58 Best Winter Nail Colors For Your Next Manicure
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Feeling in a slump with your nail polish colors? With the coldest months still ahead of us, it’s time to trade in those summer and fall fingernail polishes for winter nail colors. We’re a fan of giving ourself an at-home manicure so we can switch up our nail color often, but this season’s cool winter color palette is giving us so much inspiration for winter nail ideas.
Not sure to where to begin to select the perfect nail polish? We’re sharing some inspiration for you to find the best nail color ideas for winter nails below!
What Is The Best Nail Polish?
When it comes to nail polish choices, there is a virtually endless selection. Do you want gel nail polish? Do you like glitter polish? Do you prefer chic nails with designs or do you prefer a simple, nude nail? Selecting a nail color idea will help you to decide where to buy your next nail color.
How Expensive Is Nail Polish?
Nail polish can vary widely in price from $5 to some polishes that are more than $20. While more expensive doesn’t always mean better—no chipping, no peeling, no staining—many nail polish brands formulate their polishes completely differently.
Drugstore Nail Polish Brands
Drugstore nail polishes are often the most inexpensive of any of the nail colors on this list. They are often well-established companies whose brands have a wide selection of polishes.
OPI Nail Polish
OPI is easily one of the most recognizable and one of the longest-running drugstore brands (founded in 1981!). OPI has an expansive line, featuring gel nail polishes, nail laquers, long-wear formulas, and more. They're also an affordable option on this list. Depending on which OPI line you buy, most nail polishes range between $5-10.
Sally Hansen Nail Polish
Another nail polish that has been around for a long time, Sally Hansen makes some of the most popular nail polish top coats and nail strengtheners on the market. Not to mention, this nail polish brand is incredibly affordable. Most polishes are $5.
Essie Nail Polish
Yet another affordable nail polish brand that has gained popularity, Essie colors come in a quick-dry nail polish option, all under $10.
Higher End Nail Polish Brands
If you’re looking to spend more on your nail polish, you’ll find a large selection of boutique and designer brands that have a line of nail colors. Many of these brands are only available at larger retailers, such as Nordstrom, or online and are often limited in their range of colors.
Most popular among these designer brands with nail polish lines are: Chanel, Dior, and Cote nail colors.
Non-Toxic Nail Polish Brands
In recent years, many nail polish brands have released lines that are vegan, non-toxic, cruelty-free, and free of many of the common toxic ingredients. Non-toxic brands range in what is referred as “three-free”—free of formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate—up to as many as 16-free. A few of our favorite non-toxic nail brands are listed below.
what color should i paint my nails?
With so many popular nail colors, it might be difficult to choose between all of the pretty colors. When it comes to winter nails, you’ll most often see dark nails, such as greens, blacks, and maroon nail colors. Need a little inspiration for nail colors for winter? These are our favorite combinations for chic nails for winter, including Christmas and New Year’s nail designs.
Neutral or Nude nails
Many different shades can fall into the neutral nail color category, but most commonly you’ll see nudes, tans, light or dusty pinks, cream, light grey, and even some browns. This is out favorite category when it comes to understated and natural looking nails. This the perfect nail polish for anyone who doesn’t want to draw attention to their nails, but wants a pretty nail color! Nudes and neutral nail colors also make the perfect base to layer a glitter nail polish on top for a bit of sparkle.
Expressie: Buns Up
More Nude & Neutral Nail Colors:
red nails
Is there another color that screens winter nail color as loudly as red? Red nails are also the perfect choice for festive Christmas nail colors. If you don’t think that you’re ready for a bold red nail color, rest assured! There are an infinite number of red shades, (including red glitter nails!), to allow you to choose the shade of red that is right for you.
Londontown: Londoner Love
More Red Nail Colors:
white Nails
A close behind red nails, white nails are a winter classic. While most people shy away from the white nail color, we think that the simple color makes for a beautiful neutral and chic nail color. Even better, use white nail polish to add accents to winter nail designs, or use alongside gold or silver glitter polish for a New Year’s Eve nail look.
OPI: Funny Bunny
Essie: Blanc
More White Nail Colors:
dark purple nails
Another favorite winter nail color? Dark purple nails! Much like red nail polish, purple can come in a wide variety of shades, ranging from eggplant purple, all the way to a maroon or shimmer shade. Deep plum nails offer a rich, elegant shade and look especially festive when pair with a shimmer or glitter nail polish.
Sally Hansen: Slicks & Stones
Essie: Bahama Mama
More Purple Nail Colors:
olive green Nails
Perhaps an outlier on this list of winter colors, olive green deserves a spot to shine! Nails painted in a dusty green or muted green can easily work for a neutral nail color that can match with most other shades. We like olive green for an unexpected pop of color and a great choice for anyone looking for a lighter winter nail polish color.
Olive & June: WKF
Cirque Colors: Olive Jelly
More Green Nail Colors:
Dark Blue Nails
Choosing a dark blue color is another festive, winter nail color. It is a nice change from the bright reds and whites if you already know that’s not your style. Think of your nails like a calm, midnight winter sky. You can pick shades as bright as royal blue to a deep, dark blue. Choose from a more shimmery hue or top it off with a glittery top coat to show more holiday spirit this season!
Essie: Caviar Bar
More Dark Blue Nail Colors:
Magenta Nails
We all know how Barbie took the world by storm–no one is forgetting to wear pink any time soon! As we enter the winter season, we suggest a darker hue of pink–like magenta–to keep this pop of color throughout the remainder of the year. Choosing this nail color for your next manicure will make the shift easier from the bright pink inspired by Barbie that you’ve been wearing all year long.
Essie: Garment Glory
Le Mini Macaron: Bisous Magenta
More Magenta Nail Colors:
Hot Chocolate Nails
Deep brown is one of the best winter nail colors to change up your seasonal nail color rotation! There are many different browns to get inspiration from like your favorite holiday chocolate bar or the warm hot cocoa you drink with your loved ones. If you’re really in the holiday season, add some red, white, or green accents!
Londontown: You Autumn Know
Londontown: Oud Mood
More Hot Chocolate Nail Colors:
Glitter Nails
Tis the season for glitter nails! Finding the right glitter nail polish can be challenging. Many formulations are made from clear nail polish with pieces of glitter floating inside. These nail polishes would be great alongside a neutral or nude nail color or as a topper for a festive holiday nail design. If you choose a gold shimmer shade, the color will provide more coverage and can be a standalone nail polish on its own. Perfect for Christmas or New Year’s Eve, pick a gold glitter or silver glitter nail polish for a holiday nail!
Londontown: Britannia
Zoya: Cosmo Magical Pixiedust
More Glitter Nail Colors:
Ideas for Christmas nail colors
Looking for winter nails that aren’t just one color? Here are a few inspiration ideas for Christmas nail colors.
red & gold
ILNP: Say Love
Cirque Colors: 24K Affair
Mix and match gold shimmer nail polish with red nails for a fun nail color combination. Paint every other nail or just paint one nail on each hand with the gold nail polish for an elegant, but festive look. Not ready for multiple nail colors? Try using a gold glitter polish over red nail polish to add a hint of sparkle.
Red & Green
Essie: Under Wraps
Red and green are the essential Christmas nails! Alternate nails with red and green, or use the opposite color in lieu of white nail polish for a french manicure, Christmas style!
Ideas for New Year’s Nails
New you, new nail design? New Year’s Even nails are the perfect time to experiment with sparkle, glitter, gold, silver, you name it! Give your nails a touch of festive glow with a few of our favorite New Year’s nail ideas.
Black & Gold
Heroine.NYC: Gold Metallic
OPI: Black Onyx
Just like red and green for Christmas nail colors, black and gold scream New Year’s Eve nails! Use these colors in the same way that you did for Christmas. Overlay a gold glitter on black nails or use a gold polish alongside your favorite black nail polish.
Champagne Glitter Polish Or Black iridescent
ILNP: Rose Gold
Cirque Colors: True Black
Need even more sparkle in your winter nails? Try using champagne glitter polish. It is a more understated, rose gold nail polish alternative to gold or silver polish. Black iridescent is also another way to rock those black nails with just a hint of sparkle!
Heroine.NYC: Rose Gold Metallic
Essie: Angora Cardi
Ella + Mila: Champagne Pop
Black & Silver
Gucci: Black Crystal
ILNP: Avalanche Silver
Not a fan of gold? Use silver glitter nail polish for a holiday look instead!
Ideas for Winter Nail Designs
Glazed Nails
You can pick any of the colors above and pick a formula that provides a more glazed or jelly look. This nail trend has become popular with major supermodel, Hailey Beiber. Although glazed nails are a fun idea for winter, this is a nail style you can wear into the coming year.
Colored French Tips
This has been an ongoing nail trend for years, but the winter season is a perfect time to try it. Any upcoming holiday parties? Your nails will be a festive accessory with red or even gold tips.
Simple Swirls
This chic nail trend became popular this year and it’s becoming even more present. For a stand-out design, choose a red base with white lines. If you’re in the holiday mood, consider alternating the swirls with bright red, white, and deep green for the ultimate holiday nails. However, you can’t go wrong with a nude base and white swirls for the winter season and into the new year.
Gradient
Can’t choose one color? Then this is the winter nail design for you. Pick a gradient of your favorite color. Picking either metallic, shades of blue, or hues of dark green is the most versatile to wear throughout winter!
Gold Foil Nails
Gold is a perfect holiday color, and depending on your style, it might not be too bright for you, either! One of the best parts is that the gold foil trend is fun and easy to apply yourself or request at the nail shop. (It works like a sticker and can be laid on securely with a clear top coat.) Try adding the gold foil to a black nail set for New Year’s Eve or to a classic red manicure for timeless holiday nails.
3D Nails
3D nails are the biggest nail trend on TikTok right now; you’ve likely seen lifted nail designs flooding Instagram Reels with videos that show this trend in mixed colors and fun designs. Nail artists create the 3D art by using acrylic powder, so whether you keep it simple by choosing a chic, monochrome look or pick embellishments, jewels, and colors from this list, it’s sure to be a super festive holiday manicure!
How Do I Make My Nail Polish Last Longer?
Want to make your at home manicure last even longer? Make sure to do a little nail prep before applying the polish. Try using a strengthening serum to make brittle nails stronger. Nail polish will last longer if you apply a base coat before using nail polish and also applying a clear nail polish or top coat to your nails to lock in the color.