Cherry red has always been a party-season favourite, but this winter it's gone darker. As ELLE reported in their piece on Pamela Anderson's winter cherry nails, the shade of the moment is a richer, deeper version of the classic: still unmistakably red, with more depth and dimension than a bright pillar-box.
It's the kind of colour that works with black knits and a full party outfit alike. It also looks expensive, which is exactly why it's everywhere right now.
The good news? You don't need a salon appointment to get it. Here are the CND™ Vinylux™ shades that nail the winter cherry look at home, from classic cherry to almost-black.
As featured in ELLE: CND™ Vinylux™ Books & Beaujolais
The shade ELLE chose for the winter cherry look. Books & Beaujolais is a deep barn red with a rich, wine-inspired warmth, in a smooth crème finish that gives full colour in two coats. It's earthy rather than bright, which is exactly what makes it feel so right for winter. If you only buy one shade from this list, make it this one.
The starting point: CND™ Vinylux™ Wildfire
If you want cherry with a bit of brightness in it, start here. Wildfire is a vivid red that comes off as classic and confident. It's the shade to pick if you're new to reds, or if you want your manicure to carry you straight through to New Year's Eve.
The party red: CND™ Vinylux™ Devil Red
Devil Red is a deeper, richer red made for the festive season. It has all the drama of a statement red without tipping into novelty, so it works just as well at the office party as it does at Christmas dinner.
The wine-dark one: CND™ Vinylux™ Bordeaux Babe
For a cherry shade that's learning towards a glass of red, Bordeaux Babe sits right on the line between deep red and burgundy. It's softer than a bright red, which makes it an easy everyday choice for anyone who finds pure red too bold.
The dramatic one: CND™ Vinylux™ Oxblood
Oxblood takes the look a step darker. It's rich and moody, with enough red still showing to keep it firmly in cherry territory rather than brown.
The bestseller: CND™ Vinylux™ Black Cherry
The darkest shade here, and one of the most-loved shades on loveCND. Black Cherry is the closest you'll get to the ripe, almost-black cherry everyone is asking their nail tech for this winter. In low light it reads near-black, then flashes deep red when it catches the light.
All shades are £13.95 for 15ml, and orders over £30 get free tracked delivery. Two shades and a top coat gets you there.
How to Get Winter Cherry Nails at Home
Deep reds are unforgiving. Every wobbly edge and flooded cuticle shows, so prep is half the job. Here's how to get a clean, glossy finish that lasts.
- Start with a clean nail. Wipe each nail with Scrubfresh to remove oils, so the colour grips properly.
- Skip the base coat. Vinylux is a two-step system, so go straight in with colour.
- Two thin coats, not one thick one. Thick coats of dark red take longer to dry and are more likely to smudge. Leave around two minutes between coats.
- Cap the tip. Run the brush along the very edge of the nail with each coat. It seals the colour and stops chips at the tips.
- Clean up before it sets. Keep a small brush dipped in remover handy to tidy any colour off the skin. With a shade this dark, a crisp cuticle line makes all the difference.
- Finish with top coat. Long Wear Top Coat gives a classic high shine, or go for Gel-Effect Top Coat if you want that lacquered, glass-like finish without a lamp.
Keep it looking fresh. Cold weather dries out cuticles fast, and dry cuticles make dark polish look tired. A drop of SolarOil™ massaged in every night keeps the skin around your nails soft and your colour looking just-painted for up to seven days.
Which Cherry Are You?
Still deciding? Take inspiration from ELLE with Books & Beaujolais, go bright with Wildfire, smoky with Needles & Red, or all the way dark with Black Cherry.
Not sure which red suits your skin tone? Our Find Your Shade quiz will point you in the right direction, and our guide to the best red shades covers the full red family.
