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

UNIFORM UTOPIA

Luxury scrubs brand FIGS opens first Texas location in Rice Village

Photo courtesy of FIGS

FIGS will open its new Rice Village Community Hub on December 6.

Healthcare apparel company FIGS is opening its first brick-and-mortar store in Texas with a new Community Hub in Rice Village. The retail space is designed to serve both as a store and a gathering spot for the city's healthcare community.

The Rice Village location opens this Saturday, December 6, with a public grand opening event on December 13 from 6 to 8 pm featuring giveaways, music, food, and drinks from local vendors. Joining outposts in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York City, the Houston location is the fourth Community Hub for the company and the only location in the South.

The store will carry the full range of FIGS products, including scrubwear, loungewear, and accessories. It will also host events and programming focused on healthcare topics, offering visitors opportunities to meet and share experiences.

At the new FIGS boutique, shoppers will find the Color Clinic, offering scrubwear in core colors with rotating seasonal options. The store also has a Customization Station, which provides embroidery for names, titles, practice or hospital logos, and local icon options available only at Community Hubs. Personalization is also available for scrub caps, outerwear, and accessories.

FiGS The new FIGS store will offer a Color Clinic and Customization Station to let shoppers personalize their FIGS uniforms. Photo courtesy of FIGS/Instagram

The brand, founded in 2013 by Heather Hasson and Trina Spear, is known for fashion-forward medical uniforms made from a proprietary fabric with four-way stretch, antimicrobial technology, moisture-wicking, and wrinkle resistance. Hasson and Spear began selling directly to healthcare workers in Los Angeles-area hospital parking lots before growing their presence as an online retailer.

CEO and co-founder Trina Spear believes Rice Village was the perfect choice due to its proximity to the Texas Medical Center. She said the company wanted a space that supports Houston healthcare professionals and gives them a place to shop and connect.

"Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, and we are honored to bring a FIGS Community Hub to this city. This space is designed to serve and celebrate Houston healthcare professionals," said Spear. "Our Community Hubs create opportunities for customers to not only shop in a way that never previously existed, but to connect with each other and with FIGS on a deeper level."

FIGS Community Hub, 5515 Kelvin Dr., Suite 130, 77005

figs scrubs figs rice village figs houston