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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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Read our 2026 trend reports:
