Winter comes amply sprinkled in snow and aesthetic references—and the best winter nail designs embody them all. “Whenever winter rolls around I always think of deep colors, and also metallics,” says nail artist Stephanie Stone. “And, of course, you can never go wrong with a deep red mani. Always timeless and classic every year!”
Along with sparkly, light-throwing manicures, moody hues, and all of the reds, unique finishes and textures (and a garden of greens) set this winter’s nail art apart. “I anticipate seeing a lot of the velvet nail trend, which can be achieved with a magnet gel or polish,” says Stone. “This look can be in any color range and looks sparkly from some angles and solid in others depending on the lighting.” Cool tones, seasonal motifs, and gilded touches round out the wintertime menu, each look made more memorable through idiosyncratic adaptations. After all, more time spent inside means an opportunity to get creative, the better to spark a style frenzy during appearances at the welcome barrage of seasonal soirées.
Here, 10 winter nail designs that embody the spirit of the glitziest time of year.
Starry Night
Stars and silver glitter—need we say more? The tinsel-strewn season calls for all things shimmer, so start with your winter mani.
Color-Blocked Brown
“I think we’re also going to see a lot of chocolate nails!” says Stone of winter’s trends. “I love this color because it’s versatile with any outfit.” Brown blocked with white lightens up the shade for something a bit more playful.
Metallic Green
Green reimagined as a warm metallic makes for the ultimate seasonal shade. Paint over all of your beds, or try the polish on one or two nails for a subtle statement.
Gold Leaf
As noted by nail artist Hang Nguyen, gold leaf lends well to artistic expression. Press haphazardly over nails (and even fingers or hair) for some glamorous, occasion-worthy abstraction.
French Blue
Vamp Red
Consider this your go-to hue. Deep reds gain traction as the year comes to a close, the dark and romantic shade becoming a seasonal neutral its own right.
Moody Floral
Florals? For winter? Should they feature deep hues and moody motifs, we are all in.
Constellation Nails
Longer nights means more time to stare at the stars. Let the constellations inspire your next manicure: choose one or two that hold meaning to you for a personalized polish job.
Holographic Sparkle
Finally, a full-tilt glitter moment never misses, especially in winter. Multiple coats of holographic feel appropriately celebratory and buoyant—the antidote to any seasonal blues.
