Winter nail ideas are all about maximum fun with minimal work this season. The beautiful deep greens and dark red nail polishes are the best winter nail colors.
But you can easily paint plenty of unexpected winter manicures from the comfort of your couch (preferably with a glass of wine and something feel-good pulled up on Netflix). Think glittery shades like sparkling Christmas lights and pair well with winter hairstyles, makeup, or quirky stickers that look like nail art without fuss. So, no matter your taste or skill, scroll on for the most fabulous winter nail ideas and holiday nail designs that’ll take you through the season and into 2025. Cheers to that.
Winter Nail Ideas
Matte Red:
Are you looking for a man who makes a profound statement but is still easy to DIY? Your search stops now. Nothing says wintertime quite like a chic matte red manicure. Create the look by topping your favorite red nail polish with OPI’s Matte Top Coat.
Midnight Blue:
While red and green are the typical choices for wintertime and holiday winter nail ideas, Hailey Bieber makes an excellent case for leaning into the blue with the midnight manicure she got in honor of her son, Jack Blues Bieber.
Festive Plaid:
Whether you’re the kind of person who puts up the Christmas tree in November or a bit of a Scrooge, you can’t go wrong with green and red plaid. For a similar look, try Olive & June press-ons in Hand-Painted Plaid.
Chic Black:
If festive vibes aren’t your thing, take a page from Selena Gomez and her nail artist Tom Bachik for inspiration. Bachik’s take? “When in doubt, a black man is what it’s all about.” We love OPI’s Black Onyx.
Metallic Glitter Ring in the new year with a bangin’ mani. To get the look, nail creator Maritza Williams used Beauty Garde Longwear Nail Polish in Legend. Another option? Use it to top off and elevate your usual shade for the holidays.
Green Leafy:
This green manicure with gold leaf accents reminds us of Christmas tree decorating. To add depth, experiment with two distinct shades of sage and forest green. We adore the combination of Essie Ferris from Them All and China Glaze from Emerald Magic.
Icy Barbie:
For a festive spin on Barbie nails, try this glitter nails ombré design. To get the perfect gradient, dip a makeup sponge wedge into hot pink nail polish and work up to a pinky nude base coat. Top off your tips with a pink glitter polish like Paige from ILNP, and then apply a thick layer of topcoat to smooth out the texture.
Rainbow Confetti Countdown to 2025 with these confetti-inspired New Year’s nails. To achieve this look, layers of colored nail foils create an illusion of dimension and texture. Opt for short nails to balance out the busy design.
Chocolate Glazed Donut:
The glazed-donut manicure is alive and well in this winter nail idea. The latest chocolate iteration uses DND Gel in shades of Coffee Bean and Spiced Brown, layered with OPI Chrome Effects in Tin Man Can.
Skittles Mani:
Mismatched nail art isn’t going anywhere this winter if anything, because it’s one of the most straightforward winter nail ideas you can do yourself. Pastels and neons are still strong, but if you want shades that feel more seasonally on trend, go for muted blues with rusty browns and red.
“A hint of silver, chrome, or rose gold can add just the right amount of shimmer for holiday parties without going overboard,” says Sara Kardan, co-CEO and founder of Majesty’s Pleasure, a social beauty club in New York and Toronto. “It’s the perfect nail accessory to bring a little glow to any winter look.”
You are on style if you like your nails to be just one color. “Intense, single-color manicures in rich, eye-catching tones are trendy this season,” Kardan explains. For instance, The Gel Bottle’s Iconic Red and Electric Blue are striking yet classic tones that make a statement. These hues are ideal for anyone seeking a stylish, polished style because they add a vibrant punch and go well with winter’s darker attire.
Winter Magic to Your Nails:
“Cool-toned pastels like icy blue and frosty whites are making a splash this season,” says Kardan. “These shades feel refreshing and wintery, like a crisp, frosty morning, and bring some of that winter magic to your nails.” She adds that blue is a transition tint into the new year: “Its cool, calming vibe works for both celebratory gatherings and that fresh starts we’re all yearning come January.”
“Velvet nails are having a moment this winter—think rich, deep shades like midnight blue, forest green, and burgundy,“ says Kardan. “These colors give that cozy, wrapped-up vibe, but for something a little extra, the cat-eye effect is taking this trend to another level.”
Wicked Green:
Expect bright greens, like the shades singer Cynthia Erivo has been wearing, to be even more prevalent than usual during this time of year once the movie musical finally opens in theaters on Thanksgiving.
Celestial nail art nods to the season without being overtly kitschy. Go for a dark and moody base color to evoke the night sky, or if you want a lighter take, try these press-ons by Lottie London for a quick and easy at-home mani.
Extra credit for 3-D nail jewelry like Chappell Roan’s. But if you need to type on a computer or want something more everyday-friendly, stick-on adhesive jewels or charms from Urban Outfitters have the same energy.
Glitter Gold:
What better way to brighten a gloomy winter day than with a shiny gold nail? “I love gold and other shimmery colors because when the light hits it, it instantly boosts my mood,“ says Mimi D. “There are so many levels to gold. You can do a chunky gold glitter or a chrome look to add sparkle to your outfit.“ She recommends polishes like the CND Vinylux in It’s Getting Golder or the OPI Nail Lacquer in Five Golden Rings to get that sparkly yellow—either light or deep-toned—for added glamour to your winter nail this holiday season.
Complete Blacks:
Black numerals have recently been seen on everyone from Olivia Rodrigo to Diane Keaton, pushing red-carpet costumes to the limit. Falcone prefers an ultraglossy finish with a top coat like Orly’s Shining Armor quick-dry formula “so the black looks creamy and shiny rather than dreary,“ and she calls the short onyx nail “a clean style with a slightly rebellious edge.“ According to Soon, black nails complement every outfit, much like a well-tailored suit. She says, “They are so rich that they contrast sharply with numerous skin tones, much like a black wardrobe does.“
New romantics prefer midnight and night-sky blues, such as Louise’s go-to Chanel Polish in Rhythm, with which the musician is openly enamored. Belakhlef characterizes Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in Bleu Encre as “the dark and vivid blue of the fading darkness at the break of day.“ Falcone notes that “midnight blues are typical for winter nail ideas and always reflect the cold weather.“ However, she pays great attention to the undertones to give a slight spiciness. She continued by saying that the style was not too cold because I prefer royal blue with a hint of warmth.
Glassy Evergreens:
Mossy evergreen nails, which Falcone calls “midnight greens,“ are unlike traditional jewel-tone emerald green; they look best in highly pigmented shades and have a glassy sheen. (It is interesting to note that Taylor Swift, the queen of the Midnights, has been sporting the color both on and offstage for years.) Falcone says, “Midnight greens are ideal for the chilly season.“ It has an earthy feel, like the forest outside a winter hut. Orly’s Glosser top coat produces a salon-quality protective barrier at home for a wet-look shine.
Browns with chocolate:
The tone is established by the cocoa shade of Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in Brun Bistre, which attracted Louise and Vegas, another musician. “The ideal nail polish to evoke the season’s comfort is richly pigmented chocolate metallic shimmer,“ Belakhlef explains. “A fantastic rich neutral for those wishing to add some interest without straying too far from the classics,“ they say of Orly’s metallic Stop the Clock lacquer. Additionally, its depth has power for those who want a finish devoid of sparkle. According to Falcone, “I adore a grayish brown as a dark neutral tint for winter.“ When we lose our summer tans, it looks nice and reads like a dark taupe.
