The “glazed doughnut” (or chrome) manicure and the “old money” manicure are up there with the most popular nail trends of the past few summers. Both can be traced back to a specific person: Hailey Bieber first popularised metallic chrome nails back in 2022, while the Love Story-linked revival of the Carolyn Bessette Kennedy aesthetic really spurred on the return to the short and ostensibly bare look that has been dubbed the old money manicure.
Now, though, there’s a middle ground to discover: a look that blends the fun of a chrome manicure with the pared-back elegance of the old money approach, mother of pearl nails offer an understated shimmer that looks intentional and expensive.
It’s not just nails, of course. Pearls have quietly emerged as a leading trend of summer 2026, with stars such as Kendall Jenner and Emily Blunt wearing them to the Met Gala in May. Last week, Felix Bischoff reported on the wider resurgence of pearl jewellery.
On hands, the pearl trend manifests in two ways – first, a moonlight white. Ethereal and delicate, it blends the same refractive quality of a chrome polish with the subtlety of the old money manicure.
