Listen, October is THE month for nail girlies and I’m not even being dramatic. Between stunning autumn colors, Halloween giving us an excuse to go all out, and glazed finishes being everywhere right now, we’re living our best fall mani life. I’ve been tracking every single trend that’s blown up this season – from brown chrome (obsessed) to 3D nails (the moment has arrived) – and compiled the ultimate October nail guide for 2025. Whether you’re a “my nails but better” minimalist or ready to stack every trend onto one set, I’ve got you. Let’s go.
1. Polka Dots
Obviously, starting with the biggest nail art trend right now – polka dots – and I found the perfect autumn spin. Chocolate brown base with white dots scattered across – like YES, we want our October nails to look like a cute retro wallpaper, what about it?
2. Ombre Mani
Ombre‘s having its biggest comeback since 2016 and my entire FYP is gradient nails. The October move? White fading to neutral pink or nude – it’s that natural-but-polished look that goes with everything. Skip the dramatic color shifts, we want subtle transitions that look expensive.
3. Pink Chrome
You already knew this one was coming – we’ve been wearing pink chrome all year and fall is no exception. Skip the Barbie hues though – dusty rose or light pink base only, then hit it with the reflective powder. The shine peeking out from your oversized sweater sleeves? Unmatched.
4. Deep Burgundy
Burgundy season is officially open! The second the temp dips under 70°F, every nail girlie I know is sprinting to the salon for this shade. Go solid if you’re a minimalist or add a blooming gel flower accent for bonus trend points. Either way, this is a no-miss October mani.
5. Olive Green
Olive green is in her prime this month – earthy, grounded, and absolutely on-theme for all your fall fits. But just because she’s practical doesn’t mean she can’t be adorable – we’re throwing in tiny white hearts at the cuticle. THIS is how you do green fall nails in 2025.
6. Classic French
White French tips will never not be relevant. They go with every fall outfit you own, and you can dress them up or down depending on your base – sheer white, sheer pink, or nude all work. This is your default October manicure when you want to look clean and polished.
7. Brown Chrome
Brown chrome is the it-girl mani of October – everyone and their group chat is posting it because it’s that good. Just pick your base (caramel, toffee, anything in the brown polish fam) and hit it with pearl or metallic powder. A fall-core slay that looks crazy good with gold rings and chunky knits.
8. Black & Silver
Black and silver nails for October because spooky season demands DRAMA. You want to mix things up here – alternate full-coverage and French tips, then layer with silver chrome stars, and rhinestones. Dimensional, reflective, and witchy in the best way.
9. Light Pink
For my BIAB girlies, clean-girl stans, and anyone who can’t be bothered with nail art this month – light pink is your friend. One or two coats, top it with gloss, and suddenly your nails look healthy, glowy, and better than anything you saw on your feed.
10. Fall Florals
Hot take: fall floral nails > spring floral manis. The warm tones? The harvest-coded color scheme? It’s just better. You need a soft milky base to start, then build out floral art in rusty reds, burnt oranges, mustard yellows – basically the entire cozy-core palette.
11. Celestial Nails
It’s October, so we’re obviously doing something vaguely witchy with our nails. Celestial sets are having their annual moment and we’re not mad. Start with a neutral base, add gold French tips (because ✨), and go off on your accent nails – gold starbursts with rhinestone centers.
12. Plum Nails
Plum manis are blowing UP on socials this month and I’m not surprised – they’re dramatic, moody, and basically a soft launch for your dark feminine era. My current obsession is Londontown Elderberry, but any blackened purple will dot the job. The upgrade: negative space design and a gold swirl or two.
13. Milky White
If you are tired of trend-hopping, just do milky white. Yes, it has been rebranded 40 times (milk bath, soap nails, clean girl nails, etc), but the formula is the same: a layer or two of milky polish + glossy top coat. If your nail shape is flattering, this mani hits every single time.
14. Dark Gray
Gray nails can go SO wrong SO fast – one wrong tone and it’s giving printer toner vibes. But when done right – like a deep charcoal shade with brushstroke art and a hit of glitter on the accent nail? Now she’s moody and expensive. This is how you wear dark nails this October.
15. Fall Leaf Art
This is peak sweater-weather energy, no notes. Skittle French tips in every cozy shade you can think of – burnt orange, mustard, brick red, soft brown, you get it – and then add teeny glittery leaf art to each nail. It’s the fall French tip you post on main.
16. White & Gold
White and gold manis are in their peak era right now, so get on board. Start with a white chrome base and then layer on raised gold accents – yes, we’re doing full 3D. Perfect if you’ve got something fancy coming up or if you’re just naturally extra (as you should be).
If black nails feel tired but you’re still in your dark fall nail era, navy blue is the upgrade. It’s giving old-money/preppy-core – perfect match for your blazer-and-loafer fits. Just add a few accent French tips to break up the color wall – we need dimension, people!
18. Tortoise Shell
It’s not October unless someone’s walking around with tortie nails like they invented fall. This pattern comes back every single year and we’re still not tired. Stick to brown tones (obviously), then mix your layout: go solid on some, throw in an aura effect, maybe a brown French tip or two.
19. Pumpkin Orange
Pumpkin season = peak themed mani time, so yes, we’re doing an orange French tip. Top the set with gold stars and black rhinestones and you are ready for Halloween, IG content, anything you’re doing this month. She’s a cost-per-wear queen and I salute her.
20. Opal Birthstone Mani
October’s birthstone is opal – the prettiest one if you ask me – and it’s also one of the coolest mani trends this month. So, birthday girlies, you’re going for a holographic vibe here: aurora chrome, glitter flakes, anything that shifts in the light and imitates that gemstone glow.
21. Aura Mani
Fall aura nails > every other aura nails, sorry I don’t make the rules. This is the season to play with deeper, moodier color combos and a TPI-approved lok is a plum base with cherry red aura shading. It’s moody, a little dramatic, but still super cute.
22. Neutral Nails
If you’re a neutral girlie, this is literally the easiest October mani. Just grab a brown-based nude polish (a huge trend right now) that works with your undertone (daylight check only, not the weird salon lights, please). No add-ons needed – just a clean & cozy slay.
23. Autumn Skittle
I already hear some of you: “We’re not picking just one shade for October – what is this, amateur hour?” Valid. Fall is nail girlie season and the skittle mani is how you flex the entire autumn palette. Mustard yellow, cranberry red, honey brown, chocolate, burgundy – copy, paste, serve.
24. Emerald Swirls
This is for the artsy girlies who don’t want their October nails to look like everyone else’s. Start with a clear base and go in with emerald green swirls – just freehand it, no rules. You can 100% DIY this – I always put swirl designs in my lists because they’re the easiest thing ever.
25. Halloween Mani
The Pink Issue’s fave Halloween nails for 2025 are red French tips with a devilish twist. Square shape looks extra sharp for this, but whatever shape you’re rocking will work. Just slap on a little horn + tail accent and you’re good. Red is the scary nail MVP – it does the most with the least.
26. Cat-Eye Effect
Right now I can’t scroll without seeing magnetic manis in chocolate, red, and amber – my FYP is basically just cat-eye demos and people losing it in the comments. For October, go with a brown base to keep it outfit-friendly. Still want a little drama? Of course you do. Add a floral accent.
27. Dusty Mauve
Mauve is not quite pink, not quite purple – it just sits there being all soft and sophisticated and perfectly in-between. For October, we’re giving it a little upgrade: toss some gold glitter on your accent nails. Your classy fall nails, right here.
28. Brown & Blue
Brown and blue nails are dominating fall 2025, no notes. They’re all over NailTok and IG in a million combos, but here’s the one to book: alternate different shades of brown and blue across your set, then throw gold chrome on one nail to tie it all in.
29. Maroon Nails
Maroon is that girl when you want red but make it fall-coded. It’s deeper, it’s moodier, and that brown undertone? Doing overtime. I’m pairing mine with leopard print accents – because yes, Y2K nails are still a thing but we’re doing them right this time.
30. Mix & Match
Another booked and busy October color combo: brown and green nails. We’re going mixy & matchy here: solid nails, Frenchies, aura shading, animal print and gold detailing. If you love a chaotic-cute mani that somehow makes sense in the end, this set is calling your name.
31. Black & Red
Spooky season but make it extra. Black and red is giving full-on drama vibes, especially as a gradient. Go aura nails, go ombre – both are instant October mood. Of course, we’re topping it off with chrome because why settle for subtle finish when you can slay with shine?
32. Micro French
If you want a modern French mani for October, go micro. I’m talking the tiniest tip line – barely there but still chef’s kiss for structure, especially on short nails. Crisp white over a soft pink base is the default, but don’t sleep on metallics or rich fall shades.
33. 3D Nails
We’re wrapping it up with 3D nails – one of the biggest nail trends for 2025. For October, it’s all about a burnt orange and brown palette. Layer it up with tortie designs, Frenchies with negative-space cutouts, aura shading, and top it off with gold micro beads
And that’s a wrap on October nail designs for 2025! Drop your faves in the comments – I need to know which ones you’re booking ASAP. Oh, and share this post if you liked it – because your girl spent way too long tracking these trends and I’m not sorry about it. 🤎
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