We love it for its chic, timeless allure and the way it instantly elevates a look: bordeaux is the signature shade for winter 2025 manicures. Constantly reinvented, it offers a rich palette of deep tones that flatter every skin tone and nail length. Here’s everything you need to know about bordeaux polish and how to wear it to stunning effect.
Why choose a bordeaux manicure?
Bordeaux polish is an absolute must-have in any beauty bag. This timeless shade sits perfectly between couture elegance and minimalist modernity, enhancing all skin tones and giving your fingers a beautifully elongated look.
Breaking down the bordeaux trends
Burgundy nails
This is the classic bordeaux manicure: rich, warm and elegant. Inspired by autumn fashion, it delivers effortless style and suits every nail shape and length. Whether on fingernails or toenails, it's a safe bet for any occasion, from a cosy weekend to a chic evening out.
Blood Moon nails
Spotted on Selena Gomez, this trend blends chocolate and bordeaux for a mysterious deep brown hue that flatters all skin tones and effortlessly complements both daywear and evening outfits. The ultimate "day-to-night" manicure. Pair it with raw denim and a knit for laid-back cool or dial up the glam with a dressier look to unlock its full potential.
Selena Gomez’s Blood Moon mani by Tom Bachik.
(@tombachik)
Berry nails
A juicy twist on the theme, somewhere between cherry, raspberry and blueberry red. Luminous and modern, this shade is perfect for those who want a less classic take on bordeaux. It looks fabulous on short nails as well as longer claws and adds a fresh pop to winter outfits.
Black cherry nails
This shade blends pure bordeaux with cherry undertones. Intense and enveloping, black cherry nails suit all nail shapes and naturally elevate any style. With a glossy top coat, they’re downright irresistible. No wonder celebs like Kylie Jenner and Hailey Bieber are already part of the “cherry squad”!
Vampy bordeaux
A deep bordeaux with a sheer black veil that creates a magnetic, almost theatrical effect. Dark and ultra-alluring, vampy nails are one of the hottest trends of the moment. Just ask Jennifer Lopez!
Black cherry and Berry nails, the standout manicures of autumn-winter 2025.
(@matejanova, @nailsbyzola)
Bordeaux polish in all its glory
With Manucurist, you can explore all the bordeaux nail trends, whether you prefer Green™ polish or Green Flash™ gel polish, and switch up your style with the seasons or your mood.
The almost-black bordeaux: Hollyhock
Straddling red and black, Hollyhock doesn’t settle for one or the other. This deep, dark bordeaux has a bold, rock-inspired, ultra-modern vibe for those who love colour with character. It’s the perfect match for the Blood Moon nails trend. For a Velvet nails finish, pair it with a Matte Top Coat.
Bordeaux with purple undertones: Aubergine & Prune
Aubergine is a deep violet with a soft, enveloping shimmer, perfectly in line with the Aubergine nails trend. Chic and versatile, it’s the ideal finishing touch for spontaneous weekend getaways or vintage market strolls. A stylish alternative to black for a fashion-forward manicure.
Prune is a bordeaux with plum reflections that adds a subtle fruitiness, much like the Berry nails family. Think the elegance of a fine wine combined with the softness of silky textures, all wrapped into one shade. Sophisticated and full of charm. We love it!
Give in to the allure of dark, intense bordeaux with Hollyhock, Aubergine and Prune.
Pure bordeaux: Dark Pansy
Dark Pansy is bordeaux at its purest. Not too brown, not too black, not too violet, it has just the right depth to evoke a refined take on Cherry nails. A perfect pick for fans of timeless manicures. It looks stunning with a cream knit, a satin black dress or rich textures like velvet, leather or tweed.
Subtle bordeaux tones: Violeta & Queen of Night
Violeta is a rosy violet that brings a bright twist to bordeaux. The perfect blend of soft plum and trendy violet. With a cream jumper or lilac cardigan, it’s gentle and sweet. Paired with a satin plum top, it turns runway chic. Add a white shirt and jeans for a fresh, stylish contrast.
Queen of Night (available in Green Flash™ from 30 January 2026) is a deep violet with grey undertones. It plays with the light and adds a mysterious edge to your nails. Perfect with a beige trench or a grey ensemble brightened with a colourful accent. This cool, urban violet complements both minimalist and creative styles. Makeup tip: pair it with a smoky eye for a divine look!
Pure or nuanced, which bordeaux polish will you choose: Dark Pansy, Violeta or Queen of Night?
5 trendy bordeaux nail art ideas
Here are five creative nail art ideas that are super easy to recreate using our bordeaux shades.
Sparkling Prune
When Prune becomes a jewel... Add some sparkle to your bordeaux manicure by layering a glitter top coat or a touch of Glazed powder over your base colour. A brilliant idea for an elegant festive-season mani!
Blood Moon Inspirations
Aubergine Matte & Glossy
One deep violet polish, two radically different effects: apply Sunshine Top Coat to one half of the nail, Matte Top Coat to the other. You get a super-stylish, on-trend graphic manicure with a gorgeous texture effect, perfect for autumn and winter.
Side French with Hollyhock
Pair the softness of Pale Rose with the depth of Hollyhock in a modern side French manicure, applied using a fine liner brush. Chic, high-contrast and bang on trend. We love it!
Glittery bordeaux, matte and glossy, or an offbeat French – embrace the Blood Moon nail art trend!
(@look8thenails)
Burgundy dots
A bold base with Hollyhock, delicate polka dots with Porcelaine... Tadaa! A simple yet stylish nail art you can create with a dotting tool. Graphic, easy to wear, and great for any season.
Bordeaux stripes
Start with a shimmering base using Fairy, then add fine vertical lines in Prune to structure the nail. A mesmerising, geometric nail art look you’ll want to wear on repeat.
Deep bordeaux and white polish, the winning combo for flawless striped or polka dot nails.
(@griffegriffegriffe, @irasnailroom)
How to make your bordeaux manicure last longer
As with any dark manicure, proper nail prep is essential. Here are the key steps to help your polish stay put for longer:
Prep your nails
- File your nails to create a harmonious shape – whether round, square or almond-shaped.
- Gently push back your cuticles using a little Cuticle Softener and a Steel cuticle pusher.
- Lightly buff using a nail priming buffer sponge to open the keratin layers and boost polish adhesion.
- Degrease and clean the nail plate so it’s perfectly prepped for colour application.
Don’t skip the protective base coat and top coat
Before applying your polish, always use a base coat suited to your routine: either the Green™ Base Coat or the Green Flash™ Vitamin Base Coat.
To finish, add glow and staying power with a layer of Sunshine Top Coat (for Green™ polish) or Green Flash™ Top Coat (for Green Flash™ polish).
Proper prep, a protective base coat and your choice of glossy or matte top coat: all the right steps to make your bordeaux manicure last.
Hydrate and protect
Once your manicure is complete, nourish your cuticles with a few drops of Nourishing Cuticle Oil, massaging it in daily for healthy nails and long-lasting colour – especially during winter. Also remember to protect your hands from water and chemicals by wearing gloves for household tasks.
What kind of occasion suits a bordeaux manicure?
Bordeaux nails are perfect for so many moments:
- A chic evening out: Go for Hollyhock or Dark Pansy with a glossy or matte finish.
- A professional meeting: Try Prune or Violeta for an elegant yet understated look.
- A wedding or formal event: Queen of Night delivers a couture finish.
- A celebrity-inspired style: Aubergine is your go-to for Blood Moon nails, as seen on Selena Gomez.
- Everyday wear: Prune or Dark Pansy on short nails offers effortless elegance, whatever the occasion.
Bordeaux polish, your go-to ally for the perfect day-to-night manicure.
One colour, endless interpretations. From classic red bordeaux to moody midnight tones, this shade reveals countless dimensions. It lends itself to shimmering textures, tactile finishes, graphic nail art and timeless styles. Bordeaux moves through the seasons without ever losing its appeal. It dresses the hand like an accessory in its own right. A true staple and endless source of inspiration. It’s bordeaux, it’s beautiful, pure and simple 🍷💜
