Butterflies, Zebra Print, and Pumpkin Spice—This Week’s Best Nail Looks Are a Maximalist Mixed Bag
The vibe? Indecisive.
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.
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