20 Winter Nail Colors That Are Perfect for Sweater Weather (2024)

Your nail color is one of the best ways to accent any beauty look. Winter nail colors in particular are known to be cooler, richer, and more muted than other seasons of the year. The most popular winter nail colors include dark purples, intense blues, luxurious golds, and deep forest greens, according to Rianna Basurto, director of marketing and brand development at Bellacures. "These shades not only capture the essence of winter's warmth but also beautifully reflect the seasonal transition," she says.

And while red like oxblood and wine are typically popular choices in colder months, experts say now is the time to break out of the box and try other colors as well. Celebrity nail artist and Lottie London artist-in-residence Chaun Legend recommends testing the water with icy blues, milky nudes, and shimmery silvers that also embody the chill of winter. "These tend to be a little less common but are so striking, especially in a cold climate," he adds.

Whether you're looking to rotate in a few new polish shades, or can never decide what to pick at the salon, the following picks are among the best winter nail colors editors and experts love.

A rich dark chocolate makes for the perfect transition from fall to winter and then winter to spring.

Hot chocolate is a winter staple, and so is a nail polish that delivers the same deliciously warm energy.

No matter the season, a rich navy is on trend through spring. The deep shade isn't as potent as black but adds a shiny luxe touch of depth to any beauty look.

This icy blue shade from Lottie London has winter written all over it, and features an 80 percent plant-based ingredient formula that's completely vegan.

Addiction Tokyo's iridescent Inner Universe polish has a certain sparkle that likely stands out from the rest of the blues in your collection. And as an added bonus to its staying power, the formula also happens to dry more quickly than most.

Black polish isn't just reserved for spooky season. This midnight shade is the right kind of moody for winter.

Here's another option for black polish that's made to last, with a 10-free formula that isn't harsh on your natural nails. Its gel-like formula that holds up without the need for UV curing.

While sage green polish makes an excellent option for fall, experts love recommend it for winter, too. “I’d really like to see more people trying green out for winter too, the color of an evergreen feels so nice for a February or March manicure as spring starts,” Legend says.

As Legend previously mentioned, green is an unexpected shade that wears well during seasonal transitions or when your look calls for a more vibrant neutral.

Gold seems like an obvious choice at the start of winter when everyone is in holiday mode, but the metallic whether deep or light warms up the skin all season long.

Add this gilded polish shade to your winter rotation. It's not only coconut oil-infused, but also nicely chip-resistant and 7-free.

This classic eggplant delivers the same vibrancy as classics reds without the same undertone concerns.

Emile Heathe's nail polish bottles are as cool as the rich, opaque colors inside. They're magnetized so they stick together and won't slide around in your bag if you ever have to travel with them.

If you're looking for a new variation on your go-to red manicure, oxblood and other deep red shades are especially timely this season. We're loving this blue-red pick from OPI that complements just about any skin tone.

Louboutin Beauty's stylish, pointed bottle is a statement in itself, but the rich oxblood polish shade inside is equally as stunning.

At first glance it’s hard to tell if this Essie shade is dark red or chocolate brown, but it’s actually a hybrid of the two. Consider the polish a seamlessly combination two of the best winter nail colors.

A good nude polish never goes out of style. This sheer beige version from Côte is subtle enough to work with just about any beauty look.

This milky polish from Dior has a gel-like effect that doesn't just look nice, but is also infused with extracts of peony and an extract of pistachio to keep nails strong and hydrated.

Cool tones like this iridescent silver fit right into the icy vibes of a day skiing or running errands through snow-filled streets.

A deep smoky grayish brown hit the perfect balance between warm and cool tones.