Let's be honest: one of the most stressful decisions you can make is the one that greets you the moment you sit down at the nail salon. Just me?

The indecisiveness kicks in. You start to sweat as you're faced with hundreds of swatches. And suddenly, you're too shy to speak up when you're not totally in love with the finished look… even though there's technically nothing wrong.

That's why we've rounded up the top manicure trends this year to help make your next nail appointment so much easier. Whether you're into barely-there pastels, subtle shimmer or bold but classy tips, there's something here for every design preference and nail shape.

WATCH NOW: Emily Vernem tries the viral boyfriend blush trend. Post continues below.

The best manicure trends to try in 2025.

Licorice French nails.

Think of this as the little black dress of nail trends — timeless, chic and endlessly wearable. The licorice French mani swaps the classic white tip for black, giving a sleek, modern twist that feels especially right for the cooler months.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by VALENTINA’S NAILS (@valentina.s__nails)

Soap nails.

Getting the 'soap nail' look is intended to make your fingers look freshly manicured and clean all the time (like you just pulled your squeaky clean hands out of a soapy bubble bath), not just five minutes after leaving the salon.

This trend isn't just about the nail colour — instead, it's all about the serious prep. Your nail artist — or yourself, if you decide to go in-house — will need to pay close attention to thoroughly cleaning the nails of any previous polish, buffing them until they shine, carefully and neatly trimming away rough cuticles, and filing the tips so they're perfectly symmetrical. To go the extra mile, a light exfoliation of the hands to rid of any dead skin cells (followed by a hand mask) is always a good idea.

Once they look impeccably clean, that's when you can give them a glow-up with a sheer wash of a glossy polish and topcoat.

You can read everything you need to know about soap nails here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Harriet Westmoreland (@harrietwestmoreland)

Milk nails.

A soft, delicate twist on the '90s French manicure trend, 'milk nails' merge the contrast of the classic signature pale pink and white tip, resulting in a sheer milky shade that looks both polished and expensive. 

The best part about 'milk nails' is that the opacity is completely customisable, depending on what kind of look you want to go for, so feel free to lean into a softer shade or something more opaque. 

You can read everything you need to know about milk nails here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by stephanie stone (@stephstonenails)

Candy floss nails.

While neutrals are all the rage this year (hello, soap and milk nails). It doesn't mean you must resort to a boring hue to get that expensive-looking "old money' manicure look. OK, this isn't a cue to go all out with neons, but if you're looking to explore some colour, you mustn't look past a 'candy floss' shade of pink. 

Celebrity manicurist Betina Goldstein recently spotlighted the look on Instagram — and it's the perfect blend of soft colour and subtle luxury. In other words, soap nails but elevated. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Betina R. Goldstein (@betina_goldstein)

Cat-eye nails.

Cat-eye nail polish contains iron powder or magnetic particles that can be manipulated using a special magnet. When the magnet is held close to the wet polish, these particles align to create a streak that shifts and changes as you move your hands. This creates a distinctive line or pattern that gives you the illusion of 3D nails.

From cosmic blues and purples to delicate soft pinks, this look works with any colour (head to any good nail salon and they're guaranteed to have a myriad of hues available).

You can read everything you need to know about cat-eye nails here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nails Avenue World Square (@nails.avenueworldsquare)

Foggy French nails.

What's the difference between a regular French mani and a foggy one? Well, instead of sealing the tips with a clear topcoat right away, an extra layer of the base shade is applied on top before finishing. This tones down the sharpness of the tip colour, creating a soft, hazy and foggy, effect — hence the name. 

You can read everything you need to know about foggy French nails here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nin 🇰🇭 (@sreyninpeng)

Pixie dust nails.

Glazed doughnut nails walked so pixie dust nails could shimmer. These nails are clean, glossy and sprinkled with a fairy-like iridescence. Think soap nails with a subtle sparkle — perfect if you want shine without going full glitter or chrome.

You can read everything you need to know about pixie dust nails here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Melly K (@melly.k.nails)

Peach champagne nails.

We can thank Selena Gomez for starting this trend when she was spotted with it on the red carpet at the Oscars earlier this year. 

Unlike a solid, opaque peach shade, peach champagne nails feature subtle hints of peach, pink and gold. The result is a fresh, feminine and effortlessly classy look that works for any season or occasion, whether it's a wedding, a workday or a long lunch. While peach champagne works with any nail shape, we have to admit almond nails make this look a solid 11 out of 10. 

You can read everything you need to know about peach champagne nails here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝙏𝙤𝙢 𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙠 Nails (@tombachik)

Nail tints.

Nail tints (also known as nail glows) are like the lip gloss of the manicure world — sheer, shiny and natural-looking. These translucent polishes enhance your nails instead of hiding them, making them ideal for anyone with weak or damaged tips. Bonus: most formulas come with nourishing ingredients like AHAs or almond oil to strengthen and heal your nails from within.

You can read everything you need to know about nail tints here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Samantha Rudge (@samantharudge.beauty)

Brazilian nails.

Want your regular polish to look next-level? Ask for a Brazilian manicure. This technique removes every bit of cuticle and applies polish beyond the nail bed — yes, onto the skin.

While it looks messy during the process (chaotic, even), it results in ultra-clean lines once the excess is cleaned up with an acetone-soaked stick. The finish is crisp, neat and salon-level stunning — no gels or acrylics required.

You can read everything you need to know about Brazilian nails here.

@taamibarros

Brazilian manicure #unhasdecoradas #unhasnaturais #videodeunhas #unhas #tutorialdeunhas #unhasfofas #unhascoloridas #unhasbrasil #unhasdasemana #unhasfeitas #nails #unhasfortes

♬ som original - ★𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒂 𝑳𝒐𝒃𝒂★

Which one is your favourite manicure trend? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Feature image: Instagram @harrietwestmoreland/@jesslizs/@valentina.s__nails.