With the leaves changing and the weather getting colder, it isn’t just our wardrobe that is in need of a downgrade, our nails should have their autumnal moment, too. However, what is really trending Fall-Winter 2025-2026? Are deep reds still in? Is minimalist nail art out? And can still we cheat a bit of sparkle in January?
I have collected the most eye catching, wearable and inspiring nail designs to cold winter months ahead, be it the short almond neutrals or long bold squares, slight gold lines or a complete butterfly fantasy. Others build on the time-honored vocabularies of fall color and others introduce just the needed dose of theatrical fun to frosty mornings.
So when you want to shake up your routine, upscale your style of choice or just scroll through before you next appointment, this one is yours. Let’s dive in.
Moody Florals on Glossy Noir
Something about jet-black polish, of course, makes an instant increase in the drama, yet combined with deep-red floral motifs? It’s a whole mood. This structure is high contrast design, high detailing- gothic, but subtle. The almond shape makes it a bit more elegant such that it does not feel too rough. I’ve been seeing these edgy mixes more and more on Pinterest these days, particularly with the shortening of the days, as well as the darkening of our wardrobe. It is bold and stylish and in some way or the other, even in the brunch, it could be worn.
How to achieve that glassy finish is by applying a high-gloss gel top coat such as OPI GelColor Top Coat. To be used with the flower decorating, I would suggest a dark crimson gel (imagine: Essie Gel Couture in Bubbles Only) and a nail art brush or a stamping kit in case you are not a steady hand. Intensity of color, you want, but softness of stroke.
I normally begin by cleaning and shaping my nails, and then apply two layers of pure black gel polish. After a cure I map out my florals, either by hand or on decals. Get the top coat on it all. And, say you are doing this at home? Do it in a warm place with a hot beverage close by–it adds a cozy-vibe ritual to the whole thing.
I had a similar design on a November dinner party last year and no joke three people questioned me where I had my nails done. That is the strength of good moody manicure- it does not scream out, but it is not noticed either. In addition, the red-on-black theme is eternal. Think: fall leaves, or red wine, or velvet skirts. Perfect, right?
Gilded Marble Luxury
When you are in need of something sophisticated with a trace of luxury, this design fits all the requirements. White marble, with gold veins screams contemporary luxury, and it is one style that works equally well on almond nails as it does on short squares. In this case, it is designed in long, pointy lines and that enhances the drama- although I must say it can be completely worn down and made low key. It is giving holiday parties, warm evenings in cashmere or sipping prosecco by candlelight.
Making a marble effect is not as difficult as it might appear- at least when you use blooming gel as the foundation. I tend to use a milky white polish (e.g. Funny Bunny by OPI) and make thin, wavy lines of grey with a liner brush. I then hook a small needle into the design before it cures and copy natural stone veins. Next the star: gold foil or gold gel liner (such as, Gold Rush, by Le Mini Macaron). Dip it here and there along the veins to that royal touch.
This design is very strong throughout the season and those who do not want their nails to scream that they are taking care of themselves but rather whisper it. I prefer to wear it with oversized knit sweaters, tailored coats or to be completely honest, I can wear it with jeans and white shirt when I feel like I want to look extra fancy. It’s subtle, but luxe. One of the designs that can never be ignored with a second look.
Holiday Pine & Mulled Wine Vibes
This design gives December. It is celebratory without being all Christmas cliché. The wine red matte nails are also vivid and look 3D and the green and white accent nails with pine leaf detailing are also playful but not too high. It is the type of set that is practical when you are heading to a holiday market or even wrapping presents with a peppermint hot cocoa balancing in your hand. Earthly greens and burgundies are in their place in this season of the year- they belong.
In order to redefine the appearance, use a matte top coat, such as Essie Matte About You, in addition to darker colors, such as In The Lobby or Wicked. In the case of the green, I used Olive and Junes “Besties” and it fit the vibe. That pine motif is made to look lively with the help of a stamping plate with leaf decorations or a fine detail brush. Gold foil dots, glitter tips are that last touch of magic.
I had attempted something of the sort last winter as I was experiencing my Pinterest holiday board stage. Let me simply say that it smelled fantastic in comparison with any pine scented candles that I had. Also, matte textures perform super well during colder weather and provide that tender feel we all desire in the winter holidays.
Harvest Neutrals with Golden Leaves
Something about olive and terracotta is earthy in fall – putting on a warm-up sweater and crunching some falling leaves. This nail art mimics precisely that although with a twist to it. The low-key colors, the olive green, beige and rusty brick are brightened with the few golden leaf touches, creating an overall effect of the earthly, artistic atmosphere. It is like what you would wear when you are going on a weekend outing in a vineyard or a relaxing day at home holding a cup of chai latte.
Good quality matte polishes will be needed to achieve this look and both Zoya and Deborah Lippmann have gorgeous muted colors. In the case of leaf detailing I would use thinner metallic decals or even gold transfer foils to give that smooth finish. All one has to do is put them slightly into a semi-cured gel and layer them with a matte coating.
Personally I love this combo every fall. It is discreet, elegant and yet it is almost costly without glamour. I even experimented with a smaller square form once and it also did the job as well. Betina Goldstein who is an editorial manicurist gives us a pro tip: “Create visual contrast between matte and metallic accents. This design–this design fastens the balance–this balances very easily.
Abstract Fall Meets Artisan Touch
And this is what fall would be were it a painting. It is made in the form of a wearable canvas in a deep mustard, teal green, and matte black- all held together, using painterly strokes of metallic gold. It’s abstract but not chaotic. As though a person had turned a drive through the mountains into nail art. The form is almond shaped and makes the color palette boldness softer. I like that it narrates without naming it.
To re-create this sort of artful mess, I combine and blend shades of ILNP or Cirque Colors-brands that have high-quality pigments. Place your base, and dab metallic gold polish on a sponge, then rub lightly on the tips. Apply with a nail art brush in contrasting colors. It does not have a correct way of doing it- it is supposed to be organic.
The best thing with this designing is its creativity. It does not conform to regulations, and yet it looks so well-dressed. This may be your time to say let’s see what happens when you wear something different in case you are the type of person who has been wearing nudes forever. It is flirtatious, atmospheric, and autumn-minded.
Celestial Midnight Magic
The best winter manicure is sometimes like a night sky around your fingernails. I like everything about midnight blues: this dark, velvety gradient that dies into lovely cosmic grace. Gold stars, exquisite moons and a polished surface- this one calls out New Years Eve fantasies or late-night journaling with fairy lights. It has an elongated square form that provides it with a contemporary editorial appeal, as though it were a piece of a high-end campaign.
The base to create this appearance would be a gradient base created with the help of sponge technique, mix navy blue (essie After School Boy Blazer) into black gel. In the case of the celestial piece, decals perform miracles, however I have also applied MoYou London plates with astrology themes and stamping. Perfectly finishing with a top coat of ultra-glossy is a must to ensure that all the elements shine like a sky studded with stars.
One minor tip I borrowed in celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec: Varnish your stars and moons with a layer of jelly top coat to give them depth. It creates a 3D, glass-like, vibe that is dreamy. Frankly speaking, there is the aura of the main character about this set. Something like it occurred to me on a snowy night the last December and each cup of coffee in my hands seemed to be cinematic.
Classic Garnet with a Golden Whisper
There is classic and this timeless. Garnet nails, deep red in color, with the smallest crescent of gold clinging close to the cuticle. It is sophisticated, posh, and sort of presuppositive. The almond form and shiny surface tell us that it is polished, however, this is where that gold curve comes in giving it the right amount of glam. I adore this type of design in winter party or any other time when you need to be slightly more dressed up.
You can do this appearance using a high-pigment burgundy gel such as the one called Bordeaux Glow by DND. In case of the gold, I have applied the glitter striping tape or a fine liner with gold foil gel. The trick here is that it should be tidy – the golden edge must not sound bells. It is the adult version of twinkling.
This is my personal go-to when it comes to a formal occasion or dinner in which I do not want my nails to speak all the words, yet I still want them present in the discussion. I once compared this very color to my heels–instant agreement. Nail artist Tom Bachik always says, details make the manicure and this one is true.
Dusty Blue with a Hint of Floral Charm
This layout would make me like to wear huge knit sweaters and drink chai on the porch. The shade is a deep, dusty navy–warm, soft, and sure. The accent is also floral on one nail and this automatically lifts the entire appearance. It’s artsy without being loud. And the natural length of the nail? The all-purpose wearable and work-friendly.
To restyle this design I apply a neutral blue such as Zoyas Ryan and apply the floral with either nail stickers or hand paint with a detail brush. The trick here is contrast–have the background dark and the flower pieces light and gentle. A gel top coating it and it will last up to three weeks.
I used a variation of this last fall as I was riding through the wine country in Oregon. It was so correct in combination with all the misty mornings and old pair of jeans. Also, this style is easy to move between casual and elegant, just changing depending on the mood- or attire.
Mulberry Wine & Soft Sparkle
Rich mulberry colors are experiencing a severe moment, and I am thoroughly here to support it. This appearance steals the coziness of rich berry and leaves a slight twist with one glitter accent nail. It is warm, it is elegant and makes cold days shine with the proper amount of gloss. Just in time to wear in a few weeks at the beginning of winter when you aren’t in the holiday mood yet but still need a reminder of the season.
On the foundation, I would swear by Sally Hansen’s Spice Age attire the rich wine tint. And for the glitter? Take a rose-gold colour such as Champagne Supernova Lights Lacquer. Compare it on the ring finger or thumb.
I like this appearance on short or medium nails, particularly of an oval shape. It adds a velvet texture to your hands, and this is ideal when you are the type of person that I am, and basically spends most of the time in dark turtlenecks between November and February. It has a hint of glamour–my very favorite winter style.
Retro Petals on Nude Base
This one is fun and a throwback, as old wallpaper made a comeback–on your nails. Minuscule multi-coloured (warm rust, mustard and navy) flowered flora, in a sheer nude ground, rests on concrete nails of navy. It is provocative, surprising, and unexpectedly fashionable. Something than comfortable about it as well–such as your favorite knit scarf or an old love letter in a drawer.
On a soft nude foundation, I like OPI Bubble bath or Bare my Soul. Next dot with a dotting tool or a thin brush to make the retro florals. Fall colors such as mustard, brick red and navy are topped with gel liners to give the ideal 70s palette. Top it off with a shiny top coat to make the design live.
I tested this one recently just before a weekend upstate, and it was the right mix of fun and functionality. People pay attention to it–not that it is loud, but that it is so considerately elaborated. It is happiness in nail shape, which is a little bit appropriate in the colder months, do you think?
Charcoal Sunrise Gradient
Such a gradient is electric–one feels the punchiness of coral-pink shifting to deep charcoal-black, the effect of a smoky ombré, night slowly fading into dusk. It is that type of manicure that brings up conversation without making any excessive effort. The square form is structural, which provides it with a refined edge with the small sparkle sprinkled throughout providing a spacey finish.
To achieve this appearance I would apply a base of neon coral gel, such as that of Flamingo Fiesta by Madam Glam, and then fade to black with a makeup sponge or gradient brush. A little patience to achieve that perfect fade off and a shinny top coat (DNP Galaxy Shine) really completes the exquisite look.
I used this type in that awkward middle of the month in November when you are half-fall, half-winter and it was actually a set. Bonus? It goes with pumpkin lattes and leather jackets. Total win.
Deep Olive Simplicity
Minimal, moody and quietly bold, that is what I would say about this manicure in lush olive green. It is, however, easy, yet by no means dull. The deep earthy roll combined with the glossy almond shape makes it seem to be a stroll through an evergreen forest. You do not have to be designs or sparkle-obsessed, but this color-focused look is a statement.
My personal favorite in this specific feel is Essies win me over or Olive and Junes into the trees. Two hefty layers and finish with a gel topcoat to give it the glass-like appearance. The olive shade appears amazing in every colour and somehow seems seasonal and elegant.
I imagine that this is the ideal everyday luxury manicure. You may be heading to the office, a brunch date, or simply window shopping in farmer’s market, this look tells you, I have it together- without making it hard. And sincerely, on occasion that is what I need.
Mocha Swirl Elegance
Chocolate shades are completely capturing the winter seasons and this pattern is pure ice cream on your nails. The set is anchored with a rich brown polish that is not finished off without the swirling marble accents. It is smooth, alluring and yet classy-sipping espresso in a velvy chair. Even more drama is added by the long coffin-shaped ends, which makes this an easy choice to anyone who wants a bold seasonal appearance.
In order to replicate the marble, I apply a cream beige frame (such as DNDs “Latte”) then drag in stripes of dark brown and white with a fine detail brush as long as the polish is wet. Seal it with a high polish of super glossy topping to give it the slick espresso touch.
I put this very vibe on a winter wedding last year with a chocolate satin slip dress and gold jewelry. Safe to say, it was a hit. Brown nails are highly underestimated- this set authorises that they are here to remain.
Galactic Lavender Sparkle
Lavender is no longer a springtime only. This surreal set is ripped off the fairytale pages with its chrome-like glimmer and gold star patterns. The impact is galactic and gentle, whimsical but elegant. Its rounded low shape makes it wearable and magnetic shimmer finishes and gold decals make it ultra-modern.
To achieve this appearance, I prefer a magnetic polish such as, Supernova, by Holo Taco or Lets Hang, by KBShimmer. Coat the nails first then go over with a magnet to achieve that shimmer wave. Decorate after drying with gold foil or sticker stars.
Something is magical about taking pastels into the winter, it is somewhat oppositional, it is somewhat playful. Ideal when you want to make your nails feel like you are celebrating on your own, regardless of what the calendar says. Believe me, it goes as well with fluffy scarfs as it does with spring dresses.
Cozy Plaid Perfection
And we are finishing here on a high note- classic, cozy, and all wearable. This plaid is very serious hot cider and knit socks. Burgundy, navy and warm cream lines create crisp tartan that simply feels like autumn. It is preppy but not rigid and it does not fail on short square nails or press-ons.
To accomplish this appearance, you may either be all DIY in stripping out striping brushes, or cheat a bit with ready-made plaid nail wraps. Attempt colors such as OPI “Malaga Wine, CND “Creekside to navy, and thin lines of gold foil or gel liner to provide some depth.
I had these plaid nails on every Thanksgiving these last three years- and they feel new each time. It is a salutation to the season, a tip of the hat to tradition and always a dinner-table topic. Also, they are surprisingly stylish and photograph well in chunky cardigans and all things pumpkin-colored.
Gothic Glam with a Gold Twist
This nail art is a drama that works in the most desirable manner. Almond shaped and ultra-luxurious, the blend of deep crimson, inky black, and foiled rose-gold gives off a vibe that is a little vampy, a little luxe and entirely compelling. It is the type of manicure that touches like a velvet evening gown with a high cut – just enough of an edge, yet never unpolished. The metallic leafing on the accent nail and the diagonal red streak make it look more bespoke, almost couture and keeps it current, but not costume-y.
To recreate this, you will require a deep red cherry (OPI Malaga Wine is recommended), a glittery black as jet like Essies licorice and a few transfer foil or nail stickers in rose gold. Thin liner brush will also assist you in getting that red sliver. Also be sure to use a good top coat – I have been very successful with Seche Vite over metallics.
Always have your base prepared before the polish is laid on, celebrity manicurist Betina Goldstein insists on this tip, and she is correct – move the nails away, polish the nail surface a bit, and wipe with alcohol before applying the polish. The leaf foil design is the most suitable when placed on a still-tacky gel layer, and sealed.
Frankly speaking, I feel invincible because of this one. It has that I know what I am doing presence. I had something similar last December at a rooftop wine tasting in NYC, and two strangers who had not known me long praised it in the space of 10 minutes.
Mocha Minimalism with a Hint of Luxe
This squat, squat set is like the warm espresso on a cold fall morning – cozy, stabilizing, but not so fancy as to make yourself feel like you’re treating yourself. The pale taupe-brown foundation is lifted by one vertical line of micro-glitter, giving the effect of the slightest game of light, which attracts the eye but never requires attention. It is luxurious, but in manicure.
The appearance is unexpectedly easy to get. A foundation is set with a creamy nude-brown polish such as Zoya brianna. In the case of shimmer stripe, I suggest fine-liner brush that has been dipped into a silver or champagne glitter polish – think Set in Stones by Essie. You may even apply nail tape so that line can be razor sharp.
Here is one of the things I learned during my visit to manicurist Julie Kandalec: you should apply your stripe after the base color is completely dry. Then, when you get it wrong, then it is so easy to fix it without having to restart anew. Always seal with a long lasting glossy top coat.
This could be your gateway drug in case you are someone who tends to avoid glitter because it feels too extra. It’s the type of design that fits your camel trench as well as it does your softest hoodie. The soft, graceful and mutually cold.
Winter Sapphire with a Cosmic Spark
Now, we can discuss this rich royal blue – it is bold, striking and unashamedly cool. The polish looks like miniature constellations trapped in every nail with the square shape providing it a retro, Y2K vibe and the slight sheen in the finish. It is a wintery and playful design similar to a snowstorm in the middle of the night or a glamorous cocktail dress on New Year’s Eve.
To re-create this, involves taking on bold pigment. I would choose ILNPs Royalty or Sally Hansen Sapphire Siren and put a coat of a micro-glitter topper such as Fairy Dust by China Glaze. These are press-ons in the image, however, this can be replicated on natural or acrylic nails.
To use at home, you can use the following technique: apply glitter using the “dipping technique: Dip a dry brush in glitter powder and tap it over already wet polish. Then lightly press it and coat it with top. This serves to avoid coarse texture and peeling.
This color takes me back to a night I danced under blue neon at a downtown dive bar in a vintage faux-fur coat and with zero intention of how tomorrow was going to be. That is the vitality here: accidental, radiant, winter-enchanted.
Gilded French with Ruby Red Drama
This one had me at hello. It is a high French tip with silver glitter rather than white, and glossy ruby red full-cover nails. The transparent tip of the accent fingers makes it breathable and the small rhinestone detail? A quiet flex. This combination shouts holiday glam but it is not too much. I would wear it to a dinner or even to a simple make my errands a bit special.
To achieve this appearance, apply cleaning nude-pink jelly polish (try Essies Sheer Fantasy), Red lacquer such as OPIs Big Apple Red and a finely sprinkled holographic glitter such as Diamond Dust. Rhinestones will also require a dotting tool or tweezers. French tips should be kept even with nail guide stickers in case you are too scared to attempt the freehand technique.
Celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik suggests applying a silicone rubber tool to press in rhinestones lightly, and seal them with a coat of builder gel to last longer. Once I tried this and the stones did not move at all in 10 days.
Something about this mani makes me feel like putting on something silk, spritting on a nicer perfume and celebrating the season with something bubbly. It’s festive but versatile. and is not that the best beauty?
Chocolate Meets Nude: A Two-Tone Fall Favorite
It is a love letter to fall, literally. Maroon fades to creamy beige in a two-tone design, which changes alternately, with little striping to contrast. The coffin shape provides structure, whereas the color palette is taken right out of a pumpkin spice Pinterest board – a cozy, though sophisticated one. It is the type of manicure, that does not whisper fall, it tells it with its chest.
I would use Essie Spice It Up in the brown-red and Topless and Barefoot in the neutral base. The striping detail may be done with a striping brush or even gold nail tape, which is thin, to add an additional luxe touch. Vinyl guides are not as reliable as you might think you are using your hand.
Being a wearer of a variation of this look last October, I wore an oversized knit and loafers. Everyone continued to inquire how I had it done – ruiner: it was homemade. It is simple to duplicate and more so customize with some patience.
It is so satisfying to have your favorite seasonal shades on your fingertips. It’s like a PSL for your hands.
Royal Blue Luxe with Crystal Accents
This ensemble is glamorous and does not lose its sophistication. The dark, nearly navy blue, immediately reminds of midnight skies and warm winter coats. But it is that one, full crystalized accent nail that takes the stage–a chandelier on your hand. The square shape is long and makes it clean and well balanced so that the rhinestones shines without appearing gaudy. In the mood to be a little magical on your vacation but you don’t want glitter? This one is your pick.
To use as a base color, OPI or Londontown Russian Navy or Arctic Night. Strong gel or builder base is required to hold the gems into place in the rhinestone-packed finger- Swarovski or Preciosa crystals is that luxurious finishing touch. You will also need a thick gel top coat and to fasten them a small detail brush.
Manicurist to the stars Elle Gerstein frequently recommendsUse of a wax pencil to apply rhinestones and twist the border to fix them in. I have done this using builder gel and it actually does add up to longevity.
I was fantasizing black ties in this look even though I am simply having a wine night in my house. It adds luxe to the daily routine and the answer is why not?
Gold-Lined Noir: The New French
Black nails are in every season but this time they are sophisticated and not subversive. This manicure resembles the shape of an almond, with a pitch-black shiny surface that has metallic gold lines which cut through the center. It is part funky and part contemporary- reminds me of lacquered furniture with a good border of brass. It has something unexpectedly clean and chic about this design and it takes place in full glam or in a simple chunky knit.
This will require a high-gloss black polish such as Essie or OPI Licorice black or Black Onyx. On the line, apply a gold striping finish with a striping brush or dipped in a metallic polish such as Good as Gold by Essie. When you are using gels, you may well go to gold chrome powder.
To achieve that clean appearance, I would advise that you allow your black base to dry first before adding the gold. I once got to know this at my own risk–in a hurry and the line bled. Striping tape may be a savior particularly in the case of hands symmetry.
This appearance constantly makes me feel like I’m dressing up even when I’m merely typing on my lap-top. It is silent and keen–and such contrast? So very 2025.
Mulled Wine Elegance
It is one of such classic designs that are always appropriate in the fall. Short oval nails are glossy with a deep, wine red color that instantly reminds of scarves, crunchy leaves and spiced beverages. The fact that there is a faint golden line on the center makes it remain up-to-date; not too much detail to turn it into nail art. This is the one that the minimalist can can have a little flair.
Perfect in this case are polishes such as Bordeaux by Essie or Wrapped in Rubies by China Glaze. On the gold detail, apply a metallic striping polish or a gold pen such as that of Maniology. This design is particularly pleasing to short or medium-length nails that have natural curve.
I have seen the same types of styles in the seasonal nail collections, in Harper’s Bazaar, and they keep returning to jewel finishes with metallics in cooler weather. And frankly speaking, I do not mind about it.
I have used this color combination last thanksgiving and paired it with a satin blouse of the same shade. It brought the entire appearance together without making much of an effort- a carefree classiness in a bottle.
Botanical Fantasy with Butterflies and Gold
It is at this point where maximalism collides with fantasy- and somehow still works. Stilettos and unashamedly intense, this design incorporates burnt orange, olive green, clear base space, chrome gold swirls, and even 3D butterfly adornments. It is handing out enchanted garden in October and I live it. It is the best design in case your nails want to say something without uttering a single word.
Various items will be required in this case: olive green (Orly, Olive You Kelly), burnt orange (Zoya, Autumn), metallic gold foil or transfer gel, nail glue to adopt the 3D butterflies. The pointed liner brush is important when swirling on the accent details.
Acelepses: To preserve the butterflies, celebrity nail artist Jenny Bui (she dozes the nails of Cardi B) advises to seal the butterflies in gel toppings or to paint them around the edges and seal with the top. They are not something you wear on a regular basis, yet surprisingly they are very durable when used properly.
It is an entire vibe this mani is bold, artistic, and, frankly, healing. Something in the combination of natural motives with high-shine glamour makes it feel both grounded and enchanted.
Soft Mustard & Matte Line Art
Autumn and minimalist and crisp and clean. This design combines natural mustard and blush based foundations with fine line art black art in the shape of abstract leaf. It is light and unbiased, although it has an artistic tinge. A manicure that allows them to be viewed by others as a seasonally appropriate almond shape, yet simple enough to look good and have them be able to be creative; this is my preferred type of manicure.
To replicate this, apply a mustard-coloured polish such as the Essie Ochre (apply matte with a topcoat, such as Zoya Velvet Top Coat), and a soft pink nude, such as Essie Topless and Barefoot (apply matte, with Zoya Velvet Top Coat). A nail art pen of fine tip or a black nail art pen such as the one sold by Maniology can be used to do the line work- it is highly precise.
To achieve a soft, smudge free line, make sure the bottom is completely dry before painting the matte top layer in the last step, after your art is secured. Don’t know how to do nail art? Draft the patterns on paper first, it can work!
I put something like this on during a lengthy weekend in Vermont last October with wool socks and hot cider, and no real agenda. It is the type of nail art that is personal- it feels like you created it yourself.
Classic Burgundy Confidence
Deep burgundy never goes out of the fashion- it is always sophisticated, wearable, and even powerful and it is not loud. These coffin-shaped nails are painted in an oxblood wine color which does not feel dated. No glitter, no accents, simple the brashness of a high-shine finish. It is the manicure version of a dark red lipstick elegant, assured, and never misplaced. This one is addressed to minimalists who do not want to lose a strong impression.
And to get this very tone, seek out such a song as Bahama Mama by Essie or Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI. Both are giving that vampy feel without being black. It is most suited in long coffin acrylics and is also beautiful with almond or oval-shaped. To achieve the liquid-glass look I always seal with Seche Vite, which remains unsurpassed in my tomes.
Prep with a smoothing base coat to prevent ridges in your natural nails, as this is helpful especially when you are applying nail polish. This assists that dark tone to spread without streaks. Also keep in mind: two thin coats are better than one thick coat. Patience gives polish life.
This is a favorite color that I use when I need a reset. It is that dependable stand-by that goes with it all, be it warm knits, fitted jackets or bare-skinned days. It does not overdo it and this is why it works.
Steel Slate with a Hint of Storm
This somber and blue slate manicure is that of wrapping your hands in winter skies. The finish is slightly metallic and slightly shiny and it creates the impression that it is moving, like there is a layer of frost or fog. The square shape is long and provides a touch of modernity on otherwise soft cool-colored color. It is dreamy, and introverted and so chic in the colder months.
To have a similar shade, try polishes such as Blue Velvet by DND or Steel My Heart by OPI. The top layer can be a satin finish to provide a smooth blur effect but shimmer polishes that contain mica flecks provide the moody glint. Gel formulas are likely to make the shade such as this richer, particularly when cool lights are used.
When working on natural nails, I would use a ridge-filling base coat first–metallics have a tendency of highlighting geometrical flaws. Sponge application will help to increase the intensity of shimmer without streaking. And in case you like magnetic polishes, a cat-eye shade of this would be enchanted.
I always get a feel of candelit dinner at a mountain lodge with this color, quiet, confident and a bit mysterious. This is a very wearable place to begin, were you have never been dark blue before. I promise, it grows on you.
