Besties, it’s officially time to retire those fall manis—winter nail szn has entered the chat and she’s serving LOOKS. I’ve scrolled through every nail tech’s Instagram, stalked #nailsoftiktok for hours, and DM’d my fave artists to bring you the designs that are actually worth showing your nail tech. From moody reds to holiday sparkles, here are the best nail ideas to try this winter.
1. Fair Isle Pattern
That dusty blue x white combo with mini Fair Isle patterns is peak winter 2024. No more basic snowflakes—these mini zig zags and dots are the blueprint for cute-girl winter nails.
2. Cherry Mocha
Cherry mocha is peak December nail goals. The white bow accent on a single nail? Money. This shade of red will look amazing under all those twinkly winter lights.
3. Marble Nails
When black feels too much but nude’s not giving. This gray marble effect is basically January clouds on your nails. No crystals needed when your nails look this icy.
4. Green & White
Obsessed with this color block moment! The emerald shade is eating up everyone’s Pinterest boards right now, and those tiny dot accents? Your nail tech won’t hate you for asking.
5. Red Chrome
This classic red chrome is giving everything—glossy finish, festive vibe. It’s the one design that has nail girlies in a chokehold this winter szn.
6. Dot Accent
Icy blue + gray combo with tiny dots = peak cold-weather minimalism. Perfect for when you want winter vibes but can’t deal with another red and green situation.
7. Rhinestone Nails
White nails, winter edition. The scattered crystals look like fresh snow minus the basic snowflake art. The mix of glitter and rhinestones = winter elegance done right.
8. Dark Purple
Okay but why isn’t everyone doing these chrome swirls?? That deep plum base with a negative space accent is such a vibe for winter without being another red mani.
9. Red & Gold
The micro glitter resurrection we deserved! Mix that fine gold sparkle with classic red and suddenly your hot cocoa pics are Pinterest worthy.
10. Milky Chrome
These translucent chrome nails are serving winter ice princess but make it 2024. Every Korean nail account is obsessed with the milky finish and tbh same.
11. Mauve Nails
This mauve mani is living in my head rent-free. Not your basic brown, not trying to be purple—just cozy winter vibes. TikTok says it’s the new neutral and for once they’re not wrong.
12. Cherry Chrome
The #NailTok girlies found out cherry chrome hits different in winter lighting and went off. The shine is actually ridiculous—catch me using these as my personal mirrors all winter long.
13. Green & Gold
Dark green polish walked so this combo could run. Mixing that deep evergreen with gold glitter accents? The Pinterest algorithm is shaking.
14. Milky Pink
Milky pink looks like your nails but 10x better, plus it actually stays cute when you’re 3 weeks into your mani. The clean-girl aesthetic lives on.
15. Maroon Aura
This maroon-to-white fade? Winter aura nail game sorted. Even your “I only do clear polish” bestie’s gonna want these.
16. Celestial Mani
Chrome stars on nude + glitter + black and gray accent = winter nail math we can get behind. The girlies in Seoul don’t miss.
17. Vanilla Chrome
Not @ everyone finally figuring out vanilla chrome looks better in winter. This shade is giving rich girl vibes, and the chrome finish? Actually wearable past December 26th.
18. Black & Gold
This black and gold flake combo just understood the assignment. The random placement makes it look like falling gold snow, plus the foil catches light in the best way.
19. Gray Gradient Tips
Different grays on each tip? We love a moody winter gradient moment. Plus that subtle fade from light to dark gray? Perfect for matching all your neutral winter fits.
20. Swirly French
Burgundy and white curved line on nude base? So clean and so pretty to look at. Ideal for anyone who can’t decide between minimal and extra (it’s me, hi).
21. White & Blue
The pearly base + snowflake combo is THE winter 2024 vibe. Plus, that navy glitter accent is a genius move for depth. Elsa, who? You’re the new queen of winter.
22. Copper & White
Drooling over these metallic swoops! Copper is the new gold this holiday szn, and we are here 👏 for 👏 it 👏. Swirled over a crisp white base, this look is Insta bait at its finest.
23. Pearl French
Red nails are a classic, but make it winter by opting for a deep, vampy shade and adding pearl stickers along the nail base. Santa baby, indeed.
24. Blue Aura
This blended black and pale blue is the baddest winter ombré on the block. For when you want winter on your nails but still need to maintain your HBIC status.
25. Neutral Chrome
You didn’t think we’d forget chrome, did you? Glazed neutral shades give ice queen at the ski lodge, and you know that’s the ultimate winter aesthetic.
26. Brown Nails
Brown and gold with a negative space accent for that gingerbread vibes—pretty, sparkly and ready to catch all the stares at every winter get-together.
27. Gray Mani
Two-tone gray combo proves neutral doesn’t mean boring. Spotted all over Instagram right now and we get why—it’s giving expensive minimalist energy.
28. Taupe Nails
I don’t know who needs to hear this but taupe nails are lowkey carrying 2024. The way this shade works with every winter fit? We see you!!!
29. Skittle Nails
Dark gray and white with a flick of glitter because you want your nails to match your ick for basic winter sets. 💁♀️
30. Glitter & Swirls
Glittery base and black swirls are what nail dreams are made of. It’s giving VIP section of the hottest NYE party. ✨Go big or go home, amirite?
31. Green Hearts
Nude base with cute green and white hearts—perfect for when you wanna stay soft but make it holiday. Even the Grinch would approve.
32. Velvet Effect
This red velvet mani didn’t come to play, it came to sleigh. Rich, bold, and unapologetically festive—the Mariah Carey of winter nails.
33. White & Gold
Milky white and 3D chrome accents—the ‘I’m so classy it hurts’ vibe. It’s subtle flex season, and these nails are letting everyone know you don’t do basic.
34. Black French
Frosted white base with black tips? Alexa, play “Ice Ice Baby” 🎵. It’s giving classy queen who’s way over the basic French mani.
35. Dark Green Marble
Not gonna lie—this deep green marble is a whole winter fantasy. Chrome ring accents? This set just entered fairy-tale-level chic.
36. Glittery Ombre
Gold glitter ombré for the babes who live for the ✨extra✨. It’s giving “champagne toast at midnight” energy and we stan.
37. Burgundy Plaid Nails
Burgundy nails x plaid is the collab we needed this winter! Not your grandma’s plaid—this one’s for the girlies who understand the assignment.
38. Starry Nails
This icy blue fade with star glitter is straight-up frosty chic. Winter nail art for those who live for the sparkle but still wanna keep it cute.
39. Snowflake French
Frosty blue French tips with snowflakes—because why wouldn’t you want a snow globe moment on your nails? The only winter blues we want.
40. Chunky Glitter
Forest green with chunky glitter is the festive mani we all need this szn. It’s giving Christmas cheer without going full Buddy the Elf, and we appreciate that balance. 🙏
And that’s a wrap on winter nail inspo! Found a look you’re obsessed with? Drop your faves in the comments, and don’t forget to share this roundup on your socials.
