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Can you believe that the winter season is already upon us? Well, we can. Between experiencing the steady decline of temperatures and being forced to bundle up with extra layers, we’re no longer in denial. That’s why we’ve decided to curate a list of the best winter nail colors that you’ll want to add to your collection, asap. Although we might not love the feeling of freezing weather, we’re beyond excited to experiment with a variety of nail polish shades to create the latest 2024 nail trends that will surely brighten up the dreary days ahead.
To discover the trending nail colors of the season, we’ve called on Rianna Basurto, nail expert and marketing specialist at renowned nail salon Bellacures. “The top winter nail colors of 2023 will be steel blue, cherry red, icy gray, and snow white,” Basurto tells ELLE.com. She also shares that this winter, we should expect to see a swarm of gray tones, especially gun metal gray with chrome. “We’ve been seeing chrome make its way through all of the color pallets and this winter we’ll see the sparkle effect with gray,” adds Basurto. To achieve this specific look, she recommends topping off a black polish with a chrome shade to get a stunning metal effect.
Whether you’re looking to take part in the color trends listed above, or you simply want to expand your winter nail polish collection with a range of stunning shades, keep reading to discover the best winter nail colors that you’ll surely wear on repeat.
Not only is burgundy trending in fashion, but this rich shade is making its way through the beauty world, too. We’ve seen a swarm of burgundy blushes, lipsticks, and now, nail colors. OPI’s “Got the Blues for Red” nail polish will give you a beautiful burgundy look with a flawless streak-free finish.
Amazon star rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This color was even prettier when I applied it. It was so vibrant and not as dark as I thought it’d be. Lasted a whole week before I took off the color.”
From their “Terribly Nice Holiday” collection, OPI’s “Chill ‘Em With Kindness” shade is one of our absolute favorites for the winter season. Layer on this glimmering nail polish for your next holiday party! The shiny finish of this shade would look amazing against the backdrop of an all-black ensemble.
Ulta star rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “Love this color and it goes on really well.”
For those of you who prefer an easy application process, you’ll appreciate Orly’s “Yam It Up” nail polish, which doesn’t require a base or top coat. We know that orange isn’t a quintessential winter nail color (given its strong association with summertime), but why not step outside of the box a bit? This radiant shade will fit nicely into your winter nail polish collection, especially if you’re in the mood for a pop of color.
Orly star rating: 4.9 /5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I like to eat according to the seasons. During the winter, I up my intake of root vegetables—sweet potatoes and butternut squash are two of my favorites. And now I can take my seasonal food choices to my nails with this deep orange hue that literally resembles a yam. The formula is a one-step—so no need to worry about a base or top coat and the breathable formula makes it halal and acceptable for practicing Muslims to wear.” —Danielle James, ELLE digital beauty director
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Have you ever seen a more vibrant shade of red? We didn’t think so. Striking, spirited, and fiery are just a few words we would use to describe Gucci’s glossy nail polish. It’s a shade of red that you simply can’t resist.
Sephora star rating: 3.6/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “I have a few different colors in this line. I find it good quality, easy to apply, and the colors are really bright. I always get compliments on my manicure and a lot of people are surprised when I tell them I did it at home.”
This gorgeous shade of glittery purple is truly one of a kind! With a hint of a metallic shimmer, we can’t help but imagine ourselves wearing this to every single upcoming holiday party. It’s especially perfect for those with deep skin tones, as shades of purple often look beautiful against dark complexions.
OPI star rating: 5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “For me, the holidays are all about glitter and shine—if you’re bored by the predictable silver and gold glitter nails, opt for this pop of purple. You’ll need at least two coats because this metallic lavender hue is kind of sheer.” —Danielle James
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Best Paraben-Free Nail Polish for Winter
butter LONDON Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer in Brolly
As Basturo mentioned, one of the top winter colors of 2023 is steel blue, so it comes as no surprise that we’ve added butter LONDON’s “Brolly” nail lacquer to our roundup. Not only do we love the shade, but we appreciate the fact that this polish is completely paraben-free. For healthy nails, we’d recommend adding this polish to your list.
Amazon star rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Brolly is a lovely, understated blue creme. Polish goes on smooth and is fully opaque in two coats. I’ve tried three other shades of Butter London polish purchased in a set at another retailer, and can vouch for the quality of the other three shades, as well. The set included creme and pearlescent polishes in both light and dark colors, so I feel comfortable vouching for the quality of Butter London's product overall.”
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There’s no doubt that hues of brown are synonymous with fall, but they can also seamlessly transition into winter. This warm cognac shade caught our attention immediately and it’s so irresistible. Since it’s a neutral shade, we guarantee that you’ll get plenty of use out of this polish.
Amazon star rating: 4,5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Love Essie nail polish! This color is great for winter season. I always buy this, and thank goodness it’s not discontinued.”
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Best Chocolate-Inspired Nail Polish for Winter
Deborah Lippmann Chocolate Cravings
Why limit yourself to just one nail polish? With Deborah Lippmann’s Chocolate Cravings set, you can gift yourself a beautiful range of six shades of brown. Whether you prefer a subtle beige or a deep mahogany, you’ll have everything you need in this collection.
Deborah Lippman star rating: 4.5 /5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I know, I cheated, this isn’t one nail polish—but this set will complement your latte makeup look perfectly. It makes a great stocking stuffer. You can surprise one person with all six shades, separate them into different stockings, or keep them all for yourself (like I did). If you’re feeling fun, you can paint each nail a different shade for a dynamic chocolate look.” —Danielle James
We’re convinced that emerald green nail polish was made for winter. Perhaps it’s because this endearing shade reminds us of Noble Fir trees and pine wreaths, or it could simply be that green is a prominent holiday color. Either way, we’ll be rocking Essie’s “Off Tropic” shade all season long.
Ulta star rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “This nail polish does not chip off like most of them, I love it!”
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You don’t have to be in your goth era to swipe on black nail polish. In fact, shades of black are exceptionally practical, as you can easily wear them with any outfit. That’s why JINsoon’s “Absolute Black” polish is perfect for an everyday look.
Amazon star rating: 3.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Most of my nail salon visits include diligently placing my hands under UV lamps for gel polish, but when I want to give my damaged nail beds a rest, there’s only one polish I go to: the JinSoon Absolute Black polish. It’s one of the longest-lasting regular nail polishes on the market, so you don’t have to worry about your manicure chipping immediately. Plus, I think there’s something sexy and moody about having a black manicure during all the sparkly Holiday events. You can apply it yourself, but if you’re lucky enough to live close to a JinSoon salon, don’t miss the opportunity.” –Tatjana Freund, Hearst fashion & luxury commerce editor
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Best Barbie-Esque Nail Polish for Winter
Addiction Tokyo Unknown Familiar Limited Edition Collection in Pink Horizon
Some will say the season of Barbie pink is over, but we beg to differ. However, instead of rocking light pink bubbly shades, we’ll be testing out deeper pink colors this winter, like this lovely magenta-hued shade from Addiction Tokyo. Prepare to be amazed as soon as you swipe this color into your nails.
Addiction Tokyo star rating: 5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Addiction Tokyo recently launched in the United States and while I’ve been living for their eyeshadows and lipsticks, I recently got my hands on their nail polish. It’s quick drying, and their holiday collection, Familiar Unknown, has the perfect metallic pink-purple color that screams, “Hi Barbie!”—but make it holiday. For winter, I think that everyone leans toward darker colors, but this fun pop of pink will brighten even the dullest of days.” —Danielle James
Can we get into this stunning shade of gray? Dior’s “Gris” nail polish is a must-have for any collection, and it’s formulated to last for a while because of its gel-like hold. Some reviewers even noted that this chip-free polish lasted for over a week.
Dior star rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Dior reviewer says: “Follow the application tips and you will have a lasting manicure.”
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According to Basurto, gray is one of this season’s hottest nail colors and one of her favorites overall. There are plenty of gray shades to choose from, but we’d recommend starting with Olive and June’s slate gravy nail polish. It has a really lovely blue undertone that places this color somewhere along the spectrum of charcoal and navy.
Olive and June star rating: 4.8 /5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This slate gray nail polish with a hint of blue reminds me of those of-so-cold winter NYC nights when you turn the corner and the cold wind hits you in the face. It stands out and is a nice change from a typical winter white.” —Danielle James
Harry Styles knew what he was doing when he crafted this deep blue nail polish. Just look at the gorgeous color, how could you not love it? If you prefer a matte finish, as opposed to a shimmering shine, then this polish is definitely for you. Also to note, if your skin is on the fairer side, a polish with a blue undertone is a great pick.
An ELLE editor says: “When I first tried Pleasing nail polish, I was pleasantly surprised. It’s long-lasting, without being advertised as such, and the colors are so vivid. This deep blue reminds me of the Mediterranean Sea at night—the dark blue is mesmerizing.” —Danielle James
Nude works well for any season due to its inherently versatile quality. For a classic nude, opt for Manucurist’s “Dune” shade, which is a beige color with slightly orange undertones. You’ll want to wear this timeless shade on repeat.
Manucurist star rating: 4.3 /5 stars An ELLE Editor says:
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Best Gold-Tinted Nail Polish for Winter
Pear Nova Cleo F*ckin Patra - Classic Lacquer
With a rating of nearly 5/5, we’re not shocked that Pear Nova’s Cleo F*ckin Patra is a fan favorite. This gold-toned mixture screams opulence, and we’re absolutely here for it. Just ask our beauty editor Nerisha, who says that it truly is all that, and then some!
Pear Nova star rating: 4.9 /5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Pear Nova - Is it green? Is it gold? Is it brown? The beauty of Pear Nova’s Cleo F*ckin Patra shade is that it pretty much flips between all of these shades at certain angles and lights. The versatility of its color shines most with each swipe; you can brush on a sheer coat for a golden pigment or build up the coverage and watch hints of green eventually transition to a luscious glittery brown.” —Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Not everyone is into deep, saturated shades. For those who love a good old barely-there nail polish, Chanel’s Le Vernis polish in the shade “Ballerina” is a must-have. It’s fairly transparent with a natural-looking shine. Not to mention, it is my personal favorite!
Chanel star rating: 4.3 /5 stars
A Chanel reviewer says: “This is a beautiful nail polish! I receive compliments after every application and all a request for the brand and color. Have been applying Ballerina for years.”
If you’re searching for a polish to give you a boost of confidence, look no further. This elegant shade of cherry red is so fabulous that you’ll definitely receive tons of flattering remarks. When you tell your complement givers that the shade is from Sundays, make sure to also mention that this polish is super long-lasting thanks to its quality formula.
Sundays star rating: 4.9 /5 stars
A Sunday reviewer says: “A deep red nail is always classic, but I especially love to wear this look in the colder months for a subtle, sultry pop of color. This rich cherry-red hue from AAPI-founded label Sundays is a standout. It’s punchy yet elegant with just the right amount of sheen to it, and like the rest of the brand’s polishes, is cruelty-free, vegan, and non-toxic. I once got a gel manicure at the brand’s salon with this color, and my typically short, brittle nails grew longer and stronger than they ever have before.” —Sam Peters, Hearst fashion & luxury commerce edit
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As someone who adores neutral colors, this pearl-esque gel nail polish is on my wish list. I’m obsessed with subtle purple undertone, which sets this hue apart from my usual collection of nude shades. Aside from the color, I’m also excited that this polish will last for weeks when cured under a LED light!
OPI star rating: 5 /5 stars
An OPI reviewer says: “This is my favorite color. It's a great neutral that goes with anything. I get compliments on it all the time! Only downfall is that it's hard to find!! I have to order it and take it with me when I get my nails done.”
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Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, our digital beauty director, Danielle James spoke to other ELLE editors to discover their favorite nail colors for winter, while Lauren Tappan scoured the internet reading hundreds of reviews.
