It’s mid-November, and as Mariah Carey likes to say: “It’s tiiiiiiiiiime!” Yep, it’s time to store your swimsuits in a box underneath the bed, bring out the chunky knit sweaters and heavy coats, and embrace all things fall and winter. On the beauty front, you may also like to swap out your light moisturizers for heavier hydrators and trade in your bright nail-polish shades for something darker and more fitting for the season. While neutral trends like “rich girl” nails can be worn all year long, there are a few colors that work especially well for the cooler months, and TikTok just introduced us to quite possibly our favorite new trend: cherry mocha nails.
The hashtag #cherrymochanails has more than 14 million views and counting, and users on the app have declared the shade the It color of the season. While there’s one specific brand responsible for the recent cherry mocha craze, countless people on the platform have been chiming in with their favorite nail polishes that encapsulate the trend, and the options are endless.
Ahead, nail experts break down what cherry mocha nails are, how to get the look, and the best shades to try. Keep reading to learn more.
What Are Cherry Mocha Nails?
Cherry mocha nails first went viral on TikTok after a user shared a manicure with the DND color Cherry Mocha. Since then, the name has come to describe deep reddish-burgundy nails with brown undertones.
“Given their deep, rich, and playful tones, I find that short nails with either round or squoval shapes exude a modern and chic vibe,” Jin Soon Choi, editorial manicurist and founder of
“It’s crucial to inquire about the specific tone of cherry mocha that complements your skin tone and to discuss which nail shape suits your natural nails best,” Choi says. As for the shade, pay attention to your undertone. If you have a warm undertone, opt for something with an orange undertone, but if you’re cooler, opt for something with blue or purple undertones. If you’re neutral, any shade will work. Also, if you have a darker skin tone, you can opt for something that presents like a darker brown, but if your skin tone is lighter, stick with a lighter brown.
How to Get Cherry Mocha Nails
Whether you’re visiting a salon or opting to do your nails yourself, the most important thing is to get the shade that suits you best. Choi suggests
If you plan to go the DIY route, Choi says it’s important to start by cleaning your nail beds with a non-acetone nail-polish remover. From there, apply a base coat. Next, you’ll want to paint on two coats of your chosen cherry mocha nail polish. “Tidy up any nail-polish smudges on cuticles and skin around the edges of your nails,” Choi says. Then complete the look with a glossy topcoat.
Cherry Mocha Nail Inspiration
If you’re ready to take the trend for a test drive, keep reading for inspiration.
