17 Nail Trends of 2025 That Will Make Your Clients Go Wow

Summary

Offering popular nail trends at your salon means you can always provide your clients with fresh, stylish looks. Whether it’s a trending nail color, intricate design, or unique shape, staying up-to-date on the latest and greatest in nail styles ensures you’re keeping up with what’s hot and in demand. This article will explore some of the coolest nail designs of 2025 to help expand your skillset and provide endless options to your clients. 

17 Top Nail Trends in 2025

Stay on top of the latest nail trends for 2025 with this extensive list of design ideas. 

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1. Mocha mousse nails 

These nails feature soft, brown shades (more specifically, Pantone’s 2025 color of the year, Mocha Mousse) with a creamy finish like stirred coffee. It’s an elegant, understated color that lends itself to any season or occasion, whether casual or luxurious. Mocha mousse nails are often described as warm and cozy, and definitely a shade that’s bringing brown back. 

2. Dark, short nails 

Dark, bold, edgy, and a little on the shorter side, these nails are a departure from the long bright claws that have long dominated the manicure scene. Short nails are more comfortable for some, and by pairing them with dark colors like black or navy, you can create a powerful, aesthetic impact that can still draw focus to the hands even without extra length. 

3. Velvet nails 

Velvet nails are another trendy nail idea that bring a soft fuzziness to your clients’ nail game. Semi-metallic polishes, finishing powders, and magnets work together for a plush, textured look resembling velvet fabric, creating a sleek, multidimensional nail style that can work with any combination of colors. 

4. Russian manicures 

Also known as a dry manicure, Russian manicures are considered a bit controversial but nonetheless, still seen all over social media. These manicures focus on precise nail shaping and intense cuticle care, using an electric drill bit to scrape away bits of skin (that’s the controversial part) for a smooth, clean, and polished look. When getting a Russian manicure, the nail tech will skip the hand soaking in favor of working with dry skin for the best results. 

5. Blooming designs 

This nail trend requires a special gel polish that “blooms” as it makes contact with the nail, resulting in floral, marbled, or lava lamp-like designs. Blooming nail designs can create all sorts of abstract shapes and patterns (and definitely not for those who prefer sharp, precise lines). Blooming nails are the perfect nail trend for spring or summer, and aside from a UV/gel lamp, don’t require any additional special tools to pull off. 

6. Soft neutrals 

Soft neutrals rarely go out of style due to their versatility. Dress them up or down, they’ll pretty much go with anything you wear. Soft pinks, nudes, beiges, and taupes provide just enough pop of color to bring your fingers to life without overwhelming your hands with color, creating an understated aesthetic. 

7. Abstract patterns 

Abstract patterns are another nail trend you’ll find scattered across Instagram and TikTok. These styles feature creative, non-traditional designs using shapes, swirls, and color splashes to create fun images that, in some cases, come out a little differently on each nail. Whether you use a stencil to aid your efforts or put your faith in your freehand artistry skills, abstract patterns are a cool way to make unique designs for your clients. 

8. Subtle metallic accents 

This nail trend has been “in” for a while, and it’s no secret why. Subtle metallic touches give nails a hint of luxury and a refined shine, providing an accessorized look without the need for extra accessories. Metallic nail accents are flexible in that they can be edgy or elegant, bold or understated, all while creating visual interest. Whether it’s a French mani with gold tips or chrome-striped nail beds, metallic accents are here to stay. 

9. Layered nail art 

This nail trend bypasses your basic solids and sparkles for a more intricate look. Layered nail art uses different textures, colors, and finishes to create a multi-dimensional effect, with each layer adding another level to the nail design. Some clients may also want to use stamps, stickers, or other embellishments as part of their nail design, further adding to the stacked, layered look of the nail art. 

10. Milky white nails

Crisp, clean, and ready for any season, milky white nails have a soft, somewhat translucent white color for a creamy, sophisticated “rich girl” look. While getting the right shade of white can be tricky, it’s the sheer finish that really helps create that shininess. Milky white doesn’t actually have to be pure white, either. Some milky white nails have pale pink or light nude finishes to add just a little more dimension to the finished look. 

11. Blue-outlined French tips 

Blue French tip nails offer a modern twist on an old favorite. The sophistication of a French manicure with an expressive pop of blue tips create a contemporary mashup that is both different and eye-catching. Blue-outlined French tips are more than a nail trend, they’re a statement. They’re where maturity meets spunkiness, creating a striking visual that will make any hand stand out from the crowd. 

12. Soap nails 

Soap nails are another trendy nail idea that are exactly what they sound like – a design that gives your nails the appearance of smooth, glossy soap. This minimalist nail trend eschews bold, vibrant hues for a barely-there design: light, pale colors with a pearly finish that keep nails looking sleek, clean, and fresh. Unlike milky nails which are slightly more creamy, soap nails are sheer and clear, creating a shiny, ultra-hydrated appearance. 

13. Mini art nails 

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Mini art nails focus more on the embellishments than the base. Typically, these involve a clear or neutral base color, with layered designs on top of the nail bed using stickers, jewels, stencils, or little figures. In some cases, nail techs make their works of art on press-ons beforehand so that the designs are ready to apply as soon as the client sits down. Mini art nails can be anything from whole connected scenes to individually designed nails. 

14. Rainbow sherbet nails 

For some, manicures are all about striking hues. Rainbow sherbert nails feature bold, bright colors painted together to resemble – you guessed it – rainbow sherbert. Orange, lime green, sharp yellow, and vivid pink all come together through ombre, sponging, or airbrushing techniques to create this blended effect, resulting in a fun clash of color that’s cute and summery. 

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15. Multicolored French manicure 

A multicolored French manicure features a classic, modern design with vibrant, colorful tips for a playful and bold look. Though people usually choose a neutral base, multicolored French manis can use any combination of colors and tips. In fact, you could make each tip a different color if that’s what the client wants! You can even use gradients, swirls, or stripes to create more dimension in the nail tips for visual interest and uniqueness. 

16. Cat eye nails

Similar to velvet nails, cat eye nails are shimmery and metallic, but characterized by a thin, diagonal line through the nail resembling a cat eye. These nail designs typically rely on magnetic gel polish or a thin nail polish brush to create this effect, resulting in a sleek, feminine style that catches the light – and everyone’s attention. 

17. Jelly nails

One of the hottest nail trends of 2025 is the jelly nail. Jelly nails involve sheer polish, usually in a ‘90s style color scheme (think pinks, greens, and oranges). The translucence allows your natural nails to show through the bright colors, resulting in a juicy or glass-like look that’s light, fun, and perfect for summer.

Elevate Your Nail Salon Experience With GlossGenius

You’ve probably heard the phrase “don’t chase trends” (because typically, by the time you catch up to it, the trend is already over). However, when it comes to nails, few designs rarely go out of style, and rest assured there’s always an old trend that will inevitably find its way back into the mainstream. Whether your clients are jonesing for the newest trending nail color or want to try something a little different than their usual French mani, staying up-to-date on a few nail trends will keep you prepared. Nail trends can boost customer satisfaction and your revenue, keeping your salon in the game in more ways than one. 

GlossGenius is here to help you elevate your nail salon experience and keep clients coming back for more. With features like Online Booking, your customers can schedule an appointment at your business 24/7, while Client Notifications will take care of any confirmations or reminders to ensure your clients show up when they’re supposed to. And with GlossGenius’ robust Marketing tools, you can reach your target audience (and beyond) with irresistible promos and deals. 

Try GlossGenius today and get a 14-day free trial!

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