twice sana dirty nails

TWICE member Sana has unexpectedly become the center of online discussion after close-up photos of her latest pedicure left many fans doing a double take. What initially looked like a serious nail condition turned out to be a bold attempt at one of 2026’s most controversial beauty trends.

A Close-Up Photo That Left the Internet Horrified

Social media users recently stumbled upon a close-up image of Sana’s toenails, and many admitted they had to look twice. The pedicure featured an unusual green marbled finish that, at first glance, resembled moss, mold, or even a fungal nail infection rather than nail art.

The unexpected design quickly became a hot topic across online communities, with many netizens expressing both confusion and amusement.

Some joked, “If a celebrity wears it, it’s called fashion. If an ordinary person walked around like this, their mom would probably tell them to wash their feet immediately.”

Others commented, “The green color really makes it look like a fungal infection,” “At least add a glossy top coat,” “I couldn’t even look at it properly,” and “Sana’s taste is definitely bold this time.”

What surprised many people even more was that the image was not an unflattering paparazzi shot. It was actually uploaded by Sana’s longtime nail artist, who frequently shares the idol’s custom nail designs and tags her in completed work. Nevertheless, the unconventional color choice transformed the nails of the woman ranked No. 3 on the “100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2023” into what many online considered a beauty disaster.

The 2026 “Dirty Nails” Trend: Fashion Statement or Nightmare Fuel?

Despite the criticism, Sana’s pedicure was far from a mistake. The design aligns with the emerging “Dirty Nails” trend, a rebellious manicure movement created as a direct contrast to the polished and minimalist “clean girl” aesthetic.

Earlier this year, fashion publication WWD highlighted the trend in an article titled, “Dirty Martini Nails Are the Chic (Yet Polarizing!) Manicure Trend I’m Cosigning in 2026.”

According to beauty editors, the trend generally falls into two categories. One embraces elegant olive-green “Dirty Martini” shades that create a sophisticated, muted appearance. The other intentionally mimics weathered textures such as rust, decay, moss, or mold to create a dramatic and provocative visual effect.

Sana’s latest pedicure appears to fall into the latter category. However, the combination of uneven green tones and darker edges unintentionally reminded many viewers of actual nail diseases rather than avant-garde nail art.

The dramatic departure surprised longtime fans because Sana has long been regarded as one of K-pop’s biggest nail trendsetters. Whether wearing translucent jelly nails, classic French manicures, cat-eye designs, or crystal embellishments, her manicures have frequently inspired customers to bring her photos into nail salons. This time, however, the TWICE star traded her signature sweet aesthetic for an edgy, experimental look that few expected.

Even so, many of Sana’s fans quickly defended the design, arguing that it reflects a bold artistic vision and simply isn’t meant to appeal to everyone. Regardless of the divided opinions, one thing is certain: after going viral across social media, Sana’s pedicure has earned a reputation as one of the most controversial nail designs of 2026.

Sources: kenh14