Winter is probably the best time of year to get creative with your nail art because there are so many designs and rich-colored options to choose from, whether you’re looking for a festive nail finish or something cozy. “This winter season’s standout nail art includes wild animal prints, winter florals, and reimagined French finishes,” says Juanita Huber-Millet, founder and creative director at Townhouse. You’ll also be seeing a lot of mismatched manis, 3D nail embellishments, and frosted chromes and sparkles. Here, we spoke with Huber-Millet and Julie Kandalec, an NYC-based celebrity nail artist about the best winter nail trends to consider before heading to the salon for your next mani.
1. Mismatched and Bold
“This winter season’s nail trends are all about embracing rich, bold hues with a sophisticated twist,” says Huber-Millet. This mismatched plaid nail look by @nailedit_byash does just this and more, with contrasting deep teal tones, plaid patterns, and reflective gold chrome.
Get the Look: Opt for a teal hue with a blue-green polish like Londontown Chivvy Along ($16), and apply a plaid pattern on the nails of your choice with a fine detailed brush and white polish like OPI Alpine Snow ($12). For the reflective gold chrome, Deborah Lippmann Nefertiti ($20) is the perfect hue.
2. Ombré French
“The classic French manicure gets a seasonal update with rich autumnal tones replacing traditional white tips,” says Huber-Millet. Instagram nail artist Samantha Jade of @jadeandpolished did just this with this gorgeous French set featuring cozy red-brown and light pink ombré hues.
Get the Look: Morgan Taylor Afternoon Escape ($10) is a rich red-brown that’s perfect for a bold French tip on its own, or can be paired with a light pink like Essie Ballet Slippers ($9) for a similar ombré look.
3. Boughs of Holly
“For a more delicate, nature-inspired look, winter florals add a fresh elegance to your nails,” says Huber-Millet. We love this set by @freshsetlancaster for this reason—it’s intricate, festive, and easy to recreate.
Get the Look: Use a detail brush to paint on small leaves with a deep green polish like Morgan Taylor Flirty and Fabulous ($6). Next, use a dotting tool to dot on small flowers with a white polish like Essie Blanc ($9). Finally, use a light green shimmery polish like ILNP Velour ($13) to paint highlights on the leaves. Have no time to paint on a design? Opt for holly-inspired green nail stickers like the ones found in this Green Leaf Nail Stickers Kit ($6).
4. Leopard Spots
Another winter nail trend to look out for is animal prints, which can bring a touch of boldness and adventure to your nails, according to Huber-Millet. To get a similar leopard print look to this set by @charsgelnails_, she recommends taking a small brush and gently creating irregular black and brown spots, mimicking leopard prints.
Get the Look: OPI Espresso Your Inner Self ($12) is the perfect brown for recreating leopard spots, and you can use a dotting tool like one found in this Dotting Pen and Nail Brush Art Tool Set ($5) to achieve the pattern.
5. 3D Pearls
3D charms, gems, caviar beads and pearls are going to be incredibly popular this winter, according to Kandalec—which is why we love over this 3D pearl and stud look by @plntnails. The look features 3D nail charms in various sizes which gives it extra texture and eye-catching appeal.
Get the Look: Start with an icy white nail polish for the base like Londontown Powder ($16), and add pearls of various sizes, like the ones found in this 3D White Pearls Nail Charms Set ($6).
6. Crocodile Nails
This set by @karin.nailedit uses various shades of brown in a reptilian-like style, another fun take on animal print for nails. “Animal prints are perfect for those who love blending timeless elegance with a modern, wild touch,” says Huber-Millet, and she’s not wrong: we definitely want to recreate this at our next mani appointment.
Get the Look: Use both a softer and richer brown when recreating this look, like OPI Chocolate Mousse ($12) and Zoya Gina ($12). The crocodile pattern can be created by laying down the lighter brown base and applying symmetrical drops of the darker brown polish over top. Use a toothpick to trace in between the drops to mimic the reptile pattern.
7. Chrome For Days
Reflective finishes, like this silver chrome, are another trend that Kandalec predicts will be big this season. This look by @nailedbychristiana blends icy silver chrome with light pink polish for an edgy and elevated set.
Get the Look: Start with a glossy pink base that will give you a jelly finish like the Butter London Jelly Preserve Strengthening Treatment ($18). Next, opt for a silver chrome polish like Zoya Trixie ($10) on the tips, and finish with silver nail charms and rhinestones.
8. Snowflake Chic
Snowflakes never go out of style when it comes to winter nail art, according to the experts. Take a hint from this festive manicure by @affordableretailtherapy that has handpainted white snowflakes and stripes on a creamy nude nail base.
Get the Look: Use a saturated white polish like Cirque Colors Carpe Diem ($13) and a detailed brush to draw on snowflakes and stripes. If you aren’t the best at hand drawing, opt for these Snowflake Nail Art Stickers ($4) instead.
9. Amber Mood
Amber and colored gemstones are another winter nail trend Kandalec is forecasting for this coming winter season, and this look by @nailsbyfrikiki hits the nail on the head (pun very much intended). The translucent amber art looks exactly like the real thing and is the ultimate blend of dimensional and sleek.
Get the Look: Go for an amber-colored magnetic polish like ILNP Amber ($13) to get a similar look without having to paint on details.
10. Magnetic Shimmer
Cat-eye, velvety, or magnetic nail polish is perfect if you want to mix up the texture of your nails this winter, according to Kandalec. This mesmerizing look by @setsby.lex is perfect for ringing in the new year, or any special occasion during the winter.
Get the Look: Go for a champagne magnetic polish like ILNP Cashmere ($13) to get the look.
11. Winter Flowers
“Winter florals are perfect for those who want a chic, eye-catching design, and paired with chrome finishes or metallic accents, this trend offers a blend of vintage charm and contemporary flair,” says Huber-Millet. That’s why we love this winter floral look by @embrace.nails that pairs a light-catching pink chrome with dark pink flower details.
Get the Look: Essie Special Effects Polish in Gilded Galaxy ($13) is the ideal icy pink for the base and Zoya Allison ($12) is perfect for the flowers.
12. Frosty Tips
Kandalec says that nails with frosted details are going nowhere this winter season and this set by @_spencerhk is proof. Metallic silver glitter tips complement the drawn-on snowflakes and stars and make for a look that’s both festive and elegant; perfect to pair with a chunky sweater during a cold December.
Get the Look: Apply a neutral pink nail polish for the base, and tap on a glittery silver polish like Dazzle Dry Diamond ($22) with a sponge to the tips of the nails. Complete the look with snowflake and star nail stickers like the ones found in this 6 Sheets Nail Sticker Art Set ($6).
13. Cat Eye Nails
Another reflective, magnetic-inspired look, this velvety sparkling forest green manicure by @amberjhnails is at the top of our list for winter manicure inspo— it’s dimensional, elegant, and playful.
Get the Look: A magnetic forest green or shimmery polish like ILNP Good Fortune ($10) or Zoya Merida ($12) is spot-on for recreating the look.
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