iPolish has released a breakthrough nail-style system at the forefront of beauty tech innovation in 2026 with app-controlled, colour-changing press-on nails.
This could redefine how consumers think about manicures and was showcased at CES 2026, the annual consumer electronics show in Las Vegas.
Rather than traditional polish that wears chips and requires removal, iPolish’s smart acrylic nails allow wearers to switch between more than 400 colours in seconds using a companion smartphone app and a handheld activation device.
“The product brings beauty on demand to everyday styling,” Lance Littell, senior vice president of business development at iPolish, said.
“If you wake up with one outfit in mind and then change plans later, your nails can change with you instantly,” he told Reuters at the show.
The process takes roughly five seconds per nail, all without drying time, chemical smudges or salon appointments.
Priced at around $95 for a starter kit, the system includes the activation wand and two sets of nails in different shapes.
Individual replacement nails are expected to retail at approximately $6 to $6.50 each, offering a modular, long-term styling solution without recurring salon fees.
iPolish’s launch signals a broader shift in the cosmetics world, where technology and traditional beauty categories increasingly intersect.
How it works
The system pairs press-on nails with an app that offers a vast digital palette.
Once a shade is selected on the phone, users place each nail into a small wand-like device that sends a controlled electric charge to trigger the colour change.
iPolish describes the underlying process as an electrochemical system inspired by e-reader display technology, where charged particles reorient to produce vivid hues.
Looking Ahead
Pre-orders for the iPolish system are already open, with shipments expected to begin in mid-2026.
As the product moves from demonstration floor to everyday hands, its long-term durability and real-world performance will be closely watched but for now, the attention at CES suggests that digital beauty innovations such as this are ready for mainstream attention.
