If we’re being honest, we’ve been thinking about winter nails since spring. (After all, winter manicures lend themselves to some of the richest color combinations.) Now that the season is finally here, we thought: Why not celebrate by sharing some of our favorite winter nail designs and asking the pros about the nail trends they’re excited about for the cooler months?
Nail artists have been pumping out awe-inspiring nail looks like it’s no big deal and we’ve been keeping tabs on all of the ones we want to try. Ahead, you’ll find a diverse array of designs for every aesthetic taste, like festive jewel-toned creations, new and exciting ways to wear sparkle, astrology-themed art, ombré, and much more. Plus, we’ve thrown in some insight and product suggestions from the creators themselves. Keep scrolling for the coolest (in every sense of the word) wintery nail looks of the year.
1. Coffee skittles
Instagram / @lovefreshpaint
If you’re no good at nail art then try the Skittles manicure — a cute name for painting each nail a different color, often to create a gradient effect. Nail artist Crystal Sloan notes the trick to turning these individual polishes into a cohesive manicure is picking shades that have the same undertone. For this look, she opted for Ella + Mila polishes in shades Lights Out, London Fog, Cup O’Latte, Forever Mine, and Lust in Love.
2. Dainty snowflakes
Instagram / @houseofnailss