The 10 Hottest Fall 2022 Nail Art Trends

Celebrity nail artist Sonya Belakhlef says all things celestial will be trending come fall 2022. Keep an eye out for crescent moons, stars, and even flying saucers that dazzle. Go with flat designs or cool 3D interpretations.

Metallic polishes have been hot for a while, and nail art hobbyist Tessa Pierce doesn’t expect the nail art trend to go away anytime soon. Expect designs done in silvers, golds, bronzes, and coppers. It’s the perfect way to “add an eye-catching pop to any look” she notes.

Y2K-era extraness is definitely having a moment, but for those who like their manis a bit more subdued, Pierce says you’re in luck, because minimalist nail art will also be popular this autumn. “Look for simple designs in bold contrasting colors,” she tells Bustle.

From dense, playful confetti styles to more sparse placements, Belakhlef says sticker-like decals will be everywhere this fall. If going the confetti route, they say, “You can customize it with different color confetti or use a confetti top coat like ORLY Kick Glass to mimic the effect.”

Both Britney Tokyo, Los Angeles-based nail artist, and Eunice Park, nail artist with Aprés Nail, say that “peek-a-boo” nail art is huge this season. “It was a look featured at New York Fashion week, seen at Maisie Wilen’s show,” says Park. “It’s a really fun look for both pros and home users to do because when you do it with Aprés Gel X tips you can actually paint the tips before you apply it on your nails.” Whether it’s a contrasting color, another design, or a hidden message, don’t sleep on the underside of your tips.

Boyce says fall will usher in the age of the glazed finish. Hailey Bieber (as you know) has introduced the “glazed donut” mani, and Boyce says the look will really take hold in the months ahead. “It’s a bit ethereal, and it looks great by itself or on top of a French tip in pastel shades,” she says.

Belakhlef also expects ornate, “Schiaparelli-inspired nails” and 3D designs to add plenty of texture to autumn manis. “This look is really opulent and lush which we’ll see more of it this fall and likely beyond,” they note.

Molten-esque chrome nails have been gaining in popularity all year, and Boyce and Belakhlef expect it to totally take off for fall 2022. “It can be chrome orbs, diamond plating, or chrome French tips. The possibilities are endless,” Boyce says. Some designs may even lean into that cosmic, futuristic vibe, Belakhlef adds. Whatever you choose, a chrome mani is guaranteed to turn heads.

The next iteration of the Barbiecore movement will be funkier and more psychedelic, Boyce predicts. “Think tie-dye or marbled combos with bright shades and 3D looks with neon colors,” she explains.

Tokyo says to expect plenty of nail art fit for a superhero this fall, like this set that totally delivers on the futuristic, Xena: Warrior Princess vibes. Opt for swirly chrome accents in all sorts of funky shapes on top of an aura design or bold-colored base to achieve the look.