Music has always been a form of expression, a way for artists to tell us who they are even before words can—through a beat, a hum, and eventually melody. At the Filipino Music Awards 2026, that same spirit came alive in a different form. As rappers, vocal artists, girl groups, bands, and OPM legends hit the red carpet, one thing was clear: for them, personality also lives beyond the musical sheet. It is evident in the unique ways artists express themselves through style and beauty, too.
From rhinestone-embellished sets to cat-eye finish claws and dainty glitters, their manicures added another beat to their looks, sometimes stealing the spotlight altogether. Amid the thumping bass, head-bopping performances, and dancing that lasted well into the night, these are the nail looks that caught our eye on the red carpet and lit up the stage—and are now going straight to our nail mood boards for our next mani appointment.
Rose quartz
John Benj Cupino
If you’re looking for a manicure that is equal parts dainty and eye-catching, take a cue from Ashtine Olviga’s nails. Painted in a muted rose hue with a velvet silver finish on top, the set gives off a precious quartz-like effect. The medium almond silhouette adds to its delicate appeal. It’s the kind of set you can wear for weeks without getting tired of looking at.
Psychedelic patterns
John Benj Cupino
Remember those retro psychedelic prints that play tricks on the eyes like optical illusions? Your next nail set can have that same hypnotic effect. Take a cue from Angela Ken and give each nail its own funky design, from moody spirals and neon stars to playful polka dots. Each nail, buffed into a short, rounded shape, tells its own story.
Champagne pink
John Benj Cupino
Looking for a manicure that’s feminine and timeless, but gives off a little more personality? Take a cue from Baby Dolls member Johaira Moris and her glossy, champagne-pink nails. The soft, delicate hue is undeniably dainty, but the contrast of a sharp stiletto silhouette proves this manicure isn’t just cute. Consider pairing a soft hue with an edgy nail shape for a set that feels feminine with a little bite.
Tantalizing red
John Benj Cupino
Seeing red doesn’t feel like a bad thing when it’s your nails coming in hot. Baby Dolls member Ina Ortega’s apple-red manicure proves that one of the best ways to own a color is to wear it from head to fingertips. Her glossy red stiletto nails add to a striking monochromatic look that doesn’t hold back. If there’s a color you love, consider this your sign to embrace it fully and let your nails join in on the statement.
Deep French tips
John Benj Cupino
Many girls love the classic French tip, and apparently, so does Baby Dolls member Juby Sabino. There are plenty of ways to play with the timeless style, but a deep French tip instantly gives it a fresh update. Yes, the base is still sheer rose, but the white tips extend almost halfway down the nail. The ballerina silhouette adds visual interest to what could otherwise be a nondescript manicure.
Berry red
John Benj Cupino
Red nails can be fierce and magnetic, so much so that a single swipe is sometimes all you need. But you can soften the look by buffing them into a short, rounded silhouette, as seen on Coey Ballesteros of Hey June. The striking color is there, but the subtle nail shape is more versatile and still feels fun.
Milky rose
John Benj Cupino
Nails don’t have to be painted in a bold hue to make a statement. Sometimes, the sheerness of a polish adds even more intrigue to a nail look, just like Michelle Dee’s milky rose nails. The translucent, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it pink base reminiscent of OPI’s classic Funny Bunny shade, topped with a shiny top coat, feels like a whisper—but it’s eye-catching when buffed into a sharp stiletto silhouette.
Amber glaze
John Benj Cupino
If you gravitate toward beige or earth tones but don’t want the same taupe manicure every time, take a look at Marina Summers’ amber nails with a velvety finish. This is moodboard-worthy for those who want to change things up. Its subtle dimension is reminiscent of tortoiseshell. The sheer, glazed finish catches the light, while the short square silhouette keeps it from feeling too busy.
Coastal blue
John Benj Cupino
Blue is not just a mood, it’s a color that can inspire you. As seen on Julia Mitra of DNA, you can play with the color in your manicure through royal blue painted on one nail, a blue French tip on another, and a nail with a 3D embellishment on a sheer nude base, contrasting with blue floral art on another. In just one set, you can combine finishes for a look that’s unique and sure to spark joy.
Mauve and rhinestones
John Benj Cupino
Somewhere between pink and purple, mauve sits comfortably as a color that can be your next polish hue. Take a look at Tasha Mitra of DNA. Her nails are painted a glossy mauve, and the medium-almond length makes the manicure more feminine. But zoom in closer, and you’ll see twinkling rhinestone details outlining the nail below the classic French tip.
Merlot and chrome
John Benj Cupino
A vinyl red polish is a go-to for many, but if you want to paint your nails red in a different way, look at Ezri Mitra of DNA’s edgy set. Against an XL silhouette, abstract chrome patterns trace the nails on an ivory matte base, while some tips are painted with a gradient red French tip on a translucent base. This is a manicure that not many have done—it’s sure to be the talk of the room.
Pink cloud
John Benj Cupino
Want an ultra-feminine manicure? Steal this vinyl pink nail look from Zephanie Dimaranan. The entire set is painted in a ballet slipper-pink hue with a glossy finish and a rounded-taper silhouette. Its finish is dreamy, almost like a soft cloud, and the pink hue makes it feel even dreamier. This is a set you’ll fall in love with at every glance.
Topaz cat-eye
John Benj Cupino
It’s sort of magical what an otherwise flat brown hue can become once layered with a cat-eye finish. As seen on AJ Yape of G22, a topaz velvet manicure is a fun nail look, and once mixed with a classic French tip on other nails, the contrast between classic and edgy comes together without being too much. Save this if you’re looking for warmer, mysterious tones.
Glittering fuchsia
John Benj Cupino
There are many shades of pink you can choose from once the nail artist pulls out their swatches, but if you can’t decide, look at Alfea Zulueta of G22’s fuchsia set. The shocking pink hue is the base, but the glittery magnetic finish adds a 3D effect to the nails, almost like a constellation forming right at your fingertips. The lengthy almond silhouette makes room for a statement manicure that’s bold, sparkly, and hard to miss.
Velvet crimson
John Benj Cupino
On your next appointment, you might want to transform your nails into a glass orb, as seen on Jasmine Henry of G22. A cat-eye finish on her crimson nails feels as if you’re looking through a wine glass, while the elongated almond silhouette is feminine and sharp at the same time. This is a scene-stealing, statement-making manicure.
Lilac and silver
John Benj Cupino
This set on Charlotte Secretario of Kaia has all the elements of a fun manicure. There’s the combination of lilac and pink, and the funky embellishments from ribbons, swirls, and rhinestones. But what makes it stand out is the addition of silver and chrome gradients into the mix. This is the kind of manicure you go for if you want to go full-on cute and maximalist.
Dotted caramel
John Benj Cupino
If you want a warm, sweet, but versatile manicure, think of shades of caramel for your next appointment. Sophia Mercado of Kaia’s medium-almond-length nails are painted in glossy caramel, either as a full coat, as a colored tip against a sheer pink base, or as dotted nail art. There are plenty of ways to wear this color on your nails, whether you want something understated or a little more playful.
Bright scarlet
John Benj Cupino
For the bombshells, the main characters, or the simply feminine, take cues from Alexandra Averilla of Kaia’s head-turning, scarlet-red nails on a sharp stiletto silhouette. If you want your manicure to take the spotlight and not just blend into your ensemble, go for a bright red polish with a sultry, glossy finish. It’s the kind of manicure that doesn’t wait for attention—it demands it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cat-eye and velvet finishes, glossy red and pink shades, chrome accents, and rhinestone details stood out on the Filipino Music Awards 2026 red carpet. French tip variations and stiletto and almond silhouettes also appeared across looks from artists including Baby Dolls, DNA, G22, and Kaia.
Stiletto and almond silhouettes appeared most often, from Johaira Moris’s champagne-pink stilettos to Alfea Zulueta’s lengthy almonds. Shorter rounded and square shapes also featured, as seen on Angela Ken, Coey Ballesteros, and Marina Summers, showing the range from sharp to understated.
A cat-eye finish uses magnetic polish to create a light-catching, velvety, dimensional shimmer across the nail. At the Filipino Music Awards 2026, it appeared in topaz on AJ Yape, glittering fuchsia on Alfea Zulueta, and velvet crimson on Jasmine Henry.
Short, rounded shapes soften red nails, as seen on Coey Ballesteros of Hey June, whose berry-red set stays vivid but versatile. For a bolder effect, Ina Ortega and Alexandra Averilla wore glossy red on sharp stiletto silhouettes, showing how much nail shape changes the same color.
A deep French tip, with white tips extending almost halfway down a sheer rose base, updates the classic style, as seen on Juby Sabino. Tasha Mitra added rhinestones below the tip, while AJ Yape and Julia Mitra paired colored finishes with French tips on select nails.
