a detour to the lighter end of the nail colour spectrum… Lavender milk nails are set to be autumn/winter 2026’s newest ‘neutral’, according to trend…
Read More33 dog nail art ideas to inspire pawsome manicures
Calling all dog lovers, we’ve rounded up fetch-tastic nail designs inspired by man’s best friend. Take inspiration from canine-themed claws created by nail pros below…
Read MoreDolly Parton nail designs: industry pays tribute to ‘Queen of Country’ through art
Dolly Parton, a much-loved country music singer-songwriter, philanthropist, actress and author, died in Nashville, Tennessee on 25 August 2026, aged 80. Known for hit songs including 9 to 5 and Jolene, Dolly received various accolades during her career, including 11 Grammy Awards, three Emmy Awards and the Jean Herhsolt Humanitarian Award. She described her style to…
Read More14 nail products to help you achieve the viral milky manicure trend
As the seasons change, so do beauty trends. Popular nail shades shift from bright corals and beachside blues to deeper, earth-toned hues. But one style that remains steadfast no matter the time of year is milky nails… Reported to be one of the fastest-growing manicure trends, searches for ‘milky nails’ have reached 89,000 per month,…
Read More60 festival nail designs for fiesta-ready fingertips
Festival season is here! Aside from locating blister plasters and face glitter, an important pre-festival step is to give nails some party-pampering… From flashy and funky to subtle and sleek, here is a selection of nail styles to suit every festival fanatic…
Read More69 neon nail art designs: contest entries & winner
The winner of the Scratch Snap nail art contest for August is Samantha Victoria Lund of Love Urban Nail Design in Ripon, North Yorkshire. In a showcase of talent, UK & Ireland nail techs created salon-style nail designs inspired by theme, Neon Nail Art, in the bid to win a The Manicure Company prize. Entries were judged by Kelly-Marie Daly, head of…
Read More30 Virgo-inspired nail designs to celebrate the star sign
It’s Virgo season! For those whose birthdays fall between 23 August and 22 September, it’s time to browse fresh nail inspo inspired by all things Virgo… Virgos are known for their practical and analytical thinking, reliable nature and dedicated character. However, they tend to be creatures of habit – so why not push the boundaries…
Read More22 coastal-core nail designs to channel Outer Banks
As we approach the end of summer, is anyone else dreaming of barefoot beach walks and endless sun-soaked days on a rural island? Thankfully, Netflix is giving us one last taste of that sun-drenched summer feeling with the release of the final season of teen drama, Outer Banks – and it’s the perfect inspiration for…
Read MoreShoot for the stars with 92 celestial-inspired nail designs
Check out entries to the 19 August 2026 nail art challenge from Scratch, in which techs were tasked with creating a design to fit the theme: Celestial Claws. 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.
Read More30 nail designs to wear to Ariana Grande’s The Eternal Sunshine Tour
UK-based Ariana Grande fans are having the time of their lives as the pop star brings her residency to the O2 Academy from 15 August to 1 September 2026. The tickets are secured, the outfits are planned, and now there’s just one all-important decision left: which nails to wear? From the singer’s iconic bunny-ear aesthetic…
Read MoreWhimsy nail art: find magic in the mundane with 40 fairycore nail styles
If you’ve ever found yourself admiring the golden hour glow of a petrol station, or treated a trip to the supermarket like the opening scene of a rom-com, congratulations: you’ve experienced whimsy. Now it’s time to translate that everyday romanticism onto nails… One of the biggest buzzwords in 2026 is ‘whimsy’ – a lifestyle and…
Read MoreWhat are nuance nails & why are they trending?
As a desire for escapism sweeps social media, nails are following suit. The latest trend, nuance nails, involves layering different textures and finishes to create a whimsical wonderland on fingertips. Originating in Japan and Korea before making its way West, nuance nails combine cat eye, chrome and jelly finishes to create a dimensional, almost dreamlike…
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