The bare nail trend is freeing us all from decision fatigue

If you're just as horrified as we are by the fact that autumn is over, and winter is here, know you are in safe company. 

We've spent the past few weeks turning over a new leaf as far as our beauty routines are concerned. Just like the seasons, we're in the midst of big changes, thinking about big things like how to take care of our skin in winter, if we have post-summer skin fatigue, and trying to stay motivated to exercise in winter.

With all the serious stuff taking up all the available brain power we have, the last thing we want to do is come up with manicures that test our nail artist's skills and our patience. 

Lucky for us, the biggest nail trend to surface in our feeds and on red carpets of late is the perfect remedy to our decision fatigue — the bare nail manicure. 

Ahead, celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt, editorial nail artist Victoria Houllis, and Pax Polish founder Emma Paxton, break down the simplest trend of the year, as well as their predictions for the manicures making and impact through the cooler months.

1/ Do the bare minimum

Brights are taking a backseat this winter, Paxton tells BEAUTYcrew. The focus is shifting towards more subdued and muted tones that exude a cosy and refined vibe instead, she explains.

And Ganzorigt agrees, telling us that bold, mismatched nail designs are making way for simple manicures using bare nude nail polish shades, which is why the celebrity nail artist always has OPI's 'Bubble Bath' ($13 from Chemist Warehouse) and 'Put It In Neutral' ($18.99 from Chemist Warehouse) in her nail kit. 

"It’s really important to moisturise your nails in winter, so using cuticle oil and hand creams is a must," she went on to say.

Houllis likes to keep cuticle oil in her handbag, so she can apply it just as often as she applies her lip balm.

While Paxton makes sure to use a strengthening base coat like Pax Polish's Base Coat for Nails + Treatment ($23.10 from Sephora) to help protect nails from the harsh elements. 

2/ Indulge with cafe culture colours

We spend most of our weekend cafe hopping, so when Paxton and Houllis shared with us that we should be matching our manicures to our coffee orders, we got really excited.

Think: trending tea time treats like a ceremonial matcha, a zesty mont blanc or a spiced artisanal hot chocolate.

"These colours are not only rich and warm, but also versatile enough to complement any winter wardrobe," Paxton explains.

We're loving the cold brew-inspired Hermes Brun Bistre Nail Polish ($85 from David Jones), the warming OPI Infinite Shine Lip Hot Liner ($22.05 from The Iconic), or Gucci's Vernis A Ongles Nail Polish Melinda Green ($57 from MYER), which looks like the matcha we had in Japan (and have been struggling to find ever since). 

3/ Moody manicures are in

"For winter, dark colours such as deep red — like an OPI Malaga Wine ($18.99 from Chemist Warehouse) — deep blue or deep greens are classics that get requested a lot," Zola Ganzorigt tells BEAUTYcrew.

Victoria Houllis and Emma Paxton agree, with both Aussie nail experts predicting that classic nail polish shades like the deep blood red of Chanel's Rouge Noir ($53 from Chanel), and Dior's 796 Denim ($50 from Dior) navy blue will both be big this winter. 

But personally we're loving the moody glamour of Christian Louboutin's Drama Noir 199 ($75 from Christian Louboutin) as an accessory on chilly evenings.

4/ Chrome is here to stay

The easiest way to spruce up your digits this season? "Chromes, I don’t think it’ll ever leave the rotation," says Houllis.

"I love taking a simple nude look and adding chrome to create a pretty glazed manicure," says Gonzorigt. "Anything with cat eye and chromes are so popular. These effects add dimension and sparkle — almost like jewellery for your hands."

Adding a chrome dust powder on to your in-salon manicure usually only costs an additional $10 to $20, but there are also nail polishes that offer a similar finish minus the fuss.

Pax Polish's Nail Colour + Treatment in 'Hailey' ($31 from Pax Polish), Manucurist Active Shine ($26 from MECCA), and OPI Infinite Shine Work From Chrome Nail Polish ($25.95 from MYER) is perfect for the time poor and at-home DIYers.

5/ Max out your aura points

"I think when the summer glow fades, a little something special on the fingertips helps ease the winter blues," says Houllis, predicting that aura nails in deeper tones will start to creep into our social feeds this winter.

If your nail artist has an airbrush pen like Houllis' Mannequin Hands studio then you'll be right as rain. But alternatively, if you prefer a jelly finish, you can also use blooming gel ($22 from Gelous) and a dotting tool ($23 from MECCA) for a similar effect.

Main image credit: @kendalljenner

Loving this lowkey winter vibe? These are the trending products that have simplified our makeup routines.