A candy-like nail polish color, almost childish, is appearing everywhere on red carpets and Instagram feeds. After entire seasons dominated by dark and metallic nails, a much softer shade is gradually establishing itself in celebrity looks. A sweet nuance reminiscent of playground chewing gum.
On February 25, 2026, several beauty media spotted the same phenomenon: the bubblegum pink manicure worn by Selena Gomez reignited the conversation. At the helm, her nail artist Tom Bachik, who revealed the photo on Instagram. Simple, shiny, very pink but without exaggeration, this regressive manicure has suddenly become the new reference to copy.
The bubblegum pink manicure, the new signature of spring
As the sunny days approach, beauty treatments become softer and more subdued. Red-black varnishes and chrome nail art give way to a palette of pastel pinks which fit better with the bright atmosphere of spring. In this context, the bubblegum pink manicure is logically an obvious choice.
This color is described as simple and elegant, while maintaining a real regressive dimension. It evokes the bohemian aesthetic of the summer, with this light and joyful side that comes across well in photos and stories. On short or mid-length nails, the result remains chic, even with a very visible shade.
What a successful bubblegum pink nail polish really looks like
The secret of this pink nail polish lies mainly in the shade. Too light, it blends so well into the skin that it almost goes unnoticed. Too dark, it can quickly become kitsch, or even a little vulgar. The idea is to aim for a pink that is present, but softened.
Experts recommend rather soft pinks: pale pink, very easy to wear every day, milky pink, already a star of French manicures, or even terracotta pink, slightly warmer for those who like a sunny result. The bubble gum pink manicure is right between these worlds, with a bright but soft pink, very opaque and very shiny.
How to adopt the bubblegum pink manicure without misstep
To get closer to Selena Gomez’s style, you can opt for nails of reasonable length, slightly rounded, covered in a uniform pink. Two thin layers of color, placed on a transparent base, are enough to obtain this candy effect while leaving the hand refined. An ultra glossy top coat reinforces the sweet dimension.
And then, there are several ways to incorporate this trend into your daily life:
- in full color on all nails, for an assertive but still soft result;
- in French manicure with a bubblegum pink tip on a milky base;
- as a nail accent, a single bright pink nail combined with a pale pink or terracotta on the others.
What exactly is bubblegum pink manicure?
It’s a bright but muted pink nail manicure, inspired by the color of bubble gum, with a glossy finish and a regressive but elegant spirit.
Why is the bubblegum pink manicure coming back in spring?
It is part of the return of pastel colors and softer beauty treatments, which replace red-black varnishes and chrome nail art when the sunny days arrive.
How to avoid the kitsch effect with bubblegum pink nail polish?
It is better to avoid pinks that are too light, which disappear, or too dark, which harden the hand, and favor a soft shade, very opaque, on a short or medium nail shape.
What other shades of pink work to stay on trend?
Pale pink, milky pink for a modern French look and warmer terracotta pink allow you to bring out the bubblegum pink spirit while adapting it to your style.
