With sweater weather officially here, tis’ the season for fresh manicures for winter. Dark burgundies, icy whites, velvet mattes, and jet blacks are only a few of the best shades to add to your rotation during the colder season. Here, we chatted with NYC-based celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein and New Jersey-based nail artist Stephanie Sonday about exactly what colors to consider, plus other winter nail trends to try. Read on for the top 10 winter nail colors, according to the artists, plus tips on what to look for in the ultimate winter mani.
Our top 10 winter nail colors, at a glance:
- Best overall: CND Vinylux Take Root, $12
- Best cranberry: Orly Nail Polish Bedrock Bloom, $10
- Best burgundy: Chanel Rouge Noir, $32
- Best metallic: ILNP Teddy Magnetic Holographic Nail Polish, $12
- Best for a velvet finish: OPI Matte Top Coat, $12
- Best icy: Londontown Lakur in Powder, $15
- Best jelly: Butter London Jelly Preserve Strengthening Treatment, $18
- Best chocolate: Mineral Fusion Rosé All Day, $10
- Best jet black: Essie Licorice, $9
- Best jewel toned: OPI Peppermint Bark and Bite, $12
Shop the best 10 winter nail colors
Best overall: CND Vinylux Take Root — $12.00
Size: 0.25 fl oz | Type: Shellac | Finish: Glossy
According to Sonday, deeply intense nail colors are always on the rise for the colder season. “Winter is all about layering up and wrapping ourselves in warm, cozy vibes of rich ambers and spicy notes,” she says. That’s why she loves this burgundy-brown polish that looks stunning on various skin tones and reminds us of a warm, cozy drink.
- Deep and intense
- Warm-undertoned, perfect for the colder season
- Shellac formula, which may not be suitable for all nail polish wearers if you prefer a gel mani
Best cranberry: Orly Nail Polish Bedrock Bloom — $10.00
Size: 0.6 fl oz | Type: Regular | Finish: Glossy
“Cranberry is the quintessential color of the winter, and we’re seeing a lot of celebs accessorize with it,” says Gerstein, and she recommends this cranberry-hued polish to hop on the trend. It’s a creamy, red-undertoned purple that will compliment any cozy sweater.
- Creamy, rich hue
- Available at your local drugstore
- Very pigmented, can be a little messy
Best burgundy: Chanel Rouge Noir — $32.00
Size: 0.4 fl oz | Type: Regular | Finish: Glossy
Both artists share that a black cherry shade is a go-to for winter. “Look out for blackened reds, which can be black cherry, merlots, and burgundies,” says Gerstein. She recommends opting for a versatile burgundy red like this one that you can wear in one of two ways. “Wear it solid, or mix it with a top coat to create more of a translucent finish,” she says.
- Classic and reliable
- Can be mixed with a topcoat for a more unique, translucent finish
Best metallic: ILNP Teddy Magnetic Holographic Nail Polish — $12.00
Size: 0.4 fl oz | Type: Regular | Finish: Holographic
“Cat-eye, or magnetic polishes, convey rarity and luxury,” says Sonday. This holographic polish does just this and more: it gives you an eye-catching, elevated finish. Teddy is the perfect sparkling nude for any fancy winter look or chunky sweater.
- Holographic, cat-eye appearance
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Reviewers report mixed reviews when it comes to using a magnetic wand with this polish
Best for a velvet finish: OPI Matte Top Coat — $12.00
Size: 0.5 fl oz | Type: Regular | Finish: Matte
Winter is a great time to experiment with different nail textures, according to our experts. “Soft matte texture provides a muted appearance over any shade, stimulating multiple senses,” says Sonday. That’s why she recommends changing up your typical polish look with this matte top coat for a smooth, velvety finish.
- Velvety soft look
- Can be worn overtop any polish
- Takes a minute to dry down, can be sticky
Best icy: Londontown Lakur in Powder — $15.00
Size: 0.4 fl oz | Type: Regular | Finish: Shimmer
“Frosty-pearl-like polishes or chromes mimic the festive lights of the holiday season and provide just enough dazzle,” says Sonday. This is why she loves an icy white nail polish pick, like this one, that can provide a high-shine, three-dimensional finish.
- Infused with plant oils
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Can be streaky, so you might need to apply multiple coats
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Best jelly: Butter London Jelly Preserve Strengthening Treatment — $18.00
Size: 0.4 fl oz | Type: Regular | Finish: Jelly
Jelly nails aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, according to the artists. “Jelly looks are trending and a way to take jelly into winter is by using a darker shade,” says Gerstein. She recommends using a jelly-textured polish or making any shade into jelly yourself by mixing 4-5 drops of it into a topcoat. If you want to opt for the former, we love this polish because it gives off a nice wash of color and is also a nail-strengthening treatment.
- Nail strengthener
- Versatile depending on the amount of coats you use
Best chocolate: Mineral Fusion Rosé All Day — $10.00
Size: 0.33 fl oz | Type: Regular | Finish: Shimmer
Jewel-toned chocolate browns are another favorite of Gerstein’s for winter. “This is a chocolate brown with a little shimmer to give it more shine, yet doesn’t read too metallic. It’s not garish or shiny as metal, but gives a high gloss effect,” she says.
- Extra wide brush to make application easy
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Some reviewers report that the polish chips easily
Best jet black: Essie Licorice — $9.00
Size: 0.5 fl oz | Type: Regular | Finish: Glossy
You simply can’t go wrong with jet-black nail polish in wintertime according to Gerstein, and there are ways to make the hue more versatile too. “Opt for a jelly finish, or make it marbelized. It’s all about taking a color and texturizing it,” she says.
- Very saturated and can be mixed and matched with various topcoats
Best jewel toned: OPI Peppermint Bark and Bite — $12.00
Size: 0.5 fl oz | Type: Regular | Finish: Metallic
Jewel and gemstone-inspired polishes are a great choice for winter, according to Sonday, which is why she loves this shimmering forest green polish that looks stunning on various skin tones and adds sophistication to any look.
- Rich and shimmering
- Long-wearing
- Very pigmented, can be a little messy
What to look for in a winter nail color
The artists say to look for a few things when shopping for or applying a winter nail color. They recommend looking for rich hues, unique textures, and hydrating nail care products. Here’s what to keep in mind when shopping or during your next manicure appointment:
Rich hues
“When searching for the perfect winter shade, look for rich, saturated hues for a chic, sophisticated statement,” says Sonday. This means opting for darker colors like jet black, burgundy, deep green, and navy.
Unique textures
Whether you prefer a little shine or a lot of matte, the artists encourage you to play around with texture for your fall or winter manicure. Try a matte top coat over your favorite nail polish, or wear icy, shimmery, or chrome-like polishes with extra sheen and sparkle.
Hydrating nail products
No matter what type of manicure you land on, the artists say that keeping your cuticles and hands moisturized in wintertime is non-negotiable. “Frequent handwashing and harsh elements call for moisturizer and a vitamin-enriched cuticle oil,” says Sonday. The Eos Shea Butter 24-Hour Vanilla Cashmere Moisturizer ($9) and the CND SolarOil ($10) are perfect for this.
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