9 nail trends that will dominate your FYP in 2025 (2024)

We may not be over 2024 yet, but for the beauty gals that like to look ahead, it's never too early to contemplate the 2025 nail trends set to dominate our socials and FYP next year.

The last couple of seasons have set a solid tone, with many of 2024's headliners set to continue to recruit fans going forward, but there are some emerging trends and techniques that are about to become a lot more familiar and OTT artwork in particular is having a major moment.

We spoke to some of the most accomplished nail artists in GLAMOUR's Little Black Book to find out the biggest nail trends to know in 2025…

Maximalist prints

“In terms of nail art I think we’re going to be seeing more prints next year," notes international manicurist, Georgia Rae (who was responsible for Sofia Richie's wedding day nails). “I’m always super inspired by fashion,” she adds. “2024 was the year of understated, 'quiet luxury’ and as much as I personally won’t be veering too far away from that aesthetic, after watching so many off the SS25 shows, next year looks to be about maximalism – being more daring with fashion, and I see this feeding into the nail world with how adventurous people will be with their manicures,” she concludes. London pro manicurist, Ella Vivi, agrees: “animal prints, colourful mirror chromes and more maximalist nail art will trend in 2025,” she predicts.

Soft shades

Between the clashing prints, there will also be plenty of soft, subtle moments, too. “I think soft shades for 2025 will be big," forecasts international nail artist, Julia Diogo. "I’ve started to see some really beautiful milky lavender nails doing the rounds on Instagram. I think this is because a lot of people are loving the stripped back and minimal nail styles,” she says. In particular, Julia's backing “Tiffany blue for spring and milky lavender.”

Metallics

Metallics and chromes have been leading nail trends for the last few seasons but they're going absolutely nowhere for 2025. “Chrome nails and mirror finishes, are sticking around,” confirms celebrity nail artist, Michelle Humphrey, who counts Dua Lip and Sabrina Carpenter among her celebrity clients. “It’s all about that shiny, futuristic look with sleek, metallic accents,” she adds.

Expect to see them become even more playful. “The glazed nail trend is very much still alive and taking a more colourful turn,”agrees Georgia “Chanel released a shade as part of their summer collection this year called Rêveuse, a metallic, almost acid green which is usually so out of my comfort zone but I was so drawn to it and can just picture these metallic shades really becoming huge in 2025 either worn as a block colour or a fun alternative french tip,” she adds. And, Ella points out that metals work year-round – “they create a a bold nail moment through all the seasons, no matter the weather,” she insists.

Cat-eye nails

IYKYK. Cat-eye nails are one of the biggest emerging nail innovations giving our tips extra design kudos. “These have actually been around for a while but as they've become more popular there are some incredible formulations that create such an incredible effect and can be layered to make them super eye-catching or can also be worn in a more subtle way,” says Georgia.

For the uninitiated, “cat-eye nails give the illusion of a velvet nail. Metallic particles are moved around in the nail where desired using a magnet,” explains Michelle. “I keep repeating myself here, but this trend is so so popular at the moment and will definitely be here for the foreseeable future,” she adds.

And, never one to miss a mani opportunity, it's been given the seal of approval by Hailey Bieber recently. “Hailey was pictured with an orangey/brown set,” notes Julia.

French with a twist

Also going nowhere? The French tip. Instead, it's just getting more inventive. “There are nail trends that have come back over the past few years that will not be leaving anytime soon. This includes the iconic French manicure,” says Michelle. “This trend was something that would never be requested eight years ago, it was just not a thing, but whether you prefer a skinny french, a soft french, or French with a twist, it's staying,” she adds.

In fact the hashtag for “French with a twist” is gaining momentum on social “this minimal nail art is a simple go-to for those wanting something fun without maximum commitment,” says Michelle, but that doesn't mean you can't go to town with 3D details, hi-vis tips and intricate patterns just in that top tip.

Nail jewellery

A spin-off of the maximalist trend is nail jewellery. They've been slowly gaining fans for the last few seasons and while potentially less practical than a traditional mani, they make up for it by being unbelievably eye-catching. “Nail piercings, pearls and jewels are all getting featured. We saw a lot of it on the runway recently,” notes Julia. “I don’t think the ladies who love minimal nails will be trying it but I do think it will be big, especially during fashion week,” she adds. Georgia agrees predicting ”playful embellishments and 3D designs," will rise over the course of 2025.

Clean girl nails

No surprises: simple, clean nearly naked nails will remain a classic part of our uniform because they're so damn immaculate and they manage to feel both classic and modern at the same time.

“Sheer nudes aren’t going anywhere and will forever be a classic, but I also think more opaque nudes may become more popular,” says Georgia. Michelle is also backing sheer “clean-girl” nudes. “Choose a shade to suit your skin tone. If you have a warm skin tone go warm with more brown tones, I love Essie Not Just A Pretty Face," Michelle advises. “For cool skin tones, choose shades that have blue or white undertones in them, Essie Mademoiselle is great,” she adds. And Ella's on board, too. ”The clean girl mani is definitely going to stick around, the glossier the better," she says.

Black details

Black is basically a neutral and even though it's always been a classic, it's getting a lot more popular in 2025. “A short black glossy nail is a look that can be worn all year round in my opinion but I think we’ll see little touches of black in our 2025 manicures, whether that’s a black tip or a negative space design,” says Georgia.

Red

Another forever favourite, reds have undergone a bit of a revival throughout 2024, competing with the milky pinks and black cherry shades that have dominated for the past few seasons. 2025 will see them continue to trend. Michelle is backing chic reds all the way. “Think expensive and luxury vibes here,” she says.

Brown

Finally, brown came into its own in 2023 with the rise of the latte nail trend. Then everyone's obsession with espresso kept it on the map for 2024. For 2025, we'll see even more from the trending shade. “Brown seems to also be here to stay and it's such a rich and beautiful colour,” says Michelle. “Opt for more taupe or fawn tones over spring-summer, and richer, darker shades for the colder months,” she adds.

For more from GLAMOUR's Senior Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk

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