7 Nail Trends To Try For The Holidays

Seen on celebrities like Hailey Bieber and athletes like Coco Gauff, the cat-eye manicure is back in a big way – and gaining even more momentum after Mrs. Bieber sported the look at the Academy Museum Gala. “Ultimate fall manicure,” wrote Hailey Bieber’s manicurist, Zola Ganzorigt, when she shared the look online. “I used one coat of a mix of OPI ‘Brown To Earth’ and No-Wipe Top Coat (available in salons), followed by a second coat blending cat-eye powder with ‘Brown To Earth’ and No-Wipe Top Coat.” Created using magnetic polish, the effect forms a soft, reflective line down the nail, reminiscent of a gemstone catching a beam of light. Moody, luxe and versatile, it works beautifully in deep greens, browns and plums, as well as neutrals or metallics. The result is a high-impact, refined manicure that feels both modern and sophisticated. 

If you prefer a manicure that feels understated and chic, clean and crisp nails are your go-to – just look at Karen Wazen, who has been wearing soft neutrals exclusively lately. Think barely-there milky tones with a glossy, glass-like finish – the kind of polish that looks effortless but instantly elevates your hands. Soft whites, sheer nudes, and translucent pinks create that “clean-girl” aesthetic while keeping everything natural and modern. As Haneen Odeh, owner of Snob Salon in Dubai, explains, “Soft, sheer ‘supermodel’ nudes are also constant for clients who want their nails to look groomed rather than obviously painted.” Try Essie’s, simple light nail colours, including the cult light pink polish ‘Ballet Slippers’ and Chanel’s nude Le Vernis in shade ‘Faussaire’. 

Chrome tips are a fresh way to give your manicure a modern edge without veering into anything too flashy. Whether you opt for metallic silver, soft gold or warm bronze, the reflective finish adds just the right amount of cool, futuristic flair. Paired with a clean base, the chrome detail feels sleek, funky, and effortlessly stylish – a subtle statement that’s guaranteed to turn heads. Celebrity nail artist and cofounder of Lost Angels, Brittney Boyce, has been showcasing chrome nails across her Instagram page, a clear indicator that chrome or chrome tips aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Also, Dua Lipa’s manicurist Michelle Humphrey is a major champion of the chrome-tip trend, recently captioning one of her looks “French with a twist, a forever fave.” To create the effect, she used Magpie Beauty’s chrome pigment layered over a Bio Sculpture gel base.  

Rich, moody and chic, hot cocoa nails are set to be one of the season’s most wearable trends. Deep chocolate brown shades – glossy, glass-like, and refined – have also been a major fashion trend for winter, appearing across multiple runways and campaigns. As a manicure shade, it offers a sophisticated alternative to classic reds and blacks. For added glamour, a soft chrome overlay creates a molten, modern sheen that instantly elevates the look. Celebrity manicurist Georgia Rae has been showcasing chocolate nails frequently on her Instagram lately, keeping this rich, moody tone firmly in the spotlight. Essie ‘Sepia Retreat’ gives a lighter, earthy take on brown, while OPI ‘You Don’t Know Jacques!’ offers that chic, taupe-brown neutral everyone loves. For pure decadence, Hermès ‘95 Brun Bistre’ is the ultimate deep, glossy chocolate.  

For the modern woman who wants a manicure that complements any outfit, jewel tones are an effortlessly chic choice. A new seasonal favourite is OPI’s ‘Midnight Mantra’, a rich, deep blue that feels both bold and elegant. Other saturated shades – think emerald, sapphire, and ruby – bring a polished, timeless quality to the nails. Emerald green, especially shades like Essie’s new In-vest In Style, is a standout. According to Haneen Odeh of Snob Salon in Dubai, “Black cherry and burgundy reds are huge this winter and feel more modern than classic bright red. Chocolate tones and dark greens are popular with anyone who usually wears black polish but wants a small shift for the season.”

The thick French manicure is a bold evolution of the classic, giving a fresh, modern twist to an enduring beauty staple. By exaggerating the white tips while keeping the base sheer and natural, this look feels playful and chic. Bella Hadid has been spotted sporting this style in her recent Orabella campaigns, taking the traditional French mani and turning it into something with real personality, proving that even classics can be reinvented with just a touch more flair. Also, for those with shorter nails you can do a classic French which is always in style – square tip and shorter nails are easy to maintain and very much in.  

The polka dot trend shows no signs of slowing down – in fact, it seems to be growing. Sabrina Carpenter has been wearing polka dots on her recent Short n’ Sweet tour, with designs by nail artist Zola Ganzorigt. Fun, modern and just the right amount of whimsical, small polka dots are an effortless way to add personality to any manicure. The beauty of the look lies in its versatility, we love deep brown dots on a beige base for a chic, understated effect or crisp white on black if you want a bolder statement. As Haneen Odeh of Snob explains, “Clients are interested in polka dots but in a softer, more wearable way than full-on retro spots. We see tiny micro-dots used as an accent on one or two nails, or done in a tone-on-tone style but in different finishes.”