The colder months are not exactly known for being hugely exciting beauty-wise, we must admit. Summer is all about splashy colognes, luscious creamy bronzers and pops of coral, whereas winter feels as though it is largely defined by battling dry skin and chapped lips. Not a vibe.
But truly, winter's bad beauty rap has been unfairly bestowed. The final months of the year are perfect for branching out from your usual go-to mani style and expanding your nail look repertoire by leaning into deep jewel tones and shimmery festive detailing.
Rich and unctuous, chocolate brown is all over the runways right now, from Brandon Maxwell to Fendi. Hungry for more? This sweet, super-satisfying colour trend has trickled down into our nail choices.
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"Clients have been loving warm browns and earthy shades," says senior nail artist Rani Narayan of Shoreditch Nails. "A glossy shade of brown is a great alternative to black for that iconic moody mani look as we enter the cooler months."
Cue an onslaught of painstaking deliberation...
How we chose:
We've scoured our Instagram feeds, turning to our favourite manicurists for inspiration, for the most covetable nail looks. Our selections reflect a wintry mood, either because they feel cosy or festive in design. We've then chosen some similar shades from our go-to nail polish brands, so you can recreate the look at home.
Hello! Fashion shares our favourite winter nail looks to inspire your next salon visit:
Grown-up Glitter
Subtle and sparkly, this look is the perfect choice if you're after an understated wash of glitter.
Chocolate Brown
Rich and enticing, this shiny brown manicure is giving major hot chocolate vibes.
Holly Berries
Incorporate some Christmas foliage into your nail repertoire and try out a design featuring holly berries layered over a metallic shade.
Mulled Wine
Deep and berry-like, this beautiful red feels elegant and slightly vampy.
Emerald Green
Verdant and sophisticated, this emerald green look is a great way of showing your festive spirit if your approach is more minimal.
Santa Baby Scarlet
Festive and joyful, you can't beat a vibrant orange-based red for a hit of Christmas glam.
Rich Mocha
If you like chocolate brown but are in the mood for something moodier, consider incorporating mocha into your nail colour library.
Cool-girl Chrome
This pink chrome look feels girlish and luxe, and we're totally into the pearlescent ring pairing.
Cosy Khaki
I adore earthy khaki all year round, but for winter it feels particularly lovely, especially when paired with a fluffy faux fur coat.
Opal Dream
The inimitable iridescence of opal is one of the main reasons why the precious gemstone is so adored, and I love how this manicure look captures that quality perfectly.
Glitter Gradient
It wouldn't be the festive period without a shower of glitz, and this multi-tone glitter look feels a little bit different to the usual.
Copper French Tips
The return of the French manicure was one of 2023's most unexpected nail trends, but there's no need to remain wedded to traditional white.
Snowflake Tips
Pay tribute to the icy temperatures and consider amping up your mani game with pretty, snowflake-inspired tips.
Baubles, Bangles and Beads
Give your Christmas tree a run for its money and go for a glitzy, jewel-adorned look.
Cable Knit Cosiness
This super cute, knit-inspired look is giving major winter warmth - ideal if you're wanting to keep things minimal.
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