It’s time to think about winter colors and the best nail polishes for the cold weather! The beauty world is abuzz with anticipation for the latest nail color trends you will find here.
As someone who’s been covering nail trends and creating nail art tutorials for over a decade, I can promise you: Winter 2025/2026 is coming in hot with some seriously chic shades. Whether you love deep, moody tones, elegant neutrals, or a little frosty sparkle, this season has the perfect color to match your vibe.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been tracking the runway shows, scrolling TikTok and Instagram nail inspo, and listening to what pro nail artists in the U.S. and Europe are predicting. And let me tell you, winter nail colors this year are anything but predictable. From cozy chocolates to icy blues, these are the 17 nail colors everyone will be wearing in December 2025, January, and February 2026.
Chocolate Brown
If you only try one shade this season, make it chocolate brown. It’s warm, rich, and instantly makes your nails look polished and expensive. Plus, it works for both fall season nail colors and winter neutral nail colors.
Pro tip: go for a high-shine gel finish, it’s like hot cocoa but make it fashion.
You can also create nail art by mixing gold flakes with brown nails for an elegant manicure, as I did for these beautiful brown nails in the photo above. Mark my words, it will be a trendy nail color for this winter. 😉
Burgundy Wine
No winter is complete without a classic dark red nail polish, and this season it’s all about the burgundy nails. This rich, wine-inspired shade is a timeless nail color winter classy option.
Whether you’re at a holiday dinner or just running errands, burgundy nails always say, “Yes, I’ve got taste.”
Frosty Icy Blue
Channel your inner Elsa with frosty blue. It’s light, shimmery, and looks like fresh snow under sunlight. If you love winter nail color ideas that feel unique but not wild, this is your shade.
Caramel Latte
Caramel is chocolate’s sweeter sister. It’s soft, cozy, and basically the PSL of nail ideas winter colors.
IMO, a creamy caramel manicure works with everything from oversized sweaters to your chic office blazer. Bonus: it doubles as a simple November nails option before the holiday chaos.
Here are some options for caramel latte nail polish and gel polish to try this winter:
Metallic Chromes
Multichrome nails are set to take over as the metallic trend for winter. And metallic chrome nails are a must-try trend for winter 2025. These high-shine finishes, often in silver or gold, create a stunning, futuristic look that’s perfect for holiday parties and celebrations, did anyone say Christmas nails? But don’t get too attached to only silver and gold nails in chrome, you can try many chrome colors and different base colors for a fun effect.
The reflective quality of metallic chrome adds an element of luxury to your nails, making them the center of attention. You can achieve this look with chrome nail powder:
Tiffany Blue
Need a mood boost in January? Go with Tiffany Blue. It’s playful, chic, and makes you feel like you’re unboxing jewelry every time you glance at your hands.
Not bad for a nail polish, right? 😉
Deep Cherry
Deep cherry is the sultry version of red. Dark, glossy, and just dramatic enough without being goth. Pair it with a short, square nail shape for an instant upgrade to “effortlessly chic.”
It’s a major fashion trend that effortlessly transitions to your nails. The deep red adds a pop of color to your winter wardrobe and complements a wide range of skin tones. Dark cherry red nails are a chic and easy way to embrace the festive spirit of the season.
Greige (Grey-Beige)
When grey and beige had a baby, we got greige. This shade is sleek, understated, and somehow matches everything in your closet. Wear it glossy for sophistication, or matte for that cozy autumn aesthetic nails look.
Because neutral nail colors continue to reign supreme in winter 2025-2026, making it a great choice for a polished, everyday look that’s perfect for the office or any occasion.
These shades are not only elegant on their own but also perfect for winter nail art, such as French tips and negative-space designs.
Mauve
Mauve nail colors offer a subtle yet captivating option for the winter season. With their mix of cool-toned purple, pink, and red pigments, mauve shades look stunning on a variety of skin tones. The muted, gray undertones of mauve capture the crispness of winter air, adding a touch of sophistication to your nails.
Dark Blue
Inject vibrancy into your winter nail palette with dark blue nail color. This shade offers depth and richness without venturing into neon territory, therefore perfect for the winter season. A deep, glossy blue is perfect for when you want to make a statement and add a pop of color to your winter outfits.
Glazed Effect
Glazed nail polishes, which sit between glossy and shimmering finishes, are still set to be a hit this winter. Trending on the beauty world for a couple of seasons already, it’s not going to get retired any time soon! These polishes feature fine particles that catch and reflect light, creating a stunning effect in daylight. Glazed nails add an element of sophistication to your winter manicure, making them ideal for holiday parties and special occasions.
For this winter, not only white and light colors get a glazed finish, but also winter colors such as brown glazed nails like the one above!
Cool Grey
I know, I know, grey sounds boring. But trust me, a cool, blue-toned grey feels chic and minimalist. It’s the perfect balance between neutral and edgy.
It also screams quiet luxury vibes, which are still trending hard into winter nails 2026.
Reflective Silver
Reflective shades are gaining popularity this winter, especially as accent nails or for chic nail art with other nail colors. A silver nail polish adds a festive sparkle to your winter manicure, even on sunless days.
Modern silver shades feature finely milled, light-reflecting pigments that add a festive sparkle to your manicure. Whether used as an accent nail or applied all over, reflective silver nails bring a touch of glamour to your winter look.
Holographic Shimmers
Shimmer and holographic finishes will continue to shine in winter 2025. These dazzling shades add a touch of glamour to your winter look. From holographic polishes to holo nail powder, there are a couple of ways to achieve these nails.
These dazzling shades feature a rainbow of shimmers that create a mesmerizing effect. Holographic nails are perfect for when you want to infuse your winter look with a sense of magic and wonder.
Jelly Polish
Jelly nail polishes in dark, bold colors are a unique and trendy choice for the season since we’ve seen a growing trend of jelly polish since last season. These polishes offer a translucent yet vibrant finish that resembles jelly candies. Dark shades like deep red, emerald green, or royal purple add depth and allure to your nails, making them stand out.
Cat Magnetic Effect
Cat magnetic nail polishes create fascinating patterns and designs on your nails using a magnet. This innovative nail trend allows you to control the magnetic effect, resulting in stunning and intricate designs. Cat magnetic nails add a touch of artistry and creativity to your winter manicure.
Velvet nails
If you want to elevate your go-to winter manicure, velvet nails are the way to go. Velvet nails are created with the effect of magnetic polishes, offering a unique effect achieved by using a magnet to control the design that you want. Nude or deep, dark hues work exceptionally well with this trend, creating a luxurious and textured look that’s perfect for winter.
With these 17 must-try winter colors, you can embrace the season’s beauty and create stunning nail art. Whether you opt for the elegance of dark emerald green, the edginess of black nails, or the opulence of metallic chromes, there’s a winter nail color trend to match your style. Make your nails shine bright throughout the cold months and stay on-trend with these captivating colors.
The winter nail colors for 2025 are all about capturing the essence of the season with rich jewel tones, shimmering finishes, and classic hues. Whether you’re drawn to deep plums, elegant emerald greens, or holographic shimmers, there’s a winter nail color trend to suit your style. Embrace the cozy chic and let your nails shine brightly throughout the chilly months ahead.
