Winter Nail Ideas That Will Make Your Fingertips Sparkle

Winter is here, which means it's time to swap out those bright summer nail colors for deeper, more moody hues. But that doesn't mean your nails have to be boring! This season, it's all about adding some sparkle and shine to your fingertips. 

Whether you're looking for a subtle shimmer or full-on glitter, we've rounded up the best winter nail ideas that will make your manicure stand out. Get ready to sparkle and shine all season long!

Winter Nail Ideas That Look Great

Despite winter nail trends there are also some of the colors and patterns that stays all year long and we are not seeing them going outdated anytime soon, check our top picks for winter nails and flaunt them on upcoming winter occasions.

Animal Print French Mani

Alexia May Bates showcases her nail artistry with a striking animal print design using blooming gel polish. The blooming gel creates dispersed blobs that uniquely form an animal print French tip. Bates advises patience, a slow approach, and tackling one nail at a time for those recreating this at home.

Meanwhile, Ho puts a festive twist on the classic French manicure with a playful animal print design, perfect for holiday parties. Achieve the look by painting nails with light pink or ivory polish, blending black and brown shades with a beauty sponge, or using a toothpick to swirl the colors. Finish with a topcoat for added shine and longevity.

Hot Red Winter Nails

We think the best shade of the hottest color of the season is ruby red as a decadent "timeless chameleon" of a hue, due to its ability to be paired with a traditional French tip, glitter, and even metallic accents.

Robinson introduces a festive negative space look featuring glittery or magnetic red polish, a chosen gold shade, and a dotting tool for precision. Paint each nail red, leaving a slight gap from the nail bed, and add a gold dot between the cuticle and polish for a manicure that shines as brightly as Christmas ornaments.

Eunkyung Park delivers an ultra-glamorous red and gold manicure using glossy red press-ons and opaque gold polish on the tips. Brands like Essie Good As Gold or Nabi's Mirror Effect Nail Polish in Gold can be used, and the final touch is embellishing with decals of your choice for a dreamy, out-of-this-world design.

Winter Neutral Nails

If nail art feels like a challenge, give the Skittles manicure a try—a charming technique involving painting each nail a different color, often resulting in a beautiful gradient effect. Nail artist Crystal Sloan shares the secret to making this diverse palette harmonize is selecting shades with the same undertone. In this instance, she chose Ella + Mila polishes in Lights Out, London Fog, Cup O’Latte, Forever Mine, and Lust in Love.

Embrace the winter spirit by pairing the squoval shape with a light pink base and adding seasonal nail art like ice, snow, or delicate snowflakes. Manicurist Laura Malarkey suggests creating a simple snowfall effect at home using a toothpick or a small, pointed object. Dip it in white polish and create small dots across the nail, starting at the cuticle and gradually decreasing towards the tip for a mesmerizing ombré snowfall effect.

For a cozy winter vibe, coffee and creamy caramel are the go-to warm earth tones. These versatile colors can be worn alone or paired with artistic designs like ombré, gradient, swirls, or checkers. According to Rita Remark, a manicurist and Essie Global Lead Educator, using these colors is a nostalgic nod to the '90s.

Conclusion

Out of all the winter nail trends we are spotting, these are some of the hottest ones and also the ones that look great on everyone. Whether you want minimal yet trendy winter nails like an animal print french mani or you love going all-in by going for the hottest color of the season, RED. Opt for these gorgeous manicure ideas for winters and slay them like never before.