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You can tell a lot about a person from the way they hold their booze.
Not whether you can drink Uncle Gav under the table or if one sip of sherry leaves you as sozzled as the figgy pudding — this Christmas, it’s all about whether your manicure matches your tipple of choice.
Now classic Santa red has got competition from boozy hues, with the pre-lash manicure becoming the regular choice in nail bars across the capital. From rich burgundy to a drop of velvety Irish cream, here’s how to nail the very merry manicure. Chin chin!
Cosmopolitan
This isn’t the drink you and your nan are cuddling in with on Christmas day. It’s the one you and your people are sipping at The Savoy at your pre-Christmas exodus catch up.
Just like its namesake, Cosmo-inspired nails are tricky to master and best left for the professionals — namely, Shoreditch Nails whose two East London outposts have introduced a new menu of fresh nail art designs.
Ask for the Abstract — a mix of pale and bright pink polish, topped with hand-painted dots and garnished with gold foil around the edges for just a touch of sparkle.
Rossini
With 10 nail salons from Bank to Belgravia, each with its own well-stocked cocktail bar, London Grace is one of the best places in the capital for a mani with a margarita on the side. It’s festive recommendation is the Rossini — like a Bellini, but with raspberry and cranberry purée, topped up with prosecco.
Pair the touch of fizz with a sparkling golden hue — try Clare from the brand’s own vegan and no-nasties nail polish line (£12), which is also available in its Gin-gle All The Way gift set which comes with a miniature bottle of Hayman’s Sloe Gin for good measure.
Malbec
If you plan to spend most of Christmas curled up in front of a fire clutching a large glass of red, first of all, ditto, and second, you’ll need a boozy burgundy to match.
Just like a fine wine, no two shades are the same. For a deep, plummy finish try London Grace’s Holly hue. For a light, elegant style, opt for the brand’s Rory red. Alternatively, Tom Ford’s Bordeaux Lust is a true vintage worth investing in.
Snowball
An oldie but a goodie, nothing screams “It’s Christmas” more than a Snowball. Not even Noddy Holder.
As for perfect Warninks Advocaat hue, look no further than Butter London’s Lemon Drop — a soft yolk crème that works surprisingly well with cherry red and lime.
Bucks Fizz
Not just the only acceptable drink at 8am on Christmas Day, Bucks Fizz is also a zesty alternative to wintry hues.
Chanel’s Le Vernis longwear nail colour in Giallo Napoli is a juicy, sunny shade to brighten up the season.
Baileys
The return of Gavin and Stacey is likely to spell a renaissance for Baileys this Christmas, with Uncle Bryn’s favourite tipple a cracking choice.
Give YSL’s La Laque Couture lacquer in Beige Leger a go with a mint Baileys on the rocks. What will they think of next?
Spiced Negroni
If Negroni was your drink of summer, then a spiced version is likely to prove a hit this winter too.
As will Nails Inc’s Nailpure polish in Womanger. Described as a “citrus shade with a velvet smooth finish”, it’s the perfect blend of bitter orange and warm spice.
