The 20 Best Winter Nail Colors to Keep at Your Fingertips This Season
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When you’re ready to switch up your winter manicure, it’s tempting to resort to the standards. Poinsettia reds, party-ready metallics, and deep blues tend to dominate our fingertips from now till spring. But according to professional manicurists, the best winter nail colors for 2023 cover way more territory on the color wheel.
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“My favorite winter colors are gray, deep slate blue, deep mustard, and pewter,” says Shani Evans, a New York City-based nail technician who’s an artist at Paintbox and instructor at the American Beauty Institute. Gray, explains Evans, is more of an “umbrella” color than a singular hue. It’s a versatile shade with more depth than meets the eye, making it a must-have for winter manicures. “You can find grays as dark as a thundercloud and as light as a robin’s feather,” Evans says, who loves gray polishes with blue or violet undertones. The right gray works with any ensemble, from chic knit dresses to great puffer jackets and the best sweatpants.
If you’re searching for cute winter nail colors that add some much-needed warmth to the season, you can channel that sunshine with the right polish. “Mustard yellow often gets slept on, but it’s gorgeous, keeps color in play during the dreary winter, and looks good on every skin tone — though it pops stunningly on darker skin,” she says. The same goes for slate blue, one of the best winter toe colors. It’s a nod to the cool tones the season is known for, but feels more grown-up than its icier, brighter counterparts.
You can’t go wrong with dark winter nail colors, either. Look for options that suit your skin’s undertones: Cool navy, warm burgundy, and chocolate brown nail polish colors are eye-catching options you can sport in adjacent seasons like fall and spring. These colors are as timeless as the best designer handbags.
As the industry continues to see advancements in the clean beauty space, the best winter nail colors also offer longtime nail polish wearers a new assortment of healthier and safer formulations that are free of harsh chemicals and damaging additives. Some even contain ingredients like ceramides and marula oil that help your nails stay strong and grow long while you’re wearing polish — no need for a break between manicures.
If your nails are ready for a wintertime refresh, read on to discover the best winter nail colors for every skin tone and manicure style.
JinSoon Nail Polish in Coquette
Manicurist Jin Soon Choi is a backstage fashion week regular — she’s dressed up the digits of celebrities like Bella Hadid and Karlie Kloss. Her nail polish line gives you the royal treatment with style-forward shades, so you can count on this berry red shade, Coquette, to earn you loads of compliments.
JinSoon Nail Polish in Coquette
Paintbox Single Nail Lacquer in Like Lush
This retro-inspired chartreuse nail polish is ideal for adding a touch of color to your look during the dead of winter. It’s eye-catching, yet muted, and really makes a statement against darker skin tones. With just enough warmth and vibrance, it’s a clear frontrunner for date night.
Paintbox Single Nail Lacquer in Like Lush
Hermès Les Mains Hermes Nail Enamel in Vert Écossais
“Emerald green is trending as a more unexpected shade that’s more contrary to the usual warm tones we see,” says Julie Kandalec, celebrity manicurist and owner of Julie K Nail Artelier in NYC. “I see it having lasting power throughout the colder season, [like] this custom-blended emerald shade I did on Jessica Chastain recently.” The Hermès Les Mains Hermes Nail Enamel in Vert Écossais achieves a similar effect. And it comes in a luxe, display-worthy bottle packaged in the luxury fashion house’s signature orange box.
Hermès Les Mains Hermes Nail Enamel in Vert Écossais
Essie Nail Polish Glossy Shine Finish in Cause & Reflect
Metallic blue runs the risk of being too loud, but this high-shine shade strikes all the right notes. This navy-tinted, silvery polish is one to reach for when you want your mani to have interest and dimension. Plus, with its ultra-glossy finish, a top coat isn’t necessary.
Essie Nail Polish Glossy Shine Finish in Cause & Reflect
Côte No. 95 Shimmery Slate Grey Nail Polish
A little sparkle goes a long way, so be wary of overdoing it. With hints of shimmer instead of an all-out metallic finish, this timeless slate gray works well for occasions throughout the season, from office happy hours to wrapping holiday gifts at home.
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Waking Up In Vegas
Not quite ready to let go of your summertime nudes? Stay in the same neutral color family but step out of your comfort zone just a little, suggests Kandalec. “I see nudes turning cooler as the days get shorter, à la more taupe,” she says. This Deborah Lippmann nail polish in Waking Up In Vegas is a spot-on choice.
Sephora Collection Color Hit Mini Nail Polish in Girls Night Out
If you’re going to go for glitter during the holiday party circuit, eschew lighter polishes in favor of bolder choices with more warmth, like this budget-friendly bronze shade from Sephora. “Shimmer is a classic finish for winter,” said LA-based manicurist Bana Jarjour. “But this season’s tones are more of a deeper bronze than a traditional champagne.”
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Golden Sand
Essie Nail Polish in Bordeaux
According to LA-based nail artist Chelsea King, burgundy isn’t going anywhere this season. In fact, a deep, rich red is one of her all-time favorite nail colors for winter. “It’s a classic that’s always on-trend every year, but be on the lookout for different variations, like a deep red with a hint of purple or a red so dark it’s almost black,” she says.
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Dirty Little Secret
One of King’s other cold-weather standards is anything with iridescence (aka, Hailey Bieber’s favorite glazed donut nail look). “I think of it as a highlighter for your nails, and it’s a great choice if you love nail art but need something quick,” she says. “I love that these polishes look like different colors depending on how you look at them, and they’re great as a sheer coat on their own or layering over other colors.”
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Dirty Little Secret
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Dirty Little Secret
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Dirty Little Secret
786 Halal Nail Polish in Karachi
This rich evergreen hue is reminiscent of a holiday garland. But it’s actually inspired by and named after the city of Karachi, Pakistan, and a similar shade can also be spotted on the Pakistani flag. The polish has earned nearly 3,000 five-star reviews from Amazon shoppers, who attest to the formula’s fast-dry finish and go-the-distance wear time.
Glam & Grace Non-Toxic Nail Polish in Mustard
This is as close to true mustard as you can get. With a creamy satin finish, this deep yellow is a year-round must-have that pairs flawlessly with all skin tones. The formula is made without potentially harmful ingredients like toluene and phthalates.
Londontown Lakur in Skyline Reflect
Paging Olivia Rodrigo. We have a feeling the “Deja Vu” singer would keep this Y2K-inspired combo of silver, purple, and blue in frequent rotation throughout winter. As the name suggests, you’ll get a nearly reflective finish once you swipe it onto your fingertips.
OPI Nail Lacquer Nail Polish in Suzi Talks With Her Hands
Call it the perfect shade of gray. This steely shade functions as an everyday neutral, seamlessly transitioning between work and play time. Pair it with an all-black look to channel those mysterious monochromatic vibes.
Zoya Nail Lacquer in Nahla
Gold is standard for the holiday season, but for this winter, it gets reimagined with multi-colored glitter, giving it all sorts of added dimension. With chic golden tones and sparkly elements, this shade is ready to party all winter long.
Zoya Nail Lacquer in Nahla
Nails Inc. Plant Power Nail Polish in Swear By Salutation
Classic red will always be a wintertime go-to, but with so many to choose from, it’s tricky to land on one that’s just right. Lean toward deeper berry tones that feel burgundy-ish, without being too dark and purple-based.
Nails Inc. Plant Power Nail Polish in Swear By Salutation
Olive & June Nail Polish in Stellar
White is one of the most timeless polish hues, so why not up the ante this winter? To steal the show, go for a powdery, snowy white complete with starry, shimmery undertones. The polish is a staple in your at-home manicure kit — use it for DIY french tips or as a base under glittery topcoats.
Olive & June Nail Polish in Stellar
OPI Nail Lacquer in Espresso Your Inner Self
This soft brown OPI hue operates like a neutral, but with rich hot cocoa vibes that suit the darker clothes we tend to wear during the cold days of the year. It’s sure to become one of your winter nail color favorites — and you may find yourself wearing it year round.
OPI Nail Lacquer Espresso Your Inner Self
Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish in Perfect Posture
Essie’s Perfect Posture polish is like snow in the shade — white with a cast of cool blue. It’s a less intense version of the deep blues we tend to go with during winter, but it’ll pop on your fingertips. The gel-style formula dries down quickly, doesn’t streak, and it won’t chip while you wear it for up to two weeks.
Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish in Perfect Posture
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color in Infinité
This deep brown shade by Chanel has a touch of red that adds dimension and some warmth. You’ll get more than chic fingertips when you paint it on — the polish contains ceramides that helps your nails stay strong (not brittle) after days of wear.
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color in Infinité
Static Nails Liquid Glass Lacquer in Indigo
This moody midnight blue looks jet black from certain angles, making it a versatile addition to your winter nail polish collection. Plus, the formula contains marula oil to help moisturize your nails when they need it the most.
How to Make Your Manicure Last
No winter manicure can survive without proper nail care. Keeping your cuticles in check is especially key for ensuring that your nails stay in tip-top shape throughout the cooler months. Evans recommends applying cuticle oil regularly, at least twice a day in the morning and evening.
“Cuticle oil doesn’t have to be luxurious or expensive,” she says. “A small bottle of vitamin E oil from the aches and pains section of your local drugstore is just as good as a high-end brand alternative — possibly even better, as it’s free of dyes and fragrances.”
She advises against nipping at dead skin around your nails, unless you have an especially bad hangnail or peeled skin. This may be easier said than done for some, which makes cuticle care that much more critical.
“People prone to biting or picking must be especially vigilant about using cuticle oil regularly,” Evans says. “When the skin is supple, there’s nothing tempting to pick at. When the cuticles are dry, they retract and split, leaving temptation to pick and tear at them.”
Another essential for your everyday nail care? Hand cream. “In these times of frequent hand washing, hand cream has become a staple of everyone’s daily routine,” says Miss Pop, an editorial nail artist in NYC. “I’ve found cuticle oil to be a lifesaver for staving off hangnails. You can easily keep your cuticles in shape by gently pushing them back right after the shower. That’s when I also recommend using hand cream and cuticle oil for maximum absorption.”
Meet the Experts
Bana Jarjour is a Los Angeles manicurist. She’s painted the nails of celebrities like Irina Shayk, Reneé Zellwegger, and more.
Chelsea King is a Los Angeles-based nail artist who’s work has been featured in WWD, as well as Allure, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar.
Julie Kandalec is a New York City-based celebrity manicurist and owner of Julie K Nail Atelier in NYC. She counts Jessica Chastain, Sydney Sweeney, and Joe Jonas as clients.
Shani Evans is New York City nail technician. She is an artist at Paintbox and instructor at the American Beauty Institute.
Meet the Authors
Mekita Rivas is a writer and editor who covers beauty and style for outlets like The Washington Post, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and InStyle.
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for WWD and Footwear News who updated this story.
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