Julianne Moore's Dark Bordeaux Manicure Sets the Season's Nail Agenda

Julianne Moore debuted a "Dark Bordeaux" manicure at the BFI's 70th London Film Festival, signaling a shift from the pink "ballet blush" and "rose latte" shades that have dominated recent nail trends toward moodier, deeper colors for fall and winter.

Moore, a Bazaar cover star, paired the oxblood-adjacent bordeaux with short, gently rounded square nails and a high-shine finish. Editors consider the look one of the most refined ways to elevate an otherwise simple burgundy manicure, according to Harper's Bazaar, which first reported the style.

Why does Dark Bordeaux feel more expensive than classic burgundy?

"It's almost bordering on black in certain lighting, which gives it a chic, contemporary finish," said Sue Carroll, founder of Young LDN salon in Notting Hill. "Rather than a traditional red-toned burgundy, this darker bordeaux shade is more expensive and refined. It's a great example of how classic colour can feel modern without following an obvious trend."

Carroll noted that Moore's understated take on burgundy still feels fresh without veering into an entirely gothic aesthetic.

What makes the look work?

Two elements carry the style: a softer squoval nail shape and a high-shine top coat. The right top coat "catches the light and allows those beautiful wine undertones to come through, rather than making the color look flat," Carroll said.

Application precision matters more with dark colors, she added. "Any uneven edges, chips, or streaks tend to be much more noticeable, so I'd recommend taking extra care with nail preparation," Carroll explained.

How to recreate Dark Bordeaux at home

Carroll and the Bazaar editors outline a simple protocol:

• Lightly push back cuticles
• Buff the surface of each nail
• Trim nails well before applying polish
• Apply two thin coats rather than thick layers, which deliver a smoother, more professional-looking finish

Undertone selection is equally personal. "Some Bordeaux shades lean more purple, while others have warmer brown or red undertones, so there's definitely a shade to suit everyone," Carroll said. "If you're worried about the color feeling too intense, opt for a slightly berry-toned burgundy or keep your nails shorter."

What does this mean for the season ahead?

Burgundy has long been synonymous with autumn and winter, but Moore's festival appearance gives the classic shade a contemporary framing: deeper, shorter, glossier. With a salon authority like Carroll endorsing the look's refinement over trend-chasing, Dark Bordeaux positions itself as the sophisticated default for dark manicures through the colder months.