The top 5 nail trends we can't wait to try in 2025
A lot happened in the last 12 months — especially as far as our nails were concerned.
We had a brief glimpse of minimalism with the soap nails trend and the aurora manicure trend in the first half of the year, but there's no way around it — the nail trends of 2024 were outlandish and loud, experimental, and unapologetically girly.
But with the cost of living crisis still affecting our nails, 2025 is looking like the year that we finally streamline our in-salon nail appointments and our at-home manicures for the good of our wallets. But that definitely doesn't mean your manicures are going to become boring by any means.
BEAUTYcrew spoke to Emma Paxton (founder of Pax Polish) and Victoria Houllis (you may know her as Mannequin Hands) about their predictions for the year ahead. Plus, we turned to Pinterest to identify the aesthetics people are searching for on the platform to add to their manicure mood boards.
If a clean simple manicure, classic colours, and feminine details are up your alley then 2025 is going to be your year — this is BEAUTYcrew's forecast for the year ahead in nail trends.
Nearly-Naked Nails
"The last couple of seasons have seen manicures that have a little something extra — abstract designs, colourful tips, cobalt blues, extra-long nails. I think 2025 is gearing up to embrace more natural, less-fuss, flattering nail colours and shapes," says Pax Polish founder, Emma Paxton. "They're so damn immaculate and they manage to feel both classic and modern at the same time."
Think: simple, clean, nearly-naked nails, pops of soft pink, high-shine neutrals and subtle embellishments.
Paxton also predicts that softer nail polish shades will start to become more popular in 2025 too.
"I’ve started to see some really beautiful sheer lilac and taupe nails doing the rounds on socials," she explains. "Barely-there neutral nail colours are being asked for even more than your trusty white."
"The goal is for your nails to look natural, but a little bit better," she went on to say. "Groomed, shiny, and slightly washed in colour."
@overglowedit
@overglowedit
@overglowedit
K-Beauty Minimalism
"With fashion and beauty generally following the economic state of the world I think we’re going to see chic minimalism," Victoria Houllis (AKA Mannequin Hands) tells BEAUTYcrew. "Maybe a rise in Korean-style nuance nails, chrome won’t be going anywhere, and for the DIY-ers it’ll be time to dust off some classic 90’s pearl sheer nudes — for those dabbling in art, it’ll be 3D for sure."
"3D printing is giving so many techs new and exciting capabilities so I think we're going to see way more sculptural elements with the nails," she went on to say. "Multi-textured gels and inks are such a fun way to add dimension to a set of nails, and I think it’s only a matter of time before people request them more and more."
@calmly_nail
@kkoht_nails
@ksvnails
Dark Cherry Red Nails
Pinterest searches for all things cherry-related are through the roof, with search terms like 'dark cherry red nails' up by 235 per cent. Thankfully, the trend isn't difficult to nail either, all you need is a deep, rich shade of red nail polish, which you can find in most nail salons. Plus, if your nail artist is down to play, they can use the shade as a base for more experimental techniques.
Alternatively, you can invest in a bottle of polish like Pax Polish's Nail Colour + Treatment in '110 Glennon' ($31 from Sephora), or a set of press-ons like Mannequin Hands' 070 Volcano Blob Press-On Set ($80 from Mannequin Hands) for at-home manicures.
@gel.bymegan
@ladies_lounge_beauty
@ksvnails
Goddess Nails
Inspired by the goddess energy aesthetic and the divine feminine, Pinterest users' searches for goddess nails are up by 760 per cent. The trend is characterised by accents inspired by mother earth's most natural beauties. Think: pearls, gold, and abundant blooms of flowers. Plan a mix and match set with your nail tech, or lay down a base of gold nail polish, and plaster Mannequin Hands x Bianca Beers Divinity Decals ($18 from Mannequin Hands) all over your fingertips for goddess nails in a flash.
@rebeccapaintsnails
@lenavitch.nailz
@nailedbyyans
Sea-Inspired Nails
The sea witch aesthetic has become a mainstay on Pinterest users' mood boards — from siren makeup to wet-look mermaid hair — there's something for everyone. If seashells, starfish, and wavy 3D textures sound like a gift from the deep, then you'll love the sea inspired nail trend. Ask your nail artist to incorporate pearl beads, shell decals, and 3D techniques into your manicure to nail the look.
@culturamanicura
@culturamanicura
@culturamanicura
Main image credit: @nailedbyyans / @ladies_lounge_beauty / @ksvnails
Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).
