Glass Brown Nails Are Taking Over My Winter Moodboard

Like cashmere for your nails.

Jessica Fields
Jessica Fields
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Published: Dec 2, 2025

Is it just me, or are nail trends most popular when the weather is warm and sunny? When fall and winter roll around, kitschy designs (strawberry matcha nails, Mediterranean manicures, beach nails and so many others) are usually traded for vampy looks in seasonal shades. But the rise of brown glass manicures proves that playful trends can be just as successful during the colder months. The rich color and mirror-like shine are the perfect combination to give styles like cat-eye and aura nails a chic feel—and, conveniently, it's ideal for winter.

According to celebrity nail artist Sarah Nguyen, glass-brown nails of all styles are trending and showing no signs of slowing down. "Tortoise shell, magnetic glass nails and isolated chrome designs feel more luxurious in brown and are finished with a shiny coating," she says. Ahead, we've rounded up the best ways to embrace the trend this season.

Glass Brown Nails Are Taking Over My Winter Moodboard

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Warm Amber

Amber-based perfumes are a given for the colder months. This look applies that same ethos to your manicure. The soft blend of brown and golden polishes is as comforting as your favorite amber fragrance and is bound to bring just as many compliments.

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Teddy-Bear Brown

'Tis the season to slip into something warm, so why not try a teddy bear brown manicure? Adding a layer of shiny top coat takes the simple manicure to the next level, giving the color a richer appearance.

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Classic Glass Nails

There are a few colors that work well with glass nails, but a classic brown magnetic polish is one of the most alluring. To create the effect, Nguyen recommends starting with a generous coat along the sidewalls of the nail, then using the magnet vertically to achieve the desired design.

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Milk Chocolate

You don't have to stick to translucent shades to achieve a glass manicure. This set features thick layers of a creamy milk chocolate polish and a glossy top coat to get the look. The result is candy-coated and equally stunning.

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Burnt Sugar

If you loved fall's tortoise shell nail trend, this burnt sugar look should be your next manicure. It borrows elements from the classic design but is more diffused for a grown-up style. "Dipping an ombré or blending brush in acetone before dabbing it onto the nail helps the color to bloom more organically," says Nguyen. The pro also suggests starting with a lighter base and building the darker colors around it to deepen the design.

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Dark Chocolate

In this manicure, espresso and dark chocolate shades come together to create a luxurious set. However, the star of this look is its subtle ombré with a shimmery shade blended down from the tip of the fingernail.

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Copper Penny

For a lighter approach to the trend, try a shiny copper penny set. "Once you’ve painted the base, apply matte top coat and lightly buff in the chrome powder," says Nguyen. The top coat will bring out the shine and give the chrome that glass effect.

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Chocolate & Champagne

This mystical manicure tops the list for its enchanting design. The rich cocoa hue swirled with champagne and bronze creates a magical effect that's hard not to love.