Is YOUR manicure problematic? As the BBC ridiculed for claiming unpolished hands are 'racist and classist', experts say these are the nail trends you SHOULD be worried about

Flaming red nails were a celebrity style statement in the 80s, the chunky French manicure was the epitome of 90s cool, and glitter was everywhere in the early 2000s.Less is more in 2026, which has been hailed as the year of 'naked nails' as women opt for stripped-down manicures limited to buffing and trimming nails while foregoing varnish or using a nude or milky pink shade for a more polished, glossy finish.Vogue traced the 'nonicure' trend back to the Oscars red carpet in 2024, when Zendaya, Emma Stone, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Jennifer Lawrence either left their nails bare or chose a barely-there nude over bright colours and elaborate designs. Since then, the pared-back style has taken over runways and social media feeds, where women are sharing pictures of their natural nails while gushing about cheaper salon appointments and easy maintenance. But scores of them were left baffled when the BBC recently suggested the unpolished nail fad is rooted in 'white supremacy' in an article that has been removed from the site after it sparked fierce backlash. Commenting on the story, three nail technicians told the Daily Mail it's 'refreshing' that trends are moving in 'completely opposite directions' right now and the only manicure they advise against is a poorly-executed one. Kylie Jenner frequently experiments with her nailsThe Beeb was accused of peddling 'divisive tosh' in an article that suggested the 'minimalist' and 'quiet luxury' nail trend is a sign of classism and racism. The story has been taken down from the site 'pending an editorial review' at the time of writing. The publication reported that nail art's 'historical and creative roots are linked back to black, Latino and Asian communities' and that promoting natural-looking nails as 'high status' could 'stigmatise bold manicures'. Beauty journalist Kristina Rodulfo said: 'That trend really promotes blankness and this kind of sameness and erasure of culture and identity that is so important to black and brown communities.'They are often called elegant or tasteful, and these are often usually euphemisms that perpetuate white supremacist standards of beauty.'Manicurist Suzanne Fowler said labelling bare nails a 'microaggression gives a manicure more power than it deserves'. 'There can absolutely be social codes attached to beauty and grooming, particularly in certain workplaces or social circles, and historically women have faced much more scrutiny over looking "polished" or "presentable",' the owner of 14 Day Mani told the Daily Mail. 'But I don’t think we should replace one beauty rule with another. A woman with an immaculate red manicure shouldn’t be judged as frivolous, and a woman with completely bare nails shouldn’t be judged as making a statement either. 'Sometimes bare nails are just bare nails!' she declared, adding there's room for more than one trend and manicures are a matter of taste. Zendaya opted for barely-there polish for the UK premiere of Spider-Man: Brand New Day Sarah Jessica Parker is also seemingly a fan of the 'naked nails' trend But not all manicures are good for you, she cautioned. Whether you favour fuss-free nudes or elaborate nail art, choosing a salon that prioritises technique and hygiene is key. Over-filing the natural nail, aggressive removal and repeatedly picking or peeling products off can leave nails thin, brittle and damaged. 'Where I would be more cautious is with extremely long or heavily embellished nails, if they're becoming impractical or putting additional stress on the natural nail,' she added. 'Large gems and 3D embellishments can catch on clothing and hair and potentially cause trauma or breakage if the nail gets caught,' Suzanne explained. Poorly secured stones can also create little spaces around them where product, makeup, food or debris can collect, nail artist Max Estrada added. 'I love crystals - obviously! - but more is not always technically better. Large stones and very heavy embellishments add weight and leverage to the nail. 'If the enhancement underneath hasn’t been engineered properly, catching that stone on something can put a tremendous amount of force onto the natural nail,' he said. 'A crystal should be an embellishment, not a structural hazard. If you can feel your entire natural nail moving every time your rhinestone catches your jumper, something has gone wrong.'Beautiful nail art still needs to be wearable, maintainable and clean,' he added. Award-winning aesthetic doctor Sabika Karim is 'wary' of continuous acrylic extensions and back-to-back gel manicures because removal involves prolonged acetone exposure. 'With dip powder manicures, my biggest concern is hygiene. I would never recommend a salon where multiple clients are putting their fingers into the same communal pot, as this creates an obvious opportunity for microorganisms to be transferred between clients,' the founder of Skin Medical added. Dip systems generally rely on an adhesive-type resin and powder to create a hard coating, said Max. 'My issue is that I don’t think they give me the same control over architecture and structure that I want from a professional enhancement, and removal can be quite aggressive if it isn’t performed properly.' Dr Sabika also discourages 'aggressive' cuticle removal to prepare the nail for polish or fake nails, adding: 'The cuticle forms part of the protective barrier around the nail, so cutting or traumatising it can create an opportunity for bacteria to enter and contribute to inflammation or infection. I much prefer they be gently pushed back or left alone.' Trends come and go, and ultimately nail health is the most important factor when considering your next mani, added nail technician Jack Harper, who is a brand mentor at gel polish brand Mylee. 'A manicure can look incredible, but if the nail itself is feeling weak, damaged or uncomfortable, that’s probably a sign to take a step back and reassess,' he said. If your nails have changed colour, become thickened, lifted or painful, seek medical advice rather than simply covering them with polish or extensions, added Dr Sabika. In addition to nail health, it's important to consider your lifestyle when picking a manicure. 'If you're constantly typing or working with your hands, an intricate or very long set might not be the most practical choice,' Jack added. Max added: 'The manicure I advise against is not a particular colour, length or aesthetic. It’s the manicure that sacrifices nail health for a photograph. Glamour should be dramatic - it should never be traumatic.'