Fiery Orange Is the Winter Nail Trend We Didn’t See Coming
This year kicked off with an unlikely nail color trend: a zingy, red-tinged orange. We know, we know—it’s winter, not summer. Brittney Boyce, a Los Angeles-based nail artist, admits that wearing orange can feel “a little bit random” right now. But it is, in its own way, a nod to the time of year: The Chinese zodiac says 2026 is the “Year of the Fire Horse,” which symbolizes passion and taking action. That could look like finally posting that sultry photo on Instagram, starting a blog dedicated to your hottest takes, or, yes, getting a blazing orange manicure.
Kylie Jenner—one of the patron saints of nail-color trends—wore the hue twice in the last month. In December, while everyone was getting candy-cane red nails and champagne manicures for the holidays, she stepped out with neon nails that perfectly matched her Marty Supreme-orange ensemble. She then opted for a copper manicure, shimmering just as much as her gown, for the Palm Springs International Film Awards on January 3.
The move wasn’t totally unexpected: The Fall/Winter 2025-2026 runways were early indicators that bright orange would be popular in the months ahead. The Saint Laurent and Dries Van Noten collections featured oversized knits and boxy, ’80s-inspired outerwear in the color. Nail experts we spoke to late last year also predicted that fiery hues would be big in 2026. Sarah Chue, a Los Angeles-based nail artist, previously told Allure that a dash of orange in your typical red manicure “is a statement.”
Boyce expects to see this shade paired with high-shine effects, like chrome and cat eye. If you don’t want to fuss with chrome powder or a magnetic wand, though, reach for a gold glitter-flecked polish like Holo Taco Nail Polish in Disco Inferno or ILNP Boutique Nail Polish in Pumpkin Patch. (Both are under $20.)
If you’re looking to skip the shimmer completely, we’re partial to Manucurist’s Green Natural Nail Polish in Coral Reef, a creamy, true blood orange. Aprés Nail Gel Couleur in Prawn Queen is a longer-lasting option. The bright rust polish has red undertones and hits this trend on the nose.
Give your navy blue and cherry-cola red a rest in favor of fiery orange nails and try to tell us that it doesn’t spice up your life.
Shop Fire Horse Orange Nail Polishes
Manucurist
Green Natural Nail Polish in the Coral Reef
ILNP
Boutique Nail Polish in Pumpkin Patch
Aprés
Gel Couleur In Prawn Queen
Read our 2026 trend reports:
- 6 Nail Polish Colors That’ll Be Everywhere in 2026
- The Biggest Nail Trends of 2026 Upgrade the Classics
- The Biggest Hair Trends of 2026 Bring the Drama
- Makeup Is Getting a Colorful Vibe Shift in 2026
- The Tattoo Trends of 2026 Will Have You Feeling Nostalgic
Now, watch Selena Gomez answer calls from her fans:
Source URL: https://www.allure.com/story/orange-nails-trend-2026