Brat Green Manicures Are Sticking Around for Winter (2024)

The biggest winter nail color trends of 2024 are a mix of the classics—old, new, and even club. While you can expect hits from past years (moody browns and reds will always have a place during the colder months), you’ll also see opulent, holiday-inspired twists on this year’s most viral colors (one of which will bring you back to brat summer).

Nail artists add that all the season’s popular colors will be topped with eye-catching finishes, like see-from-space shine and mattes that emulate textiles. Even the nostalgic jelly finish—a trend that typically takes off during spring and summer—makes a cool appearance. “We’re going for more translucent shades this winter,” says New York City-based nail artist Elle Gerstein. Ahead, discover the top nail colors experts predict will be everywhere this winter.

Meet the experts:

• Jin Soon Choi is a New York City-based editorial nail artist and founder of nail-care brand JinSoon.
• Sarah Chue is a Los Angeles-based nail artist.
• Miss Pop is a New York City-based editorial nail artist.
• Elle Gerstein is a New York City-based nail artist.
• Sigourney Nuñez is a Los Angeles-based nail artist.
• Lauren Ortega is a New York City-based nail artist.

Rich emerald

It’s the color of the trees outside of ski resorts, the holiday decor hanging along window displays, and now, your next manicure. emerald green is versatile and “evokes a lot of sophistication,” says Los Angeles-based nail artist Sigourney Nuñez. “It’s very demure.”

To try the jewel tone yourself, opt for Tokyo Addiction Posh Green and Le Macaron Emerald Green—both of which are full-bodied greens with creamy finishes.

Indigo

This nail color, which strikes the perfect balance of blue and purple, is one of the more dynamic trends of the winter. “There's a subtle hint of glamour to this shade,” says Sarah Chue, a Los Angeles-based nail artist, who used Aprés Gel Polish in You’re Pretty Grape (a rich eggplant purple) topped with Daily Charme Unichrome in Aurora Unicorn (a chrome powder with a blue and pink shift) to create the above look.

To achieve a similar look using traditional nail polish, try ILNP Nail Polish in Abracadabra, which has sizable flecks of glitter with a blue and purple shift.

Cranberry

Cranberry nail polish is as versatile as a Chanel quilted 11.2 crossbody because it works effortlessly with all of your outfits. Gerstein describes it as a great accessory shade of red because of how well it complements so many other colors.

Try this trend with Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Color Nail Polish in Cranberry Kiss, which dries down with shine even before you apply the top coat. If you don’t have time to paint your nails or hit the salon, we suggest Sally Hansen Perfect Manicure Press-Ons in Cinna-Snap. I used the under-$10 almond-shaped press-ons for the look above.

Black cherry

Gerstein describes black cherry as “the darkest burgundy can get before it becomes black.” It’s moody and elevated, especially with a glass-like shine. She recommends using OPI Lincoln Park After Dark (which leans more purple) or Chanel Rouge Noir (which is a true deep red)for the look.

Gerstein also suggests trying the color with a jelly effect. “It gives the vampy shade a modern twist,” she says. To make your own black cherry jelly polish, Gerstein says to mix 4-5 drops of your nail color into a bottle of clear polish and shake it. If your shade isn’t as deep as you like, slowly add more until it is.

If you want to skip that extra step just go in with a ready-made burgundy polish with a jelly finish—we love Cirque Colors Bonbon Jelly, a dark burgundy with a super glossy finish that mimics that jelly texture.

Jewel-Toned Chocolate

Chocolate brown, a staple color for fall, is sticking around through the cooler months. Wear it with shimmer (Mineral Fusion Rosé All Day Nail Polish has finely milled silver flecks) for a festive look or with a matte top coat, which Gerstein says will give you a result that can mimic leather. For the latter, we recommend a thin layer of Olive and June’s The Matte Top Coat, which gives nails a soft, flat finish.

Metallic chartreuse

The summer of club classics might be long gone, but its influence on our nails lives on. Chue predicts acid hue chartreuse will return this winter but with metallic finishes and iridescent shifts.

“It isn’t your typical winter green,” says Chue, adding that it takes on a shinier twist for the season that might even replace the champagnes and golds you usually wear to your holiday parties. Chartreuse can be hard to nail but Chue says Chanel Le Vernis in Rêveuse (seen above) is spot-on with a hint of shimmer. We also love ILNP Highline for a more metallic take on this shade, which blurs the lines between gold and green resulting in a captivating color-bending color.

Glossy jet black

There’s no better time to tap into the allure of a glossy black manicure than winter. “The trendiest way to wear black polish this season is with a cat-eye effect or high-shine finish,” says Gerstein.

For a glossy black polish that does all the work for you, reach for OPI Cave The Way, a black polish with a subtle shimmer, or JinSoon Absolute Black a rich, shiny black polish.

For the cat-eye, Mooncat sells a couple of black metallic polishes—Apparition shifts to silver while Malevolent reveals a purple-pink stripe—that comes with a magnet for easy at-home nail art.

Discover more nails trends:

• 36 Winter Nail Design Ideas to Try at Home or in the Salon
• 9 Nail Art Trends You’re About to See Everywhere in 2024
• Iridescent Nails Are the Most Viral Manicure Trend So Far

Now, watch Beauty Spaces with Gwyneth Paltrow: