Shop E Store Sweater weather is officially here and it’s the season for fresh sweaters nail polish For the winter. Dark burgundy, icy white, velvet matte, and jet black are just a few of the perfect shades to add to your rotation during the colder months. Here, we spoke to a celebrity nail artist based in New York Elle Gerstein New Jersey based nail artist Stephanie Sonday Learn about the exact colors to consider and other winter nail trends to try. Read on for artists’ top 10 winter nail colors and tips on what to look for for the ultimate winter manicure.
Overview of the top 10 winter nail colors:
- Best overall: CND Vinylux Take Root, $12
- Best cranberries: Orly Nail Polish Bedrock Bloom, $10
- Best burgundy: Chanel Red Black, $32
- Best metallic: ILNP Teddy Magnetic Holographic Nail Polish, $12
- Ideal for velvet finishes: OPI Matte Top Coat, $12
- Best ice cream: London Town LaCour powder included, $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 Gem Toning: OPI Peppermint Bark and Sip, $12.
Shop the 10 Best Winter Nail Colors
Best overall: CND Vinylux Take Root — $12.00
size: 0.25 fl oz | type: Shellac | Finish: shiny
According to Sonday, deep nail colors are always popular during the colder months. “Winter is best when you layer up and embrace the warm, cozy atmosphere of rich amber and spicy notes,” she says. That’s why she loves this burgundy-brown polish that looks beautiful on a variety of skin tones and reminds us of a warm, comforting drink.
- deep and intense
- Warm colors perfect for cold seasons
- Contains shellac. May not be suitable for all nail polish wearers who prefer gel manicures.
Best Cranberry: Orly Nail Polish Bedrock Bloom — $10.00
size: 0.6 fl oz | type: Regular | Finish: shiny
“Cranberry is the signature color of winter, and you’ll see a lot of celebrities accessorizing with it,” says Gerstein, who recommends this cranberry-colored polish to stay on trend. It’s a creamy reddish purple that pairs well with any cozy sweater.
- Creamy and rich color
- Available at your local drugstore
- It’s very pigmented so it can get a little messy
Best Burgundy: Chanel Rouge Noir — $32.00
size: 0.4 fl oz | type: Regular | Finish: shiny
Both artists share that the black cherry shade is perfect for winter. “Look at dark reds like black cherry, merlot, and burgundy,” says Gerstein. She recommends choosing a versatile burgundy red like this color, which can be worn in one of two ways. “It can be worn solid or mixed with a top coat for a more sheer finish,” she says.
- classic and reliable
- Mix it with a top coat for a more unique and transparent finish.
Best Metallic: ILNP Teddy Magnetic Holographic Nail Polish — $12.00
size: 0.4 fl oz | type: Regular | Finish: holographic
“Cat eye, or magnetic polish, conveys a sense of rarity and luxury,” says Sonday. This holographic polish does all this and more for an eye-catching, elevated finish. Teddy is a sparkling nude that’s perfect for a fancy winter look or a chunky sweater.
- Holographic, cat-eye look
- Vegan and no animal testing
- Reviewers report mixed reviews when using a magnetic wand with this polish
Best for velvet finishes: OPI Matte Top Coat — $12.00
size: 0.5 fl oz | type: Regular | Finish: mat
According to our experts, winter is the perfect time to experiment with different nail textures. “The soft matte texture gives any shade a calming effect and stimulates 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.
- Soft look like velvet
- Can be worn over any polish
- Takes 1 minute to dry and may be sticky
Best Ice Cream: Powdered London Town La Cour — $15.00
size: 0.4 fl oz | type: Regular | Finish: shimmer
“Polishes and chromes like frosty pearls mimic the festive lights of the holiday season and provide plenty of dazzle,” says Sonday. That’s why she loves icy white nail polish picks like this one, which give a shiny, dimensional finish.
- Contains vegetable oil
- Vegan and no animal testing
- Multiple coats may need to be applied due to potential for streaking
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Best Jelly: Butter London Jelly Preserve Strengthening Treatment — $18.00
size: 0.4 fl oz | type: Regular | Finish: jelly
Artists say jelly nails aren’t going away anytime soon. “The jelly look is on trend, and the way to incorporate jelly into winter is with darker shades,” says Gerstein. She recommends using a jelly-like polish or mixing 4-5 drops into your top coat to jelly any shade yourself. If you want to choose the former, I love this polish. This is because it removes color beautifully and is also a treatment that strengthens your nails.
- nail strengthener
- Versatile depending on the amount of coats used
Best Chocolate: Mineral Fusion Rosé All Day — $10.00
size: 0.33 fl oz | type: Regular | Finish: shimmer
Jewel-toned chocolate brown is also a winter favorite for Gerstein. “This is a chocolate brown with a little bit of shimmer to give it more shine, but it’s not too metallic. It’s not as flashy or shiny as metal, but it does give you a high shine effect,” she says .
- Wide brush for easy application
- Vegan and no animal testing
- Some reviewers report that the polish chips easily
Best Jet Black: Essie Licorice — $9.00
size: 0.5 fl oz | type: Regular | Finish: shiny
According to Gerstein, you can’t go wrong with a jet black nail polish for winter, and there are ways to make the shade more versatile. “Choose whether you want a jelly finish or marvelized. The key is to get the color and texture it,” she says.
- Very saturated and can be used in combination with various top coats
Best Gem Toning: OPI Peppermint Bark and Bite — $12.00
size: 0.5 fl oz | type: Regular | Finish: metallic
Sonday says polishes inspired by gemstones and jewels are perfect for winter, and she loves this shimmering forest green polish, which looks great on a variety of skin tones and adds sophistication to any outfit.
- rich and sparkling
- long lasting
- It’s very pigmented so it can get a little messy
Things to be careful about when coloring your nails in winter
Artists say there are a few things to keep in mind when buying and applying winter nail color. We recommend looking for nail care products with rich colors, unique textures, and moisturizing properties. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping or booking your next manicure.
rich colors
“When looking for the perfect winter shade, look for rich, saturated hues that make a chic and sophisticated statement,” says Sonday. This means choosing dark colors like jet black, burgundy, deep green, and navy.
unique texture
Whether you prefer something with a little shine or a matte texture, the artist recommends playing with textures in your fall or winter manicure. give it a try matte top coat You can also layer it over your favorite nail polish or wear an icy, glittery, or chrome-like nail polish for added shine and shine.
moisturizing nail products
No matter what kind of manicure you choose, artists say keeping your cuticles and hands moisturized is a non-negotiable during the winter. “Frequent hand washing and harsh environments call for moisturizers and vitamin-rich cuticle oils,” says Sonday. of Eos Shea Butter 24 Hour Vanilla Cashmere Moisturizer ($9) and cnd solar oil ($10) is perfect for this.
These products are independently selected by our editors. When you buy through our links, Well+Good may earn a commission.
