Classy at Christmas means depth rather than decoration. One rich colour, short nails and a proper topcoat says December more convincingly than any snowflake.
One deep colour
Oxblood
Deep brownish red. The single best festive shade.
Forest green
With gold jewellery.
Mulled wine
Deep red with a purple cast.
Espresso
Almost-black warm brown.
Navy
Almost black indoors.
Plum
Purple-toned berry.
Charcoal
Deep grey.
Bottle green
Almost black with green through it.
Soft neutrals
Ivory cream
Opaque off-white.
Milky white
Semi-sheer.
Warm greige
Grey with brown in it.
Taupe
Deeper grey-brown.
Skin-match nude
The invisible option.
Sheer black wash
Smoky grey.
Quiet metallics
Champagne chrome
Pale warm mirror.
Pearl chrome
Iridescent and shifting.
Antique gold
Less shiny than a bright gold.
Chrome tip on nude
Metallic at the free edge only.
Gold micro-line
One hairline lengthways.
Gold cuff
A thin band at the cuticle.
Finishes
Burgundy velvet
Magnetic shimmer worked flat.
Forest velvet
The green version.
Taupe velvet
The most neutral velvet.
Emerald cat eye
A magnetic band.
Navy cat eye
Higher contrast.
Matte oxblood
Deep red under matte.
Matte forest
Deep green under matte.
Satin cream
Neither matte nor gloss.
One small detail
Micro French in cream
A hairline off-white edge.
Half moon in gold
A metallic curve at the base.
One pearl
A single flat-backed pearl at the cuticle.
Milk bath marble
Fine grey veining.
Baby boomer in cream
Nude into ivory with no line.
For the louder half of December, christmas nails.
Questions people actually ask
What makes Christmas nails look expensive?
Depth and restraint. One rich colour on short nails with a proper topcoat, and no motif at all.
Can I do Christmas nails without red?
Easily. Forest green, navy, plum and champagne all read festive, and none of them date on the 26th.
What is the most elegant festive finish?
Burgundy velvet or champagne chrome. Both catch low winter light in a way a flat colour cannot.
