As summer fades and cooler days roll in, nail trends are taking a seasonal shift – leaning into rich tones, refined textures, and a renewed emphasis on natural nail health.
From modern spins on the classic French tip to the soft glow of “glass” finishes and elegant minimalist designs, autumn’s nail forecast is all about understated sophistication with a personal twist. The team at VALET Nail Bar in Ponsonby share the standout looks they’re creating right now – and the shades, finishes, and techniques their clients can’t get enough of.
Glass Nails
More subtle than a chrome, with a high shine translucent finish, glass nails continue their popularity. “We find the neutral, lighter shades are our most popular, however bolder shades such as bright reds look incredible catching the light with such a glossy finish!” says VALET nail artist, Yen.
We expect glass nails to continue to increase in their popularity over the coming months, as they are something a bit different but still in keeping with the minimalist trend.
Deep Cherry Red
The cooler months are a great time to move to a moody, darker toned polish. Deep cherry reds are classy and elegant, while also making a bold statement. While many of our clients choose a classic red shade, moving to a deeper wine toned shade is perfect as we head into autumn.
We have a wide range of these shades, so whether you prefer something cooler or warmer toned, our nail artists will be able to help you select the perfect shade for you!
Tortoiseshell
A more refined take on an animal print, tortoiseshell is a beautiful style of nail art. With a colour palette of warm, earthy tones, it perfectly fits the autumn months. This look definitely stands out, with its detail giving a classic yet luxurious appearance. This print works well on all nail shapes, and can even be applied as tips against a neutral tone, for an incredible contrast!
The classic French tip
The timeless French tip continues to be incredibly popular at VALET, and this will continue as we leave summer behind. The modern French is nothing like the pastel pink and stark white of the past. It is a sophisticated look, with a neutral base colour to compliment the skin tone of our client.
Our nail artist May, says her most popular combination for this ‘Love is in the Bare’ as a base, with a more milky white shade such as ‘Funny Bunny’, both from OPI, as the tip.
There are also many variations on this classic to make it a little more playful. From a micro-french, where the line is super fine, to bright colours and even chrome as the tip, there are many ways to make your French manicure unique to you.
Minimalist Nail Art
While we often have clients with highly detailed and intricate Nail Art, there is a growing trend to a more minimal design. Fine lines in metallic and deep jewel tones, contrasting chrome tips, and jewelled accents are a great way to add some interest to your nails!
This more minimal look is a great option for those who want to try Nail Art, but are not quite ready for our more detailed designs!
Nudes and Neutrals
Nudes and neutrals will always be the most highly requested option at VALET. However, there is a trend towards truly soft, milky nudes in a style some refer to as soap nails. The look is light, natural, and effortless.
As our nail artist Tong states, “the right colour choice makes all the difference with our nude and neutral shades. We can help you select a complimentary colour that will work perfectly against your skin tone”
This look is all about dewy, shiny, natural looking nails.
Neutral Cat Eye
Cat Eye nails, where a highly reflective finish is achieved by use of a small magnet on specialised gel polish, continue to be highly requested. While these have been popular for some time now, our most requested shades are now in the neutral family. In these neutral tones, a more subtle effect is achieved, so you can still make a statement each time your classically toned nails catch and reflect the light.
Nail Care
One thing that will always be high on our priority list is nail care.
We are finding that our clients are far more aware now of the importance of maintaining their nail health, and keeping the strength of their nails at an optimum level. This is one of the reasons Builder Gel is our most popular nail service.
Since our opening, it has been so important to us at VALET to promote nail health, and help to educate our clients on the best nail service for them . It is one of the reasons we don’t offer acrylics, both for the health of our nail artists and our clients.
We also encourage our clients to maintain their regular infill/removal appointments, as this is so important to maintain the health of your nails – each appointment is not just an opportunity to try the newest nail trend, but it is vital for our nail artists to be able to check on your nails and ensure they remain in their best condition.