Ekaterina Muranova of the Palchiki salon network has named deep wine shades and short soft square nails as top autumn 2026 trends.
She serves as lead trainer-technologist at the training center for Palchiki, a major Russian beauty salon network specializing in professional nail care.
Speaking to Russian news outlet Izvestia, Muranova explained that nail color choices will shift after the summer from semi-transparent coatings toward richer and more saturated shades.
She said trending colors for the season include deep chocolate, plum, dark green, and graphite tones, alongside a naked manicure style featuring neutral nude shades.
According to Muranova, the return of the short soft square nail shape represents the primary trend for the upcoming season. The shape visually lengthens fingers while pairing seamlessly with dark color palettes and subtle micro-french designs.
Popular shapes and finishes
Muranova noted that the traditional almond nail shape will also retain its popularity during autumn, though she recommended keeping it at a medium length for the best visual appearance.
For polish finishes, she advised choosing a dense, solid single-color coating with a glossy finish. To achieve a more expensive visual effect, she suggested applying a matte top coat to a few accent nails rather than covering every finger.
Her recommended color choices include burgundy and wine shades with deep pomegranate and dark cherry undertones. She also highlighted smoky purple tones and metallic coatings created with a moderate use of chrome.
Manicure quality and decor
Muranova stressed that the main sign of an expensive-looking manicure is the quality of treatment given to the nails and skin, rather than the quantity of decorative elements used.
She warned that combining rhinestones, detailed drawings, chrome accents, and rich colors all at once visually cheapens the finish. She advised selecting a single decorative accent and keeping overall decor strictly minimalist.
For nude manicures, Muranova recommended semi-transparent pink, milky, or caramel tones paired with a micro-french edge in chocolate or metallic colors.
Booking salon services online
The seasonal trends arrive as digital platforms in Russia expand options for booking beauty services. Users on the social network VKontakte previously gained the ability to contact independent nail technicians and arrange appointments directly through the Moe Vremya mini-app inside the platform.
