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Pastels in the spring, neons in the summer, wine-stained reds in the winter — there are certain nail practices people just love, and switching up your shades to match the seasons is one of them. For fall, according to Pinterest Predict’s Weekly report, there’s one manicure trend you can expect to see everywhere: pumpkin spice nails.
Named after the beloved Starbucks drink, pumpkin spice nails feature the rustic orange hue of the fruit in varying designs (or simple single-color manicures). While it’s a popular autumnal shade on its own, the look is also a reprieve from the pink color that dominated the summer.
“This trend is the antithesis of Barbiecore,” celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec tells POPSUGAR. “As much fun as we had with Barbie-pink nails this summer, the trend definitely wasn’t for everyone.” You don’t have to go full “indie sleaze” and get black or deep-purple nail-polish shades when exiting your “Barbie” era; in fact, pumpkin spice nails are a perfect transitional moment and also seasonally appropriate.
The trend is extremely versatile and easy to incorporate into other looks. You can combine it with popular designs like french tips or 3D texture, or even make the shade the star of your aura nails. Still, there’s one iteration of the look that Kandalec simply can’t get behind. “While we are on the topic, keep the food to the names of the manicures only,” she says. “Please do not put real, ingestible food on them. It isn’t sanitary.”
The most straightforward way to get your own pumpkin spice nails is with a single-color manicure. Kandalec recommends Affogato by Lights Lacquer ($9, originally, $11), Running Latte by CND ($12), and OPI’s Have Your Pantonette and Eat It Too (salon only). If you opt to go to a professional for something a bit more snazzy, you can jazz up the look with crystals or even Halloween-themed nail art. The possibilities are endless when it comes to this trend.
Inspired? We are, too. To help you find the pumpkin spice nails of your dreams, we rounded up some of the best versions ahead.
