This Year’s Biggest Mani Trends Have Coquette Details and Rich, Juicy Shades
If time has taught us anything, it’s that even with just four months left on our calendars, we still have a lot of major nail moments to look forward to. With Awards Show Season coming back around an Fashion Weeks ahead and behind us, there’s an endless stream of manicure inspiration coming your way. This summer was marked by several nail major trends (do citrus shades, butter yellow tips, and vintage-inspired designs ring a bell?), and fall is already coming in hot with looks that pack a punch.
We reached out to two nail experts for their official fall 2025 nail trend predictions, tips/tricks, and recommendations for the products that will change your manicure game just in time for sweater weather, football season, bonfires, and all the other events you’ll be dashing off to the second the first leaf hits the ground.
Fall 2025 Nail Predictions
This fall’s biggest nail trends are shaping up to be a blast from the past, giving us everything from Y2K bohemia to summer shades that refuse to make room for those inspired by the harvest. We can still expect to see clean, neutral nails (albeit, with more opaque than you’d probably expect), but bold art will also be making its rounds.” For fall we’ll be seeing leather textures, animal texture (but not animal prints), sweater textures, metallic finishes to mimic studs and belt buckles and also stone finishes like marble and granite,” says celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein.
When it comes to colors, Gerstein tells the focus will be on combining soft and hard textures. “Think a satin or silk slip with a tweed top and transition it to nails (or denim and chiffon, crocheted and sequins). Nails are always mimicking the clothes!” says Gerstein. She suggests opting for layering neutral shades with metallics. Her top pick? “The metallic represents the ‘flowingness’ of these fabrics, which is why I love them,” she says. “Frosted tones pair well with super hydrated (not sun-kissed or freckled) skin that we have in the summer. It’s also a fall transition from this summer’s soap nail trend, which was all about clean nails on glowy, moisturized skin.”
Gerstein predicts that we can also expect to see leather textures, animal texture (but not animal prints), sweater textures, metallic finishes to mimic studs and belt buckles, as well as earthy, stone finishes like granite and marble. Thea Green, founder of Nails.INC, offers even more insight into what we can expect from this season’s biggest nail moments.”This fall, nail polish takes a bold yet refined turn—mixing rich seasonal tones with tactile textures and nostalgic touches to deliver looks that are both expressive and wearable,” Green predicts.
Transitioning Nails From Summer to Fall
To transition from the bright, citrus-inspired manicure shades of summer to deeper, juicy fall colors that reflect the warm tones and knitted textures the season brings, Green recommends deepening the base shades. “Take your summer pastels or brights and swap them for muted or jewel-toned versions,” she says. For example, you can take a pastel lilac to a smoky plum, a coral to burn rust or terracotta, and a sky blue to a navy shade. “This lets you keep the same feel but with autumn’s warmth and depth,” Green says. She gravitates towards burnt read shades for a seasonal change like the perfect terracotta brown included in Nails.INC’s Spicy Margs Only Trio ($24).
Green also suggests finishing off your fall nail looks with toppers. Instead of retiring sheer nails after labor day, layering a metallic, iridescent, or glitter topper to instantly give the most ‘basic’ manicures a fall touch. “Gold flakes or bronze shimmer over a sheer pink equal instant fall chic,” she says. If you prefer wearing eye-catching nail designs and artwork in black and white to kick of the season like Gerstein, you’re in luck: monochromatic manicures will also be having a moment with more color play. “Shades of chocolate and brown are going to big,” she says. “Nude is always in and gray is a great transition color. Red is also always classic can get dressed up or down.”
Wondering what else is in store for Fall 2025’s nails? Keep scrolling to see the trends ID’d by Green and Gerstein, plus the recommended products that will help make them happen.
Sparkling Textures
If you’ve been noticing a spike in the amount of texture nail designs lately, you’re not alone. This fall will feature manicures boasting playful and eye-catching textures that can to take us through the cooler months with style. “Fall is the gateway into the holiday season. Glittering, sparkling textures feel celebratory yet still subtle enough for everyday wear before full-on December party nails,” explains Green.
Get The Look:
ILNP
Holographic Nail Polish in Spiced Cider Brown
Toasty Hues
Not sure what shade of brown to reach for? This fall, the safest bet is to pick one that complements your skin tone and take some inspiration from your favorite cozy sips. “Caramel latte and chocolate brown dominate the palette, offering warmth and sophistication that complement autumn’s cozy aesthetic,” Green adds. Her top pick for a brown nail polish? Nail.INC’s new Mocha Mousse Nail Polish Duo ($15) as well as the brand’s It’s Topless line shades Simone (Nude Gold Shimmer) and Zoe (Chocolate Brown Shimmer).
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Nails.INC
Mocha Mousse Nail Polish Duo
Juicy Cherry Red
The bright and eye-catching fruit-inspired nails of summer aren’t going anywhere, they’re just shifting from citrus to berry. According to Gertsein, versatile, classic cherry shades will be everywhere. “A deep cherry red like Mineral Fusion’s Head Over Heels ($10) makes a rich, bold statement shade for when you want your nails to pop! I’m pairing it with glossy finishes and subtle rhinestones,” she tells us.
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Mineral Fusion
Nail Polish in Head Over Heels
Quiet Neutrals
Clean, barely-there manicures will also be around for the cooler months, but this time they’ll be less sheer and pack more of a punch that will make for memorable nail looks. “Soft, sheer pinks and universal neutrals have taken a turn—the neutral isn’t about being so flesh colored, but having a hint of color such as Essie’s Charm to Stable ($13), which is more of a jelly tone.” According to Gerstein, the warm, cozy shade is a reflection of what we’ll be seeing in textiles as well this season.
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Essie
Jelly Gloss in Charm to Stable
Summer Shades (With a Twist)
“For fall, I love that you can do more in terms of color, especially as summer colors can be fun to pair with winter colors, or wearing a summer shade with a twist (like Mineral Fusion’s Perfect Storm ($6), which is a deep ‘transformative teal’) as a way to transition them into fall and make your fall nail wardrobe more versatile. Transformative teal is the standout, signature color for fall this year,” says Gerstein. It’s been spotted all over the runways for Fall/Winter 25/26 and replaces your everyday navy and black. “What I like about this teal is that it’s a take on teal or blue, but it’s heavy and deep. While it can be worn matte or glossy, matte gives it even more of a nod to fall,” she explains.
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Mineral Fusion
Nail Polish in Perfect Storm
A Splash of Sepia
Brown and green polish will both be on the uptick this fall, and so will be the blend between the two: sepia. In fact, we’re already spotted the shade from Los Angeles to Amsterdam. “Sepia is a big trend, it’s the same tone done over and over but make it lighter or darker whether that’s making it jelly, less opaque,” Gerstein tells us. Looking for a way to take the sepia shades up a level? Consider asking for an ombre manicure using it for your next nail appointment.
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Essie
Nail Polish in Sepia
Rich Jewel Tones
It’s obvious that berry colors will be sticking around for the remainder of the year, but there are also a few other deep and sensual tones that will be taking over nail salons long before the holidays start. “Shades like wine red, burgundy, add dramatic depth. Meanwhile, deep navy and mossy greens provide a rich, sophisticated alternative to classic black,” spills Green. “I recommend the Nails.INC It’s Topless shades in Scarlet (Burgundy Shimmer) and Jasmine (Forest Green).”
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Nails.INC
1 Step Gel It’s Topless Polish in Jasmine
Moody Polka Dots
Not ready to say goodbye to the retro nail design that dominated summer? These manicures be sticking around for a while longer this season with a chic twist. “For fall, dots are deeper in tone—think black on nude, burgundy with gold accents, or metallic dots over earthy bases,” explains Green. Seen on celebrities from Hailey Bieber and Dua Lipa, she tells us they can easily be recreated from the comfort of home with a nail art pen and nude/sheer base.
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Nails Inc.
Mani Marker in Black
Metallic and Chrome
While metallic and chrome manicures have drifted in and out of style over the past few months, we can expects to see more of them this fall on and off the runway. “These echo runway trends, adding drama and shine that feels festive yet versatile,” Green says. For textured nail looks, Green likes to add a nail topper over a sheer shade (keep your eye out for additions to Nails.INC’s toppers this season).
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Nails.INC
Mirror Chrome Nail Polish in Silver Served
Coquette Details
As the temperatures take a dip, you can also expect to see more coquette nails on your Explore Page. “Coquette nails are adaptable. In fall, the pastel base can be layered with warmer toppers (burgundy or bronze accents) to feel seasonally appropriate,” says Green. She highlights how beautifully bows and pearls pair with the cozy textures we associate with the season since they resemble accessories. “As nail art gets bolder with textures and metallics this season, coquette nails offer a romantic counterpoint that’s still trend-forward,” adds Green.
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Bow Nail Effect 45 Second Speedy Gloss
Animal Textures
Remember when we mentioned animal print? Well, Gerstein predicts the nail look will be showing up in the most unexpected ways. Rather than going the cow print and tiger stripe route we’ve see in past years, fall 2025 will be all about animal texture. In case you were wondering if tortoiseshell print or snake and alligator skin would ever claim a semi-permanent spot on your FYP, the answer is yes.
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Cirque Colors
Tortoiseshell Nail Art Set
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