Speaking of Fall 2024’s biggest nail color trends, this year was all about warm tones (hello, hints of cozy cinnamon spice). But experts say they expect the hottest nail polish to take a cooler turn in the upcoming winter season.
“In the winter of 2025, we’re going to start seeing cooler, darker nail polishes,” Deborah Lipman, nail artist and founder of her eponymous nail care brand, tells Bustle. “We’re already starting to see shades of brown, but rich blues will be thrown into the mix as well.”
What’s a good example? Hailey Bieber is both a skin guru and an influence on all things nail, and she recently introduced OPI’s Nail Lacquer in Midnight Mantra ($12.99), the prettiest sapphire blue color. We showed off the set.
As well as deep blues and navy, celebrity manicurist Gina Edwards, who has worked with stars like Sydney Sweeney and Bella Hadid, agrees that brown is the go-to vibe this time of year.
“The first Polish trend for winter that I love is cappuccino or chocolate colors,” she tells Bustle.
Find the hottest nail polish colors for winter 2025 here.
1rich chocolate brown
For those of you who are truly in the chocolate mani era: you’re in luck, because this shade happens to be one of the biggest manicure trends for winter 2025.
“I love the latest nail polish trends in brown,” Lipman says. “From classic brown manicures to glossy chocolate donut nails and more, brown is trending as the latest It Girl shade in clothes and modern manicures.” Alexa, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” Apply.
2ice princess pastel blue
Cool-toned shades seen everywhere? Edwards says pastel blue will dominate the trend.
“Pale blue is unexpected, but it will be a big hit this winter,” she says. “Typically appropriate for spring and summer, we’re seeing more polish colors crossover to become ‘it’ colors out of season.” ”
3Holiday ready silver
With the holiday season and New Year’s Eve just around the corner, it’s no surprise that a pretty shade of sparkling silver tops the list of must-try nail polish shades.
“Full-coverage shimmer polish is a festive yet classy color that’s especially perfect for the holiday season,” says Lipman.
4Soft Girl Sheer Pink
For office days, date nights, elegant events, and every moment in between, you can’t go wrong with sheer balletcore pink on your nails.
“I think minimalist manicures are still popular,” Lipman says.
Edwards agreed, saying “predictable neutrals” are the vibe for winter.
5sultry sapphire
Thanks to Bieber’s recent manicure coded for the boy mama, Lipman predicts a similar shade of sapphire blue polish will become a winter staple.
“We’re starting to see some rich blues coming into the mix,” she says.
6cherry burgundy
Stars like Selena Gomez and Dua Lipa have been sporting sultry burgundy nails in recent months, so it’s no wonder this trend continues even as the weather starts to get colder.
“This season’s trend is ‘cherry mocha,’ a classic combination of cherry red and brown that is both cool and bold,” says Lipman. “Burgundy is an easily on-trend color, but it also feels neutral.”
7cool tone storm gray
The storm gray shade, also known as “stone nails,” is expected to make a big comeback in winter 2025.
“I love Stormy Gray polish color,” says Edwards.
8metallic pine green
9deep bordeaux red
Red is one nail polish shade that never goes out of style. Winter is the perfect time to explore darker shades.
“My favorite shade of red is a deep burgundy,” says Edwards. “It’s decadent, rich, and screams boss baby.”
10mid tone cappuccino beige
Not quite a fan of the decadent shade of dark chocolate? For a more subtle, mid-toned brown mani, try a cappuccino-inspired color.
“My favorite winter season neutral color is dark beige,” says Lipman.
11dark purple
Lipman says a deep, intense amethyst-like purple is a cool color for winter, next to a gemstone-inspired sapphire blue hue.
For at-home manicures and pedicures, Orley Lacquer ($10.50) in Starlit Shale is the perfect dark purple, while Mooncat Lacquer in Dream Within a Dream ($14) is a similar shade with a shimmering finish.
12classic scarlet
If you’re in doubt this winter, choose a classic shade of bright red.
“Classic red nail polish is the perfect pop of color, so it’s sure to be popular this season,” says Lipman. “I love treating red as a neutral because it’s so versatile and there’s a perfect shade for everyone.”
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