Winter comes amply sprinkled in snow and aesthetic references—and the best winter nail designs embody them all. “Whenever winter rolls around, I always think of deep colors, and also metallics,” says nail artist Stephanie Stone. “And, of course, you can never go wrong with a deep red mani. Always timeless and classic every year!”
The world is truly your winter manicure oyster. There are sparkly, light-throwing manicures, moody hues, and all of the reds, unique finishes and textures (and a garden of greens) set this winter s nail art apart.
“I anticipate seeing a lot of the velvet nail trend, which can be achieved with a magnet gel or polish,” says Stone. “This look can be in any color range and looks sparkly from some angles and solid in others, depending on the lighting.” Cool tones, seasonal motifs, and gilded touches round out the wintertime menu, each look made more memorable through idiosyncratic adaptations. After all, more time spent inside means an opportunity to get creative, the better to spark a style frenzy during appearances at the welcome barrage of seasonal soirées.
Here, winter nail designs that embody the spirit of the glitziest time of year.
Gold Accents
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Put a golden bow on it! The accent—whether in hair or on nails—is a glamorous, occasion-worthy abstraction.
Velvet Stripes
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Red, but make it extra. The simple addition of a mixed-texture stripe with the candied crimson offers an ode to the coming holidays.
Starry Night
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Stars and silver glitter—need we say more? The tinsel-strewn season calls for all things shimmer, so start with your winter mani.
Color-Blocked Brown
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“I think we’re also going to see a lot of chocolate nails!” says Stone of winter s trends. “I love this color because it’s versatile with any outfit.” Brown blocked with white lightens up the shade for something a bit more playful.
Festive Velvet Cateye
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A red-and-green take on the ever-popular velvet nails is sure to get compliments galore.
Metallic Green
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Green reimagined as a warm metallic makes for the ultimate seasonal shade. Paint over all of your beds, or try the polish on one or two nails for a subtle statement.
Vampy Red
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It s a classic for a reason: Dark red is eternally stylish. The shade gains traction as the year comes to a close and is a seasonal neutral in its own right.
Moody Floral
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Florals? For winter? Should they feature deep hues and moody motifs, we are all in.
Sterling Touches
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Why not apply your polish as you would jewelry? Thoughtfully placed arcs of silver allow you to adorn nails to match your metallic mood.
Gilded Additions
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Gold detailing is even more elegant when paired with a rhinestone or two.
Rose Gold
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Roses feel wintery when they re delicate and gold. Place petals on different areas of each nail for a continuation of your favorite gilded jewelry.
Constellation Nails
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Longer nights mean more time to stare at the stars. Let the constellations inspire your next manicure: Choose one or two that hold meaning to you for a personalized polish job.
Metallic Tips
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The playful French is a mainstay this season, providing the perfect platform to showcase winter s signatures. A metallic tip is subtle, chic, and easily individualized.
Reverse French
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Minimalism is forever, and this reverse French—applied in nude—spans seasons. The application is decidedly chic and destined to further any winter ensemble.
Shimmering Brown
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Take your want of browns and bronzes up a notch with a glimmering iteration. The combination of warmth and radiance is the embodiment of cozy glamour.
Seeing Stars
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The shade-on-shade touch gives this sterling mani a cool and modern edge.
Graphic Red
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Red may be a classic color, but that doesn t mean your application has to be tried-and-true. Get creative with shapes and placement and trust the bold hue to carry the look.
Glitz and Glam
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Glitzy glimmer applied in creative, stylized shapes makes your winter manicure appealingly unique. Apply a partial frame in black before layering with glitter, gems, and more.
Twisted Neutrals
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Adding a bit of chocolate nail art to a neutral manicure makes a regular glossy manicure a bit more fun.
Emerald Green
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The high-shine shade of emerald green calls pine trees and nature to mind, providing a subtle nod to the holiday season.
Teddy Bear Velvet
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Multiple coats of holographic polish feel appropriately celebratory and buoyant—but in a shade considered neutral, it still feels timeless.
Ready to paint? Shop some of Vogue’s favorite nail polishes, below.
Have a beauty or wellness trend you re curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue’s senior beauty wellness editor an email at beauty@vogue.com.
