Nail ideas by season

Seasonal manicures work best when you borrow the palette and finish rather than every motif. Fall tends toward warm browns, burnt orange, wine and velvet or cat eye finishes. Winter leans on deep reds, cool neutrals and shimmer. Spring and summer lighten up with sheer pastels, milky shades and brights.

Plan around the timing of your appointment. A gel manicure typically lasts a couple of weeks, so book the set for the season you will mostly be wearing it in, and keep the design simple if you will be wearing it across a change of weather or a holiday.

Each guide here gives you a set of looks plus a short brief you can show your nail tech. Pick the palette first, then choose how much detail you want, from a single accent nail to a full set.