Cloud Dancer Nails are among the best nail trends of 2026 Soft and creamy, they’re the manicure idea to focus on for an elegant look right at your fingertips

From fashion to make-up, Cloud Dancer, Color of the Year according to the Pantone Color Institute, has managed in just a few months to become a true statement shade. Inspired by a soft cloud dancing across the vastness of the sky, this creamy, enveloping color is set to become a leading player in the nail trends that will define 2026, thanks to Cloud Dancer Nails: an elegant nail look to show off on any occasion.

Nail trends 2026: what are Cloud Dancer Nails

Perfect to pair with angelic make-up or a voluminous, romantic blowout like Sabrina Carpenter’s, Cloud Dancer Nails prove to be a winning idea if you’re looking for a sophisticated and demure manicure for a special occasion or everyday wear. On any nail shape or length, this look can be customized to suit individual needs, allowing everyone to show off a distinctive, personal result. What all the Cloud Dancer–inspired looks seen on social media and flaunted by it-girls have in common is white nail polish, applied to the nail plate in full-color, milky, or pearlescent versions to dress nails in an inherent sense of chicness. If you want to experiment with this nail trend using a DIY approach, all you need to do is carefully follow a few simple tips.

How to do a Cloud Dancer Nails–style manicure

The desire to have an on-trend nail look is understandable, but nail care remains a fundamental step in making your manicure truly stand out. From gentle exfoliation to careful (and delicate) cuticle removal, dedicate a few minutes to this essential ritual for hand health. Only once you’ve achieved an impeccable base to work on can you file your nails into the desired shape, whether more square or rounded. Once that’s done, simply apply two coats of milky white or pearlescent polish to achieve a vivid, intense color. As a final step, especially during these colder months, remember to apply a rich, fragrant hand cream to protect both nails and skin from any potential temperature changes.