Winter isn’t the best time of the year for many things (uh, sun, warmth, glowy happiness, etc.), and let’s be honest, it def isn’t the best time for your nails either. Between the dry, brittle tips and peeling cuticles (does anyone else go through a bottle of cuticle oil every year, or is it just me?), and the fact that you keep them shoved in your pockets and gloves for months on end, winter isn’t exactly known to be the time to let your mani shine. But things are a-changin’!
If you currently think of winter as that awful period of time where you have to stop wearing pastel and rainbow nail colors and fun prints, think again. Winter nail colors can be fun, too, and to prove it to ya, I’ve rounded up non-boring 19 winter 2021 nail trends to copy asap. Keep scrolling for all the nail inspo, tips, and products to DIY them yourself come winter.
A post shared by The Mani Club (@themaniclub)
You know what goes perfectly with cooler weather? Cool nails with cool colors. I will never not be into wearing a different shade on each finger, and if you share these same thoughts, you can make your nails feel very wintery by alternating multiple shades of blue nail polish and a touch of green, like the round nails shown here.
❄️Recreate the look: 786 Blue Nail Polish Set
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The only nail look more classic than an almond nail shape is a neutral or nude nail polish. Pair them together, like the nail trend shown here, and you’ve got a manicure that looks good all year long.
❄️Recreate the look: Mented Nude Nail Collection
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A mix of matte and glossy nails was one of the biggest fall nail trends for 2021, and you best believe it’s still a cool idea for winter, too. Try it with a variety of red nail polish shades to make the trend look extra festive.
❄️Recreate the look: OPI Hollywood Nail Lacquer Mini 4 Pack
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If the first thing you think of when you hear “winter” is Hanukkah, get in on this subtle nail look with just the tiniest strip of blue to add some spice to a classic French tip. It’s the ultimate Hanukkah nails look for the minimal mani type.
❄️Recreate the look: OPI Hollywood Nail Lacquer Collection in Oh You Sing, Dance, Act, and Produce?
A post shared by Canishiea J. Sams (@nailsbycanishiea)
Winter sunsets are sooo underrated (Google Image it if you don’t believe me). So to bring the feeling home, I highly recommend this set of pre-painted press-on nails that makes the winter nail trend easy to DIY.
❄️Recreate the look: Nailcare With Canishiea Cotton Candy Skies
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Brown nail polish is one the biggest 2021 nail trends, so end the year with a bang and a bangin’ brown shade like this warm taupe. The melted smiley faces not only look cool, but the squiggly outlines are also much easier to paint with your non-dominant hand than perfect circles.
❄️Recreate the look: Essie Nail Polish Wild Nude
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These swirls and subtle polka dot nails made with different shades of white nail polish look like melting ice and snowflakes (but the pretty kind, not the gross, muddy stuff).
❄️Recreate the look: iFwevs Nail Art Brushes
A post shared by Cassandre Marie (@cassmariebeauty)
You know what actually is groundbreaking? Florals for winter. Don’t be afraid to wear your favorite flower nail designs even as winter approaches. A black-and-gold nail combo or a blend of black-and-white nails will make it feel perfect for the season.
❄️Recreate the look: OPI Infinite Shine Long-Wear Nail Polish in Black Onyx
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Pair an emerald-green polish with an almond nail shape, and you’ve got yourself a modern Christmas nail design. The green triangle tips look like little Christmas trees, no?
❄️Recreate the look: People of Color Beauty Nail Polish in Lili’Uokalani
A post shared by Jen Seales • Nail Artist (@swaknails)
Finally, your love for all things animal print can and should be carried into winter 2021 with a little holographic nail polish or transfer foil, like the oval nails shown here.
❄️Recreate the look: WOKOTO 10 Rolls White Pearl Color Holographic Nail Art Foil
A post shared by Jen Seales • Nail Artist (@swaknails)
Never have I ever loved a color combination more than this icy blue and warm brown pairing. Mid-length square nails are the perfect canvas to paint all the abstract designs your little heart desires.
❄️Recreate the look: Ella+Mila BonBon Collection Nail Polish in My Baby Blue
A post shared by Jen Seales • Nail Artist (@swaknails)
With a little transfer foil, you can transform a sheer white nail polish into a whole opalescent moment. Add a touch of gold around the border of your nails with gold nail polish to make your nail looks look like jewelry.
❄️Recreate the look: AIFAIFA Metallic Nail Foils
A post shared by Jen Seales • Nail Artist (@swaknails)
If you really want to accentuate your almond-shaped nails, go with an elongated French mani. This versatile nail trend would look cool with your winter uniform but can also clean up nicely for your holiday party.
❄️Recreate the look: Sally Hansen Hard As Nails French Manicure
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Animal print? Check. Cloud print? Check. Check print? Literally, check. To keep all the different prints from clashing, use a handful of complementary colors, like the earth-tone fall nail polish colors shown here that transition nicely into winter.
❄️Recreate the look: Nails Inc. Keep It Tonal Nail Polish Set
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There’s really no better time of the year to wear gray than winter, but when the winter fatigue starts creeping in, brighten things up a bit with a stripe of neon yellow. And since even short nails can pull off this design, you don’t have to go without gloves for good nails.
❄️Recreate the look: Orly Nail Lacquer in Glowstick
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These Valentine’s Day nails are the best way to transition from winter nail trends into spring, thanks to the mixture of the light pink nail polish and classic red.
❄️Recreate the look: La Pierre Lacquer in Cherry Blossom
A post shared by ❤ Hang Nguyen aka Moon ❤ (@thehangedit)
Got an icy heart? Same! Embrace it and incorporate light blue heart designs into your winter nail look.
❄️Recreate the look: Olive & June Blue Crush Set
A post shared by Betina R. Goldstein (@betina_goldstein)
You wore this same negative-space nail trend all spring and summer, but to keep it current for colder months, add a black nail polish in between the half-moon and French tip for winter 2021.
❄️Recreate the look: Nailtopia Love Yourself Skittle Mani-Kit
A post shared by Naomi Yasuda / NailArtist (@naominailsnyc)
If you also have been super into the swirl print these days and constantly rotate between wearing your swirly shirt and dress, you need these mid-length coffin nails with streaks of browns, grays, and mauve nail polish to match.
❄️Recreate the look: Winstonia Pro Nail Art Long Striping Brush