Nail trends: colors and patterns for winter 2024
Manicures to show off for a twist on the cold season
G-Club
November 7th, 2024
November 7th, 2024
Let's give in. Winter is coming. It's time to swap out the Pumpkin Spice Latte for hot chocolate, pull out the gloves and scarves, put on your coat, and update your beauty routine to face the cold, rain, and fog. Just like with our wardrobe and skincare, our nails need a little glow-up too. Shopping for polishes, stickers, and files, arranging them in a line, and playing with colors and textures can be a self-care ritual, adding sparkles and bows even when the days turn cold and dreary. Whether featuring sapphire blue tones inspired by gemstones or evoking the unique shade of a plum, let's get ready to show off our nails and let them brighten our daily routine. Here are some nail trends for winter 2024 to find the right inspiration and perhaps manifest a little good vibe.
Bordeaux and Burgundy: from Cherry Mocha to Italian Plum
It’s undeniable that bordeaux and burgundy are the colors of the year, sophisticated and intense shades that make you feel put together with just a touch, blending perfectly with any look and occasion. From the office to the most exclusive party, they never disappoint. It’s no surprise that they’re among celeb favorites and will remain a trend in the coming months. What’s the difference? Bordeaux results from a blend of dark red and brown, while burgundy is cooler, a mix of red and purple. Their evolutions are Cherry Mocha, a sensual, deep color showcased in Gucci’s FW24 collection, and Italian Plum, which, teetering on red, is described by Pantone as a “deep, dark purple that emits a magical energy,” inspired by the “Ramassin of Saluzzo,” a plum variety from Syria, brought to southwestern Piedmont by the Crusaders in the 12th century. Chanel nail artist Betina Goldstein has already had Gracie Abrams wear it; what are you waiting for to try it?
Shiny and Iridescent Finishes
On the Rhode site, there appeared a close-up of Hailey Bieber’s hand with a cat-eye manicure in a warm, delicious cinnamon color, done by Zola Ganzorigt. That image shows us that the evolution of velvet nails—designed to mimic a feline gaze using gel polish with magnetic pigments shaped by a special magnet—is here to stay. Especially with the holiday season approaching, it will appear in classic red and green, gold, and silver. This is confirmed by Tom Bachik, who predicts a lot of glitter and glassy, three-dimensional manicures. Reflective finishes are also key to the success of glass nails, which replicate the effect of light reflecting off a shard of glass. Which version do you prefer?
Cold Nails Like Marble and Metal
Cold calls for cold. Not just icy shades and frosty make-up. Winter 2024 nails mimic the look of marble and the shine of metals—gold, but especially silver. The possible variations are as numerous as your imagination allows. You can play with color combinations and decorate with three-dimensional elements. There are also different ways to achieve these effects. For marble nails, take a drop of each chosen color and mix them well on a palette, using the tip of a stick. Then, apply the blended polish in wavy strokes over nails prepped with a clear base. Let the polish dry and finish by sealing it with a clear top coat. The technique for chrome nails is a bit more complicated. If you'd rather not rely on a skilled manicurist and find handling chrome powder, applicators, and top coat challenging, you can opt for a nail polish with a chrome finish instead, such as Chanel 189 Phenomene.
Midnight Nails: Blue, Purple, and Black for a Magical Winter Night
Inspired by celebs who have embraced the witchy aesthetic and transformed it into a go-to manicure for upcoming special occasions. Blue, purple, and black are perfect beyond October 31. For the premiere of Emilia Pérez, Tom Bachik painted Selena Gomez's nails in a deep eggplant color with an ultra-shiny finish. Hailey Bieber garnered likes with her midnight blue manicure by her trusted Zola Ganzorigt, who described it as sapphire blue, recalling the precious stone's beauty. For a subtler approach, opt for galaxy nails, where you blend a deep blue base with stars and intergalactic designs created by silver glitter polish, or choose a super simple manicure with black polish, one of the timeless winter shades for nails.