It’s officially here: Introducing Pantone’s Color of the Year 2025, Mocha Mousse! Pantone, the global color authority and provider of professional color language standards, announced the warm, brown-hued color on Dec. 5, and it aligns perfectly with the brown trend that has taken over fashion, beauty and design the past year—and is sure to continue in 2025. What we love about this year’s Color of the Year is that it’s so easy to incorporate into your own personal style and taste, given that it’s neutral. One of the easiest ways to try out the color is with a Mocha Mousse manicure. Keep reading for gorgeous, cozy, Mocha Mousse nail inspiration to start 2025 off in style.
About Pantone’s Color of the Year 2025, Mocha Mousse
Every year since 2000, Pantone has released a Color of the Year. The majority of these colors selected are actually colorful. From last year’s Color of the Year, Peach Fuzz, to previous colors of Cerulean, Viva Magenta and Radiant Orchid, it’s rare for the color authority to choose a neutral, which is what we have for 2025. There have only been two other neutrals in the past 25 years: Sand Dollar in 2006 and Illuminating and Ultimate Grey in 2021.
Mocha Mousse is the third neutral Pantone Color of the Year, and if you ask us, it’s a great prediction of what will be trending in 2025. The color, “a warming rich brown hue, Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mouse nurtures with its suggestion of the delectable quality of cacao, chocolate and coffee, appealing to our desire for comfort,” Pantone said in an official press release.
We saw brown being worn everywhere by everyone in 2024, and neutrals in general taking over. From brown outfits to even brown mascara, the color absolutely made its appearance. “Underpinned by our desire for everyday pleasures, Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence,” Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of Pantone Color Institute, said in the release. “Sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic, Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mousse extends our perceptions of the browns from being humble and grounded to embrace the aspirational and luxe.”
9 brown nail ideas to channel Pantone’s Color of the Year 2025, Mocha Mousse
If you want to wear a Mocha Mousse shade on its own, we recommend OPI Nail Lacquer in Berlin There Done That, CND Vinylux Polish in We Want Mauve, Morgan Taylor Naturals Nail Lacquer in It’s the Essence and Essie Nail Polish in Crochet Away. For brown gel polishes, we like DND Gel Polish and Lacquer in Almond Toffee Diva and Olive and June Gel Polish in Shacket.
For some gorgeous, brown-hued manicures that align with the beautiful Mocha Mousse Color of the Year, keep reading.
We’re in love (no pun intended) with this brown, heart-filled mani by @gelsbybry. The brown hues and creamy whites blend beautifully together, and you can easily DIY this look at home.
For a solid-brown nail look, this rich, chocolate brown manicure by @paintedbyjools is absolutely gorgeous. Simply swipe on a few coats of your favorite brown polish and you’re good to go.
This swirly brown nail design by @itsmakeupbydana is perfect for a touch of nail art while still keeping it relatively simple.
French tips are a classic, and we love this brown take on them by @_nailsbyemmaa_. The variety of neutrals combine perfectly to create this look.
We can’t leave out a tortoise shell design when we’re talking about brown. The print has been a huge trend this year, and we predict it will continue to be in 2025. Try out these tortoise, brown nails by @janeisyartist_.
For another animal print theme, we love these brown leopard print nails by @m.cbeautyy. We especially are fawning over the gorgeous brown marble accent nail, which adds extra elegance to the look.
The mocha brown hue in this mani by @poshandpolished__studio_ looks so similar to Pantone’s Mocha Mousse. The subtle gold accents are striking paired with the neutrals.
A little glitter never hurt anybody! These brown sparkly nails by @nailsbypaulin are perfect for the holidays and New Year’s.
Another solid-colored mani, this mocha brown manicure by @matejanova is so classic and simple to DIY.
