Let me clue you in on one of my favorite secrets to keeping your style current: always follow manicure trends. Each season, statement bags and It jackets come and go—manicure trends do too, but the key difference is they’re easy to move on from and cheap in comparison. A good manicure can make a big impact, and staying on top of each season’s trends is key to keeping your overall look fresh.
This summer, we’ve seen a decidedly minimalist approach to nails. It’s been all about sheer, natural-looking colors, milky shades, and a sharp departure from loud designs. Fall nails will continue to fall into the quiet luxury trends we’ve seen, while three-dimensional nail art and pops of colors (including an olive green that we’re coining the dirty martini nail) will keep things interesting. We talked to celebrity manicurist Elle Gerstein for the lowdown on all things fall nails.
If you’re a fan of the Loewe balloon pumps, this 3D fall nail trend has your name written on it. “Inflatables have been used on the runway to create exaggerated proportions, and now manicures are doing the same using 3D gel,” says Gerstein.
Dirty martinis might be your Friday night drink of choice, but now you can have nails to match. Olive green will be one of fall’s biggest and most unexpected manicure trends.
Geometric grid patterns dominated F/W 23 runways. Gerstein anticipates these grids will also find a home in nail art this fall.
Plaid nail designs are another trend inspired by the power suiting seen on the F/W 23 runways. This preppy trend infuses a bit of back-to-school spirit into your manicure.
Black nails are a cool-weather classic. They’ll be one of the most popular nail trends this fall, as seen here on Megan Fox.
“Matte and glossy designs reminiscent of satin and leather [will be in this fall,]” says Gerstein. “Their textures flow very well together on nails.”
When it comes to nail shape, Gerstein believes personal style rules all. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t nail-shape trends on the upswing. “Some would say they are seeing a shift to sharp square,” she says.
Smoky gray tones are a perfect way to add a hint of drama to your nails without opting for a harsher color like black.
If you want a pop of color in the fall that’s different than a classic red, burnt orange is the perfect autumnal shade to try.
We’ve seen tons of milky manis this summer, but fall will bring a resurgence in off-white and cream-colored nails.
