Forget Red—Experts Claim These 10 Stylish Nail Trends Will Dominate This Winter

      When considering winter manicures, typical colors often come to mind: snowy whites, festive reds, and perhaps sparkling champagne for New Year’s Eve. However, beauty editors who are passionate about nails have closely examined the micro-trends emerging on social media, with celebrity nail artists affirming our observations: this season’s nail styles are blending dark romanticism with softer elements. “Winter 2025 is focused on refined simplicity with an emotional touch,” says celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec. “It's a departure from the bold summer colors—we’re embracing deep, moody, and textured shades,” she emphasizes. Although this shift in color trends may seem conventional, celebrities demonstrate that the nail art styles from previous seasons continue to shape our stylish manicures. From Hailey Bieber’s recent velvet snowflake tips, which merge glazed donut and frosty velvet looks, to Lucy Boynton’s midnight moon manicure, trendsetters are showcasing that contrasts reign supreme this winter. Regarding specific colors, Kandalec notes that deep shades “such as midnight blue, black cherry, and berry wine” are making a cool appearance—but if you're looking for a broader overview of this season's nail trends, we've outlined them here. Below are 10 chic nail trends for winter 2025.

      **Soft Square**

      It’s undeniable that “soft square” nails, which feature square tips with gently rounded edges, are currently a favorite. This style pairs beautifully with sheer nude or pink shades, exuding elegance during the holiday season. In fact, this shape ranks alongside almond-shaped nails, which have been popular for several years. “The short almond and soft square will take over [in 2025],” Kandalec assures. “They’re classic, flattering, and practical for winter months when nails are more susceptible to breaking.”

      **Quiet Minimalism**

      Continuing with the theme of “soft” nails, Kandalec mentions that sheer, milky polishes—capturing the quiet luxury trend—are here to stay this season. She suggests “clean, short nails in sheer neutrals, milky whites, or translucent taupes” for those wanting to join in. “It has that ‘your nails but better’ essence—a gentle refresh that still feels vibrant after the holiday glitz.” The expert advises that to achieve perfectly sheer nails, it’s crucial to apply thin layers. “Two thin coats of polish last longer and dry quicker than one thick coat,” she notes.

      **Icy Chrome**

      We were pleasantly surprised to discover our new winter nail fascination on Justin Bieber’s Instagram. Hailey's velvet snowflake manicure alternates between glazed chrome and a striking cat-eye effect on the tips, as Zola Ganzorigt, the star's manicurist, illustrates on Instagram, leaving us captivated by this frosted style. “Chrome continues to be popular, especially in silver and icy metallic shades,” says Brittney Boyce, celebrity nail artist and cofounder of Lost Angels. To recreate this cat-eye effect at home, Kandalec suggests applying magnetic polish and positioning the magnet just above the nail before curing to enhance that reflective ‘flash.’

      **Waning Moon Mani**

      If you're looking to explore nail art while maintaining a chic aesthetic, check out Boynton’s stylish moon manicure. Kandalec recently designed this look for the actress to transition her nails into winter, and it exudes a moody-chic vibe. “I’m enamored with moon manis,” she shares. “They provide just the right amount of visual intrigue while also helping to disguise nail growth.” The manicurist utilized black Chanel nail polish for this effect, although there are definitely more budget-friendly options that can achieve similar results.

      **Hot Chocolate**

      One hue that will consistently remain in our rotation is brown polish—particularly rich, deep shades. Boyce anticipates that this color will flourish this season, encompassing everything from rich espresso to milk chocolate. Adding a matte topcoat earns extra style points, as Boyce suspects this will be a major trend in the coming months. Cardiff-based manicurist Joanne Thomas achieved this look using The Gel Bottle’s gel polish in shade Chocolate, but you can create this stylish brown effect at home with standard polishes.

      **Vampy Plum**

      Moody plum shades are perhaps the easiest colors to transition from fall to winter and are set to continue trending. Both Boyce and Kandalec recommend experimenting with variations of this color for winter 2025, ranging from berry wines to vampy plums as a sophisticated alternative to black (although we still love it for winter). Chanel’s Vamp, now available as Rouge Noir, serves as an excellent option for this trend—though there’s no need to spend $33 on a sultry blood-red shade. As long as your hue has a touch of black, you’re good to go.

      **Midnight Blue**

      Blue remains a dominant color throughout the year, varying in intensity with the seasons. This winter, experts are seeing a