Calling It: 3D Nails Will Be Autumn’s Trendiest Manicure

Maybe I’m wistful for the fake autumn we New Yorkers experienced last week (such a tease, that chill!), but I cannot stop thinking about autumn beauty trends—especially nails. The autumn energy is rife with new possibilities, paving the way for a reset in which bright, poolside hues make way for moodier tones and shades reminiscent of the blushing leaves. Switching up your nail look is arguably the easiest way to take part in buzzy beauty trends (it’s way more low-lift compared to, say, a haircut or colour), so I’ve kept my ear to the ground to monitor any upcoming buzz on the New York event scene.

It turns out I had not one, not two, but three instances in which textured, 3D manicures popped up in conversation, so I suspect the look is on its way to becoming a big autumn trend. Ahead, discover how nail experts and celebrities have embraced this soon-to-be viral mani—and watch this space!

It all started with a conversation I had with Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton. The founder and CEO of Chillhouse and I were chatting about her newly launched Chill Stix (the chicest nail decals, BTW) when I asked her about what trends she expects will explode in popularity this autumn. “I think we’re going to start seeing a lot of 3D effects,” she tells me. “Creating new textures, layers, and all that fun stuff, for sure, but with a scaled-back colour approach.”

Think neutral polishes paired with studding, rhinestones, raised swirls, and metallics (basically, anything you can feel). Textured nails ebb and flow in terms of trending looks (we saw them pop up in the spring, too), but the juxtaposition of a neutral, almost muted, polish feels fresh. For autumn, it seems we’re letting the decals shine.

A couple of days later, I headed to a dinner hosted by Kiss to celebrate its new, limited-edition press-ons collaboration with designer Prabal Gurung. I expected these runway-inspired designs to be cutting-edge and very fashion-forward (Gurung is known for his unique, modern luxury glamour, after all), and the collab did not disappoint. Each set reflects the hottest nail trends poised to dominate autumn: magnetic finishes, unique French accents, and—you guessed it!—3D elements set against a neutral, light-pink polish.

When I have not one, but two tastemakers in totally different settings predicting a certain aesthetic, I’m inclined to call it a capital T trend. Now, when celebrities start to take part, then I know the look has legs. Enter Kylie Jenner! She recently debuted a 3D gemstone manicure, courtesy of celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt, which featured multicoloured rhinestones and sheer pink polish.

It’s festive yet elegant, and it’s pretty simple to re-create at home. (I bet these nostalgic stick-on jewels will work!) It seems that Khloé Kardashian has also hopped on the textured mani train, as Ganzorigt created a practically identical look for the reality star just a few days later.