The Nail Colour Trends Worth Trying (and the Mavala Shades to Match) | Mavala UK

The trends that have real staying power right now fall into five groups: warm mocha and chocolate neutrals, deep vampy reds, midnight blue, chrome and metallic finishes, and soft "milky" pastels like lavender milk. Each one flatters different skin tones and different moods, so the most useful question is not "what is trending" but "which trend suits me". Here is each one, and the Mavala shade that gets you there.

Warm brown neutrals, from milky mocha to rich chocolate, have become the grown-up alternative to a plain nude. They flatter most skin tones and look quietly expensive. For a soft warm-neutral version, the nude shade Fez (474) leans mocha, while the deeper Marron Glace (151) gives the full glossy chocolate-brown finish that looks especially striking on medium and deep skin.

Rich, dark reds, worn glossy or matte, are a perennial autumn and winter favourite that keeps coming back. They read as more sophisticated than a bright red and suit almost everyone. The deep wine red Bordeaux (69) is the classic choice, or for a vampy red from the plant-based range, Colorado (707) in the Mini Bio Colors collection gives the same depth.

Deep navy is the unexpected neutral. It is darker and moodier than a bright blue, behaves almost like a dark red or black in how it goes with everything, and looks modern rather than novelty. Deep Blue (269) is the shade to reach for, and it is particularly flattering against a tan or deeper skin.

Glazed, mirror-like metallic nails are the high-shine trend that refuses to fade. A cool silver chrome is the most wearable version and works as a full colour or as an accent nail. Silver Dream (489) and Pure Diamond (213) both give that reflective, futuristic finish without needing a UV lamp.

"Milky" pastels, soft, slightly sheer washes of colour rather than bold brights, are the spring and summer trend that suits the clean, minimal mood. Lavender milk is a creamy white with a barely-there lilac undertone. The soft pink Reykjavik (10) gives the same gentle, milky pastel effect and is endlessly wearable.

If you want something that goes with everything, choose a mocha neutral or midnight blue. If you want a flattering autumn or winter shade, choose a deep vampy red like Bordeaux. If you want a bit of drama or an accent nail, choose a silver chrome. If you want fresh and minimal, choose a milky pastel. Lynn's view: "Trends are fun, but you will get far more wear out of a shade that suits your skin tone than out of whatever is on the runway. I always tell people to pick the one trend that flatters them and commit to it, rather than buying five bottles you will wear once."

Whichever shade you choose, the longevity rules are the same: start with a base coat (essential for dark and bright shades, which stain), apply two thin coats rather than one thick one, and seal with a top coat that you refresh every couple of days. Browse the full range in the Mini Colours collection.

What nail colours are trending?

Warm mocha and chocolate neutrals, deep vampy reds, midnight blue, chrome and metallic finishes, and soft milky pastels like lavender milk. Each suits different skin tones, so choose the one that flatters you rather than trying all of them.

What is the mocha nail trend?

Mocha nails are warm brown neutrals, from milky coffee tones to rich chocolate, worn as a grown-up alternative to a plain nude. Mavala shades like the mocha-leaning nude Fez (474) or the deeper Marron Glace (151) recreate the look.

What is lavender milk nails?

Lavender milk is a soft, creamy, slightly sheer pastel, a milky white with a barely-there lilac undertone. It is part of the wider milky pastel trend. A soft pastel like Reykjavik (10) gives the same gentle effect.

What nail colour goes with everything?

Midnight blue and a warm mocha neutral are the two most versatile trend shades, behaving almost like neutrals while still looking current. Deep Blue (269) and the nude Fez (474) are easy places to start.

Do I need a UV lamp for chrome nails?

Not for a metallic polish finish. Shades like Silver Dream (489) and Pure Diamond (213) give a reflective, chrome-like effect straight from the bottle, sealed with a glossy top coat. Powder chrome over gel is a separate salon technique.