Hi, You’re Gonna <3 These 60 Winter Nail Ideas (2024)

Hi, You’re Gonna <3 These 60 Winter Nail Ideas (1)

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I’m sorry, but I honestly believe that everyone is sleeping on winter nails. Like, you’re telling me you jump straight from holiday nail colors (see: festive Christmas nail designs and sparkly New Year’s nails) right into spring nail colors? From jewel tones to pastels? Because I could never. Instead, I keep my nails winter-appropriate with all the unique designs and moody colors that Wednesday Addams would approve of—and I highly recommend you try the winter-nail life for yourself, too.

And no, I’m not just talking about regular ol’ blacks and burgundies—I’m talking super-shiny finishes, chrome accents, and intensely opaque polishes. So whether you have a stash of press-ons, a standing salon appointment, or a love affair with doing your own manicures, you’ll be set for your next mani with the below 60 (!) winter nail ideas. Yup, your camera roll is about to get really, really full.

✔️ P.S., This is new, up-to-date info, bb. We updated this article in January 2023 to add new trending winter nails we saw all over Instagram, delete outdated oldies, and give you the latest nail tips to DIY these designs at home.

1

Black and gray winter aura nails

These nails are giving major Matrix vibes, which Cosmo already predicted to be a big 2023 winter fashion trend. Definitely pair this with a long leather jacket, Matrix sunglasses (obvi), and silver jewelry to match the chrome on your nails.

2

Snowflake and light-blue nails

My dream winter day consists of a snowstorm outside with me inside, snuggled under four blankets with a CSI marathon. But when the weather doesn’t exactly catch my vibe, I like to make it up with a snow-y manicure. If you’re recreating the look, pop on some snowflake nail decals, or have your nail artist draw on the snowflakes and then cover them in acrylic powder for a similar raised, matte effect.

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3

Light-blue aura nail design

My Instagram explore page has been full of aura nail designs as of late (prob because I follow almost as many nail accounts as I do astrology pages). But this abstract mani is one of my favs, complete with its winter-y light blue and white hues, since it feels light and clean for the start of 2023.

4

Black micro-French nails

Had your fill of flashy holiday nail designs? Give this simple, minimalist manicure a try. The micro French tips, especially when painted black, look understated yet ~editorial~ and require very little skill to DIY. Just cover a makeup sponge in seran wrap, paint the surface with a thin layer of black nail polish, then gently press the tip of your nail into the polish to get a crisp, clean line (à la this French Tip tutorial).

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5

Shimmery hot-cocoa nails

I lived in Chicago through six (!) intense winters, which meant I spent a lot of time indoors, staying warm and drinking hot cocoa. So to pay homage, I’m skipping the frigid temps this year and choosing cocoa-colored nails. And since I like things ~extra~, I’m wearing a shimmery-brown nail polish to make my manicure feel festive.

6

Metallic light-blue winter nails

This icy-blue nail polish with a hint of sparkle screams winter (I mean, Elsa from Frozen would 100p wear this). Pair it with your shiniest silver jewelry to bring out all those sparkles, or throw on a blue sweater to really play up the winter vibes.

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7

Glitter ombré tips for winter

If you want your manicure to look like sparkling snow on a sunny winter day, try these glittery ombré tips with a snowflake design. Outline the tip of your nail and fill it in with the lightest color, then do the same with the other two shades, lining them up with the previous color. Then, to get the seamless ombré, melt the shades together by swirling a clean nail brush through the edges of each shade to blend.

8

Plum winter nails

Winter is the perfect time to play around with deep, cool-toned shades, like burgundies, merlots, and plums. I’m personally loving how this plum shade—when paired with 2023’s required biker jacket—feels like an edgier, brighter neutral than a classic black. For the more opaque finish, paint on two to three coats of polish, then finish it off with a long-lasting top coat.

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9

Orange winter nail trend

Pantone’s trend forecasters are predicting orange to be one of the biggest shades across fashion and beauty this year. So if you’re all about being ahead of the trends, try it first on your nails with a coral-y orange polish. It’s just soft and creamy enough that it doesn’t feel too summery, but it’ll still give you some brightness to help offset some winter blues.

10

Glazed-donut French tips for winter

I’ve already talked everyone’s ears off about my Hailey Bieber glazed-donut nail obsession, but it’s! not! over! (And I’m not even mad about it). This winter, Mrs. Bieber has been wearing almond-shaped French tips covered in chrome powder for a glazed finish, creating a new twist on her old trend.

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11

Penguin winter nail design

How frickin’ adorable is this penguin nail art? Like, I have cute aggression just looking at it. And with the help of a penguin nail sticker, you, too, will be able to DIY this look at home. Just paint on your base color, draw a squiggly line at your cuticles, fill in the space with white polish, then add snowflakes with a nail-dotting tool. To finish, press on your penguin sticker and layer on a top coat to lock it down.

12

Silver and black abstract French tips

An icy, shimmery, silver nail color will always feel like a festive staple come winter. So if you’ve already worn it a few times this season or just like to be a little extra, add a swirly French tip in a shiny black nail polish to give it a gloomy edge. These tips don’t have to be symmetrical or perfect whatsoever, so even nail-art newbs can easily recreate them.

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13

Chocolate-pudding winter nails

Wait, this chocolate-brown nail color looks almost good enough to eat, IMO. It's rich, which makes it perfect for a classic dark winter nail color, and also decidedly neutral, which helps it look good on every skin tone.

14

Shiny-black winter nails

Get out your checkered Vans and black eyeliner because grunge is back, bb. But make it a little less angsty than your 9th-grade Sharpie manicure, and a bit more 2023 chic by layering on two coats of an ultra-shiny top coat.

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15

Brown, beige, and cream gradient tips

I can’t unsee the coffee-creamer chart whenever I look at this neutral-toned, French-tip mani (but honestly, seeing caffeine every time I stare down at my nails isn’t exactly a bad thing). You can stick with a true gradient across all of your nails, or mix it up a bit for a more “Skittles” effect, as seen above.

16

Jewel and tortoise nails for winter

Jewel tones are great fall nail colors, because they combine some warmth and richness that brings together the shades of summer and winter. But you can make them feel a bit more wintery by choosing darker versions of the shades you loved last season by incorporating a tortoiseshell accent.

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17

Disco-ball nails for winter

I’m all about celebrating New Year’s for as long as possible, especially on my nails with a disco ball-esque nail design like this one. I love how the mani looks when combined with multicolor confetti, giving it a celebratory feeling, rather than looking like a leftover NYE manicure.

18

Cobalt-blue and glitter French tips

Keep scrolling through this list and you’ll see a lot of blue nails (hey, it’s the quintessential color of winter). But if you’re bored of all the deep shades, try French tips in a shade of cobalt blue. The hue still has a winter vibe (especially thanks to the mani’s festive gold accent nails), but doesn’t feel as blah and understated as the darker blues.

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19

Mauve and smokey-blue nails

Every single one of the colors in this gradient nail look reminds me of a cozy winter sweater. These shades all have a smokey undertone that makes them match even though they’re all slightly different hues.

20

Gold and silver confetti nails for winter

Winter is the time of all the glitziest award shows (hi, Golden Globes, Oscars, and Grammys!). So pay homage on your nails with a confetti look that says “Yes, I did attend the Vanity Fair After Party…in my heart.” For a quick DIY, try a confetti polish (like OPI’s Pop the Baubles shown here, or Cirque Colors Kaleidoscope for a colorful version).

Hi, You’re Gonna <3 These 60 Winter Nail Ideas (22)

Beth Gillette

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.

Hi, You’re Gonna <3 These 60 Winter Nail Ideas (23)

Valeriya Chupinina

Valeriya Chupinina is a freelance beauty and wellness writer exploring the multifaceted connection between the aesthetic and internal. You can find her work in outlets like Coveteur, HYPEBAE, and NBGA. In addition to her editorial work, she consults on social media strategies for brands. You can keep up with her on Instagram @valeriyaliyevna.

Hi, You’re Gonna <3 These 60 Winter Nail Ideas (24)

Ama Kwarteng

Ama Kwarteng was previously the associate beauty editor at Cosmopolitan.

Hi, You’re Gonna <3 These 60 Winter Nail Ideas (2024)
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