8 must-know spring/summer 2025 nail art trends
By Lilly Delmage | 03 March 2025 | News, Trends
Spring has sprung, and it’s time to try out new nail design options.
Nail trends for spring/summer 2025 are pushing the boundaries of creativity and steering art in a fresh direction. We’ve rounded up ones to know to ensure your nail choices are on-trend.
Mineral manicures
Manifestation techniques are trending for 2025, and are inspiring goal-oriented clients to request crystals and mineral-effect nail finishes. Rose quartz, amethyst and jade are popular influences, as the crystals are believed to manifest love, peace and joy.
Photo credit: @ginaedwards_
The mineral mani trend was elevated at New York Fashion Week SS25, where celebrity nail stylist, Gina Edwards, created ‘smokey quartz nails’ for models walking the Prabal Gurung runway.
Photo credit: @nailinthecoffin_nailsbyjames
Click here for a step-by-step guide to creating rose quartz nail art.
Illusion effects
Illusion nails offer a unique twist on classic designs. “I’ve noticed an increase in clients requesting textured nail art, such as 3D chrome and cat eye finishes,” shares Giorgia Cappella, head of education & spa at The GelBottle Inc. Below, the pro layered The The GelBottle Inc’s Cat-Eye Gel Polish in Rumour and Pearl Chrome Pigment for a mesmerising finish.
Photo credit: @bygiorgia_
Aura nails are also proving popular, and Giorgia explains the technique: “An aura nail design features a diffused halo of colour around a central shade, and the key is to use contrasting colours. Whether you opt for a dark base with a lighter centre, or a reverse ombré: a lighter base with a darker centre, use a sponge or an airbrush to achieve the seamless gradient.”
The Glitterbels team created the below blue aura design for APUJAN models at the fashion house’s SS25 London Fashion Week showcase.
Photo credit: Ebony Shepherd for Glitterbels
Click here to get inspired by 60+ mesmerising cat eye nail designs.
Pastel picks
What would a spring/summer trend roundup be without pastels? Pair with chrome finishes or use multiple hues to create pretty nail art designs. “I predict that pastel hues with pearlescent finishes will be requested in the coming months, as they offer an ethereal effect,” says NailKind founder, Pernille Damkjær Hertz.
Photo credit: @clw_nailartist
Delicate pastel flowers are a minimalist’s nail art dream, and a popular choice for spring as flowers bloom.
Photo credit: @nail_palettes
Click here to see 60+ pistachio nail designs to inspire pastel choices.
Mocha mousse
Global colour authority, Pantone, unveiled ‘Mocha Mousse’ as its Colour of the Year 2025: a ‘mellow brown infused with a sensorial and comforting warmth’. The shade is the perfect option for clients seeking an on-trend, subtle nail finish.
Photo credit: @nailssby.sash
Here’s 45+ ways to incorporate the mocha hue into nail art designs.
Sea witchery
According to the 2025 Pinterest Predicts report, ‘sea-inspired nail’ searches have increased by 65%, with clients embracing 3D shell effects, underwater characters and mermaid-style decals. Renowned nail artist & brand founder, Kirsty Meakin, partnered with Pinterest to create ‘good sea witch’ and ‘bad sea witch’ manicures, inspired by the trend.
Kirsty Meakin’s ‘good sea witch’ manicure.
Kirsty Meakin’s ‘bad sea witch’ manicure.
Soap & milky nails
NSI UK marketing expert, Janine Gannon, shares the difference between ‘soap’ nails and ‘milky’ nails: “Soap nails have a glossy, opalescent finish that mimics the look of soap bubbles: light, airy and subtly iridescent. Milky nails feature a creamy, semi-sheer white or pink base, offering a natural, soft-focus effect.”
She notes the benefits of soap nails: “The design oozes elegant minimalism, is versatile and offers a soft luxury aesthetic, while also being low maintenance, with the subtle regrowth making the style ideal for longer wear.”
Photo credit: @harrietwestmoreland
This trend is ever-popular with celebrity clients, such as influencer, Molly-Mae Hague, who often opts for a matching milky mani and pedi, like this one by celebrity tech, Harriet Westmoreland, and her assistant, Milly Mason.
Learn more about the soap nails trend, and the celebrities sporting it here.
Matching manis
The 2025 Pinterest Predicts report states that consumers are focusing on their personal connections to inspire beauty choices. The search term, ‘friends matching nails’, has risen by 35%, so expect clients to seek similar looks to friends and partners.
Photo credit: @nailsbyheather.errington
Stained glass nails
Stained glass nails, which replicate the intricate designs of stained glass windows, are quickly increasing in popularity. The combination of intricate linework and vibrant hues creates a bold, artistic look that is both eye-catching and elegant.
Photo credit: @notorioushandjobz
Read the latest issue
