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Glamour UK’s winter 2026–27 nail report identifies seven styles to watch, from magnetic velvet and deep reds to animal prints, chrome, glitter, jelly finishes and nearly bare nails. These are trend forecasts from manicurists and the publication, not guarantees about what will dominate salons or consumer choices.
Glamour UK has outlined seven manicure styles it expects to feature during winter 2026–27, including magnetic velvet effects, rich dark shades, animal prints, chrome finishes, delicate glitter, sheer jelly colours and clean-looking January nails. The forecast draws on comments from nail artists, but it is a style outlook rather than evidence that the looks will become the season’s most widely chosen trends.
The report’s list spans both familiar cold-weather colours and more experimental finishes. Celebrity nail artist Michelle Humphrey says deep shades such as oxblood, burgundy, black cherry, chocolate brown and aubergine remain seasonal options. She also points to magnetic cat-eye polish, which uses a magnet to shape a reflective line in the polish and create a dimensional effect associated with velvet.
For patterned manicures, the report highlights animal-print designs, including Bambi-inspired and Dalmatian patterns alongside established choices such as tortoiseshell and leopard. Humphrey recommends mixing prints for a more varied design. The report also identifies glass-like chrome as a continuing option, especially layered over dark colours or magnetic polish. Manchester-based nail artist Courtney-Lea Shaw describes one version as a “cat eye x chrome sandwich,” combining clear chrome with magnetic cat-eye gel.
The remaining ideas cover different levels of shine and colour. Nail artist Iram Shelton recommends glitter for festive looks, while Humphrey says a glitter French tip can be an alternative to covering every nail. She also describes winter jelly nails as a current style: a sheer finish made by mixing a small amount of coloured polish into a clear base. For January, the report anticipates a move toward nearly bare or “soap” nails after the darker shades and seasonal sparkle.
From Festive Shine to January Simplicity
The seven suggestions give readers a range of ways to adapt a manicure across the winter calendar, rather than prescribing one look. Dark colours and sparkle suit the report’s festive-season focus, while sheer jelly shades and nearly bare nails offer lower-contrast alternatives. The same palette can also be adjusted by changing the finish: a dark shade might be worn on its own, under chrome or in a translucent jelly treatment.
The practical value is in the mix of salon techniques and simpler at-home options. Magnetic polish, chrome layering and detailed prints may take specialised products or application, while a sheer jelly effect can be approached by diluting colour with a clear base, according to Humphrey. The report does not compare cost, durability or ease across these choices, so readers should treat the ideas as inspiration rather than a tested buying guide.
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Artists’ Forecast for Winter Manicures
Glamour UK frames the forecast around the range of occasions that fall during winter, from colder weekends and holiday gatherings to the start of the new year. The publication says it sought input from professional manicurists, including Humphrey, Shelton and Shaw. Their comments support the article’s descriptions of techniques and preferred looks; they do not establish how popular each design is across salons or among consumers.
Some suggestions build on styles the report describes as already familiar: deep reds and glitter return as cold-weather choices, and chrome remains part of the manicure conversation. Others involve changing the finish or print, such as combining magnetic polish with chrome or moving beyond conventional animal patterns. The article also points to celebrity influence, crediting Hailey Bieber with some of the ongoing attention to jelly nails, but does not provide data measuring that influence.
Popularity and Staying Power Are Unknown
The report presents professional opinions and trend predictions, not a survey of nail consumers or sales data confirming that all seven looks will dominate winter. It does not specify how the styles rank against one another, how long each may remain popular, or how widely salons will offer them. A reported rise in Pinterest searches for “burgundy chrome nails” is not accompanied here by a search period or comparison baseline, so its scale and timing cannot be independently assessed from the supplied material.
Availability and results can also vary by polish, technique and salon. The article does not provide evidence on wear time, product costs, or whether the suggested designs suit particular nail lengths. Its January forecast of a shift toward nearly bare nails is an expectation, not a confirmed change in consumer behaviour.
Winter Manicures Move Into January
The report’s seasonal outlook points to a progression from richer colours and reflective finishes during the colder and festive months toward simpler-looking manicures in January. Readers can expect the suggested designs to be presented as options throughout the season, but the source material gives no schedule for new data or a follow-up ranking. Whether these looks gain wider traction will become clearer through salon offerings, consumer choices and later trend coverage.
Key Questions
What are the seven winter nail ideas?
The report lists velvet or magnetic cat-eye nails, moody tones, animal prints, glass and chrome finishes, delicate sparkle, winter jelly nails, and fresh-start nails such as nearly bare or soap-style manicures.
What are velvet nails?
In this report, velvet nails use magnetic cat-eye polish. A magnet shapes the reflective particles in the polish, creating a dimensional line or shifting effect on the nail.
How does the report suggest making winter jelly nails?
Humphrey suggests mixing a drop or two of coloured polish into a clear base to create a more translucent finish. The result depends on the products and proportions used.
Are these trends confirmed to dominate the season?
No. They are predictions in a Glamour UK trend report, based on comments from nail artists. The source does not provide broad consumer or salon data confirming how popular each look will be.
Source: glamourmagazine.co.uk
