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Smooth and intensely cool, cappuccino nails are proving to be the chicest winter-to-spring mani

Nothing beats a hot and foamy cappuccino, except maybe this luxe and creamy manicure...

Naomi Jamieson's avatar
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On the left is a close-up of a hand with milky white and brown swirled nails, designed to mirror foamy coffee and on the right, is a close-up of a hand with cappuccino-inspired brown nails, both created by nail artist, Mateja Novakovic/@matejanova. Both images featured in a grey and white template with two brown nail polish spills.
(Image credit: Mateja Novakovic/@matejanova)
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Among a sea of milky pinks and whites, a new and incredibly sophisticated manicure is rising. It blends the demand for creamy, versatile neutrals with a nod to a beloved caffeinated drink, culminating in a fresh look that's perfect for the transitional season. Say a fond hello to cappuccino nails...

With the 2026 nail trends pointing to a continuation of soft, clean neutrals, it's a good time to be a minimalistic manicure lover. And a coffee drinker at that, as there's one incredibly creamy look garnering attention and requests, and it borrows from a certain foamy, chocolate-sprinkled beverage. This trendy brown nail look couldn't come at a better time either, as personally, we've been feeling a bit fatigued with all the sheer nail polishes and splashes of soapy pink. Thankfully, this coffee-like hue offers similar versatility, but in a fresher and slightly cosier way.

As mentioned, we've seen plenty of barely-there nail looks in the months past, and while they're always classy and timeless, it's natural to start craving something a little different - especially as a new season looms. And while you might also think it's time to retire the shades we tend to assign to autumn/winter, one is set to carry through. Though potentially unconventional for your spring nails, it's incredibly stylish and expensive-looking - and is proving to be very popular indeed, particularly among those who aren't quite ready to embrace floral-y pastels and sunny shades.

Similar to Pantone's Mocha Mousse, which was named 2025's colour of the year, we're seeing another coffee-inspired trend emerge, this time seeking to capture the themes of a cappuccino.

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Colour-wise, the look can be interpreted as a muted, milky coffee or more of a richer tone. You can even opt for a foam swirl-like design to really recreate the look of a café cappuccino, foam heart and all. But in case you need some reference pictures to show your nail tech, we've rounded up four manicures that we think capture the trend perfectly.

Our cappuccino nail essentials

If you're hoping to embrace this trend at home, we've rounded up three cappuccino-esque nail colours to invest in...

1. Muted cappuccino nails

This manicure perfectly captures the colour of an espresso when foamy milk has been poured into it. It's muted and versatile, but feels so modern and elevated for the weeks ahead, especially if you opt to pair the shade with a squoval or short square nail shape.

2. Short cappuccino nails

Speaking of short nails, a slightly richer coffee shade is also perfect for the transitional weather, especially if you favour more autumn/winter manicures but want to adapt them slightly for the warmer months.

3. Cappuccino foam swirl nails

For a very cappuccino-accurate manicure, embracing a touch of nail art is definitely the way to go, and while the nail design might look complex, you can achieve it by just swirling two colours together using a thin nail brush, before the polishes dry on your nails.

4. Square Cappuccino nails

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Square nails are so popular right now, so it only makes sense to combine the trendy shape with this equally cool and in-demand coffee tone. The result is a very chic and refined-looking manicure that will easily complement all of your outfits.

Naomi Jamieson
Naomi Jamieson
Digital Beauty Writer

Naomi is a Digital Beauty Writer at woman&home, where she covers everything from makeup to skincare but specialises, particularly, in fragrance and nail trends. Through her work, Naomi shares her trend expertise and personal product recommendations. She is also a judge for woman&home's annual hair, skincare and beauty awards.

Previously, she worked as a Lifestyle News Writer for My Imperfect Life magazine, where she used her savvy for TikTok to bring readers the latest beauty buzzwords, fashion movements and must-have products.

Before that, Naomi split her time between both GoodTo and My Imperfect Life, whilst training for her Gold Standard diploma in Journalism with the NCTJ.

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