Tonight marks the official end of New York Fashion Week, which means one thing: it’s time for a trend recap. The S/S '27 season marks a major pivot in beauty trends. You can retire blush and slick back buns—it’s all about eyeliner and partless low ponytails now. The simple, short manicures in 20 shades of nude that dominated most of last year? Well, it’s all about almond-shaped extensions in the boldest color you can imagine now. If 2025/2026 was focused on glass skin and bobs, then 2026/2027 is all about the eyes and mermaid waves.

NYFW beauty trends can often feel a bit unattainable—as much as I love a teased updo or black lipstick, I’m not wearing it to work. But this year’s looks are actually very wearable and incredibly easy to recreate. I’m rounding up my six favorite trends from the week—along with some expert tips on how to get the look and what to use below. Only time will tell whether these trends will carry over into London, Paris, and Milan, but for now, happy scrolling.

Lip Gloss Lids

As a staunch shimmer shadow girl, I’m thrilled to see this trend take off. Here’s the TLDR: take a slightly opalescent shadow—in the color of your choice—and then put a thin film of clear gloss on top. If you’re sensitive to the tacky texture, try using a glitter pot (my favorite is from Bodyography) to achieve a wet look.

Partless Perfection

If one thing was glaringly clear on the runways, it’s that hair parts of any kind are dead. Stylists went to whatever means necessary to hide any sign of a scalp. Some were slicked back; others were teased to a degree that I'm sure made brushing a terrifying experience. Message was received loud and clear: no side parts, no middles parts, no parts at all.

Lots of Liner

Liner is to 2026 what blush was to 2025. Looks ranged from inner corner moments and tightlining to traditional cat eyes. What’s worth noting is the color experimentation: black eyeliner is almost too basic to have real estate in your makeup bag this year. Reach for a gilded shade or a neon hue to switch up your glam for the new season.

Low Ponytails

Beauty Director Hannah Baxter is very much into the low ponytail trend; I personally need a little time to shed my middle-school trauma. It’s a very Olsen twin aesthetic, and with an expertly layered haircut and a chic ponytail cuff, the style has a cool girl vibe. Even Grace Gummer and Shailene Woodley got on board with the look at the 2026 Emmys.

No Mascara Makeup

It’s apparently time to give our lashes a break. Pop on a red lip, a glowy foundation, and give your lashes a good curl before heading out the door. If you can’t get on board with bare eyelashes, take a little Vaseline and brush it on after curling—it’ll help hold the look, even sans mascara.

Almond Nails

Short and square had a good run, but the trend cycle is officially flipping. The longer and pointier, the better. I'll be sticking to press-ons, but if you have strong nails, go forth and conquer with a nail file and and your favorite polish. As for colors? Earth tones are dominating in fall, but don’t be surprised if you start seeing cobalt blues and rich purples.

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Selena Gomez decided to switch things up in the beauty department for the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards. The Only Murders In the Building star brought subdued, Earth mother glam to the red blue carpet this evening, with her dark espresso brunette hair tumbling down her back in soft mermaid waves. Her berry lip tint has already become my new fall beauty obsession, and her perfectly flushed cheeks were so romantic and pretty that I know I'm going to try to recreate it for work every day this week. However, Ms. Gomez can't show up to an awards show and not serve a look on her nails. For the Emmys this year, she turned, once again, to her longtime nail artist Tom Bachik, for a golden manicure that perfectly complimented her gilded gown.

“The inspiration was her Louis Vuitton gown," Bachik explained in a press release to media. "We loved the whole look. It was like frosted gold, so I wanted that same effect on the nail, a frosted metallic. Subtle but special. We played with different textures, and Gel by essie Frost Yourself was the perfect choice for Selena’s metallic frost 'Sunset' mani.”

To get the frosted look, Bachik started with a base coat to prolong the polish, and then two coats of Gel by essie Frost Yourself. He then finished with with Gel by essie Shiny Top Coat for "red-carpet luxe shine," and a swipe of essie On A Roll Apricot Cuticle Oil to keep the whole look elegant-looking and moisturized throughout the night. Nothing like a rogue hangnail to ruin the evening!

I know that I've been on the hunt for a subtle but not boring take on fall nail art, so the frosted sunet look might just be the perfect manicure to say "so long" to summer and welcome in the cool and crispy fall days.

Keep scrolling to snag everything you need to recreate Selena Gomez's 2026 Emmys manicure at home.

Get Selena Gomez's Emmys Manicure

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

There's nothing quite like the charm and chaos that come with the 78th annual Primetime Emmys happening right in the middle of New York Fashion Week. It's been perhaps the busiest week for spotting new beauty trends—sunglass nails at Diane von Furstenberg and petal lips on the street style circuit. And now that the red carpet is in full effect, my eyes are scanning for every possible fall beauty trend poised to take over in the next four to 12 weeks.

So far, it's looking like color is having a moment, hair is getting longer (dare I say the bob era is on its way out?), and nails are getting richer—earth tones all the way. It's a chic group in attendance tonight, and frankly, I wouldn't expect anything less than what they've been serving.

To get the full breakdown on the best 2026 Emmys beauty looks—along with product breakdowns and tips and tricks straight from the pros—read ahead.

Ciara Miller

Deep side part? Incredible. Smoky eye? Also love. But it's the Love Island Aftersun host's manicure that caught my attention. I haven't seen a traditional French manicure like this in a hot minute—and I'm very here for it.

Supriya Ganesh

I know the night is young, but I'm calling it: this is my favorite look of the night. The center part paired with the crimped waves is a hairstyle straight out of Aquamarine. If you need me, I'll be digging in my back cabinets to fish out my crimper.

Abby Elliot

Beauty Director Hannah Baxter spotted petal lips as a big makeup trend during NYFW, and it looks like The Bear actress is co-signing the look. The key? Find a blurring, matte lipstick and dab off the excess with a tissue.

Lisa Rinna

While I'll certainly miss having Rinna on my Traitors screen, I'm thrilled to be getting my fix of RHOBH star tonight. The pixie cut queen is giving her classic style a little twist tonight. Rather than her normal spiky style, she's fully committed to a slicked-back, side-part.

Grace Gummer

Love it or hate it, low ponytails are very much back. Although, admittedly much cooler than the Founding Fathers-esque vibe I wore throughout middle school. Just look to Gummer, Meryl Streep's daughter and Love Story actress, for proof.

Shabana Azeez

Curious how The Pitt actress got this good of a glow? She worked with makeup artist Aimee Twist, who prepped her skin with Icon Skincare. My favorite product from the brand is the Heritage Cream—it gives an incredible glow.

Carrie Coon

 The nominee for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series wanted to keep her look “ youthful, fresh, and modern to balance the structural look of the dress and show her beautiful skin and large, expressive eyes,” per celebrity makeup artist Rebecca Restrepo. To execute the laidback glam, Restrepo used the ZIIP Halo and Beau Domaine for skin prep.

Mariska Hargitay

The host for the night went with beachy waves and glowing skin, courtesy of Cetaphil (love a drugstore find!) and It Cosmetics.

Zendaya

The '90s lip liner! The pixie cut! The thin eyebrows! I have no notes. This is a 10/10. And honestly, I'd expect nothing less.

Quinta Brunson

Makeup artist Rebekah Aladdin teamed up with Aveeno to tackle Brunson's skin prep—and clearly it paid off. The Abbott Elementary actress looked absolutely radiant with very glowy skin and gorgeous mermaid waves.

Well, folks, Labor Day has come and gone, and apparently, so has my interest in bright summer nail colors. After spending the past week in Stockholm, I’m taking a few style cues from the Swedes. These women know how to dress, and somewhere between admiring their Toteme trenches and mentally budgeting for an Acne Studios scarf, I started reconsidering my next nail color as I caught flashes of their impeccibly manicured nails. My usual summer red will always have a place, but right now, I want something a little earthier.

Conveniently, this week’s best nail looks leave me with plenty of ideas. Chocolate brown gets a sliver of pink, while olive green has me ordering my next manicure dirty, with extra olives. And if you prefer your mani with a little more going on, wait until you see the marbled set. I’d happily have that exact pattern installed as my kitchen countertops.

There’s still some shine in the mix, too. A glossy jade manicure is keeping my chrome obsession alive well into the fall so don’t put away the powder just yet. Ahead, the nail looks I’m saving for my next appointment—and probably the one after that, too.

Mint Condition

You might have to zoom in to appreciate the tiny gold detail on these olive French tips, but that minimalistic touch is so chic. Against a sheer base, the color is subtle enough for anyone who usually refuses to venture beyond a nude manicure. Consider this your gentle nudge.

Chocolate-Dipped

Apparently, my favorite ice cream order also makes an excellent manicure. The glossy chocolate base leaves just a sliver of strawberry pink peeking out around the cuticle, and I love how the two shades look together on short nails. Neapolitan fans, you know what to do.

Extra Dirty

I’ve had my fill of matcha manicures for the moment. Next drink order? A dirty martini, courtesy of Selena Gomez, who wore this olive shade with help from her go-to nail artist, Tom Bachik.

Leather Weather

This is the nail equivalent of the brown leather bag you pull out every September and carry until spring. No nail art necessary; the rich color and glossy finish do plenty on their own. I love the short, softly squared shape, too.

Jade Glaze

Just when I think I’ve exhausted my interest in glazed nails, Zola Ganzorigt gives me another reason to ask for chrome. This pale jade set has an almost pearly finish, and it's stunning in all lights. If you’re still easing into fall colors, there’s no need to go straight to espresso.

Stone Cold

Someone get me the name of this countertop. The smoky brown veining over a milky base looks remarkably like polished stone, especially alongside those solid charcoal nails.

Foiled

A moment for silver, which I’m increasingly inclined to treat as a neutral this season. These short chrome nails look especially good piled up with jewelry, and I see no reason to choose between silver and gold. Wear both.

French Gone Feral

For anyone who read “earthy” and worried I was about to prescribe eight plain brown manicures: absolutely not. These animal print French tips have plenty of attitude, with a sheer pink base that leaves room to appreciate all the detail.

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New York Fashion Week S/S '27 is winding down in NYC, and unsurprisingly, the street style set has not disappointed. Editors, creators, and buyers are rushing all around Manhattan (and parts of Brooklyn) to view the upcoming season's collections from buzzy designers like Henry Zankov (who made his debut as the new creative director of Diane Von Furstenberg), Daniella Kallmeyer, Jamie Haller, Maria McManus, Tory Burch and more. As a beauty editor, my eyes are always trained on the hair and makeup moments, especially for the attendees outside the shows, and I'm happy to report that the best street style beauty looks are offering up plenty of inspiration.

Although the New York weather has been behaving itself, the crowds proved that updos are having a moment, specifically chignons—both messy and sleek—braided pigtails, and all variations of the ponytail. Bare skin is also a common sighting this season, with radiant complexions on models and show-goers alike. The occasional pop of color on the lips is another welcome addition to the fashion party.

For more of the week's best beauty looks, keep scrolling, and check back here over the next few days for all the hair, makeup, and nail inspiration you need to enter fall in style.

The Best New York Fashion Week Street Style Beauty Looks

On the Low

Half 'n Half

Power Pony

The Bee's Knees

All Tied Up

Up, Up, and Away

Put a Ring(let) On It

Bless This Mess

All Curled Up

Defying Gravity

Petal Lips

Party In the Back

Braided Beauty

Bold Pout

Top to Toe

Silver Siren

Add a Bandana

Double Up

Cranberry Kiss

Maximalist Mani

It's Giving Glow

All Twisted Up

Bangs, Baby, Bangs

Extra Accessorized

Curly Crop

Matchy Maroon

All About a Bixie

Spaced Out

Beautifully Ballet

Serving Side Braid

Money Piece Chignon

Flirty Pony

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For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Henry Zankov made his debut as the creative director of Diane Von Furstenberg at New York Fashion Week S/S '27, and with it came the obvious wrap dresses, flowing fabrics, and gorgeous prints (lots of leopard!). But it also brought an unanticipated, but very fabulous manicure selection. Editorial nail artist Miss Pop is the genius behind what she’s dubbed the “sunglass nail trend,” and mark my words, it’s about to be one of the biggest fall looks for the fashion crowd.

It's a bit on the nose, but the whole idea is that nail polish is akin to sunglasses—slightly tinted, half-sheer, and the finishing touch to any fabulous outfit. “With the glass nail trend taking over, we wanted to give it a more sheer, modern twist,” says Miss Pop, who was in charge of ideating manicures for the show. “It’s effortlessly cool, like your favorite pair of sunglasses.”

Her inspiration came primarily from the collection's color palette. Think: rich browns, striking greens, and sheer fabrics. But the colors have less to do with the trend than the application. You really need two key components: a slightly sheer polish and a high-shine top coat. For this particular show, though, Miss Pop used the Essie Special Effects line, which is a range of holographic, duochrome, and light-reflecting pigments.

If you’re trying to recreate the look at home, it’s honestly pretty easy and can be accomplished in just two to three simple coats. To start, use just one layer of polish—this will ensure that your polish is slightly sheer and jelly-like. If you’re attempting to create a multi-dimensional shade, consider layering a complementary shade on top.

Then, the most important step is a high-shine top coat that delivers an uber-glassy finish. “If a cat eye nail is a shooting star, a glass nail is the Northern Lights,” Miss Pop previously told MC. “It has a ton more depth, thanks to the added glass-like gloss on the nail.”

Want to recreate the look at home? Shop the exact nail polish shades from the DVF show, ahead.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Expert

I’ll be honest: I’m not big on crazy nail trends. I love the funky patterns like polka dot nails and mermaid finishes from afar, but they feel a little too experimental on my own fingers. I’m a year-round Bubble Bath wearer, and the extent of my experimentation is a navy or wine in the dead of winter. But this September, the biggest nail trends are shockingly wearable. So wearable, that I actually think I’ll switch things up at my next manicure appointment.

The colors are rooted in the neutral family. Shades like brown, nude, baby pinks, and whites are the buzziest. But don’t conflate their basic nature with being boring—every single shade is getting a textural twist. Rather than playing with prints and patterns, we’ll be seeing high shine, sheerness, and sparkle. Think glass skin—but for your nails. This fall, we’re seeing a crop of looks that feel elegant, rich, and classic. To see what four September nail trends are going to reign supreme, keep reading. Editorial nail artist Miss Pop is breaking it down ahead.

Chocolate Shimmers

Merlots will never not be in, but the most popular shade for the fall season is bound to be chocolate brown. “I love every shade of brown—I’ve always been a fan. I love ‘em in summer because they’re a whole damn mood, but especially in fall. When you add the shimmer, it gives the vampy vibe of the ‘90s that I love,” says Miss Pop. I personally have been gravitating towards really deep browns that verge on black, but more cashmere camel hues are also very cozy.

Glassy Glaze

Introducing the new It-girl finish: glass. “It’s the next level of cat eye; think of it like the sparklier sister. The whole idea is that you’re pulling the sparkle out into an even deeper, richer space with even more dimension,” says Miss Pop. “If a cat eye nail is a shooting star, a glass nail is the Northern Lights. It has a ton more depth, thanks to the added glass-like gloss on the nail.” To achieve the look, find a super high-shine top coat.

Metallic Moments

Expect NYFW to feature a ton of silver, gold, and mixed-metal energy. “I love a chromey metallic. If it’s not milky, it needs to be shimmery or pearly,” says Miss Pop. You’ll also see a ton of metallic accents this month—from metallic French manicures to accent nails.

See-Through Sets

“If you can’t see through the nail color you’re using, are you even paying attention to trends? Nothing is opaque; everything has a milky finish, a sheer finish, or a semi-sheer finish,” says Miss Pop. “Is it sheer and shimmering? You’re hitting all the notes. Obviously, nudes and milky tones, but it’s going into fall shades like deep, rich purples.” I’m personally loving a sheer navy.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Expert

Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer. Before you get too upset and hibernate for the season, though, take a look at what’s waiting on the fall beauty docket. The best nail looks of the week have already brought the deeper, moodier colors back out to play, and they’re making it very difficult to mourn the end of bright summer manicures.

A nearly black, cherry-chocolate polish feels right on schedule, and rich jewel tones are popping up alongside animal print. Silver, meanwhile, is already everywhere, and it's in the running for the color of the season. One manicure is covered in tiny metallic stars; another goes all in on liquid chrome. Colorful crystal charms on Kylie Jenner's nails even make barely-there nails look like jewelry.

Not ready to dive headfirst into fall? There’s still a French manicure in the mix, but warm brown tips keep it from feeling too summery. I may not be ready to brace the New York City tundra, but I am certainly ready to play up my nails.

Starry Eyed

A scattering of silver stars gives this barely-there manicure a little sparkle. Look closely, and there’s a whole constellation happening. And for an extra glam moment? Coordinate your shimmer shadow to match.

French Roast

The first fall coffee order has officially reached our fingertips, courtesy of glossy brown French tips. To make it a little interesting, though, go for an ombré effect.

Red Eye

Burgundy is back. The cat eye finish gives this deep red polish a velvety shift that’s impossible to ignore.

Full Carat

Kylie Jenner broke the internet with this crystal-studded set by her OG nail artist, Zola, and I can see why. Each bare nail holds a different oversized gem, turning the manicure into a jewelry box—and outdoing any other accessory.

Chocolate-Covered Cherry

J.Lo has entered her chocolate-covered-cherry era. Tom Bachik paired the deep red with her signature extra-long shape. If you can’t decide between brown and burgundy, you’ve found your answer.

Sterling

These nails are a subtle silver chrome from the cuticle to the tip, with tiny accent constellations. The finish is so reflective that the nails practically double as tiny mirrors.

Moo-dy

The varying-sized black spots give this extra-long white set a very chic cow print moment. No two nails follow quite the same pattern. Moo-dy, indeed.

Prints Charming

Apparently, tigers and zebras do play nicely together. The cobalt blue and chrome only add to the very fun chaos.

Why Trust Marie Claire

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Summer deserves one last manicure before moving on to fall, and oyster nails feel like a fitting, and very chic, final hurrah. They’re ocean-inspired without being overly literal, and depending on your manicure tolerance, they can be as understated or over-the-top as you desire.

The simpler version is all about color and finish: a sheer oyster gray-meets-silver shade with a pearly sheen. It’s a milky, slightly iridescent polish that could easily pass for a neutral with a bit of zhuzh. If you want the full oyster experience, though, nail artists are using sculptural gel to recreate the shell’s ridges, often adding chrome or a tiny pearl in the center. Some are surprisingly realistic; others play up the pearly details and texture.

Not ready to commit to ten tiny oysters on your fingers? A single sculpted accent nail or a few pearls work just as well. Then again, it is the last week of summer, so you might as well go all in.

Molten Pearl

A nude base keeps all eyes on the chrome curling around each nail. Look closely, and there’s a flash of opal sitting right in the middle.

Shuck and Shine

A moodier gray takes this pearly chrome straight into fall. The pink shift still gives it that oyster shell glow.

Mother of Pearl

The pearls are almost hidden among the swirls of milky chrome polish for a cool, iridescent effect. It’s about as close to a freshly shucked oyster as a manicure can get.

Shelling Out

Raised ridges turn every extra-long nail into its own shell, with a pink-and-yellow iridescence that brings out the texture. This is mani maximalism at its finest.

Chrome Catch

Here, oyster nails go abstract. Raised silver chrome takes the place of literal shells, and no two shapes are exactly alike. Is it an oyster? Or is it just a cool molten effect? Either way, it makes for a stunning end of summer manicure.

String of Pearls

Why stop at the necklace? Tiny pearl details scattered across a milky white manicure tie the entire look together and act as another accessory.

Pearly Haze

For the softest possible take, start with a sheer white base, then add a haze of super-fine shimmer polish. The teeny pearls nearly disappear until the light catches them.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

I’m pretty loyal to a solid manicure—give me a fiery red, and I’m usually set—but my saved folder has been making a very convincing argument for doing more. Lately, I can’t stop looking at nails with some kind of twist, whether it’s a pattern worked into the tip or a color combination I never would’ve thought to put together. And this week, nail artists clearly decided a good polish shade was only the starting point.

There’s a lot happening on the fingertips this week. Stars are stamped over rich brown polish while colorful stripes break up otherwise sheer manicures. French tips are getting especially creative, showing up as animal patterns, unexpected color combinations, and enough detail that they hardly feel like French manicures at all. Even the moodier sets have something going on beyond the shade itself, whether that’s a flash of chrome or tiny dotted nail art.

So, if you’ve been staring at your usual shade at the salon and feeling a little bored, this is a very good week to stray from the norm. Keep scrolling for the best nail looks I saved this week.

Cosmic Brown

Tortoiseshell is about as fall-coded as nail art gets, but the turquoise stars keep one foot firmly in summer. Consider it a very easy way to sneak the season’s official color into September.

Soft Focus Stripes

The blurred beauty trend isn’t going anywhere just yet. Here, washed-out stripes melt into one another over a sheer base for a hazy take on rainbow nails.

Bordeaux and Blue

Bordeaux and baby blue are suddenly everywhere together, and I completely understand why. On nails, the unexpected color combo looks especially good painted into thin lines on the French tip.

Sterling Stars

A metallic base already gives this manicure plenty of shine, but the crisp white stars are what make it feel graphic. It’s a much fresher take on celestial nail art.

Wild French

Animal print has taken over nail art lately, but you don’t have to commit to a full zebra manicure to get in on it. Keeping the stripes at the tips makes the look a little more subtle, while that punchy color pairing still gives it plenty of personality.

Silver Linings

Metallics are still going strong, and this manicure brings the trend into cooler-weather territory. Glossy, black polish gets outlined in silver chrome dots for a moodier way to wear the shine.

Turquoise Tortoise

Tortoiseshell makes another appearance this week, this time confined to the French tips. Tiny turquoise sequins give the classic fall print a much less expected finish.

In Orbit

These Japanese gel nails belong to Marie Claire Beauty Director Hannah Baxter, who got them done this week at MOÉNAIL in Brooklyn, and frankly, they deserve their own close-up. Tiny dotted sequins orbit across a warm brown base for one very fabulous manicure.

Plum Lines

Deep plum already feels right for the season, but the slim chrome stripes keep this make it a little more punchy. I particularly love how the lines run vertically down the nail instead of across it.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

I’ve reached the point in August where I’m simultaneously trying to squeeze every last drop out of summer and getting low-key embarrassingly excited about fall. I still want bright colors and anything that looks good next to a tan, but I’m also suddenly eyeing black polish and every shade that could reasonably be described as pumpkin spice. My favorite nail looks this week reflect that exact state of mind.

On one end of the spectrum, there are butterfly motifs, tiny stars, and a colorful striped French that still feel right at home in August. Then there’s the other camp: glossy black, zebra print, molten orange chrome that practically screams pumpkin spice, and deeper shades creeping onto toes before we're quite ready to commit to them on our fingers. Somewhere in the middle, mixed-metal chrome and a polka dot deep red French make a very convincing argument for ignoring seasons altogether.

That’s probably why I like this week’s lineup so much. It feels like permission to follow whatever mood you’re in that day—hold onto summer with a tiny star manicure, flirt with fall via a burnt orange chrome, or skip the seasonal debate entirely and go for something that just looks really good. Here are the best nail looks of the week.

Metal Mixer

I’ve never subscribed to the idea that you have to be a gold or silver person. This manicure takes that same approach, splitting the hands between molten gold and mirror-like silver chrome. Consider the metals officially mixed.

Butterfly Effect

The first of not one, but two butterfly-inspired manicures that made my saves this week. This version goes moodier, translating the intricate pattern of a wing into smokey blue-gray nail art via blooming gel.

Red Hot Dots

A red French tip already has my attention, but the tiny silver studs are what sold me. They play into the polka dot trend, only much shinier.

Stripe Right

Summer isn't over yet, and these striped nails clearly got the memo. Bands of pink, mint, yellow, brown, and white turn a classic French into something much more fun, with a few tiny crystals thrown in for good measure.

Split Decision

This is exactly where my brain is in late August: pale, barely-there polish on the fingers; nearly black polish on the toes. You can have one foot in fall without completely abandoning summer.

Pumpkin Spice

Fine, I’m ready for pumpkin spice—at least on my nails. The burnt-orange shade is fall enough to scratch the itch, while the high-shine chrome finish keeps it from feeling too autumnal too soon.

Flutter By

Where the first butterfly manicure is dark and detailed, this one pulls from the hazy greens, golds, and amber tones of actual wings for something softer and almost translucent-looking.

Gone Wild

Animal print is basically a neutral in my book. Glossy black nails keep this manicure feeling sleek, while two sheer accent nails covered in fine zebra stripes add just enough zhuzh to be interesting.

Star Light

Sometimes the tiniest detail does all the work. A sheer pink base and a scattering of miniature metallic stars feel like one last little ode to summer.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Looking hot has no age limit. There is also no one singular product or treatment that can elevate your hotness factor. In fact, hot girls know that 90 percent of being, well, a hot girl, is mindset; that enviable mentality and confidence that you carry with you from day to night. But for that remaining 10 percent? Well, that's the stuff we need to know, because who doesn't want to hone their hot factor with a few buzzy additions to her beauty routine? It's why I had to chat with Cyklar founder, OG creator, and certified hot girl Claudia Sulewski.

Even if you're not chronically online, or completely and utterly obsessed with her body care brand like the rest of the Marie Claire team, you might have spotted Sulewski on the most recent Forbes 30 Under 30 list, or flashing a rather sizable diamond on her ring finger (she's currently engaged to musician and producer FINNEAS) in a few shots on Instagram. A stranger to the spotlight she is not, and to my delight, she is equally well-versed in the beauty space. I mean, how could she not be when she's been creating YouTube beauty tutorials for the last 17 years, and launched an award-winning line of body care and fragrance products that now sit on the shelves at Sephora?

"I remember having a very extensive nail polish collection," she tells me over Zoom. "By the time I was 10 years old, I was painting my nails every single color. And I started making YouTube videos at 13." The founder adds that by that point, she had fully infiltrated her mother's makeup collection. "I'd steal my mom's makeup and create these makeup tutorials and eye tutorials and post them online. I was so serious at 13... but now I view beauty as an enhancement or an extension of myself. I feel like we're in this fun phase of just embracing our natural beauty and doing these little tips and tricks that make you just feel a little bit hotter, but still you."

It comes as no surprise, then, that with well over a decade spent immersed in beauty, both personally and professionally, Sulewski has amassed more than a few secrets to look and feel smoking hot. Keep scrolling for more.

What are the moments in your life when you feel the hottest, naturally?

It really is so simple. When I'm tan, not from the sun, but when I've self-tanned. When my skin is breathing and hydrated—it's not covered in a ton of makeup. And when my hair is done, I really think when you walk out the door and you've done something to your hair to just make it look a little bit more presentable, you don't need to touch your face. That's my philosophy.

When do you feel like you need a bit of a hotness boost?

If I was out the night before and had some alcohol and need to de-puff essentially, or when I don't get eight hours of sleep. I mean, sleep is so important. If you had a late night or if you have to wake up super early, a few more steps [get] tacked onto my skincare routine when I've lost my sleep.

What in-office treatments help you feel like the hottest version of yourself?

I've finally started seeing an esthetician on a schedule. I really don't do too many [beauty] things out of the house, but [I'm] seeing an esthetician at least once a month right now. We do a lot of peels, a lot of spot treatment lasering, which I didn't know was a thing. I though you kind of have to just get lasers across your whole face, but she'll just zap certain areas for dark spots, which makes it a way shorter downtime. Also dermaplaning I started doing for the first time this year, and it lets your makeup and everything on your face just sit so much better. So I'm doing all of those things when my esthetician feels that we need them. I go to Lisa Karadjian.

Also nails, that's a huge one. If I have a good set of Builder Gel nails, I'm walking differently. I am talking differently. I'm feeling so hot and so confident. Depending on what I'm getting ready for, if it is a big life moment or a red carpet, [I see] Jenny Jenny's or Nails by Zola, they're so good. Or I just go to the nail salon that's five minutes away from my house. But I love just having a natural, long almond nail. It just does so much.

But that's kind of it. I've joked in the past that my Notes app is just a graveyard of recommendations for my friends like, here's the lymphatic drainage person that you need to go to. Here's where you need to start going to for this. It's overwhelming to know what you should be doing and outsourcing.

What does your at-home hot girl routine consist of, from products to practices?

Obviously having my own body care brand, the lineup is extensive. So I really, really enjoy luxuriating in my body care routine. I'd love to call out the Cyklar Self-Tanning Milky Essence. It's just such an easy self-tanner that we developed that allows you to just maintain your tan in between spray tans, or if you got a little bit of sun. It's just really easy, so that's always a confidence hot boost for me personally. I'm sauna-ing a lot. Strength training. My answer to almost everything these days is strength training. Longevity! It makes you feel so good, so sexy. It gives you energy. I love to elevate my legs at nighttime. I'm always thinking about circulation, blood flow. I have the vibrating plate. So certainly all of those things, we're embracing all of them.

For skin, I love at-home devices. Shark Beauty, the CryoGlow mask is so good. I've found that as a hard shell mask, it sits on my face lighter than any other one. And also the cooling underneath for your eyes is so nice for the morning time. I'll often habit stack with that mask. This morning upstairs, I had the mask on in the dark and I was doing calisthenics with my arms and just getting a little workout in, a little six-minute arm circuit. We're doing a lot of habit stacking.

Also, I really believe in a high quality peptide serum. There's a Medik8 one, Advanced Peptides MP. I've been using it all year. Obviously sunscreen every day. The Shark Beauty DePuffi. On those nights where I didn't get a lot of sleep or I was out the night before and want to chisel, contour my face, that cooling setting feels so good to use in the morning.

I try to stay as low maintenance with my hair as possible. I love a heatless curl if I know I don't have a bunch of time in the morning and just want to run out and have some sort of texture going on with my hair. If I'm styling it, Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System. They have these auto-wrap curlers that hold your curl for so, so long and have it look blown out for the next four days. And it also just helps with heat damage.

Right now I've been loving Chanel Gardenia and actually mixing that with [Cyklar] Sex Musk, which is one of our perfume oils. I mean, I like to layer that with anything. I love a very light white floral, and for the summertime it makes me feel very feminine and ethereal.

What’s a mantra or words of wisdom you swear by to feel confident, hot, and in-charge?

I would say that just reminding myself that confidence really is built on the promises you keep for yourself. More often than not, the days where I am feeling so confident about myself and feeling like that hot bitch is crossing off my to-do list. Giving myself a plan of what I need to do and what I'm going to do and getting it done and getting it done earlier than I thought I would. I really think so much of it comes down to that, just walking the walk and doing what you're telling yourself you're going to do. And obviously you can have beauty routines and products and treatments in the mix of that, but it's really just feeling like you respect your relationship with yourself. You can rely on yourself, you're consistent. Those daily habits, it's cliché to say that, but it's so true. That's what matters the most.

Do you think that purposefulness in the way that you attack your day is the secret to radiating hotness at any age?

A million percent. Because you trust yourself more. Obviously you can alter yourself and try to fix all these things on the outside, but in terms of how you walk into a conversation with someone, how you walk into a room, I think all of that stems from the inside and the work that you do with yourself, whatever it is, whatever makes you feel good. You know what I mean?

If reading makes you feel smart and empowered, keep reading, keep picking up that book. Or if it's being super communicative and in tune with your emotions, meditating, journaling. I'm oftentimes when I'm wearing the LED mask, I'll journal. These little things just help give you this self-identity. I think it's so important to feel connected to your unique self, if that makes sense.

Sometimes buying the same foundation that everyone else is buying is not going to do that. It's not going to fill that gap. I mean, we're getting cheesy, but it's just true. That's what it is.

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While I love a barely-there, clean girl manicure (and have perfected the DIY mani for at-home polish application and cuticle care) there’s something about the end of summer that calls to me for a more maximalist approach. Metallic nails, in my opinion, are the ideal way to toast to Leo season and enjoy the last bit of vacation energy before the back-to-school vibes of the fall. And it’s not just the classic gold and silver polishes, although I do love those options as well. In 2026 you can find pretty much every color available in a metallic, shimmery finish. I’m partial to earthy shades but a vampy red or mauve polish is also at the top of my list these days.

So, if you’re also itching for something a little more exciting to try with your nails this season, but aren’t quite ready to go full nail art, here are my five favorite metallic nail colors to embrace for August—because Leo season is still here for another week!

Gorgeous, Gorgeous Green

Don’t overlook green nail polish, my friends. The unexpected shade is basically a stand-alone accessory for your best summer outfits.

Marvelously Mauve

This soft purple shade has had such a resurgence over the last year, and I’m equally excited to wear it in a metallic option for summer.

Radiant Ruby

Red nails are a classic forever and ever, but when I want a bit of spice, I’ll reach for a metallic polish, specifically in a rich ruby shade. If drama is your goal this Leo season, I highly suggest you give this style a try.

Serving Silver

You can’t talk about metallic polishes without throwing some love to silver nails. The slinky shade is hotter than ever in 2026, and one of my favorites for either a French tip or full color.

Pretty In Pink

If you’re new to the metallics game, I highly suggest going for a delicate, shimmery pink option. It elongates your fingers and gives that clean, effortless manicure just a bit of edge.

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Summer was fun (isn't it always?), but September is around the corner, and the nail artists are saying that it's time to get serious about your fall 2026 nail colors. The TLDR: this upcoming season is all about grounding shades with luxe pigment. "I think Fall 2026 will be all about rich, moody shades but with a few unexpected pops of color," shared celebrity nail artist Andrea Forero when asked about her vision for fall's nail color trends. "I’m predicting deep reds, especially in jelly form, mahogany, burnt olive, deep ocean blue, dusty plum, cinnamon brown, and smoky coal jelly. I love that these colors still feel very autumnal but a little less predictable than the traditional wine and chocolate brown you tend to see."

The classic colors aren't ruled out—they're just re-emerging with a funky twist. Sparkle toppers, matte finishes, and of course, the cat eye nail trend will be making thier fair share of appearances. The moral of the story is to pick a shade that feels reminiscent of foliage or a campfire. I'm personally already gearing up to ditch my pale pink polish—and these eight colors are sitting firmly at the top of my wish list. Prepare to have no problem picking a shade. Scroll on to discover the biggest fall 2026 nail color trends courtesy of Forero and a host of other artists.

Smoky Gray

As Forero mentioned, smoky grays will be part of the lineup this fall. They work well with a jelly finish, or even with a little bit of shimmer brushed on top for Halloween season energy. "DND’s DC Jelly in Coal #027 is especially beautiful because that sheer, smoky finish gives a classic dark shade a really modern look and feel," the artist explains. It's also worth noting that these shades were all over fashion week last fall.

Sultry Olive

Celebrity manicurist Gina Eppolito is betting on similar "sultry, grounded hues" to take over the season. "Set your inner soul tone with fall hues that ooze confidence and balance—effortlessly reflecting strength and harmony," she says. Think of the grayish-green Londontown Lacquer in Star Moss as your reference point." I’d reach for shades [like] DND’s Vintage #323 for a moody olive or Sage Groovin #1001 for a dusty creamy sage," adds Forero.

Brick Tones

Celebrity manicurist Queenie Nguyen thinks that for fall 2026 we’ll see classic autumn shades with more nuanced undertones and finishes. "Earthy brick reds and brown-based reds will feel like a fresher alternative to traditional red, while deep, moody greens will offer a more sophisticated shift from the emerald and olive greens we’ve seen in past seasons," she explains. "For earthy reds, I love ORLY In The Conservatory, a dusty brick red with warm brown and mauve undertones, and ORLY Vixen, a deeper brown-red."

Shimmery Chocolate

Nguyen also thinks that chocolate brown will continue to be a major fall color. However, it'll be a chocolate brown—with more dimension. "Metallic, pearl, and shimmer finishes can make these rich seasonal shades feel fresh again after so many seasons of sheer, minimal nails," she explains.

Dark Sapphire

"This fall, I think we will start seeing a mix of rich and nostalgic shades alongside softer and muted neutrals," says Sigourney Nuñez, a licensed nail artist and content creator on behalf of Nails.INC. "Colors like black cherry reds and oxblood are already flooding my timeline in August, but I think as we move into the colder months, we can expect to see a rise in earthy olive greens, smoky espresso browns, dark sapphire blue, and slate grays. These colors feel cozy and timeless for the season."

Eppolito adds that "deep, sophisticated tones" will be trending—including (so nostalgic) red wine shades.

Warm Nude

"During this Fall season, nude shades are set to trend, as they have continuously appeared on the red carpet and the go to for many celebrities," says Nicole Wong, Lead Designer at MiniLuxe. "Celebs like Olivia Rodrigo embrace the natural nails in an elevated manner, using nude shades with warm undertones, like beige, caramel, or taupe. The warm earthiness will also be popular for the Fall season because of how complementary it is for every skin tone."

Wong recommends shades like MiniLuxe Pure Polish in Minh and Boss Lady if you're hoping to get the look. "They are ideal for effortless, everyday elegance while adding a modern twist on classic nude tones," she explains.

White or Pink

To be fair, milky tones will never go out of style. But they will be bigger than ever this fall. "Neutral pinks and soft whites with pink or shimmery undertones are having a major moment as romantic, ethereal color palettes continue to trend," adds Wong. "With Greek mythology-inspired nail looks also seen in pop culture throughout the year (Zendaya for The Odyssey, the 2026 Met Gala, and Tate McRae’s iconic pop performances), clients are gravitating toward nails that feel similarly soft, luminous, and elevated. These delicate shades offer clients a subtle pop of color without straying too far from a neutral manicure, while still feeling appropriate for the cooler weather."

Poppy Red

Let's end things on a bright note. As Eppolito says, bold and vibrant shades offer "a gradual shift into fall, embracing deeper hues while holding onto the playful ease of summer." Wong adds that blue-based reds return every fall because they bring a rich, luxurious pop of color to the deeper tones we naturally gravitate toward as the season changes.

"Seen season after season on fashion runways and red carpets, this classic shade adds instant depth and sophistication to any look," adds the artist. "On nails, it feels bold yet refined and is an elegant, timeless red that never goes out of style." Her best product rec for a classic fall red is MiniLuxe's Big Poppy, which "offers a rich, cool-toned red that still adds a pop of color as they transition into the cooler season of fall."

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Mid-August is a limbo time for beauty trends, especially nails. I’m not quite ready to abandon the baby blues and brighter shades I’ve been wearing all summer, but suddenly, brown polish and anything metallic are looking very appealing. My brain may be ready for fall, but the 90-degree weather decidedly is not. Thankfully, this week’s best manicures make a pretty convincing case for having it both ways.

This is usually the point in the season when I start to want my nails to feel a little richer, without jumping straight into the deep, moody shades I’ll be wearing on repeat by October. Rather than making a hard switch, the best looks right now are borrowing from both sides. Aquamarine is hanging on at the tips, cobalt blue is making its fall debut, and chocolate brown is finding its way into otherwise summery nail art. Metallic details are starting to look especially good again, too, particularly when they’re paired with softer shades that keep them from feeling too cold-weather-y.

And then, of course, there are the deep burgundies for anyone already emotionally done with the heat. Personally, I’m somewhere in the middle. I still want a pedicure that makes sense with sandals, but I also wouldn’t mind if it hinted at the suede boots sitting patiently for their time to shine in the back of my closet. Consider the looks ahead a very chic compromise: summer isn’t over, but your nails are allowed to start dressing for fall.

Last Splash

Aquamarine has basically been the color of summer 2026, so consider this French manicure its final send-off. Keeping the blue to a slim tip lets you hold onto the shade a little longer.

Disco After Dark

Party nails don’t have a season, but the deeper pink underneath these disco paillettes definitely shifts the mood. It’s still playful and bright, just with enough richness to carry it into fall.

Blue Period

Cobalt is coming for fall. Hailey Bieber stepped out in a rich blue manicure just last week, and considering her track record with nail trends, everyone pays attention. This French version is an easy way into the shade before going fully dark.

Best of Both

If I had to sum up the perfect August manicure in one photo, it would be this. Baby blue and chocolate brown look incredibly chic together for a summer-to-fall set, while the stripes and polka dots keep the whole thing fun.

Silver Lining

The metallic nail trend is only picking up steam for fall, but there’s nothing heavy about this take. Tiny silver polka dots and stars sit against a creamy butter yellow that’s soft enough to read almost like a neutral.

Mixed Signals

Can’t choose between summer nail art and fall polish? Don’t. This set works in chocolate brown and molten silver, with tiny gems and sheer details, pulling from both seasons without committing too hard to either.

First Pour

For anyone ready to skip the transition period altogether, rich plum burgundy is waiting. Keeping the nails short and clean makes such a deep shade feel polished rather than overly dramatic this early in the season.

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If this week’s best nail looks had a dress code, it would be "accessorize heavily." Gold and silver are showing up on the same set, chrome is practically doubling as jewelry, and baby sequins and reflective details are scattered across nails as if they came straight out of your jewelry box. I’m especially into the mixed-metal moment happening right now; somehow, silver and gold look even better when no one’s making them pick a side.

That said, shine isn’t the only thing worth saving to your nail folder this week. There’s a punchy aqua that's the unofficial color of the end of summer, brown-and-white fawn spots that give last week’s animal-print obsession a second life, and a few more abstract designs that have nothing to do with precious metals at all. Hailey Bieber even makes a case for straightforward cobalt blue.

So, while the jewelry aesthetic may be doing a lot of the heavy lifting here, the entire vibe this week is to experiment and have fun: manicures have been zhuzhed up with something a little extra. A flash of chrome, an unexpected print, a tiny embellishment—they're anything but boring.

Gilded Green

This is not a traditional French tip. The olive green shimmer is concentrated at the squared ends, then gets softer as it moves toward the sheer base. In direct light, there’s enough gold running through the green polish that the tips look metallic, which feels very on-theme for this week.

Last Splash

I’m calling it: this exact shade of turquoise is the unofficial color of late August. The long, squared nails are painted in one completely opaque shade, with a matching pedicure for good measure. Paired with all that gold jewelry, the bright mermaid shade looks a million times better.

Baby Disco

Iridescent pink paillettes are lined up in neat rows over a mauve pink base. The effect is part disco ball, part sequin dress, and exactly the kind of tiny detail I want to stare at all day long.

Mixed Media

No two nails are doing quite the same thing here. A chocolate brown star sits alongside varying shades of animal stripes, taupe tips, and creamy graphic details, all over a barely-there milky base. Keeping everything within the same neutral palette is what allows this much nail art to coexist without looking chaotic.

Heavy Metal

If there were ever a manicure to support my mixed metal agenda, it’s this one. Raised silver and gold chrome snake across long almond nails in fluid, almost molten shapes. Leaving plenty of the sheer base exposed makes the metal pop.

Moonlighting

What initially reads as a soft, milky sage manicure has a strip of iridescent foil tucked along the base of each nail, flashing shades of yellow, green, and silver depending on the angle.

Fawn Over It

Last week’s animal print fixation is apparently sticking around, just in a much sweeter form. These almond nails move from caramel and chestnut to nearly espresso brown, with irregular white markings dotted across every shade. They’re unmistakably fawn-inspired.

Moonstone Mocha

Vanessa Hudgens’ manicure by iconic nail artist Zola Ganzorigt is dubbed "Moonstone Mocha." The magnetic polish has a smokey taupe-brown perimeter with an icy blue-white glow running through the center, so the color changes pretty dramatically depending on where the light hits. I can’t decide whether it looks more like a gemstone or very expensive satin.

Blue Period

Leave it to Hailey Bieber to follow a very elaborate manicure lineup with one extremely good solid color. Her almond nails are coated in glossy cobalt blue, no chrome or nail art required. It’s bright enough to still read summer, but deep enough that I wouldn’t retire it once September arrives. (I'm calling it: It's going to be one of this fall's hottest nail shades.)

Charm School

This one gets sweeter the closer you look. Tiny silver and gold sequins are arranged into little floral clusters across a sheer nude base, with the placement changing from nail to nail. Mixing the metals makes the whole set look a little more like jewelry than traditional floral nail art.

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As Instagram confirms, this week’s best nail looks are in their animal era. Pony spots land on a glossy caramel base, while croc texture gets a hot pink remix. An entire school of silver fish even swims across nude almond nails. The more abstract manicures feel a little untamed, too, with blurred tortoiseshell and patterns that could have been pulled straight from a tide pool.

That said, the lineup isn’t one long safari. Pastel stripes lighten things up, and a buttery French tip offers a very necessary palate cleanser. The connection is really in the details: every manicure has something that makes you stop scrolling for a closer look. On some sets, it’s the texture. On others, it’s a funky little motif or a color combination that has no business working as well as it does. Consider the best nails of the week as a walk on the wild side, with a few very pretty detours along the way.

Pony Up

This set is for the fashion girls. This pony print manicure pulls the caramel-and-brown pattern from the hottest Chanel bag from Matthieu Blazy’s Métiers d'Art collection and shrinks it down to ten glossy fingertips. It's runway-worthy translated to an everyday manicure.

Stripe Tease

The appeal here is all in the placement. Pastel bands curve across different sections of each bare nail, creating a graphic manicure that feels playful without tipping into full rainbow territory—it's a chic take on stripes.

Party Animal

Subtle, until you look closer. Zebra and tiger stripe borders, tiny gems, and bright pops of color turn the sheer pink base into something far more artistic than your standard neutral manicure.

Croc Star

This glossy croc texture created with blooming nail gel gives this mismatched palette a surprisingly cohesive finish. Hot pink brings the drama, while brown and pearly white keep the set from going too overboard.

Confetti Cuticles

Instead of covering the entire nail, blurred deposits of color gather around the tips and leave the center mostly bare. A scattering of tiny gems adds just enough sparkle to make the design a little funkier.

Resort Mix

Tortoiseshell, pool blue, and a blooming floral create a set that feels like a very chic vacation mood board translated onto ten nails.

Gone Fishing

Who knew a row of glittering sardines could look this elegant? The silver fish sit neatly over translucent rounded nails, giving fisherman-core a surprisingly delicate beauty moment.

Glass Act

Translucent jewel tones framed in sculpted gold make each nail look like a tiny stained-glass window. Set against a milky base, the colors catch the light with an opalescent effect.

Tide Pool

Brown marbling spreads across the nails in glossy, irregular patches, with bits of turquoise and coral tones breaking through. It lands somewhere between tortoiseshell, seashell, and a very colorful tide pool.

Butter Tips

After all that texture and animal print, a buttery yellow French manicure feels almost restrained. The soft pink base keeps it classic, but the creamy butter tips are perfect for the end of summer.

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Minimal manicures aren’t going anywhere, but this week, the best nail looks seem determined to make them a little more interesting. The base colors are still sheer, soft, and incredibly wearable. It’s what happens on top that gives each look a little more oomph.

A classic French manicure gets a sliver of gold along the tips, while a milky pink set fades into a brighter aura at the center. Even the week’s more playful designs exercise some restraint. Tiny multicolored gems are scattered across otherwise bare nails, and pastel teal tips add just enough color without taking over the entire manicure. The same pared-back mood extends to pedicures, where clean, barely-there polish feels particularly right for the final stretch of sandal season.

The best part is that none of these designs require committing to full-blown nail art. They still feel clean and understated, with just enough detail to make a sheer manicure feel new again. Minimal doesn’t have to mean boring, after all.

Aura Hour

Aura nails have officially entered their soft-focus era. Minimalist nail artist Mateja Novakovic had the concentrated pink center bring a little heat to the sheer base, while the glossy finish kept everything looking hazy rather than neon. It’s an easy way to wear bright pink without fully committing to it.

Match Point

Matching fingers and toes can sometimes skew overly coordinated, but this milky neutral—with a little something extra thanks to the French tip toes—makes a strong case for it. The barely-there shade looks especially fresh against a fun summer sandal and saves you from debating two polish colors at the salon.

Gilded Edge

All it took was a hairline of gold to completely change the mood of this barely-there French manicure, created by Chanel nail artist Betina Goldstein, who dubs the look "Naked and Famous." The metallic tip catches the light like a tiny piece of jewelry.

Bare Minimum

There’s something very chic about skipping polish altogether. Clean shaping and a healthy sheen make this bare pedicure look intentional rather than unfinished—especially when sandal season is nearing the end.

Pop of Glitz

Call it maximalism on a technicality. Tiny gems, blue stars, and colorful charms are scattered across an otherwise naked base—which, nail artist Prince says is OPI's Bare My Soul—so the manicure still has plenty of breathing room. It’s playful, but not nearly as busy as the embellishments might suggest.

Teal Haze

The teal here isn’t painted into a crisp tip; it diffuses softly over the ends of the nails. Against the opalescent slightly shimmery base, the washed-out effect feels dreamy and a little aquatic.

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For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.