From moody neutrals to holiday-ready manicures.
Not super jazzed about pulling out your puffer coat from the far corner of the closet? Neither are we. But one way we embrace winter is by treating ourselves to a winter manicure. (Our hands are much dryer than usual, so giving them some TLC makes extra sense.)
While it’s fair game to rock whatever color you like, the holiday season is the perfect time to try out darker colors, like deep reds, purples, and greens. And while you reach for your eggnog, why not show off a glittering gold or shimmering metallic for some extra flair?
When it comes to winter nail polish colors, nobody does it better than Olive & June. At Katie Couric Media, we love the female-founded nail care brand so much, they’re an exclusive partner in Katie’s Shop. We’re salivating over their winter set collection, which features dazzling new colors.
“Everyone gravitates toward darker shades in winter — a chic dark mani in deep green, purple, and red are always some of the most popular shades. For our new winter collection, we introduced our fresh take on these shades,” says Olivia Van Iderstine, vice president of content and creative at Olive & June. “Everyone wants a little fun at the holidays, so our metallic shades are also super popular.”
And don’t forget about your toes: As Van Iderstine points out, there are no rules when it comes to pedicure colors. “If you’re someone who plays it pretty neutral, winter is definitely your time to go wild with your pedi polish choices,” she tells us. You can go big and bold with a shimmering red color, or stay neutral with a toasty toffee color, like Olive & June’s Caramel Budino shade.
Ready to spice things up on your nails and toes? Below, we’re sharing the biggest nail color trends for winter — some are everyday go-to’s, like Essie’s Wicked, while others are high-shine pick-me-ups for all the parties you’ve already marked down on your calendar.
The Best Winter Nail Polish Shades 2022
ManiMe Silent Night Nail Stickers
ManiMe
Not all of us are talented nail artists, which is why these nail stickers come in handy. They can be custom-fit to your nails if you share photos of your hands or toes with the ManiMe team, or you can order them as-is and cut them to fit yourself. Either way, you’ll end up with flawlessly designed nails that last for over a week.
Winter Set by Olive & June
Olive & June
If you want to try all the winter colors, invest in Olive & June’s entire winter collection. This 7-piece set also comes with the brand’s cult-fave top coat. “For our new winter collection, we introduced our fresh take on these shades, which have quickly become our community’s favorites,” says Van Iderstine.
Lilac Shimmer by Olive & June
Olive & June
“A shimmery metallic lavender, like Lilac Shimmer, is a fun way to add some sparkle to your winter wardrobe. It dresses up any outfit and glimmers so beautifully, day or night,” says Van Iderstine.
Thunder Road by Deborah Lippman
Nordstrom
Match your nails to the moody-looking bark on the trees with Deborah Lippman’s gel-like dark taupe polish in Thunder Road.
Ruby Shimmer by Olive & June
Olive & June
Give your toes some love with a wilder, more festive color. “Try a shimmering red metallic to put a little sparkle in your step, even if you’re wearing boots. It really does brighten your day,” says Van Iderstine.
Unicorn Nail Polish Duo by Nails INC
Sephora
This Nails INC.’s polish duo will bring iridescent glam to your next mani or pedi. One shade glows in a soft rose-gold, while the other offers a sparkly purple tone.
Clair de Lune by Chanel
Nordstrom
If you want your nails to shine as bright as the star on the tree, try Chanel’s Clair de Lune color. It lasts super long, plus the glittering gold shade is ideal for all of your holiday soirees (including New Year’s Eve, of course).
Into the Trees by Olive & June
Olive & June
“We like to take traditional winter shades and put our own fun spin on them. A deep evergreen is really classic, so we added some blue to give it a fresh, modern look for Into the Trees,” says Van Iderstine.
Wicked by Essie
Walmart
Year after year, Essie’s Wicked is a go-to choice for winter manis and pedis. The dark red shade is a go-everywhere winner and looks chic paired with any outfit and accessories.
Gelato on My Mind by OPI
Target
If you like your nails bright (no matter the season), try OPI’s creamy new icy-blue shade.
