While we love watching the seasons change, there’s no denying the fact that winter can start feeling dreary when you’re constantly reaching for your puffer coat and it comes time to transition from bright spring nails to darker, winter colors. Want to add a stylish twist to your routine? Embrace some of the eye-catching winter nail art designs that are bound to take over your social media feed this season.
Need some inspiration to get your started? Take some from Salina Néou, a nail technician with StyleSeat: “I love using chromes and glitters during winter, especially around the holidays as you don’t need to add much for it to look good. A solid chrome or glitter set is just the perfect mixture of classic and fun.” Néou adds that if you want to take it up a notch, you can incorporate accents, such as pearls, to create dimension. “Chains and piercings can add a really unique edge to your style and will be attention-grabbing all on their own,” says Néou. “One of my favorite styles for winter is having every nail be a completely different design and sticking to using hues of only one color. It's such a gorgeous and chic look!”
Of course, you’ll need some nail maintenance tips as well, since you’re going to want those cuticles looking fresh next to your fierce nail art! “Keeping your cuticles moisturized is essential for the dry, winter season,” says Néou. “Applying a little cuticle oil or even lotion daily will go a long way to preventing your cuticles from cracking. Cracked cuticles aren’t pleasant to look at, but they also hurt and can allow bacteria to enter your body. It’s also important to hydrate them after using harsh sanitizers and polish removers as they strip the nail area of natural oils.”
From minimalist, barely-there designs to bold manicures, we’ve rounded up 30 winter nail art designs for you to try. Bonus: So many of them you can easily DIY at home with nail polish you’ve scored in past Glam Bags. Read on and get your hands ready for their closeup.
Meet the Expert
Salina Néou, a nail technician and StyleSeat Pro.
1. Pretty Pearls
Pearls are thee quintessential jewelry for a classic holiday look, so it only makes sense to extend them to your nails. Use a holographic nail polish, like COLOR CLUB Cosmic Fate, for the base, then glue on tiny pearls for a chic mani that will be the talk of the holiday dinner table.
2. Simple Snowflakes
What could be more wintery than the image of snowflakes falling from the sky? Even if you live in an area where you never see snow, you can appreciate this sweet nail art. This particular design uses a neutral shade as a base, but the holiday cheer still comes across brilliantly.
3. Pastel Shimmer
These surprisingly make a great look for holiday-themed nails, (despite anyone thinking that pastels are strictly for spring). The pearly finish gives them a wintery vibe, and the rhinestone accents bring on Mariah Carey-levels of glam. Gorgeous!
4. Secret Santa
Think you’re looking at simple red French tips? Think again. If you look closely, one of the nails features a tiny Christmas hat. How genius is that? It’s a simple negative space design that anyone can do. All you need is COLOR CLUB Nail Art Striper in White to do the job.
5. Seasonal Split
Can’t decide on a nail art design? Who says you have to choose? Do a two-tone inspired look by painting one half of your nail tips in a red shade (with added snowflakes), like ESSIE Gel Couture in Lady in Red, and the other in a plaid print. The look also creates a super interesting negative space effect on the nails. Tis the season to be inventive!
6. Sparkly Tips
A glittery take on a French mani, this ombré design is easy to DIY yourself with a gorgeous glitter, like SMITH AND CULT Nail Polish in A Little Lovely, and a light hand. Add tiny stars on a few of the nails for an extra special celestial touch.
7. Negative But Nice
As Néou mentioned, a variety of designs on each nail is a fun way to do holiday-themed nails, and the negative space gives it a unique look. This one incorporates delicately painted candy canes, Christmas tree ornaments, snowflakes and more.
8. A Dark Winter Night
If you like your nail polish dark, but still want to have something on theme for the season, this design is perfect for you. It illustrates that feeling of being cozy at home in the wintertime (without traditionally festive colors), but is also a little spooky too. Winter nail art for goths! Use a black nail polish and top it off with ESSIE Matte About You to get this exact look.
9. Sweater Weather
Now’s the time to break out your favorite holiday sweater, whether it’s a classic knit or an ugly Christmas sweater. But don’t stop there! Why not do sweater nails to match? These are a mix of gold glitter, reindeer antler art, and sweater-themed nails. Too cute.
10. Red and Gold Glam
This classic red and gold look simply screams holiday. Paint your entire nail with a red nail polish, such as ESSIE Gel Couture in Scarlet Starlet, then line the tips with a gold shade. You can also add a delicate detailed line in the middle with a nail striper for extra bling.
11. Cosmic Visions
Want something dreamy on your nails for winter, but don’t want anything that’s obvious for the season. Better yet, something that also works any time of the year? This pretty pastel space theme is too cute for words. Get the look yourself with a lavender shade like SUNDAYS No. 47 and gold glitter for the stars and planets.
12. Marvelous Mistletoe
This mix of negative space nail art and a classic red mani is truly stunning. The mistletoes are drawn perfectly, and the glitter dots give it an extra oomph of holiday glam. Mrs. Santa is shaking in her boots!
13. Christmas Confetti
If you want nail art that’s easy to do yourself, but will still wow everyone at your holiday work party, this is it! It’s all about packing a chunky multi-colored glitter, like ORLY Turn It Up, onto the nail. It’s so simple, yet makes your nails look like a snow globe, in the very best way.
14. Simply Sophisticated
This is another way to add pearl accents, like Néou recommends, but in a minimal way. First you paint your nails black (NAILS INC Black Taxi Gel Effect Nail Polish is a good choice), leaving room for a half moon. Then, you paint a gold line straight in the middle and as a sort of a-line on the bottom, so the negative space is a triangle and looks amost like a wishbone. Finally, you add a tiny pearl smack in the middle of the base of your nail. Chef’s kiss!
15. Gingerbread Cuteness
This nail art brings the ultimate holiday cheer. If you don’t have time to bake gingerbread man cookies this year, you can at least have them on your nails! Take this design to your nail artist for inspo, unless you have a steady enough hand to DIY it yourself. You can use any sort of base color, but this would especially look darling against a classic red.
16. Minimal Dots
If you’re not a major fan of bold nail art but are ready to lean into nail designs, start with this chic nude that incorporates dainty white polka dots in the corner, creating a sophisticated yet minimalist design.
17. Preppy Stripes
These schoolgirl chic nails will take you back to prep school, and they are so easy to recreate at home thanks to this quick video tutorial. All you need to master this nail art is a cool combo that incorporates maroon (SUNDAYS nail polish in No. 18, to be exact) and mustard—no pro nail artist required to recreate this nail design that even works on short nails.
18. Tri-Chic
A feminine color combo of lavender and burgundy was used to create this trendy winter nail design that would be perfect for the holidays and even cuter come Valentine’s Day. To DIY this nail art manicure, you’ll need MISCHO BEAUTY’s Nail Lacquer in Lacquer of Love, which serves as the base color, and COLOR CLUB Nail Lacquer in Can You Not? (for the design) to create the geometric triangle on each nail.
19. It’s Hip To Be Square
Geometric shapes breathe new life into winter nail designs, and this silver square is so easy to recreate at home, making it the perfect look for anyone who wants to frost their tips. This negative space manicure features FLUIDE 7-free polish in Strut. After the nails were painted with the cool hue, silver squares were added for a bold metallic burst that’s perfect for ringing in the new year.
20. Purrfect Print
Ready to take a walk on the wild side? You had us at a leopard party nail. This nude nail gets a trendy, animal-print update that serves up serious catitude. Whether you opt for accent nails (like this leopard print ring and pinky fingers) or rock the wild nail art on all your fingertips, this leopard print is a fun way to add a pop of pattern to your wardrobe, and it looks equally as eye-catching on short nails as it does on long nails.
21. Minty Fresh
This color-blocked creation, crafted by nail artist ChowMoji at the Cute Nail Studio in Austin, Texas, plays with mint and thin black lines to create the geometric nail design of our dreams, serving up a sophisticated twist on nail art with this grown-up, cool girl version.
22. Picasso Please
Unleash your inner artist. These ballerina pink nails are truly a work of art thanks to the Picasso-inspired design that features a thin black outline of facial features. While this might not be the first time a fine art manicure burst on the beauty scene, given the abstract nature of the inspo behind this mani you won’t have to worry if you don’t stay within the lines.
23. Deep V
This gray V design is one of the most foolproof nail art options on our list for beginners who are attempting to DIY nail art at home. Start with a neutral base color before adding the grey V, which was created with TRUST FUND BEAUTY’s Nail Polish in Zero Carbs. The inverted V helps to elongate the nail shape with this eye-catching nail art. You can also recreate this look on a white nail.
24. Read Between the Lines
This minimalist nude manicure gets a modern update thanks to a thin black line on each ring finger. Not only is this subdued take on nail art easy to DIY, but it also works on short nails, making it easy to recreate regardless of your nail shape. If you want to try the nail design at home, simply start with a base coat and two layers of PRETTY WOMAN’s Nude or Nothing nail polish. Next, using an extremely thin brush, paint a thin horizontal line across your nail.
25. New Moon
You’ve heard of a French manicure, but have you heard of the French moon mani? This edgy take on the classic style incorporates a black tip instead of the traditional white lining and plays with the negative space trend, creating an eye-catching nail design that’s perfect for winter.
26. Checkerboard Chic
A trio of squares come together to create a diagonal checkerboard nail pattern that’s perfect for the holidays. Jaleesa Moses rocked this geometric manicure, which started with a coat of TRUST FUND BEAUTY’s Kiss Kiss Darling before three squares were created across the nail. We especially love the way this geometric update adds some interest to traditional red nails.
27. Color-Blocked
The negative space manicure trend isn’t going anywhere, and we love the way this adds a feminine vibe to these neutral nails using a copper line. It’s the winter nail design we plan on wearing all season long. The combination of the soft green nail polish and the copper is a perfect pairing, but you can also get creative and swap the hue for a different color.
28. Celestial Cat Lady
What’s black and white and sparkles all over? This celestial manicure that’s bound to get double tapped. This fun take on nail art really pops thanks to the silver glitter and alternating nail colors, but it’s the cheeky cat and moon with star designs that have us giving this manicure a second glance. Bonus: The glittering mani reminds us of snowflakes.
29. Marbled Moment
These black nails are infused with metallic rose gold to create the most gorgeous marble nail art we’ve ever seen. When you get tired of rotating between a variety of dark hues on your nails, this intricate nail design is the perfect way to switch up your look. Ready to add marbled detailing to your manicure? Check out this marble mani video tutorial for pro tips.
30. Hey Stud
Blue jean baby, studded lady. These pretty, pastel blue nails are right on trend with the winter blue hues that are seriously in style for the cooler months, and the embellished square studs add the perfect amount of bling, dressing up the manicure in the most glam way. Two studs were stacked in the middle of both the middle finger and the ring finger, creating accent nails that are so easy to recreate at home, even if you have short nails. If you really want the studs to stand out, opt for a matte top coat to polish off your look.
Ready to prep your nails for winter? Get in on the IPSY Glam Bag fun to discover new products. Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started. If you’re already an Ipster, make sure you tell your friends all about it! You’ll be able to earn points to get free product. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY for more.
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