When it comes to autumn/winter 2025 nail trends, one theme stands out above all: colour. From deep coffee browns to buttery yellows and matcha greens, this season’s nail colour palette is rich, comforting and full of creative potential.
Industry experts predict that food- and drink-inspired tones, textured finishes and personalisation will define the coming months — offering nail professionals new ways to refresh their colour menus and inspire clients.
Beverage-inspired nail colours: Matcha, mocha and more for AW25
The influence of Mocha Mousse on the beauty industry has been undeniable – but Glitterbels ambassador Katie Taylor doesn’t think the beverage hype will end there.
“I think matcha is going to be massive this autumn – we’ve already seen this trend begin to emerge in spring and summer, but it won’t stop there,” she says.
One of the great things about shades inspired by food and drink is the wealth of marketing opportunities they present. By curating Pinterest-style mood boards or playful colour menus, nail techs can spark their clients’ imaginations long before they sit down at their appointments.
It’s a simple yet effective way to showcase trending palettes and help clients visualise their next set, making it even easier to secure more autumn bookings.
Brown nails for Autumn/Winter 2025: From chocolate to tortoiseshell
“Brown has had a big moment in 2025, and while it’s always been a hot shade for A/W, this year it will reach new heights,” predicts Kezia Parkins, beauty journalist and nail artist who specialises in press-on nails. “Instead of just experimenting with different shades of brown – from milk chocolate to teddy bear – I think nail techs will start getting creative with texture and design, too.”
“Brown doesn’t have to feel flat or traditional,” agrees Sara Pinto, product director at Andreia Professional. “Glassy topcoats and chrome finishes can help take a shade to the next level.”
Meanwhile, Taylor is envisioning the return of the classic tortoiseshell – with a twist. “It’s an autumn staple that we all know and love, but this year I think we’re going to see techs breathing new life into this classic brown design,” she explains.
Deep reds – much like Coloro’s Cherry Lacquer – will be perfect for clients who still want to keep to a dark, moody palette to their tortie, while teal green offers more contrast for a fun pop.
Butter yellow nails: How to wear the trend for autumn 2025
Another colour that’s been trending throughout the year is butter yellow. Shea Osei, London-based session nail tech and educator who worked on Cynthia Erivo's nails in the movie Wicked, believes this will continue into the colder months, sharing, “I’m thinking about adding a chrome on top for a festive feel.”
For clients that favour warmer, darker tones during this time, there’s an opportunity to guide them towards deeper shades such as mustard and ochre. Of course, curating fun, descriptive names for the shades in your colour menu (Osei suggests caramel butter or warm custard) and posting about these on social media can also help you capture the attention of prospective clients.
“Last year’s burgundy trend could easily make a comeback and could be paired with rich yellows to create layered, autumnal looks,” says Jodie Keen, Kent-based BIAB and nail art specialist. “This is perfect for clients who want to step out of their comfort zones but still want something wearable.”
Another way to put an autumnal twist on butter yellow is to pair it with brown. “Brown is such a rich canvas to start a nail design on, and this helps to showcase butter yellow in a way that will stand out, breathing new life into a popular trend,” explains Osei.
Personalised nail art and texture: Expressive designs for 2025
According to WGSN’s senior strategist for buying, Jessica Seddon, trends were too saturated in the market between 2023 and 2024, resulting in a shift.
“It wasn’t sustainable, in terms of the environment but also personal spending. Consumers’ spending power isn’t strong enough to keep up with all the changing trends, so it has driven them to return to personal style and more considered consumption,” she says.
This behaviour is something Keen has observed with her clients, sharing: “The clean-girl aesthetic, which encompasses milky pinks and sheer finishes, is still thriving – as is the classic French.”
However, many clients see their nails as an outlet for personal expression, so it’s unlikely that experimental techniques are going to disappear.
“Nail art is always in demand,” asserts Monika Ferreira, Gelish master educator and nail art award winner. “However, lately we’ve seen more requests for bespoke art based on personal interests – such as the latest Disney film, or holiday-themed art.”
In fact, Keen also notes that she’s been seeing more clients than ever stepping out of their comfort zone with intricate layered designs, textured finishes and 3D embellishments.
With so many talented techs sharing their work on social media, it’s easy for clients to hear about new techniques and trends.
“Pinterest and Instagram are still the most popular client mood boards that get presented to me in a consultation, and chrome is certainly making a comeback,” explains Ferreira. However, instead of soft cottage-core tones with an ethereal glow, Parkins is predicting a grunge revival, with silver and pewter tones favoured over the more feminine gold.
Meanwhile, much like Sandhu’s makeup predictions for the upcoming season, Osei is dialled in on texture: “Whether it’s swirls of velvet finishes with builder gel, or even a matte topcoat, clients will be ready to experiment.”
What to remember about this season's nail trends...
Whether your clients are drawn to the calming tones of matcha nails, the timeless appeal of brown manicures, or the playful glow of butter yellow and warm custard, autumn/winter 2025 nail trends offer endless opportunities for creativity.
From layering textures to experimenting with chrome, or curating colour menus inspired by seasonal drinks, the key to success this season lies in personalisation and storytelling.
As clients seek more meaningful, expressive designs, nail pros who embrace individuality – while staying ahead of emerging colour trends – will be best placed to make every manicure feel truly bespoke.
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