Mystical MOMENT

Nails are taking on spiritual and ethereal elements this spring/ summer. Kezia Parkins explores some of the trends set to take over

Mystical manis

Manicures have been becoming more fantastical over the past few years with 3D elements, new mediums and embellishments making for otherworldly looks, and “Sea Witchery” is set to be a big trend this year, according to social media platform Pinterest.

“You’ve got the dark sea witch which is more of a siren vibe, and then you’ve got the lighter sea witch, more like a mermaid,” explains award-winning nail tech Kirsty Meakin.

“You can do it on long or short nails, but you need to have a bit of texture. Mix chrome, cat eye and add texture on the top to create some real depth and magnify the embellishments. Top it off with some shells or shell shards and encapasulate. Finish off with some pearls.”

Aura Indigo is a cosmic take on lilac that is prophesied to be big this year. If you have some pearly lilacs or any other pastels, use a dotting tool to create some gorgeous swirls reminiscent of the movement of the sea.

GELISH

Very berry

Cherry, raspberry and strawberry reds are set to be among the juicy colours of the summer season for 2025.

In fact, cherry red was one of the colours pegged by Pinterest to be hot for this year. And with makeup brands obsessed with black cherry lips, we can expect reds to be extra vampy this season too.

“Have you ever taken a deep burgundy red and put chrome over the top?” says Meakin. “It’s like Cherry Coca-Cola. It just looks edible.”

Mocha moments

With Mocha Mousse being Pantone’s colour of the year for 2025, you can expect to see this chocolatey trend on nails throughout spring and summer, despite historically being more of a winter shade.

Coffee and confectionery tones have been all the rage for the past six months as an extension of other trends including “cowgirl” – think cowboy boots and hats, cow print and suede – and “bogcore”, which was all about taking florals for spring and turning it on its head to become something more swamp siren than English rose. And, of course, there was quiet luxury, which we see the mocha trend really attaching to, since it’s all about understated opulence, neutral shades and chic minimalism.

“Everything is clean, clean, clean at the moment on the runways,” says leading session nail tech Jenny Longworth. “Everything is really pared back and minimal.”

Cat eye shapes

If the paperclip cat-eye heart trend makes you want to break up with your client, it might be time to get over it. Magnetic cat-eye gel is not going anywhere and thanks to social media, clients are increasingly aware of the incredible effects possible.

Have a play with different-shaped magnets or attach them to different metal objects. Layering shapes or using the gel to create contrasting sections makes for really impressive looks.

Cat eye nails over a chocolatey base are super on-trend. Add a layer of chrome to create even more depth.

“Nude cat-eye looks are really popular at the moment,” says Meakin. “So, it’s still very clean but brings that elevated edge.” To really hit two trends at once we are loving cat-eye nail art in brown shades.

Aura nails

Aura nails are not going anywhere in 2025 but will be ultra-personalised this year thanks to the aura trend taking off in a big way. Aura readings have become super-popular, with some people claiming to be experts able to see someone’s aura just by looking at them.

There are also aura cameras that clam to be able to capture someone’s aura. The colours in a person’s aura can indicate parts of their spirit or soul, with red said to indicate passion and anger and indigo indicating spirituality and empathy.

Whether you think it is a gimmick or not, the aura trend is so simple to achieve in nail art and personalising a set to your clients is simple. Either use an app or give reading your clients a go. The best part is, you will likely try some colour combinations you have never thought of.

Movie moment

For the past few years, marketing campaigns around blockbuster films have helped dictate some of the biggest trends. Think back to the pink mania of 2023 when the Barbie movie had just come out or the Wicked movie last year, which saw the world divide into two camps – Green Elphabas and Pink Glindas. Which movie will be influencing looks in 2025? “I have been seeing a lot of claw and wolf-inspired nails recently and the Wolfman movie is coming out this year so that could really help dictate trends,” predicts Longworth.