I’ve always had a soft spot for animal print and, in my wardrobe, there’s no shortage of leopard-print trousers, snakeskin-inspired boots, tortoiseshell sunglasses and even the odd zebra or cow-print handbag. Yet, when it comes to my nails, I’m something of a traditionalist, opting almost exclusively for a classic red manicure or a milky neutral. And whilst most Autumn/Winters we see an animal print or two dominating the fashion world, it’s not often that those prints naturally cross over into the beauty sphere—until now. From Bambi-inspired manicures to zebra-striped French tips, this season, animal prints are coming for our nails too.

“Animal print has that rare combination of being instantly recognisable, but endlessly adaptable,” explains celebrity and session manicurist Ami Streets. “Leopard, zebra, tortoiseshell and snakeskin can all be reinterpreted through colour, scale, placement and finish, and they work surprisingly well on nails because the patterns are naturally imperfect.” If you’re not sure where to start, then Streets points out that leopard makes for an obvious choice and a timeless favourite, but for autumn/winter 2026 nails she’s most excited about striped prints. “Zebra and tiger-inspired manicures feel a little more contemporary and fashion-forward this season, and there are so many ways to interpret them—from classic monochrome zebra to richer, more autumnal tiger tones,” Streets explains.