I consulted Dua Lipa's nail technician for trendy nail inspiration, and it seems that the secret lies in the Wrong-Shoe Theory.

      It’s widely acknowledged that Dua Lipa, as she stated in a recent Instagram post, is “never not having fun.” The internet collectively enjoys her sparkling Instagram feeds showcasing her glamorous tour lifestyle and affectionate moments with actor Callum Turner, making each scroll captivating—we often zoom in on the intricate details that highlight her effortless style, like her turquoise eyelashes and polka-dotted manicures. With her manicures becoming a trending topic among beauty editors, I reached out to the source—Michelle Humphrey, the celebrity manicurist responsible for Lipa’s chic nail designs—to uncover the fall and winter nail trends we should embrace ahead of the trendsetters. According to Humphrey, one key aspect that truly enhances a manicure is when one element feels slightly “off.” Let me elaborate. Whether they feature mismatched patterns, star motifs, or black and white floral touches, Lipa’s nails are regularly featured on our Pinterest boards. The stylish yet practical eccentricity that attracts us to Lipa's nail art reminds me of the “wrong-shoe theory," a concept popularized by stylist Allison Bornstein. This theory posits that when most elements of an outfit match, except for one (such as pairing a fancy shoe with a casual outfit or, in this case, a sheer nude nail polish with 3D embellishments), the overall appearance becomes instantly more intriguing. After discussing with Humphrey, it seems this idea also applies to nail art.

      Dua Lipa's nails, designed by Michelle Humphrey

      However, when you ask the manicurist, she attributes all the creativity to Lipa. “She’s the one with the ideas! She’s reviving nail art,” Humphrey mentioned during our video call. “I feel like it had become a bit dull for a while, and she’s breathing new life into it, making my job more exciting, you know?” Exciting doesn't do justice to the trend preview Humphrey shared with us. Ahead are eight nail trends the celebrity manicurist anticipates will be everywhere this fall and winter, so get ready to stay ahead of the fashion curve.

      **8 Fall and Winter Nail Trends to Try in 2025**

      **Contrast Colors**

      One emerging trend Humphrey highlights is Iris Law’s stylish color combination at Paris Fashion Week. She credits her friend and fellow manicurist Imarni for the mismatched manicure, finding its unconventional placements “really cool” in a wrong-shoe way. “It’s just a bit off,” she expresses admiration for the style. “Very cool, in my opinion.” To replicate this look, adopt a relaxed approach to your polish choices. Select two colors you typically wouldn’t combine along with a neutral (for example, Law’s baby pink) to unify the look. Apply most of your fingers with a different color, ensuring that two adjacent fingers carry the same shade, while alternating on the opposite hand to maintain the pattern. “The mix of these unconventional colors is fantastic,” Humphrey reflects. “I thought it was striking.”

      **Shop the Trend**

      - Hermès Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in Brun Bistre

      - Essie Nail Polish in Win Me Over

      **Jewel Tones**

      Humphrey believes that some of the best trends to follow are the timeless classics. Enter jewel tones: the dominant color palette of fall and winter runways, beauty looks, and manicures. She complimented my burgundy nails multiple times (thank you, Olive & June’s almond press-ons in Obsessed), deeming the deep wine hue “ideal for winter.” She appreciates these bold, vibrant shades for their versatility. Whether you prefer sapphire blue, rich amethyst, or ruby red, these colors can be worn solo, as accents in negative-space nail art, or blended together like Law’s daring color combinations. “Wouldn’t it be adorable?” she suggests. “Try that unconventional three-color look with jewel tones and mix the shades around. That would be fabulous.”

      **Shop the Trend**

      - CHANEL Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Rouge Noir

      - LONDONTOWN Lakur Enhanced Colour in Buckingham Blue

      **Autumnal Polka Dots**

      Sabrina Carpenter is another celebrity who embraced the polka-dot nail trend led by Lipa this summer, and Humphrey doesn't expect this trend to wane quickly. Instead, she anticipates it will evolve as the seasons change. Humphrey noted that this trend is inspired by the runways (“There was a lot of polka dot fashion this summer, so why not incorporate that into nail design?”), and she envisions it adopting a more autumnal color palette than the summery shades of the past. Citing my burgundy nails, Humphrey recommends adding white dots to “immediately transition your polka dot from a spring/summer style to an autumn/winter one.” Whether using lighter and darker monochromatic shades (e.g., a lilac base with deep purple dots, like