Winter Nail Colors to Inspire a Season's Worth of Manis

Ask any nail polish aficionado worth their tin of Révérence de Bastien Nail Brightness Pearly Buffing Cream, nail colors, like fruits and veggies, go in and out of season. Summer is the perfect time for pretty pinks, neons and sunny yellows. But the intensely cold, drying winter calls for deeper, darker shades. Not to mention tons of cuticle oil. So we went ahead and put together a list of our favorite winter nail colors. Still, dark as many of them are, this season’s #trending winter nail colors are far from gloomy. Think rich, radiant purples, glittery metallics, festive greens and reds and even hints of gray. One of our top seasonal strategies? Relying on deep browns and blues that border on black. They all still pack plenty of personality, of course. You can certainly stick to one shade at a time. Or enhance your nail art skills by experimenting with multiple colors at once. You can also just focus on the tips with a cool French mani. All this to say, whatever your seasonal plans/aesthetic, there’s a winter nail color to match. Find it (and buy it) in the gallery below. That way you can do touch-ups all season long.

2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors

2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #1

OPI Nail Lacquer in Shh…It’s Top Secret, $10.50 at OPI

A dark brown that’s almost black.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #2

Nails inc NailPure Nail Polish in Victoria, $15 at Nails inc

This deep cherry shade simply screams winter.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #3

Smith & Cult Nail Polish in Tang Bang, $18 at Smith & Cult

The brand’s burnt orange offers a twist on traditional winter colors.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #4

Zoya Professional Lacquer in Cooper, $12 at Zoya

Nothing says winter like a creamy olive.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #5

Gucci Beauty Vernis à Ongles Nail Polish in 700 Crystal Black, $30 at Bloomingdale’s

The perfect black.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #6

Emilie Heathe Nail Artist Nail Polish in The Perfect Red, $28 at Nordstrom

A true holiday red.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #7

Paintbox Nail Lacquer in Like Velvet, $22 at Paintbox

Paintbox’s stone shade will have you longing for gray days.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #8

Morgan Taylor Professional Nail Lacquer in One Piece or Two?, $9.50 at Ulta Beauty

A plum pick.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #9

Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color in 548 Blanc White, $28 at Chanel

Chanel’s pearly white is a softer take on the season.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #10

Orly Nail Lacquer in String of Hearts, $9.50 at Orly

Have a little fun with fuchsia.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #11

Orosa Nail Paint in Date, $9 at Beyond Polish

A delightful option this time of year.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #12

Sundays Nail Polish in No.40, $18 at Sundays

Electric blue makes quite the impression.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #13

Essie Expressie Quick-Dry Nail Polish in Don't Hate, Curate, $8.97 at Walmart

Yes, you can rock yellow in winter as long as it is a more golden take.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #14

Sally Hansen Insta Dri Nail Color in Cinna Snap, $5.99 at Ulta Beauty

This cinnamon hue will instantly warm you up.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #15

JINsoon Nail Polish in Abyss, $18 at JINsoon

Reminiscent of the night sky.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #16

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro in Can’t Hold Us Down, $20 at Deborah Lippmann

The touch of gold shimmer makes this caramel season-appropriate.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #17

Essie Nail Polish in Off Tropic, $8.99 at Target

The pine hue really pops on nails.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #18

JINsoon Nail Polish in Chamonix, $18 at JINsoon

Like leather.
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #19

Nails inc Coco For Real Chocolate Scented Nail Polish in Meet Me on Mars, $7.99 at Target

For all those dark chocolate lovers…
2021 Winter Nail Polish Colors #20

Orly Nail Lacquer in Midnight Oasis, $9.50 at Orly

A marvelously moody gray blue.