Squinting at the red shades sitting on the nail salon wall, here’s what we see: “Volcano,” “Bonfire,” “Candy,” “Ruby Port,” “Showgirl.” How about “Brickhouse Red?” Brick red nails are the talons to get to know for the forthcoming holiday season.
A pop of red is a tried and true beauty trick for looking effortlessly put together. Maybe it’s a swipe of red lipstick, or a brave dash of rouge on your cheeks. And as the temperatures start to drop and our outfits get cozier, the deeper color palette reigns supreme—especially when it comes to our manicures. But this festive season, as you approach your final nail appointment before the holidays, why not switch up your cherry red, ruby, or burgundy in favor of an of-the-moment shade? Enter: brickhouse nails.
A color that feels both classic and fresh, this deep and earthy shade of brick has found its way onto the digits of Selena Gomez—one of our most favorite mani references—and her trusted nail artist, Tom Bachik. It’s a color that Bachik himself has defined as the “brickhouse mani.” It’s a name that instantly calls to mind something rusty and rustic, with hints of oranges and terracotta. It’s an ideal alternative for those looking to refresh their manicure without straying too far from the usual seasonal color palette. Not as dominating a tone as cherry or ruby red, the brickhouse shade wonderfully fits in with the cozy vibes of the upcoming holiday season, complementing all your green, cobalt blue, and cream Christmassy sweaters, or adding some zhuzh to an LBD. Chic and understated, but still making a statement.
To achieve the look, Bachik says it’s vital to start with a flawless nail base, tidying your cuticles and cleaning the entire nail so it’s fresh and dry. Next, he uses the shade Brickhouse from Apres Nails, and finishes with his own brand’s Click Colors in Super Clear for a high-shine finish.
Brick red is having a bit of a moment elsewhere in beauty, too. Case in point? Gwyneth Paltrow, Kendall Jenner, and Jennifer Lawrence have all been wearing the more subdued—but all the more sophisticated—shade of lipstick. J Law, with makeup by Georgie Eisdell, opted for Dior On Stage in the deep-toned Red Shock, while Jenner’s makeup artist Mary Phillips used L’Oreal’s Infallible Lacque Resistance in Red Bisou. Jessie Buckley and Margot Robbie are also fans of the brick red lippie.
Brick red nails work on both long and short lengths—for 2025, Gomez sports them on a midi set, while in 2024, she opted for an elongated approach with a similar shade. Topped with a layer of glossy top coat, you can add some shine and prolong its duration all the way through to 2026. Brick by brick, we built this latest mani trend. Who’s coming in?
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