The Year of the Fiery Horse: manicure design and photos for the New Year – 2026

The coming year 2026 will be held under the auspices of a bright and temperamental symbol — the Red Fiery Horse. This image sets the tone for the entire New Year's season, shifting the focus from ostentatious glamour towards conscious naturalness, but with character. In manicure, this is expressed through the choice of lively, warm colors, complex textures and thoughtful design, where every detail is important. The coming year calls for abandoning excessive "crazy decor" in favor of a style that feels inner strength and energy. All the details on how to create the perfect New Year's look for your nails are in the Izvestia article.

Color palette: fire, earth and nobility

The key palette of the New Year's manicure in 2026 is built around three fundamental principles that reflect the very essence of the symbol of the year. The first and main foundation is the element of fire. It is represented by the entire range of red shades: from classic, confident scarlet to passionate carmine, deep tomato and noble velvety burgundy. These colors embody the very life energy, movement, passion and dynamics, fully responding to the independent temperament of the Fiery Horse. This also includes sunny, invigorating shades of orange and coral, reminiscent of sunset and warmth.

The second pillar is the land and nature. The palette harmoniously combines cozy, stable and very "wearable" shades: terracotta, chocolate, caramel, warm greens, nutty. These colors create a sense of inner comfort, reliability and are an excellent basis for brighter accents. They are especially effective in a matte finish that emphasizes the depth and nobility of tone.

The third trend is complex, "jewelry" shades inspired by precious stones and metals. We are talking about deep emerald, rich plum, wine, ruby, as well as the entire range of warm metallics: gold, champagne, bronze, copper, brass. These colors add to the image of luxury, festive chic and exquisite depth. It is important to note that, according to the Eastern calendar, for harmony with the symbol of the year, it is worth avoiding cold and faceless shades. Cold gray, pure black without accents, icy white or silver metallic in its pure form can conflict with the fiery energy of a Horse. Instead, preference is given to a warm, lively palette, even in nude colors, which are now represented by shades of warm milk, beige-caramel or "hot chocolate".

Trending techniques: radiance, fluidity and texture play

Fashionable manicure in 2026 is not only about color, but also about a refined texture. Techniques that create a play of light, volume, and a sense of "living" coverage come to the fore. The magnetic "cat's eye" remains an absolute hit, perfectly embodying the dynamics. This technique creates a metallic lightning bolt on the nail that moves with every gesture. In the New Year's version, it is especially spectacular in red, wine, chocolate or deep emerald shades, creating the illusion of a frozen but lively flame or a reflection in a precious stone.

One of the main novelties of the season is the liquid chrome technique — the effect of molten, flowing metal. These can be gold or brass "streaks" on a nude base, an accent stripe resembling liquid metal, or a whole fingernail with such a coating in the company of quieter neighbors. The technique looks futuristic, festive and concise at the same time. The rubbing does not lose its relevance, especially in warm tones of bronze, champagne or soft gold. It gives a satin, mirror-like glow and perfectly combines with a jacket or geometry.

For those who prefer a more gentle and mysterious look, the jelly effect is relevant. Translucent, "glass" nails in caramel, honey or berry tones resemble festive sweets and look very modern. The classic French is undergoing a transformation, turning into a "fiery" one. The white line of the smile is replaced with red, orange, gold or bronze. Abstract geometry with smooth, "flowing" lines, visually resembling flames, and soft gradients (ombre) with transitions, for example, from red to gold or from terracotta to caramel, are also in fashion.

Length and shape ideas: practicality and expressiveness

The choice of design directly depends on the length and shape of the nails, which allows you to find the perfect balance between trend and comfort. For short nails, especially in a practical square or soft square shape, concise but effective solutions are ideal. It can be a rich red "cat's eye", a walnut-gold design with a shimmer, a mini jacket with a metal stripe or a plain matte chocolate polish with one accent nail decorated with a rub. These options look neat, stylish, and easier to do on your own.

Medium-length nails, considered the golden mean, open up more space for creativity. Chocolate suede with a velvet matte top and thin gold lines, stylized tartan (a cage on one or two nails), a red-gold mix in the form of a diagonal jacket or a soft gradient, as well as a combination of a matte background with glossy geometric inserts look great here. Fluid abstract patterns are perfectly embodied at this length.

Long nails provide maximum scope for complex trend decisions. The almond, oval or "ballerina" shape perfectly fits deep coatings with iridescences, such as "chocolate glaze" with a pearl glow, translucent caramel jelly nails, bold combinations of red and gold in the ombre technique, as well as bright abstract geometry complemented by metallic strokes or foil. The long shape perfectly emphasizes the smoothness of gradients and flowing lines.

Five ready-made Christmas designs

1. "Fire enamel" (liquid chrome). The base is a deep carmine or bordeaux. Liquid chrome in a shade of gold or bronze is applied to the dried coating, creating abstract, "spreading" lines. The glossy top enhances the effect of molten metal, making the manicure look like a precious lacquer miniature. Ideal for medium and long lengths.

2. "Flashes in coffee" ("cat's eye" + geometry). The base is a rich chocolate or nutty magnetic varnish. After creating a lightning flash on one or two nails, thin lines of liquid gold are added in the form of a smooth abstract geometry. The design is noble, dynamic and corresponds to the microtrend of fluid forms.

3. "Cozy caramel jacket". The nails are covered with warm caramel or terracotta nude. The "smile" line is not made in white, but by rubbing a shade of champagne or bronze, creating a soft glow. This is an elegant, discreet and very fashionable option that looks great on short and medium nails.

4. "Velvet night with gold". All nails are covered with a deep wine or plum color with a matte top. An emphasis is placed on the ring finger and little finger: asymmetrical geometric shapes (triangles, curved lines) are drawn with glossy gold lacquer. The contrast of the mat and gloss creates a play of textures and looks modern and expensive.

5. "Amber honey" (jelly effect with rubbing). Translucent jelly varnish of warm amber or honey shade is applied in 2-3 layers. On another sticky layer, a champagne-colored pigment rub is gently rubbed onto the center of the nail, creating a soft satin glow from the inside. Lightweight, festive and delicate design for any length.

When choosing a New Year's manicure for 2026, you can safely experiment within the framework of a warm range, play with the contrast of matte and glossy, add metallic accents and give preference to smooth, natural lines. The main thing is that the design reflects your personality and gives confidence in the year of the energetic Fiery Horse.

Popular New Year's manicure ideas for the length of nails

Choosing a design according to the length of the nails allows you to find the perfect combination of style and comfort. We have selected key ideas for different options.

For short nails

A short manicure, especially in the form of a square or a soft square, is appreciated for its practicality and relevance. Among the popular solutions is a spectacular "red cat's eye" with a magnetic glare, creating a powerful accent. No less in demand is the walnut-gold design, where a warm base is combined with a delicate shimmer for a festive mood.

The classic mini jacket is also being updated, turning into a version with a shiny metal strip around the edge of the nail. For a concise look, a monochrome coating in chocolate or caramel colors is suitable, which can be made more expressive by adding one accent nail with a mirror rub.

For medium length nails

The average length of the nails is considered optimal, offering a balance between convenience and expressiveness. Complex textures are on trend, such as chocolate suede, a matte brown finish complemented by subtle gold lines. A bright New Year's accent can be created using a stylized "Tartan" by placing a checkered print on 1-2 nails.

The combination of red and gold remains a classic of the festive season, embodied in the form of a fiery jacket, diagonal stripes or a soft gradient. An interesting visual effect is provided by the combination of a matte background with a glossy geometric pattern, which adds modernity and depth to the design.

For long nails

A long manicure opens up great opportunities for the implementation of complex trend designs. The noble image is created by the "chocolate glaze" coating with deep color and a light pearl glow. Caramel jelly nails with their translucent "glass" effect are suitable for a delicate and bright accent.

The combination of red and gold on long nails can be played more boldly using the ombre technique, an asymmetrical French jacket or abstract gold lines. The palette of ideas is rounded off by options with bright geometry, where smooth abstract shapes are complemented by metallic strokes or foil, which looks especially advantageous on the almond or ballerina shape.

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