Bring on the snow days and hot chocolate now that winter is almost here! Whether you are curled up by a fire or about to get a few drinks après ski, we’ve got the winter nail design ideas to keep your manicure on point all winter long.
From sweater nails, shades of blues, chrome designs, cute snowy trees, snowmen, holiday looks, or glittery silver sparkles, use these inspiration photos for your next winter manicure—we’ve got simple classic designs and fun nail trends to suit everyone!
Looking for more nail design ideas? Check out:
At home winter nails vs. salon nails:
While you can do so many manicure looks at home now with gel manicure kits, it can be a little intimidating to some who are not as steady with their hands or just generally prefer the pampered experience at their local nail salon.
While gel manicures will generally last longer than traditional polish (usually 2-3 weeks for a gel manicure), there are traditional polish brands that boast several weeks of wear from their products with a good top coat and you don’t have the longer gel removal process at home if you choose to take off your own polish.
Some of the trickier techniques like chrome or magnetic polish also might be a little easier in the hands of a professional, but if you have a gel nail kit at home, they are looks that are fun to try and master.
Of course, doing a press-on nail is the easiest way to get your perfect winter style at home by yourself, so there’s no shame in finding your favorite look and grabbing your nail glue.
Winter Nail Ideas:
Icy Waves
These blue nails are all dressed up in a winter color palette with silver sparkly waves that will add glam to any winter outfit.
Snowy Sweater
These half sweater nails are Instagram ready and a great way to add in a sweater texture accent to a nude nail.
Blue Gradient Tips
Bring in all your favorite blues, from navy to baby, to create a gradient look with blue tips that will look cool all winter long.
Winter Wonderland
These shimmering white cat eye nails are perfect for the snowy winter season.
Baby Blue Accents
Bring out the perfect shade of baby blue for the season and accent your nails with a sweater pattern and a few dazzling snowflakes for some delicate winter nail art.
Ornament Nails
Our favorite winter nail designs usually involve some sort of glitter, so how cute are these tiny 3D ornaments that accent this sparkly design?
Chrome Snowflakes
This winter nail look features chrome icy blue nails under some delicate white snowflakes.
Fir Forest
Use a small detail brush to add a snowy Christmas wonderland to your nails with this winter design.
Sparkle French Outlines
This nail design adds a blue sparkle French tip outline over a gradient tip for some winter glamour on your fingertips.
Half Moon Merlot
This eye-catching half moon design done in a deep merlot color is the perfect red to carry you through the winter season.
Sweater Weather
These blue sweater nails with a matte finish are just about as cute as you can get for winter—it’s like a cozy sweater for each finger!
Reindeer Love
This sweet little reindeer is ready to join Santa’s sleigh! Try just one as an accent nail or add to every nail for a whole team.
Oh Christmas Tree
Bring the holiday spirit to your nails with this pretty Christmas tree and sweater nail accent.
Sweet Snowmen
What’s better than a cute snowman in the middle of winter? Having a few on your pink manicure perhaps …
Frosty Accents
This winter mood is downright storybook and cute through Christmas and beyond.
Snow and Ice
Adding some silver sparkle and rhinestone accents are cute for any snowy evening out.
Blue Sparkle Tips
Choose a few different blue (like a midnight blue and a lighter shade) to create a layered French manicure and add a cool chill to your manicure.
Silver Chains
These chrome silver chains over a classic French manicure add a little shimmer to a more basic look.
Ice Ice Baby
These light blue cat eye nails with a snowflake detail are perfection for short winter nails.
Mad For Plaid
This red and burgundy plaid is what holiday dreams are made of! Add a few snowflake accents and your look is holiday party ready.
Green Velvet
This minty green cat eye mani gives the look of soft velvet and it’s so pretty! Cat eye effects are pretty on both long and short nails, so feel free to try it no matter your nail length.
Classic Christmas Plaid
What’s more classic than a red and green plaid manicure for the holiday season? You can also do just a few accent nails with this look for a toned down version.
Snow Way
You don’t have to give up pink nails in winter! Keep your favorite shade and add some pretty snowflakes over top.
Polar Bear Express
This sweet polar bear is a cute choice to keep you company this winter.
Peek A Boo
These nude and black nails with a negative space heart are the perfect neutral nail for winter.
Glitter Lined
For a holiday twist on the classic French manicure, try this doubled lined glitter option to add a little ooh la la.
Evergreen Accents
This deep forest green manicure has all the classic looks of French tips with a fun present bow accent nail.
Holiday Bows
Add some girly flair to your classic French manicure with this red bow design.
Beary Christmas
This cutie Christmas bear manicure is ready for winter with just a few sweet nail stickers.
Hint of Black
Add a bit of drama to your nails with these sleek nails that have just the bottom side dipped in black polish.
Silver Tips
Add some silver chrome to your French manicure with these shiny tips.
Lace and Pearls
Add the look of lace and pearls to your Easter manicure for a fun yet sophisticated look.
Peppermint Patty
These peppermint red and white nails are just right to be the star of any holiday party.
Winter Pearls
These half moon pearl accent nails remind us of snowballs and would look pretty with just about any outfit.
Blue Babe
These squared off tips are accented with a pretty chrome blue hue.
Pearlized Cranberry
Pearl nails are super trendy and you can mix and match French tips and full color nails in a deep red shade.
Snowy Day
These pearlized white nails look like ice crystals on a snowy morning.
Winter Blues
These are the winter blues you DO want! Gradient baby blue turns to a snowy white polish with this pretty manicure.
Frosted Tips
These 3D sparkling snow banks are so fun and bring a little whimsy to your manicure.
All That Glitters
These glitter ombre nails will bring just the right amount of sparkle to your winter season.
Christmas Checkers
This trendy manicure brings in all the fun of the checkered print in a classic festive green shade.
Icy White
These hologram nails remind us of pretty icicles and will still look on trend for New Year’s Eve.
Golden Touch
Whether you want some holiday sparkle or some bling for NYE, this look will help you shine.
Emerald Green French
Pick your favorite shade of green and do a French tip for a colorful take on a classic.
Mistletoe Lane
Wear this sweet mistletoe manicure design and you just might get your crush to kiss you this holiday season! Try dabbing some glitter polish on the end of your nails with a makeup sponge and then paint on or use small nail stickers to decorate.
Hot Coco Vibes
As if you need an excuse to get hot chocolate, give these hot coco nails a try!
Rose Gold Shimmer
This design with double outlined glitter French tips is perfect for Christmas into New Year’s Eve.
Silver Bells
These silver glitter French tip outlines are just the right touch of sparkle.
Candy Cane Lane
An all over candy cane design is sure to keep your nails looking sweet this Christmas.
Snow Place Like Home
These large snowflakes make a statement on each nail and on a nude background they are subtle yet sweet.
Mirror Ball
These short silver chrome nails are the ultimate in trendy nails.
Burgundy-Kissed Tips
For a pop of holiday color, these French burgundy nails are perfect to keep things classy but festive.
Hologram Holidays
Since the holidays are officially sponsored by all things glittery, these icy hologram nails will look great by the fire as well as by the disco ball for New Year’s Eve.
Sparkle Black French
Adding some sparkle under a black French tip manicure brings some fun into a classic look.
Snow Drifts
These white abstract swirls remind us of curving snow drifts in winter (and they would be really pretty in white glitter too!).
