Nail Trends 2027: The Colours, Shapes and Designs to Know

The nail trends for 2027 build on what we've seen over the past year: healthy-looking nails, neat shapes and colours you can wear every day. What changes is the detail, as shades get richer, finishes softer and nail art smaller and more precise.

Below are the 2027 nail colours we expect to see most, along with the shapes, finishes and nail art to know, and how to wear them.

Nail colours for 2027

Milky white

Pantone chose Cloud Dancer, a soft white, as its colour of the year for 2026, and milky white nails look set to stay popular throughout 2027. The shade is a sheer, creamy white that leaves nails looking clean and healthy. B003 Milky White is a builder gel, so it adds the colour and strengthens the nail in one step.

Chocolate brown

Brown has become a year-round neutral, and for 2027 the deeper shades are the ones to wear: dark chocolate and espresso, worn glossy on short nails. 009 Cocoa is a rich dark brown, and our brown nail ideas show more shades to try.

Wine red and burgundy

Red is getting darker, moving from cherry towards burgundy and wine. These deep reds come into their own in autumn and winter, and look just as good on short, square nails as on long almonds. B014 Amarante is a deep burgundy builder gel, and our burgundy nail ideas show how to wear it.

Sage and olive green

Earthy greens should carry on into 2027. Muted sage and olive work almost like neutrals and look particularly good with gold jewellery. 188 Sage is a deep grey-green, closer to sage than to olive.

Soft pastels

For spring, expect powdery pastels, from lilac to the palest pink. 022 Lilac, a soft lavender, is a good place to start.

Soft metallics

Metallic nails are becoming more subtle. Instead of a full chrome manicure, try a single metallic accent nail or a fine silver line. B028 Éclat Céleste, a builder gel in a delicate silver, works well for an accent nail.

Nail shapes for 2027

Short and medium lengths are likely to remain the most popular, filed into natural shapes that are easy to live with. The soft almond is still a favourite because it makes fingers look longer, while the squoval, a square with rounded corners, is a practical choice for busy hands. Very short, round nails also look modern, especially in a dark, glossy shade.

Long nails haven't disappeared, but a long almond now looks more current than a sharp stiletto. Our nail shapes guide can help you choose the right shape for your hands.

Nail finishes and nail art for 2027

Velvet cat eye

The velvet cat eye is a gentler version of the classic magnetic manicure. Instead of holding the magnet still to create one sharp line of light, you move it across the whole nail for a diffused glow. For this effect we like 005 Dark Aurora, a cat eye gel polish with a deep chocolate shimmer that also ties in with the brown trend. Our cat eye nails guide explains the technique.

High-shine finish

Whatever the colour, a glassy, high-shine finish makes a manicure look fresh and well cared for. Diamond Top Coat gives that mirror-like shine.

Micro French

The French manicure keeps getting finer, with very thin tips in white, nude or a contrasting colour. Our modern French manicure ideas show different ways to wear it.

Minimal nail art

Nail art is pared back to a single detail: a tiny dot, a fine line along the cuticle or one accent nail. Tortoiseshell on one or two nails is another low-key option, and it goes well with chocolate brown.

Healthy nails come first

Behind all these trends is the same idea: strong, natural-looking nails. Applied as a thin overlay, builder gel strengthens your own nail without adding length, while a Russian manicure lets the colour go right up to the cuticle for a crisp, clean finish. Our builder gel guide and our Russian manicure guide explain both techniques.

Frequently asked questions

What are the nail trends for 2027?

The main nail trends for 2027 are healthy, glossy nails in milky white, chocolate brown, wine red and sage green, along with the velvet cat eye, the micro French and minimal nail art.

What nail colours will be popular in 2027?

Milky white, chocolate brown and muted greens are the colours we expect to see most, with wine reds for autumn and winter and soft pastels for spring.

Which nail shape is in style for 2027?

We expect soft almond and squoval to be the most popular shapes, along with very short, round nails for a minimal look. Almond makes fingers look longer, while squoval is the more practical choice if you use your hands a lot.

Are short nails in style in 2027?

Yes. Short, neat nails with a glossy finish are one of the key looks of the year, especially in deep shades.

Is nail art still in fashion?

It is, in a more minimal form: one small, precise detail rather than a design on every nail.

You'll find all the shades mentioned here in our gel polish, builder gel and cat eye collections.