Compared to the bright and warm colors you paint on your summer nails, winter nails can sometimes feel a little... uninspired. But this season, we're all about changing up our beauty routines to find something unique, unexpected, and festive. You don't have to be a professional manicurist to get beautiful tips at home, and these ideas for winter nails prove it.
Break out your top coat bottles, because once you see these moody blue hues, seasonal shimmers, and classic Christmas color nail art (not to mention some eye-catching yet easy designs to inspire you) you won't be able to get enough.
Colors For Winter Nails
Sally Hansen Traveling Light
This unique purple pick only takes a few seconds to dry, which makes it a great option when you need a concise mani, but don't have a ton of time.
sundays L.05
The mix between purple and gray in this hue delivers an understated edge that's to die for.
ella+mila Unwrap Me
Reds are definitely expected for any winter nails. This flirty shade glides on with absolute perfection!
PrettyDiva Silver Chrome Nail Powder
Silver nails are sophisticated and festive, but aren't exclusive to the holiday season the way that a red and green combo are. Plus, dip powder is a simple and easy way to get a salon-quality manicure at home.
essie Sens-O-Real
We all remember the heyday of mint green, so bring this serene shade back for your next winter nails lineup!
sundays No.30
For anyone who likes color but doesn't want to overdo it, this muted sage green is a great pick. It's sophisticated, understated, and adds just the right amount of chill for colder days.
OPI It's A Boy! Nail Lacquer
Baby blue has been hot all year long. If you want in on the trend, try adding this pale color to your nails instead.
ORLY Crawford's Wine
Is there anything classier than red nails? They're a little bit vintage, a little bit sexy, and very eye-catching. Match them to a red lip for New Year's celebrationsfor the cutest match.
Beetles Aquarius Polish Kit
From navy to icy blue, these gel polishes will let you have all the winter nails you could ever dream of. The best part is that with proper application, they can last up to three weeks!
Essie Ballet Slippers
Ballet pink is a great neutral because it's elevated and professional, but it's more fun than beige. Pair this pink with ballerina nails, and feel totally girly!
No. 70 Shimmery Ocean Green
Even though deep green is in the holiday color palette, this peaceful shade can definitely last into the New Year. This polish is chip-resistant and healthy for your nails.
essie A Stroke of Brilliance
For some added shimmer and glow, pop this bad boy on your nails – atop a darker color or by itself!
OPI O Suzi Mio
We love how romantic and powerful this deep purple is. And if there's anything that should make you feel that way, it's your beauty routine.
Dashing Diva Hanukkah Magic
Dark blue and white are a color combo that you can never go wrong with for winter nails. You can wear these tips to your Hanukkah celebrations, but they will also look good any day of the week.
Olive & June Lilac Shimmer
Feminine and flirty, this salon-quality polish is a great way to add some pink Christmas glam to your winter nails if you're not feeling the blues, neons, or reds.
786 Cosmetics Istanbul
This polish is inspired by the shades of the Turkish city it's named after. Not only is it deep and warm, but it also gives you full coverage with a single swipe.
OPI Angels Flight to Starry Nights
This shade simultaneously reminds us of the sea, the sky, and all those icy Y2K beauty looks. It looks iconic in every season, so you can wear it all year long.
Pleasing Syrupberry
Add some sweetness to your holiday season with this fruity nail polish color. Pair it with other punchy colors or wear it on its own. Either way, you'll turn heads.
OPI Linger Over Coffee
Chocolate brown might be a 2023 hair trend, but you can definitely add it into your manicure, too. The best part is that it'll match your coffee *and* your hot chocolate.
Modelones Going Nude
Wear the shade that matches your skin tone, or mix and match them all for a multi-toned nude look.
OPI It’s a Piazza Cake
This terracotta color will infuse some warmth into your day-to-day as you count down to the New Year.
essie Carols and Caviar
This winter nails color describes exactly what we want out of the season. It's the most luscious blue that you could ever coat your nails with.
Winter Nails Inspo
Saving Face
Turn your mani into an art gallery with an abstract design that'll make you feel like Picasso. Stick to classic colors like brown and black, or go with seasonal shades.
A Little Bit French
We'll never get enough of the French manicure. But instead of white tips, spice it up with different colors and overlapping stripes.
A Jolly, Happy Soul
This frosty little friend is one of the cutest things we've ever seen on a thumb nail. Don't forget the carrot nose!
Image via Bellacures
Jolly Old Soul
Swap your regular mani for a cherry red nail polish that features a Santa hat. It's cute and classy all in one!
Living On The Edge
Create a manicure that feels unexpected yet classic by adding dots around the edge of your nail in red, green, and gold. The empty space is totally eye-catching while the color trio is nostalgic.
Pastels³
Pick three colors that go well together and layer them for multi-dimensional nails. You can change them up based on the season, or stick with different shades of your favorite color.
I Like You A Latte
Use different shades of brown for a mani that'll get you in the mood for a mocha. The 70s inspired waves are just the foam on top.
All-Out Color
Mix wintery details like gold glitter with neons and warm shades usually found in summer for a winter nails match made in heaven. Love!
Stripes On Stripes
In lieu of an all-white mani, go for one that incorporates stripes or blank space that'll let other colors (or your natural nail) peek through.
Groovy Baby
Pick shapes and shades that remind you of your favorite decade. Bonus points if it matches your outfit!
Image via Bellacures
Flurries
If you're dreaming of a white Christmas, bring some snowy magic to your mani with white polish and a toothpick.
Star Light, Star Bright
Bring some nature to your look with a galaxy-inspired mani, a delicate snowflake, or try your hand at painting a tree. The world is your oyster!
Tortoise
A mix of brown, gold, and tan will never go out of style. We're obsessed with the glittery detail and the use of negative space!
Ice Queen
This dreamy blue mani provides such a great balance between color and negative space. The icy sparkles are reminiscent of winter snows!
I Can Still Make The Whole Place Shimmer
These glittery nails are perfect for both Christmas and New Year's, which means you don't have to redo your mani before December 31st.
Image via Bellacures
Holly Berries
These red berries are instantly recognizable and very festive. Pick any of your fingers to add these details to, or add a design to each nail.
Hi, Barbie!
Become winter Barbie when you adorn your nails in the cutest baby pink polishes out there. A lil' shimmer never hurt anyone, either.
Celestial Nails
Deep gold or chrome is the perfect polish to take a simple starry mani to the next level. The key to painting clean stars is using an ultra tiny nail brush.
Emerald City
Deeper greens were made for winter nails. We love this divided design that also makes a play on French tips.
Tip Off
A little goes a long way with these chrome nails. They have the classy feeling of a French manicure with the glam look of silver polish.
Jewels And Gems
Faux gems and nail glue come together to add a 3-dimensional element to any manicure. We're obsessed.
Pop Art Nails
If you want another element to your pop art nails, add a shape to one of your fingers — we love the detail on this heart.
Candy Cane Lane
We'll literally always say yes to some cherry red nails, especially when there are candy canes involved.
Taste The Rainbow
Who said Skittles nails were reserved for summer? If you're in desperate need of more color this winter, this mani is the way to go.
Feeling Romantic
These chocolate brown nails are already looking towards Valentine's Day. Keep the base of your accent nail simple or go crazy with an unexpected neon.
Holly Jolly
If you just can't resist the Christmas holiday, opt for winter nails like these that channel ornaments and decor.
Classically Embellished
These elevated and decorated winter nails are giving everything they need to give for a classy NYE party.
Tag us in pics of your winter nails on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for more inspo! And be sure to check out our podcast episode with Olive & June founder Sarah Gibson Tuttle for tips on DIY-ing your own manis and pedis.
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.
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Chloe Williams
Chloe Williams serves as B+C’s Assistant Editor, entertainment lead, and resident Taylor Swift expert. Whether she’s writing a movie review or interviewing the stars of the latest hit show, Chloe loves exploring why stories inspire us. You can see her work published in BuzzFeed, Coastal Review, and North Beach Sun. When she’s not writing, Chloe’s probably watching a Marvel movie with a cherry co*ke or texting her sister about the latest celebrity news. Say hi at @thechloewilliams on Insta and @popculturechlo on Twitter!
