The Nail Designs Everyone's Requesting Right Now (And Why Clients Keep Choosing Them)
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The five nail designs clients request most in Toronto right now are rich brown tones, delicate French tips with ultra thin lines, velvet textured finishes in deep fall colours, minimalist soap nails, and bold French variations using modern colours and placements.
At Dory's Designs Beauty Studio in Etobicoke, these five styles make up about 75 percent of fall and winter nail appointments. Brown alone accounts for nearly 30 percent of all colour requests, a major shift from the French heavy trend we saw six months ago.
Now that you have the answer first, here is the real story of how these trends became our most booked designs.
The Mistake That Changed How I Match Colours for Clients
About four years ago, a client named Eleonor P. came in with a photo of a cool toned taupe brown from a magazine. I applied it exactly as shown. Under salon lights, it looked beautiful.
Three days later, she walked back in looking worried. "I think this colour is making my hands look gray," she said quietly. "People at work keep asking if I am tired."
My stomach dropped. The brown was not wrong, but it was wrong for her. Eleonor had warm olive undertones, and the cool brown washed her out. I removed the polish, tested a few warmer browns against her skin under natural light, and applied a shade with subtle red undertones.
When she looked at her hands afterward, she said, "Why did we not do this in the first place?"
Because I had matched the photo, not the client.
That day changed everything. Now I swatch every brown, beige, or neutral against the client's hand before touching a brush. At Dory's Designs we keep eight different browns because shade matching makes or breaks a manicure.
1. Brown Nails: The Most Requested Colour of the Season
Two weeks ago, a client named Elara S. from Long Branch came in wanting brown nails she had been seeing on Instagram.
"I have never worn brown before," she said. "But everyone looks so put together with it."
Brown is trending for 2025, especially the shade "mocha moose." But it is not one shade fits all.
"How much does a Shellac manicure cost?" Elara asked.
"Shellac manicures at Dory's Designs are $45," I said. "Refills every 2 to 3 weeks are $60."
"That's less than I expected," she said. "I thought brown would be extra because it's trending."
"Brown is the same price as any colour. What costs extra is getting the right brown for your skin tone."
At Dory's Designs, I help clients choose the right brown by comparing tones against their hand in natural lighting:
- Warm undertones look best with red based browns.
- Cool undertones need taupe or gray based browns.
- Neutral undertones can wear almost any brown.
Elara chose a warm chocolate shade. One week later, she texted me a photo from her downtown office saying, "Three coworkers just asked where I got these done. This colour looks so expensive."
She came back three weeks later for her Shellac manicure refill. She told me her friend saw her hands at a café on Lake Shore and booked her own appointment.
At Dory's Designs, clients who try brown once usually stick with it. About 70 percent request it again for their next appointment.
2. Delicate and Bold French: Two Completely Different Looks
French manicures are everywhere again, but not the way they used to be.
At Dory's Designs, clients request two very different versions:
Delicate French:
- Ultra thin tip line between one and two millimeters
- Perfect for short nails or office settings
- About 60 percent of our French clients choose this style
- Looks clean, subtle, and modern
Bold French:
- Inverse French
- Double French lines
- Purple, brown, green, or mixed colours
- Great for clients who want their nails to be part of their outfit
When clients ask, "Which one should I get?" I match the design to their lifestyle.
A client named Zarina K., a financial analyst who commutes on the TTC, wanted something professional but still detailed. She chose a delicate yellow French line that looked elegant without being loud.
Another client, Priya M., who works in fashion near Queen West, chose a bold double French in deep plum. It suited her personal style perfectly.
3. Velvet Nails: Rich, Dimensional, and Surprisingly Wearable
Velvet nails are a huge request this season. A client named Simone D. came in worried they might look too dramatic for everyday wear.
The beauty of velvet nails is that the texture elevates even simple colours:
- Deep greens
- Chocolate browns
- Burgundy
- Purple jewel tones
At Dory's Designs, velvet nails cost the same as a regular Shellac manicure, which is 45 dollars, because the application process is similar. They last about two weeks, although the texture softens slightly.
Simone chose a deep chocolate brown velvet finish. When I showed her the result, she smiled and said, "This doesn't look costume-y at all. It looks rich."
Two weeks later at her refill appointment, she told me the texture had softened slightly but still looked beautiful. "I got compliments all week," she said.
Since August 2024, velvet finish requests at the salon have increased over 150 percent. Velvet has the highest rebooking rate at Dory's Designs. About 80 percent of clients who try it once request it again.
4. Soap Nails: The Minimalist Trend That Looks Expensive
Soap nails are the clean girl manicure everyone wants but almost no one can recreate at home. They involve:
- A milky neutral colour
- Or a clear gel with subtle opacity
Clients love them because they look effortless and healthy.
A client last week asked, "Why would I pay for nails that look like nothing?" Because nothing actually requires detailed cuticle prep, smoothing ridges, perfect shaping, and a flawless milky layer.
At Dory's Designs, we use a milky shade similar to Funny Bunny for most soap nail clients. They last two and a half to three weeks with proper care. A refill is 60 dollars.
5. Press Ons: The Trend No One Saw Coming
Press ons used to be emergency only. Not anymore. Quality has improved dramatically, and for one day events, they can be perfect for temporary looks.
At Dory's Designs, we are honest with clients. Press ons are great for temporary looks. Professional manicures are always better long term. Nail health, shaping, and cuticle care cannot be replicated at home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nail Trend Questions Clients Ask Every Week
How long do gel or Shellac nails last?
For most Toronto clients, they last two and a half to three weeks depending on nail health and lifestyle. At Dory's Designs, we have tracked wear time across 300+ manicures, and clients who follow home care instructions consistently reach the 3-week mark.
How long does velvet texture last?
Velvet lasts about 14 to 16 days before texture softens. The gel underneath stays intact for three or more weeks. You will need a refill at the same interval as a regular gel manicure, which is 60 dollars.
How much do French designs cost?
Delicate French and bold French are priced within the Shellac manicure service. A Shellac manicure is 45 dollars and a refill is 60 dollars.
Which brown shade should I choose?
We test multiple browns under natural light to match your undertone. Warm undertones look best with chocolate or red based browns. Cool undertones suit taupe or gray based browns.
If You Want Nails That Look Current and Flattering
Nail trends are changing fast, but what works depends on your lifestyle, undertone, and personal style.
At Dory's Designs Beauty Studio in Etobicoke, we specialize in nail designs that look amazing in real life.
Whether you want rich brown nails, velvet jewel tones, delicate French, bold French, or minimalist soap nails, we will create the look that fits your actual life, not just online trends.
Holiday party season is here. December books out 2 to 3 weeks in advance. If you want velvet nails or rich browns for office parties, book now.
Dory's Designs Beauty Studio 850 Browns Line, Etobicoke, ON M8W 3W2, Canada. Call us at 416-816-3617 or book an appointment online.
You bring inspiration. We bring the artistry.