
As the temperatures dip, so can the desire to utilize your beauty arsenal. The thought of bundling up and emerging from home can be repellant in the coldest weeks of the year, and getting all dolled up to do so sounds even less appealing. Snowflakes in your lashes can be a major look killer, and the icy winter wind is going to turn your cheeks the ruddy color of blush anyway, right? But there's good reason to add a little color to your look, even when your inner chill runs deep: It's the happiest time of the year, after all. And if you've already brought out your moodier eyeshadows and deeper lipsticks, there's still room to spice things up—on your nails, to be exact. Your polish collection is the perfect place to start when it comes to dressing up—or down—this winter.
Before you know it, you'll be ringing in the holidays with "All I Want for Christmas Is You (Extra Festive Version)," and it's a good time—though when have we ever needed a special occasion?—to switch out those nudes and pastel polishes for something a tad bit more festive. Sparkles! Glitter! Chrome! Neons and sheers give way to deep, dreamy shades that scream December, and your manicure becomes a canvas for some bolder art. Hey, no need to ask us twice. Here, the 26 best winter nail colors, from shimmery party shades to matte jewel tones, to lift you from your cold-weather slump.
Sinful Colors target.com
When I think of winter nail colors, I always think of a deep, rich black shade. This one from Sinful Colors is the definition of bang for your buck at under $4.
Sally Hansen Good. Kind. Pure Vegan Nail Colour
This rich rose shade from Sally Hansen is the ideal everyday nail shade, just like your favorite rosy lipstick color is great for daily wear this season.
Auda.B Vegan Nail Polish in The First Lady
This shade from vegan nail care brand Auda.B is literally called "The First Lady," so it's 100 percent the epitome of classic old-timey red.
NAILS.INC Coco For Real Chocolate Scented Nail Polish in Meet Me on Mars
Spoiler alert: This nail color from NAILS.INC is meant to smell exactly like chocolate. Try it for the scent, stay for the creamy brown color.
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Get Lucky
A milky shade of blue might not be the first color that comes. to mind when you think of winter nail polish, but this one will perfectly accent your all-black outfits.
Emilie Heathe Nail Artist Nail Polish in Goddess
This shimmery olive green shade from Emilie Heathe is just a little bit unexpected on the nails—and that's why it works! The gold flecks will really make your manicure pop.
J.Hannah Nail Polish in Blue Nudes
Teal blue works year-round on the nails, but it looks especially good in the fall and winter months. This option from J.Hannah is super lightweight and chip resistant.
Context Nail Lacquer in Rocket Queen
All that glitters really is gold, and this nail color from Context is proof. One coat of this and your nails will look like they've been covered in liquid metal.
Static Nails Liquid Glass Nail Polish in Alchemy
Is it purple? Is it green? The world may never know with this duochrome nail color from Static Nails. Either way, I love it.
Ella+Mila Nail Polish in On The Runway
A cool, classic gray works wonders on your nails in the fall and winter. It's just as neutral as a black polish would be, but is way easier to wear
OPI Nail Lacquer in Lincoln Park After Dark
There's a reason this inky nail color from OPI is one of the top-selling nail colors of all time. it's earned cult-favorite status over the years—and remains incredibly popular—thanks to its rich hue and easy application.
Chanel LE VERNIS Longwear Nail Color in Particuliere
Another day, another neutral nail color for the fall and winter seasons. This taupe-y nude shade from Chanel is *so* worth the splurge.
Essie Nail Color in Bahama Mama
If you love having bright pink nails in the spring and summer, try a deep berry-plum shade in the fall and winter. This one from Essie is both bright and richly pigmented.
Olive & June Nail Polish in CV
If pumpkin-orange isn't your favorite fall colorway, try this slightly darker option from Olive & June. It's a great halfway point between a true red and a classic orange.
Jin Soon Nail Color in Absolute Glitz
Winter means that the holidays are coming up, so I give you full permission to go all-out with your sparkly nails this season. This option from Jin Soon is chock-full of attention-grabbing glitter.
OPI Infinite Shine Long-Wear Nail Polish
There is such a thing as a winter pink, and this checks off all the boxes: muted, opaque, and universally flattering.
Essie Expressie Quick Dry Nail Polish in Leveled Up
Yes, fat, delicate snowflakes capture the essence of the holidays in the colder months, but have you ever heard of thundersnow? Consider this stormy gray-blue an edgier take on winter white.
Essie Polish in Let It Slide
Autumnal shades don't stop being chic after Halloween. A warm, spicy orange looks especially beautiful on medium to deep skin tones.
Pacifica Plant Magic Polish in Star Gaze
You can totally wear pastels this season, and the added shimmer in this formula makes this dusty lavender shade even more winter wonderland-adjacent.
Côte Nail Polish in No. 62
This creamy, seasonal green is basically fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la in a bottle.
Sally Hansen Good. Kind. Pure Vegan Nail Polish in Meteorite
Silver always strikes the right chord in he colder months, and this polish's formula is 16-free.
Sally Hansen Good. Kind. Pure. Vegan Nail Polish in Beet It
This plummy purple would look right at home grasped around a steamy latte, and it's as clean as it is pretty—this line of polish is vegan.
Sally Hansen Insta Dri Nail Color in Cinna Snap
You're en route to the holiday party. You look down—your nails are bare. All is lost! But then, you remember your Purse Polish, which dries in just minutes. This is that Purse Polish, and it dries as speedy as possible so you can spruce up on-the-go.
Revlon Color Stay Gel Envy Lingerie Nail Polish in Bare It Girl
Relieve yourself from the daunting decision of deciding on a nail color and lean into a classic neutral. This shade is endorsed by a supermodel, Ashley Graham, in case you needed more confirmation that this color will give you runway-ready nails. Plus, this cool-toned nude will go with every outfit, and can you ask for anything more?
Smith & Cult Nail Polish in A Little Underground
It may have never crossed your mind to wear purple nail polish until now. Exhibit A: plum, with a pearlescent upgrade, which will look equal parts vampy and jovial on your nails. Don't knock it until you try it.
tenoverten Nail Polish in Madison
If you've had enough of winter's gloomy shades, look ahead to spring with this pale pink. It's a refreshingly sheer pink perfect for outdoor wedding season.
Paintbox Nail Lacquer in Like Magic
You're looking at a New Years party in a bottle. It's a champagne-rose-gold hybrid that guarantees a good time. Bring in 2022 with this sparkling shade by your side. Listen, you can't go into another year with boring nails!
Maya Allen is the former Digital Beauty Editor at MarieClaire.com where she covered makeup, skincare, haircare, wellness, you name it! She has a 15-step skincare routine, owns over 200 red lipsticks, and enjoys testing the latest and greatest in beauty. On most weekends, you can find her at her happy place, which is her makeup vanity. There, she’s usually blasting her speakers while singing along to lyrics at the top of her lungs, and making sure her highlighter is on point. Before joining MarieClaire.com, she held positions at Byrdie.com and Cosmopolitan.com.
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