Contrary to what you may think, there’s a lot more to winter nail color trends than just holiday-inspired shades. We love a festive red manicure or glittery gold accent nail as much as the next person, but why not branch out a bit this season? From warm, chocolately browns to rich navy blue to emerald green, there are so many winter nail colors to choose from.
To help you find your new nail shade, we’ve rounded up the best winter nail color trends of 2021. Feel free to wear them everywhere this season, whether it be your holiday table, a snowy stroll, or a night out with friends. Read on to discover your new favorite nail look.
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The Biggest Winter Nail Color Trends for 2021
Cognac Brown
As 90s grunge continues to surge in popularity, brown has become an ultra trendy shade across both fashion and beauty. It’s easy to see why; this rich, chocolatey shade is perfect to cozy up with this winter. If you usually opt for neutrals but are itching to try something a little bolder, cognac brown might be a great way to ease in.
Shades to try:
Lights Lacquer Nail Polish in The Butler ($9.50; lightslacquer.com)
Expressie Quick-Dry Nail Polish in Cold Brew ($9; ulta.com)
Jet Black
You can never go wrong with a classic black mani, but it seems like it has never been a trendier shade. Stars like Kourtney Kardashian (remember her edgy engagement manicure?) and Hailey Bieber have been loving black nails recently, further proving just how timeless and chic of a look it is.
Shades to try:
Essie Nail Polish in Licorice ($9; amazon.com)
Emilie Heathe The Nail Artist Polish in The Basic Bitch ($28; emilieheathe.com)
Burnt Orange
Pumpkin spice season may be in the rear view mirror, but that doesn’t mean pumpkin-y nail shades are off the table. In fact, burnt orange is shaping up to be one of the most prominent winter nail color trends. It’s a little bit brighter than the vampy shades that are so popular during winter, but muted enough to keep you in a cozy mood.
Shades to try:
OPI Nail Polish in My Italian is a Little Rusty ($6.47; amazon.com)
J. Hannah Nail Polish in Ghost Ranch ($19; violetgrey.com)
Emerald Green
Imagine, for a moment, just how stunning this color would look against the stark white snow or wrapped around a steaming mug of cocoa. This rich shade of green is ideal for the holidays, of course, but makes for a gorgeous manicure all winter — or all year — long.
Shades to try:
Static Liquid Glass Lacquer in Wicket ($16; staticnails.com)
Olive & June Nail Polish in Besties ($8; oliveandjune.com)
Midnight Blue
If you love the look of a dark manicure but are a bit intimiated by black, this deep blue is definitely the way to go. It perfectly captures the spirit of the winter season while keeping a slightly edgy vibe. If blue isn’t your thing, go for a similarly deep purple or burgundy shade.
Shades to try:
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Rhythm ($28; chanel.com)
INLP Holographic Nail Polish in Looking Up ($10; inlp.com)
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