AUTUMN EDIT

Houston megaspa boss reveals how to totally nail it with fall's coolest trends

Richer colors and fun nail art are just one of the trends for this season.

Photo by Alex Montoya

Maybe it's the new season or a bit of Barbie fatigue, but nail techs everywhere are seeing a resurgence of darker fall-inspired nails. Celebrities such as Selena Gomez, Haily Bieber, Lizzo, and Kylie Jenner are opting for richer hues and more simple styles.

Nails are an excellent option for those looking to channel their inner cozy girl aesthetic without overhauling their wardrobe. From hot chocolate hues to vampy reds and seasonal nail art, there are many options to stay fashioniable.

To uncover the hottest autumn-inspired nails, we went straight to Brian Nguyen, managing partner of Milano Nail Spa The Heights. Nguyen spends his days in the largest nail salon in Texas, giving him the inside scoop on the most sought-after styles right now.

Clean aesthetic/quiet luxury nails

This chic and understated trend, popularized on social media, embraces a minimalist look. Kylie Jenner, once queen of oversized talons, proved that less is more in her latest photoshoot for Kylie Cosmetics.

According to Nguyen, shades like OPI's Funny Bunny and Bubble Bath are staples. He has also seen a resurgence of the classic French manicure with an updated twist. "We have a lot of requests for French manicures on almond or squoval tips (square and round). We are also seeing a lot of thin tips and bolder double French tips – this timeless style is making a strong comeback."

French manicure nails The squoval tip (square + round) is an updated choice for the classic French manicure. Photo by Opi/Instagram

Colors of the season: Cherry Red and Chocolate Brown

The pink and silver nails of spring and summer have given way to the richer hues of fall. Celebrities like Hailey Beiber embrace the chocolate brown tortoiseshell look, while Selena Gomez opts for a cherry red vampy color.

Selena Gomez rocks a dark red color for the VMAs. Photo by Tom Bachik Nails/Instagram

Chrome

With over 1.4 billion views on TikTok, the Chrome nail trend might be here to stay. Nguyen and his team see chrome used over colors, including blues, greens, and French manicures. They are also seeing a rise in requests for chocolate-glazed donut nails. A play on summer 2022's hottest trend, this look has a velvety brown look perfect for fall fashion.

chrome nails The Chrome nail trend has racked up 1.4 billion views on TikTok.Isobel Grace Wassall/Instagram

Retro/Mix Match Nails

Intricate nail designs with patterns and multiple colors are a fun way to set off any outfit. Gwen Stefani chose checkerboard nails by celebrity nail artist Eri Ishizu for the premier of this season's The Voice. Nguyen says flower art and geometric designs are also popular with his younger clients, who often pair the looks with almond or squoval-shaped tips.

Gwen Stefani The Voice retro Gwen Stefani chose a retro checkerboard pattern for The Voice. Photo by Eri Ishizu/Instagram

Halloween Nails

It's spooky season, which means Halloween-themed nail art is the best way to live out your costumed dreams. While pumpkins, skeletons, ghosts, and spider webs are the most requested designs at Milano Nail Spa, glow-in-the-dark nails, two-toned nails, and dark French tips are also options.

Halloween nails make an excellent accessory for any Halloween costume. Photo by Alex Montoya

chrome squoval french tip selena gomez halloween nails fall nail trends

oh boy!

Houston's premier boys clothing boutique opens new home in Rice Village

Photo by Alex Montoya

Boys are welcome to read the books on the shelves.

Houston’s premier boys-only boutique now has a permanent home in Rice Village. ParkerJoe, which offers clothing, accessories, and lifestyle brands that takes lads from wee tykes to pre-adolescent (in sizes newborn to 16), originally opened last year in a temporary spot in the River Oaks Shopping Center.

Now open at 5515 Kelvin Dr., Suite 95, the store unfolds across 1,900 square feet, all of it stocked with the retailer’s carefully curated inventory that embraces all kinds of boys and all types of occasions. Families will find looks that range from formal and preppy to sporty and casual, with brands such as Bailey Boys, Classic Prep, Saltwater Boys, and Appaman as well as local brands like Sunnies, which specializes in polarized sunglasses for children, and onesies from Houston children’s apparel purveyor Oink Moo.

“We wanted to create a place where boys are seen and heard,” said Lisa Hostler, who owns the store with her daughter Chelsea. “Their needs and their wants are represented at ParkerJoe.”

Hostler is excited to be in the Rice Village spot, an affluent area known for its walkability and attractiveness for families, which make it an ideal location for a niche retailer like ParkerJoe.

“It’s a younger population and a strong retail mix,” she said. “We couldn’t be happier here in a center that has welcomed us so warmly and made us feel at home.”

The store itself is designed to help boys enjoy the sometimes awkward process of shopping for new clothes. Towards that end, they are welcome to touch and play with toys on the shelves, which are stocked with books, games, and stuffed animals.

An official grand opening is planned for September, but prior to that customers can expect a summer of events including trunk shows, a fashion show, and an influencer brunch.

Even as Lisa and Chelsea are excited to be in Rice Village, they are setting their sights on continued expansion. They currently have a temporary outpost in Memorial City Mall, and are looking for retail locations in other Houston neighborhoods, with a desire to open across Texas.

ParkerJoe in Rice Village is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.

Photo by Alex Montoya

Boys are welcome to read the books on the shelves.

shopping parkerjoe rice village openings