5 ways to wear Pantone’s Color of the Year 2026 on nails

Global colour authority, Pantone, has revealed its hotly anticipated Color of the Year for 2026, and it might surprise you…

Cloud Dancer is set to be 2026’s star shade, with Pantone describing it as a ‘lofty white whose aerated presence acts as a whisper of calm and peace in a noisy world’.

Click here to find out more about Cloud Dancer, and why it has been chosen for the prestigious Color of the Year title.

The organisation comments: “[Cloud Dancer’s] versatility provides scaffolding for the colour spectrum, allowing all colours to shine. This is a shade that can adapt, harmonise and create contrast, bringing a feeling of airy lightness.”

Here are 5 ways to style the hue on nails…

1. Milky mani

With 444,900 Google searches between October 2024 to September 2025, this season’s top trend – milky nails – offers a fresh twist on the classic ‘clean girl’ manicure. Soft white hues blend into a creamy finish, making the look an ideal way to showcase the 2026 Color of the Year.

Take a look at our roundup of milky white nail inspo here.

2. Polka dot perfection

Dotty digits burst onto the nail scene in 2025 and are poised to stay strong in 2026. White spots can be layered over virtually any base colour, making this playful pattern the ultimate customisable neutral.

Check out Scratch‘s polka dot nail art gallery here.

3. French tip talons

A defining classic, the French manicure remains a timeless staple – most recognisable for its crisp white tips. Cloud Dancer slots seamlessly into this iconic style.

Take a look at The GelBottle Inc educator, Ewa Krzos’ top tips for perfecting the French manicure here.

4. Pearlescent polish

Glazed donut nails rose to fame thanks to Hailey Bieber’s nail artist, Zola Ganzorigt, who helped popularise the shimmering, high-gloss look. Layering chrome over a white base instead of pinky nude creates a pearlescent finish – still true to the trend, but with a fresh, ethereal twist.

Click here for a gallery of glazed donut nails.

5. Monochromatic mani

Two-toned neutral nails never lose their appeal; they are a dependable classic that works across every season. Pairing Pantone’s Color of the Year with deep black creates a striking, high-contrast look that feels both modern and timeless.

Check out our roundup of monochrome manicures here.