The 20 Best Winter Nail Colors, According to Nail Pros and Editors
Cherry cola and dark, moody shades are quickly taking over.
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 are 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. And your winter nails are the perfect place to start when it comes to dressing up—or down—this winter.
This winter, nail trends are all about the return to the classics. Long gone are the days of long coffin shapes filled with graphic nail art. Instead, nail pros and beauty experts are turning to minimalist shapes, shorter lengths, and classic shades. As for which specific colors to reach for in winter 2023-2024, we turned to OPI Global Ambassador Natalie Minerva, and Nadine Abramcyk, co-founder of the nail salon and polish brand Tenoverten, for their expert opinion on winter 2023-2024's trendiest shades. From the cherry cola shade that's taken over the beauty world to festive sparkling shades, here are the best winter nail colors to lift you from your cold-weather slump.
Cherry Cola
For the last few months, it’s been hard to escape fall’s hottest color trend, red. The shade has taken over our closets and our beauty routines in the form of bright red nail polish. For winter, both Abramcyk and Minerva agree that the trend isn’t going anywhere. However, the experts say they’ve noticed a switch from classic candy apple red to a deeper wine red. “It’s a great way to embrace the darker tones for the winter months while still honoring an age-old classic—red,” says Minerva.
A deep, dark red is a classic winter nail color and this one from Essie hits that mark. Bordeaux is a sultry burgundy shade that will go with all your winter 'fits. I even bet you'll wear it more than once this season.
"This deep cherry cola-toned red is awesome because it has blue undertones and goes great with many different skin tones," says Minerva. "It’s a great alternative to your standard cherry red."
Sometimes, finding a free hour to do a manicure can be nearly impossible. Thankfully, this nail polish exists to give yourself a trendy manicure at home in about five minutes from start to finish. Each coat only takes a minute to dry, plus you don't even need a top or base coat with this all-in-one formula.
I can always count of Zoya to have the trendiest nail colors of the season. The editor-loved nail brand is free from 10 toxic ingredients commonly found in nail polish and is crazy long-wearing on natural nails. This pretty color is definitely one I would consider grabbing to wear all winter long.
Heavy Metals
You may recall from over the spring the metallic trend that took over the fashion world. Well, the fun shades prove to have staying power as we head into the winter. Abramcyk says metallics are always trending, adding, “I love adding a little shimmer to a darker hue in the winter and metallics are always my go-to.” Think of your classic metals like gold or silver or try your favorite shade in a metallic finish.
If you're looking for the perfect sleek gunmetal silver, Abramcyk recommends Tenoverten’s West nail polish. In two coats, you'll achieve the cool metallic silver look or you can use this polish to add a pretty shimmer to any shade.
For all of the neutral fans out there, Essie's Penny Talk is a great way to dip your toes (or nails!) into trendier shades. This rose gold shade has a pretty metallic shimmer, but the pink is subdued enough to feel like a neutral.
Somehow, Sally Hansen managed to recreate the look of liquid gold in a nail polish. This cool shade has a reflective finish like real gold so anytime you wear it, you're practically guaranteed to feel rich and luxurious.
Coconut Crush is the shade to reach for when you're looking for something new this season, but don't want to stand out too much. The subdued shimmery white is reminiscent of glittery fresh snow, making it the ideal neutral shade of winter.
Glitterball
If you hark back to the manicures of your childhood, I’m sure you’ll recall glittery multicolored party nails. I’m happy to report the disco ball-esque nails are making a return and will be just as fun as you remember, according to Minerva. “I think the multicolor glitters will be big for the holiday season, especially over NYE,” she says. “The multicolor is fun because you get a multitude of tones and shimmers.”
Everything you need to know about this nail polish is in the name— "Party in a Bottle." With big chunks of rainbow glitter, it would be hard not to be in a party mood anytime you have this shade on. You can rest assured your manicure will stay flawless, too, with this chip-resistant formula.
This nail polish shade has a lovely smattering of multi-colored glitter to get you out of your winter beauty slump. It's perfectly party-ready with shades of silver, gold, pink, and blue. Reviews say this polish is especially high quality, too.
Leave it to OPI to create the ideal nail polish shade for all of your holiday parties. "This multicolor glitter polish is so fun for the holidays and it’s a part of OPI’s new Terribly Nice Collection," says Minerva. "This would be a great choice for NYE!"
With a clear base, this opalescent shade was practically made to be layered over your favorite colors for a festive touch. Essie is a great brand for manicure beginners, too, thanks to their signature easy-glide brush.
Deep and Dark
Every year as the weather turns colder and the days get shorter, it’s only natural our fashion style gets darker, too. So, Minerva and Abramcyk say you can expect to see classic winter shades like navy, black, and dark brown that match the season’s mood. “They’re neutral enough to go with every outfit but also add a bit more flair than a pale pink or nude,” says Abramcyk. Meanwhile, Minerva says she’s been painting a good many navy manicures lately adding, “I like it because it gives the same feeling as black nails but with the slightest touch of color.”
"If I’m yearning for a darker hue, the Bond Polish is an on-trend jet black," says Abramcyk. You won't have to worry about having to layer on the coats to get an opaque finish here. This shade is a pure, solid black and one you'll use winter after winter.
"Just a few shades off from black, this tone is very wearable during this time of year," says Minerva. "I really love the depth of this particular shade." Whenever you're tired of classic black, opt for this navy blue to switch it up.
Not black, not purple, but somewhere in between, Deborah Lippmann's Pose shade feels particularly of-the-moment for winter. It's moody, mysterious, and definitely sexy. Doborah Lippmann is also a favorite among beauty editors for their long-lasting, gel-like formulas.
Maybe black and navy are a bit too dark and moody for you. If that's the case, I recommend trying out a chocolate brown. The shade has been trending as of late in fashion, so why not try it out on your nails? It has a quiet luxury feel you can achieve with just $4.
50 Shades of Grey
Nearly in the same realm as the darker shades you know and love, grey has plenty of tones to choose from and they’re emerging as a major trend this winter. “I’ve been seeing so much gray the last month or so, and I love it,” says Minerva “It’s a great way to have a palette cleanser while still keeping it unique. It also pairs with everything!” Whether you go dark and stormy or choose a light cloud-like shade, grey is a fresh neutral to embrace this season.
"I love this grey in particular because it’s a very calm color to look at," says Minerva. "The milkiness of this gray is subdued enough to be worn as a neutral while still being different from your standard nude or white."
With just hint of brown, this grey taupe shade would flatter just about any skin tone. What's great about Manucurist polishes is that the formula is completely clean, vegan, and plant-based so you can feel good about this purchase.
Olive & June is another tried and true brand you can count on for high-quality polishes. Every shade is 15-free, long-lasting, and applies like a dream. For winter, opt for this chic grey shade that's not too light and not too dark.
I couldn't resist adding yet another Essie polish to this list. The brand's shade range is just too good. Choose On Mute for am easy stormy grey manicure. It feels fresher and more fashion-forward than your average black shade.
Meet the Experts
Natalie Minerva’s eye for detail and design has made her a leader in the nail industry for the last 11 years. As the lead nail artist for the second season of HBO’s Euphoria, Natalie is responsible for some of the biggest nail trends taking over social media. While working at “A Club Called Rhonda”, a highly revered party amongst industry professionals, Natalie began her nail journey on Instagram. Through social media, she made connections that have allowed her to become the go-to artist for celebrities like Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, Halsey, Barbie Ferreira, Addison Rae and more. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Elle and Cosmopolitan amongst other publications.
Nadine Abramcyk is co-founder of the all-natural nail salon and polish company TENOVERTEN. She started the brand alongside business partner Adair Ilyinsky nearly 14 years ago after they were frustrated with the manicure experience in New York City.
