Picking the right shade for your winter mani is a tall order. With Christmas, New Year’s Eve and the ‘New Year, New Me’ vibe of 2026 to nail in the same season, it can be hard to know which shade will work best as you transition from party season to Dry January (should you be participating).
Luckily, with a few small tweaks to your autumn manicure, you’ll be ready to serve appropriate winter nails by the time the season is here. Whether you’re an all-out festive season lover or looking for a more minimal mani to welcome in the new year, there’s something for everyone this season.
Intrigued? Keep reading to find out the nail polish colours that are in and out for winter and pick your fave before your next nail appointment.
Featured in this article
Hear me out on this one, while tortoiseshell nails – with its mesmerising mix of brown and black tones – can be hard to top, they can be a little bit too muted for party season. The perfect time for extravagance and sparkles, try tinsel nails instead. Inspired by the classic Christmas decoration, this sparkly manicure is a great way of zhuzhing up any outfit this winter – even if you’re an all-black loving fashionista. With so many types of glitter nails to choose from, finer textures will leave you with a more luxurious feel and finish. And don’t worry if glitter isn’t your vibe, you can cheat a little with a super shimmery nail polish instead.
Instagram content
While moody autumnal tones like navy or forest green are perfectly complemented by matte textures, as party season approaches, sparkly, shimmery finishes are a no-brainer for your winter nails. Velvet nails – AKA cat-eye nails – have reigned all year long and they’re not going anywhere this season. Thanks to the sparkly particles, that can be moved and shaped with a magnet, catch the light with every flourish of your hand – an easy way to impress. Update your winter nails by opting for festive shades like pine green or winter-appropriate shades like icy blue and shine all season long.
While brown nails are perfect for autumn, once the leaves have disappeared and winter arrives, they feel somewhat out of place. Fear not though brown nail fans, the winter nail upgrade you’ve been waiting for has arrived in the form of gingerbread latte nails. Mimicking the warm tones of a hot cup of gingerbread latte, they’re brown with just a hint of red/orange undertones that feel so festive. Go for classic gingerbread brown with a shiny gel finish or spice things up with chrome or shimmery finishes. So warm and inviting.
Instagram content
It feels like there is a shade of red for every season and winter 2025 is no different. Put down your cherry or tomato red nail polish, this winter’s red has unsurprising festive origins. Like a sprig of red holly berries, this bright red is a wake-up call after autumn’s dark cherry and wine-coloured tones. Bonus points for matching your bright red nails with a bright red lip.
Instagram content
Nude nails have been another of 2025’s biggest trends. From rosehip oil nails to BB cream nails as well as the Japanese manicure, minimal manis that leave you with shiny, healthy looking nails have been inescapable. As we end the year and look ahead to 2026, what will be the next nude nail trend? Taking a leaf out of Kim Kardashian’s book and her recent manicure by nail artist Kim Truong, we’ll be saying goodbye to pink-toned nude nails and embracing beige tones instead. You heard it here first.
