Deer Print Nails Are the Cozy Manicure Taking Over This Winter

Sure, it may be the year of the fire horse, but there’s another animal in the spotlight for 2026: the deer—more specifically, the fawn. The cutesy, docile creature that’s associated with Disney princesses and scenic woodland whimsy is inspiring the latest nail art trend. Deer print nails have been popping up all over our feeds in the past few weeks—and though the playful print isn’t one you often see in the nail space, deer-inspired manicures are as cute as they sound.

The quirky print features a streaky base of brown tones topped with splotchy white dots that resemble the soft, spotted fur of a deer. Elizabeth Ridley, a nail artist based in Newcastle, United Kingdom, first saw the print last summer on show-goers at Copenhagen Fashion Week. “I was so excited to recreate it,” says Ridley. “I love how animal print in general is making a big comeback. I’m seeing it a lot in interiors at the moment too.”

Queenie Nguyen, a nail artist in Los Angeles, says she’s also been seeing more animal print details “creeping into fashion lately.” She’s entirely correct: Over the past few months, spots and stripes have made their way from the runways into celebrity closets, including those of Katie Holmes and Sofia Richie Grainge.

Nguyen continues in an Instagram post that “deer print feels like the perfect way to translate that [fashion trend] into nails. It’s soft, unexpected, a little nostalgic, and playful without trying too hard.”

Katie Holmes attends the grand opening of Printemps wearing Deer Print Dress

Ridley says many of her clients are now asking for the look. And Julie Kandalec, a nail artist in New York City, says that beyond the cutesy vibe of the nail design, people love deer print nails because the look “combines three nail trends: shades of brown, polka dots, and animal prints.”

Kandalec is spot-on (no pun intended): According to data from Fresha, a booking platform for beauty and wellness services, polka dot nails are the highest searched manicure. Deer print nails give classic polka dots a more rustic, fanciful feel as the precise dots are replaced with freehand splotches.

While this design looks simple, it requires an artistic hand and quality nail tools. “A gradient and fine-tip brush are key to getting deer print nails right,” says Kandalec. There are different ways to approach creating this design (no two deer have the same spotted coat, after all). Ridley likes to create the base by blending different shades of cream and brown polish with a gradient brush (a thin nail brush with spiky bristles) to create the fur-like look and texture.

You’ll want to take your time layering each shade and blending it all—if this step feels like you’re back in high school art class, you’re doing it right. Ridley recommends using gel polishes for a deer print mani, since the curing step locks each layer in, keeping them from blurring together and becoming a muddled mess.

Once you’re satisfied with your base, both Ridley and Kandalec suggest using a thin, spiky brush to create teeny tiny dots all over each nail. The spacing is meant to be sporadic and natural-looking, so don’t obsess too much over the placement or shape of the dots. “I think this is what makes this print more interesting and textured,” says Ridley. You can opt for dainty deer specs or larger spots, but dots of varying sizes look most realistic.

So if you’re in the mood for a nail set that blends trends, looks luxe, and feels different than what you’re used to, opt for a deer print mani at your next appointment. To get started on inspo, scroll ahead for all the deer print nails we’re putting on our Pinterest boards.