Cranberry Nails Are the Ideal Holiday Transition Mani
Need a Thanksgiving mani that also feels festive enough to deck the halls in? Cranberry nails are meeting the transitional moment—and checking every seasonal manicure box.
Red nails are always popular this time of year, but one trendy shade is bridging the gap between autumnal burgundy and bright holiday red. Cranberry nails still feel moody for fall, but they add a bit more brightness than you’d get from a deep maroon or oxblood. The cranberry mani can also transition right into the holiday fun: Purple undertones add a chic pop of color without crossing into Rudolph-red territory.
Berry tones are in for winter, and no matter your manicure vibe, cranberry is a particularly chic choice. The color looks clean on short square nails and adds a touch of drama (because what’s a holiday without it?) to elegant almond tips. It’s also an ideal base for a chrome finish, if you want to take a page out of the Hailey Bieber playbook or try the toasted nail trend on a statement shade.
Below, find all the best inspiration for cranberry nails that pair well with pie and presents.
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Instagram @meganmargotevans1/15Classic Cranberry
Let the shade of the season do all the talking on short, natural nails.
Instagram @thelittleproject_2/15Cranberry Chrome
If you love the glazed-donut nail look, give it a sweet seasonal twist with a cranberry base.
Instagram @by_lucy__3/15Toasted Cranberry
For a softer look that still adds a little something extra, try giving your cranberry mani the toasted nail treatment. Celebrity nail artist Tom Bachik, who coined the fall trend, told us it can be accomplished on any color using “pearlescents, iridescence, mirror chromes, and even cat-eye effects.”
Instagram @polishme_loughton4/15Velvet Cranberry
Velvet or “cat-eye” nails have been another major manicure trend this fall. Add a reflective red base for the perfect early holiday set.
Instagram @nailed_by_naomii5/15Bright Cranberry
Opt for a slightly lighter shade for a festive pop of color rather than a moody almost-neutral.
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Instagram @silkbeauty.uk6/15Cranberry Tips
Swap the classic French manicure for something a little more seasonal. Pro tip: Cranberry pairs especially well with light pink as a crisp neutral base.
Instagram @emmas.polished.styles7/15High Gloss
Nothing makes a red manicure pop like an ultra-glossy topcoat, and cranberry nails are no exception.
Instagram @_nailsbypm8/15Berry Gradient
If you’re still feeling more autumnal nail vibes, an ombré or gradient effect can really bring out the purple hues in a cranberry mani.
Instagram @nailswithjennym9/15Dotted Cranberry
Polka dots are the nail trend that’s survived every season of 2025, and this jelly look is the perfect way to dress up the look for party season.
Instagram @lerigriffiths10/15Square Tips
In case you need further evidence that cranberry shades work on every nail shape, here’s the look on a medium-length square mani.
Instagram @bysamanthacelina11/15Glazed Cranberry French
For a subtler take on this color trend, add a thin cranberry tip to your frosty neutral manicure.
Instagram @gelz.by.z12/15Cranberry Tortoise
For a deeper rendition of the color—plus a little dark feminine energy—combine cranberry shades in the popular tortoiseshell manicure.
Instagram @lovefreshpaint13/15Cranberry Batch
Can’t pick between a bright or deep cranberry shade? Explore the full range in one manicure.
Instagram @briseidasnails_14/15Matte Cranberry
’Tis the season for cozy matte nail looks. Get a head start with your Thanksgiving mani.
Instagram @breathenailspa15/15Glossy Tips
For an even trendier take, try a matte base with shiny French tips.
Grace McCarty is the associate beauty editor at Glamour.
