If realistic nail art gets you excited and you love long walks in the wintry woods, we found the manicure for you. We never knew nails could be so cozy.
13. Muted Palette
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If you can’t stand leaving fall behind, bring it with you into colder temperatures with this muted manicure. The color palette is certainly autumnal, but we’d argue that fall and winter are friends.
14. Shimmering Winter Frost
Bring on the winter season with these misty gray nails and sparkling silver accents.
15. Icy Chrome Nails
Use a chrome nail polish and holographic nail stickers to achieve this eye-catching, icy, iridescent effect.
16. Winter White Nails
Beat the winter blues with these crisp, clean whites.
17. Beautiful Beige
This neutral color combo is endlessly versatile and will showcase your rings like none other. To get a similar look, try combining a metallic polish with a calm taupe polish.
18. Glamorous Gray Nails
Snowflakes can work with just about any winter nail color, but the white really pops on glittering charcoal grey.
19. Snowflakes and Plaid
Or, try matte grey and add in some plaid accents for good measure.
20. Gilded Green Nails
Use green or silver nail lacquer on top of a deep forest green.
21. Red Nails with a Gold Glitter Accent
Few things are as quintessentially wintry as bright, red nails—and who can resist a pop of gold glitter?
22. Red, Gold, and Nude Nails
Here's another variation on that red and gold theme. Up the ante with a nude, matte nails with jewels. You'll want to rock this look all holiday season, trust.
23. Navy Blue Nails
Dark blue mimics the velvety winter sky. Pair it with a gold or silver accent nail.
24. Pleasing Plaid Short Nails
Plaid patterns don't just belong on throw blankets, pillows, and skirt—it works just as well front and center on your fingers.
25. Buffalo Check
Buffalo check is one of favorite forms of plaid, and we can't get enough of the reindeer accent.
26. Marble Nails
Another one of our favorite winter nail art ideas is marble. Incorporate marble nails into your manicure for a cool, sophisticated look.
27. Tiny Wreaths
The gold bow is the crowning touch on this miniature wreath.
28. Christmas Mish Mash
Show off traditional Christmas colors in this mish mash of complementary designs.
29. White to Pink Gradient Mani
These white-to-pink gradient nails are another of our favorite winter nail ideas. Top your tree off with a star and set it with a top coat.
30. On Dasher, On Dancer, On Comet, On Blitzen!
The designs on these matte nails are classic, sweet, and simple.
31. Mistletoe Mani
Take your French manicure to the next level with little dots of red and green. A cute little sprig of mistletoe is the adorable final touch!
32. Wrap It Up
Take a cue from presents and paint a white or gold bow onto your accent nails.
33. Dark Red Glitter
Deck your nails with a deep red glitter polish and use the negative space on your accent nail to showcase a single snowflake. Stunning!
34. Polar Express
The little bear makes it! Pop a clear coat of gel nail polish on and cure under a UV light and your cute bear will last for two weeks.
35. Delightfully Dotted
Holiday nail trends come and go, but red, gold, and green will always be mainstays.
36. Peppermint Swirls
These peppermint swirls are another one of our absolute favorite winter nail design ideas. Opt for reds and greens with shimmer so the colors really catch the light.
37. Happy Holiday Nails
You can't help but smile when you see these festive nails adorned with lights and some of Santa's reindeer.
38. Itty Bitty Mittens
How sweet are these miniature mittens!?!
39. In Winter We Wear Pink
Pastel pink isn't just for spring and summer months, as evidenced by this trendy winter design that makes the most of baby pink.
40. Peppy Pink Nails
Bright pink works, too (and we love the contrast between the cherry red and bubblegum pink).
41. Cheery Pink and Gold Nails
Essie's Cascade Pink is perfect shade to get this bright, cheery look.
42. Snowflake Nails
Grab a charcoal, pink, white, and silver glitter nail polish (plus a snowflake stencil) to create this sweet and seasonal look.
43. Mint and Candy Canes
Mint green provides the perfect backdrop for a smattering of miniature candy canes.
44. The Greatest Snowman
No list of the best winter nails would be complete without some snowman nail art.
45. Cute Little Penguins
This penguin design is surprisingly simple to create.
46. Perfect Poinsettias
This classic design will look gorgeous on any nail length or shape.
47. Sweet Treats
Here's another manicure that incorporates gingerbread, but in a more playful way.
48. Candy Cane Lane
Win the season with gingerbread, snowflakes, and candy canes.
49. Lovely Lights
These nails make you think of the draped string lights you see everywhere during the holidays.
50. Kwanzaa-Inspired Manicure
These acrylic nails are inspired by the traditional, vibrant patterns worn during Kwanzaa.
51. Delightful Stars of David
Celebrating Hannukah? Showcase your faith with this Star of David-inspired manicure.
52. Blue French Manicure
Can't decide between the Star of David and a French manicure? Incorporate both.
53. Blue and Silver Beauties
Doing this nail art at home? Let your first coat dry and then use strips of tape to create super clean silver lines.
54. Star Shining Bright
We'd be remiss not to include a glittery play on the Star of the David.
55. Cranberry Ombre Nails
Every shade of red works during winter—especially this rich hue. Get the look with OPI's Merry in Cranberry.
56. Glow-in-the-Dark Penguins and Reindeer
How fun are these Christmas nails? Get yourself some glow-in-the-dark nail polish. When the sun goes down, you'll twinkle just like the lights on a tree.
57. Sugarplum Dreams
These nails are a whimsical, colorful treat.
58. Dangling Ornaments
This manicure is a Christmas and New Year's go-to: silver and gold ornaments dangle atop negative space, and the result is nothing short of stunning.
59. Lilac Wonder
This magical mani channels snowfall at sunrise vibes, and we're here for it.
60. Purple Paradise
No nail colors are off-limits for the holidays. The color palette extends far beyond red and green. Case in point: these bold fuchsia and purple nails that are every bit the winter wonder.
61. Gloriously Green Grinch
You'll need a nail pro (or some seriously next-level at-home skills) to achieve this smirking Grinch. (Hey, they call it nail art for a reason.)
62. Merry Neutrals
This muted manicure still has a festive feel, and it's neutrality means it will go well with all your cute winter outfits (regardless of their color).
63. O Christmas Tree!
Here's another DIY holiday manicure that looks amazing, but is really easy to create yourself.
64. Glam Forest Green
The glossy green looks so rich next to the stark white accent nail, and we're obsessed with the gold ornament and thinly lined starburst. Everything about this perfect.
65. Matte Black Nails
This minimalist winter nail art is fresh and contemporary while still incorporating traditional Christmas wonder like ornaments, snowmen, and trees.
66. Holiday Hallmarks
This mani gives you a little bit of everything, from gingerbread men and Christmas trees to snowmen and Santa.
67. Silent Night
Pay homage to the nativity scene with these blue nails that set the stage for the most famous manger in all of history.
68. Impressionist Inspirations
Get a bit abstract with your wintry vibe. Take a cue from the impressionists (Monet, Degas, Cézanne) and lean into brushstroke-style nail art.
69. Pearl-Dotted French
It’s slightly nostalgic, slightly glam — perfect for a holiday where you want to dress up… but not too much.
