I’m a Nail Trend Expert—7 Autumn-to-Winter Manicures That Scream "Ahead of the Curve"

As a beauty editor who specialises in staying at the forefront of the biggest and best nail trends, I pride myself on having a nail moodboard ready and waiting for every occasion. Whether it’s sparkly looks ahead of party season, festive nails for when Christmas rolls around or simply a go-to list of expensive-looking nail colours perfect for wearing year-round, trust me, I’m prepped and ready for every occasion.

Right now, however, we’re at somewhat of an interesting time — no longer autumn (at least in respect to the temperatures outside) yet not quite winter either, the current weather has left me feeling a little unsure about just which pool of trends I should be choosing from. So, I thought, why not start fresh and pull together some inspiration that perfectly channels this tricky transitional time? Think nail colours that we loved throughout the autumn months, yet with a winter-approved spin, or nail art that can see you through from early December and into the new year, too.

Autumn may have been all about rich red tones; however, for winter, we’re transitioning into a red with a little more depth. Mulled wine nails, AKA a wine red with a hint of sparkle, tap into the Christmas spirit without feeling overtly festive, perfect for those who prefer to keep their Christmas nails a little more muted.

I recently wrote a whole article about our current love for checkered nails, so of course I had to include them in this roundup. This set by nail artist Queenie Nguyen is a great example of checkered nails that bridge the gap between autumn and winter, combining our favourite autumnal shades with a winter-approved plaid design.

Winter nails aren’t all about Christmas-approved sets; for those who prefer a more minimalist look, midnight black is the chicest way to go. Dubbed ‘winter nude’ by manicurist Julia Diogo, this crisp, clean shade looks elegant, expensive and oh-so-luxe, especially during the colder months.

On the opposite end of the colour spectrum, for those who prefer to keep things a little lighter year-round, this pearly shimmer set is the perfect way to do it. Taking the tones of the timeless milky manicure and elevating them with a winter-approved iridescent spin, they offer the perfect amount of sparkle to see you right through to party season.

Velvet is a fabric that’s synonymous with this time of year, so why not channel it right down to your nails? While you can go full velvet, I love this look created by Queenie, which offers a chic, seasonal twist on the French tip. Also, don’t be afraid to play around with different shades. While her chocolate brown tone feels perfect for this time of year, you can also recreate the look with a variety of trending winter nail colours like burgundy, plum or navy.