11 Winter Nail Art Trends That Will Be Huge

For starters, vampy colors are sure to make a statement this season.

The current forecast: cozy days with a strong chance of bold winter nails. French manicures are getting dressed up and chrome nails have never shined brighter. For those who like to whip out all their holiday decorations before the first snow, the seasonal classics — in moody shades like dark crimson and jet black — are sure to gleam in glossy finishes. And ombre art and bubble nails are two (shockingly) easy ways to make a statement when the gloves come off.

On that note, what you choose to warm up with — say, a cup of hot cocoa or an oat milk latte — might very well be the inspiration for your next manicure. “Love or hate it, we are going to continue seeing unique chrome powder and base color combinations, and we will continue to name them after the most recent food or beverage trend,” says nail artist Anna Miles, whose manicure designs have appeared on recent runways, including Helmut Lang and Jason Wu fall 2023 shows. In short, glazed nails — in every color and shade of latte — are here to stay.

Ahead, nail artists share their favorite designs of the season.

1. Cherry Cola: Reach for a darker version of your classic red.

Some things never go out of style… like red nails. Take a cue from the looks painted by manicurist Jin Soon Choi and her team at Michael Kors and Brandon Maxwell’s fall 2023 shows. To make red feel a bit more seasonal than the vibrant cherry you might reach for in the summer, Choi suggests a deep burgundy shade (try Hermès Les Mains Hermes Nail Enamel in Rouge H, Dior Vernis in Nuit 1947, or Zoya Nail Polish in Courtney) that TikTok has named #cherrycola. The vampy color “adds a bit of mystery to every look,” Miss Pop, a New York City-based nail artist, told Allure.

2. Aura Clouds: Combine polishes in a creative way.

If we didn’t know any better, we might think it was still Y2K given the spotlight on the colorful center-gradient trend. “Aura nails popped bright all summer, but it’s also a fabulous look with [darker] wintery shades,” says Miss Pop. To create this blurred effect, she says, “Paint a dot of any opaque color onto a makeup sponge and dab it onto [the center] of the nail for a soft-focus burst of color.”

3. Eras: Create a rainbow of your favorite designs.

When your pointer finger is feeling “Fearless” and your middle finger is saying “Speak Now,” give them nail art to match. Swifties or not, we love the concept of a rainbow of different art on each nail — or if, like me, you have just one hand, consider combining two “eras” on each nail. “It’s a variation on the Skittles manicure trend from previous seasons, amped up with different manicures on each nail instead of just a bouquet of solid colors,” says Miles. DIY the look with nail stickers (Try Gucci Nail Art Stickers, Olive & June Nail Art Stickers, or Dashing Diva Nail Stickers) for effortless art, and seal it off with a top coat.

4. Bubbles: Make a simple gel manicure pop.

We don’t recommend washing dishes while painting your nails, but with this mani, you’ll have a whole new appreciation for a soap that really suds. Julie Kandalec, a New York-based celebrity manicurist and founder of Julie K Nail Academy, says to put a squirt or two of dish soap in a cup, turn the faucet high, and fill up the cup with water until large bubbles form. Scoop some of the foam onto a pre-painted gel color (this art only works on gel lacquer) of your choice prior to curing. Lastly, wipe away the bubbles with alcohol for a texture that pops.

5. Long and Clear: Skip the grow-out phase with press-ons.

Adhere transparent fake nail tips. That’s it. That’s the look! “Instead of trying to hide extensions, the art is showing them off,” says Miss Pop. We recommend Glamnetic Press-On Nail Kit in Heavenly, Kiss Clear Coffin Nails, or Static Nails Long Coffin Clear.

6. Jet Black: Shape up your dark polish.

Goth glam isn’t going anywhere. “Black nails have an effortlessly cool and stylish vibe,” says Choi, who suggests squoval or round nails. Long almond, coffin, or stiletto shapes are even more high-tone. Get the look with Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Color in Black, Londontown Lakur in Chim Cher-Ee, or Emilie Heathe in The Basic Bitch.

7. Metallic French: Modernize the 90s manicure.

Micro or macro, French tips are here to stay. No steady hand? No problem. Try Kiss Nails, as seen here at The Blonds spring 2024 show. Co-founder of Le Mini Macaron, Christina Kao, describes silver nails as “the trendiest manicure either as an accent or in a full-mirrored mani.” We love Sally Hansen Color Foil Nail Polish in Steel A Kiss. Choi emphasizes that the metallic shades “adds a cool flair to any style.”

8. Chrome: Set aside glitter in favor of this extra-shiny finish.

Glazed donut skin had its moment, so naturally, nails wanted in too. [Hailey Bieber’s viral nude-chrome manicure]has been having a moment since 2022, and now there are even polishes that create the effect instead of having to go to the salon. “You can ‘glaze’ any nail lacquer color you like with a pearly finish such as OPI Nail Lacquer in Kyoto Pearl,” says Miss Pop. Try it over jewel tones for a mesmerizing finish that is sure to catch the light in the dark of winter.

This winter, it’s all about experimenting with a dark base. “I’ve been layering a lot of iridescent chromes, such as Daily Charme’s Magic Holo Chrome Powder, over dark colors for an oil-slick effect,” says Miles.

9. 3D Gel: Make your designs stand out.

As much as we love an embellished manicure covered in rhinestones, the gems inevitably get caught in your hair… or loofah (We’ve been there!). But 3D gel provides the same impact — and it lasts a lot longer. “I use Jello’s Zig Zag gel — it’s just like puffy paint from the ’90s,” says Kandalec. If you want to try the look at home, Kandalec recommends Sara Friends 3D Embossing Gel. She also advises using a silicone tool instead of a nail art brush to manipulate the design and to add a slip of isopropyl alcohol if it gets sticky.

10. Ombré: Blur the lines.

If you have been growing out your nails, now is their time to shine. The extra length serves as the perfect canvas for an ombre design — Choi says you need ample space to create a noticeable effect. At Proenza Schouler’s fall 2023 show, Choi created the above grungy iteration by “dabbing JINsoon Absolute Black polish from the nail tips up to 1/3 of the nails to create the ombre effect.” She recommends “experimenting with colors like black, dark blue, or deep red to create a captivating monochromatic gradient effect.” Two options: Chanel Le Vernis in Fugueuse and Gucci Glossy Nail Polish in Black Crystal.

11. New Neutrals: Elevate your polish with a different finish.

Some might call this plain and simple polish but we prefer to describe this look as quiet luxury. To update favorites like Essie Ballet Slippers or OPI Bubble Bath, Choi suggests adding a matte top coat (Try Londontown Matte Top Coat) to switch things up. She says, “It’s exceptionally chic.”