Jelly nails mark the return of playful manicures in 2026. Inspired by K-beauty and Korean Jelly nails, this trend focuses on transparent, syrupy colors, like sour candies. The result: fresh jelly-effect nails with a shiny, translucent finish. Viral on TikTok and Pinterest, the jelly nails manicure captivates with its glossy look, visually luscious texture, and endless nail art possibilities. A pop aesthetic that can be endlessly varied.
What are Jelly nails?
You can’t miss this manicure, straight from the ’90s, which is winning over beauty addicts again. But what exactly are Jelly nails?
A texture inspired by candy and syrup
Jelly nails, literally “nails in jelly,” are recognizable by their delicately tinted transparency. Unlike opaque colored polish, here the color subtly reveals the natural nail while giving it a shiny finish. An effect reminiscent of gummy candies, sour lollipops, or fruity syrups. The result: a luscious and sparkling manicure, with an almost wet look vibe.
This jelly texture instantly adds depth effects that work equally well with pastel candy colors or vibrant shades like cherry red, raspberry pink, or pop coral.
Jelly nails, a new treat for your nails.
Difference between Jelly polish and gel polish
Here’s how to distinguish a Jelly polish from a gel polish:
👉 The Jelly polish is a translucent colored polish that offers a jelly-like effect.
👉 The gel polish refers to builder gel, a thick gel formula applied in salons. This gel, which cures under UV/LED lamps, allows shaping rounded and strong nails with customizable length and color.
A jelly nail polish is therefore not necessarily a gel polish and can perfectly fit into a classic manicure routine, without UV/LED lamp, while still having that characteristic glossy and transparent finish. The new Manucurist Jelly polishes are part of the Green™ polish range and do not exist as Green Flash™ semi-permanent polishes. They follow the same application and removal protocol as classic Green™ polishes.
Difference between Jelly nails, Glass nails, and Soap nails
Jelly nails are part of the big wave of clean look trends and ultra-shiny nails from South Korea, such as Glass nails and Soap nails. Here’s what sets them apart:
- Glass nails play on an ultra-reflective mirror finish, with jewel effects ranging from pearly ombrés to 3D effects.
- Soap nails focus on a shiny, natural nude finish, like "soap bubbles" for glossy looks to desire.
- Jelly nails stand out with their colorful shades and semi-transparent effect that adds a pop, juicy, and ultra-luminous dimension.
Glass nails, Soap nails, Jelly nails, 3 shiny nail trends from South Korea.(@matejanova, @ellzabeth)
Why Jelly nails are a must-have in 2026
The influence of K-Beauty
Like many current beauty trends, Jelly nails were popularized by Korean manicure. K-Beauty products have been highlighting luminous and natural beauty looks for several seasons, where transparency plays a key role. After glass skin in makeup, it’s time for Korean jelly nails. The result? A manicure with a gel-like, fresh, and delicious texture, full of good vibes and easy to wear every day.
The success of Jelly nails on social media
Appearing in the 90s before going out of fashion, this retro aesthetic is making a strong comeback today thanks to social media. On TikTok, the hashtag #jellynails already has over 250 million views, while Instagram hosts hundreds of thousands of posts dedicated to this ultra-pop trend.
Internet users love these trendy manicures that catch the light and give a quasi-liquid effect to the nails. And for good reason: videos of layers of translucent shades stacked, glossy gradients, or fruity nail arts are hugely popular! The Jelly nails aesthetic ticks all the boxes for 2026 trends: playful, radiant, and ultra photogenic.
Jelly nails are buzzing on social media, especially when worn by Selena Gomez here on the left. (@tombachik, @nailsbymei)
A manicure that enhances all nail lengths
Another advantage of Jelly nails: they suit all nail shapes and lengths. On short nails, they offer a fresh and minimalist look. On almond or ballerina lengths, they enhance the very trendy "gummy" appearance.
Their transparency brings light and depth to the nails, with the added bonus of a "healthy glow" effect, while remaining easy to apply and wear.
The trendiest Jelly colors
Red Jelly nails
Red jelly nails are the stars of the season. Dive into the trend with the following polishes:
Twizzle is a vibrant red shade from the Green™ Jelly collection. A polish with orange undertones that dresses the nails with a juicy finish, as irresistible as a sun-ripened fruit.
To vary the jelly effects, try the treatment polish Active Glow™ Cranberry. It coats the nails with an ultra glossy translucent orange-red veil. As a bonus, this treatment polish, enriched with sweet almond oil and cranberry extracts, deeply nourishes the nails and enhances their natural shine.
Want a more pop Jelly version? Love Apple is a raspberry-colored polish, perfect for coating your nails with a delicious rosy red syrup that will make your mouth water.
Pink Jelly nails
Pink jelly nails remain the most popular on Pinterest. Get plenty of likes with:
Pink Sorbet is a pink candy Jelly polish with bluish undertones, giving your nails a marshmallow-like look. Yummy!
In the same spirit, two polish treatments with mirror shine are worth noting:
- Active Glow™ Grape for its lilac gloss, sumptuous on medium and dark skin tones.
- Active Glow™ Blueberry which creates an intense pink transparency more suited to light to medium skin tones.
The coral & peach Jelly Nails
For summer, coral and peach shades are fabulous to instantly brighten your hands. For that, we love:
Glacé, the translucent coral polish from the Jelly collection. A soft peach shade that offers a “fruity sorbet” finish, super refreshing on the hands.
Sugar Plum, a translucent pop pink Jelly polish with orange undertones, a vibrant shade that instantly boosts your manicure.
Finally, for a subtle glow, the peachy pink gloss effect of Active Glow™ Raspberry remains a reliable choice for a quick (no base coat or top coat) and effective manicure.
How to create perfect jelly effect nails?
Nail preparation
The success of a jelly nails manicure depends primarily on preparation. Clean and smooth nails allow you to achieve the uniform, luminous translucent finish you want.
Start by filing your nails into the desired shape. Then push back the cuticles using a few drops of emollient and a cuticle pusher. Also remember to buff the nail surface with a preparatory file to create micro-scratches that help the polish adhere. Finally, clean and degrease the nails with a bit of degreaser or a gentle remover.
Application of Green™ Jelly polish
The jelly effect is built gradually by applying the color in successive layers. Here is the protocol to follow for applying Green™ Jelly polishes:
- Apply a layer of Green™ Base coat.
- Then apply a first thin layer of Jelly polish, and intensify the color with a second layer if desired. The goal: to maintain that signature transparency that reveals the natural nail and creates the syrupy effect.
⚠️ Important: apply thin layers to avoid brush marks and facilitate air drying.
- Once the color is completely dry, apply a layer of Green™ gel effect Top coat to enhance the “jelly” effect and ensure an ultra-shiny finish.
- Finish the manicure by applying the Drying Drops on each nail before letting them air dry for another minute.
Express removal
Thanks to its vegan and biosourced formula, Green™ Jelly polish removes very easily and in less than a minute.
Simply apply cotton pads soaked with Remover Oil or Gentle Remover to the nails and leave on for a few moments. The polish dissolves and is removed in one motion by wiping the nail with the cotton. After removal, the nails are regenerated and the nail plate revitalized.
Our Jelly nail art ideas
French Jelly nails
Twist your classic French manicure with these pop & Jelly versions featuring subtle finishes:
- Green™ Jelly version: apply Pink Sorbet as a base and create the French smile with the Mani Stamper using Snow on the free edge of the nail for a fresh and glossy contrast.
- Active Glow™ version: apply Active Glow™ Cranberry as a base and outline the nail with a Red Coral French tip, a vibrant and trendy color.
French manicure in Jelly mode, a perfect nail art for summer. (@matejanova)
Ombré Jelly Nails
Soft translucent gradients are among the most viral jelly nail arts on social media. To try it, use Pink Sorbet as a polish base, then create a gradient with a sponge using Pink Sorbet, Sugar Plum, and Glacé. Result: a shimmering melted sorbet effect that’s stunning.
Glazed Jelly nails
For an even shinier finish, combine all five Green™ Jelly shades in a rainbow on each finger for more fun. Then apply the White Glazed Effect powder on top and seal with a layer of top coat. When jelly transparency meets a pearly finish for a glazed effect… We melt!
Polka dots Jelly nails
Jelly nails make a perfect base for fun and colorful nail arts, Candy shop style. The ideal pattern for this: polka dots of course! On a Sugar Plum base, apply pretty red dots with a dotting tool using Lava. Delicious!
Ombré, polka dots, or Glazed, everything is allowed with Jelly nails. (@look8thenails)
Hard to resist the call of Jelly nails! With their glossy reflections, translucent colors, and look inspired by the most addictive sweets, they instantly bring a fresh dose to our nails. Minimalist in one coat, juicier in layers, they wear like a shot of color and light at your fingertips. The hardest part? Choosing among the 5 jelly shades of the Green™ collection! Once adopted, the jelly effect quickly becomes addictive 🍬🍭
