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19 Perfect Winter Nail Colors: Muted Green to Vanilla

You'll want to try every shade on our list

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Come wintertime, a manicure can feel as festive as you want. If you're a zero on the celebratory scale right now, stick to your basics, be it a sheer ballerina pink or a classic red (these are the best red polishes, FWIW). However, if you're inspired to try something a little different or more nuanced as your wardrobe shifts—we have quite a few ideas.

"Always go with a color that resonates with your mood and the vibe you’re going for," advises Mazz Hanna, CEO of Nailing Hollywood. "I love classic winter shades like deep plums, rich burgundy, and forest green." However, lighter shades are also in play. "White polishes are underrated for winter," adds Hanna. "Sheer milky whites and warm vanilla shades bring a fresh, cozy vibe that is perfect for winter, while polishes with a subtle pearl finish look stunning around the holidays."

Whether you're looking to rotate in a few new polish shades, or can never decide what color to choose at the salon, scroll through the exact polish colors our editors and experts love to wear throughout the colder months.


Muted Green

Dazzle Dry Northern Lights

Northern Lights

"This cool-toned muted green is the perfect color for chilly winter nights," says Hanna, "a beautiful blend of green, blue, and grey tones."

Vanilla

Gelcare Ivory Pearl Gel Nail Polish

Ivory Pearl Gel Nail Polish

"Warm vanilla shades are a great light neutral shade for winter," says Hanna. This shimmery sheer gel polish is a great option when you're in the mood to swap out the deep rich tones for something lighter.

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For Hanna, OPI's Malaga Wine is "a great option for those who love a chic and classic winter look."

Almost Black

Orly It's Not A Phase

It's Not A Phase

"A gorgeous deep plum shade with a creamy finish that will look great all winter," says Hanna. "The Orly breathable formula is easy to apply and includes nourishing ingredients to keep your nails looking their best."

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Dark Chocolate

Hermès Les Mains Hermes Nail Enamel in Brun Bist

Les Mains Hermes Nail Enamel in Brun Bist
Credit: Bergdorf Goodman

A rich dark chocolate makes for the perfect transition from fall to winter...and then winter to spring (we plan ahead).

Milk Chocolate

Nails.Inc Caught in the Nude Naked Nails in Hawaii Beach

Caught in the Nude Naked Nails in Hawaii Beach
Credit: Sally Beauty

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

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Icy Blue

Lottie London Plant-Based Nail Color

Plant-Based Nail Color
Now 12% Off
Credit: Walmart

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.

Shimmery Blue

Addiction Tokyo Unknown Familiar The Nail Polish in Inner Universe

Unknown Familiar The Nail Polish in Inner Universe
Credit: Addiction Tokyo

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

Glossy Black

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Fade To Black

Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Fade To Black

Here's an 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 holds up without the need for UV curing.

Sage Green

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Leaf Me Be

Miracle Gel in Leaf Me Be

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,” celebrity nail artist Chaun Legend tells Bazaar.

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Emerald Green

Olive and June Nail Polish in Besties

Nail Polish in Besties
Credit: Olive & June

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.

Dusty Gold

Beauty Pie Wondercolour Nail Polish in Gift Wrapped

Wondercolour Nail Polish in Gift Wrapped
Credit: Beauty Pie

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

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Eggplant Purple

Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Oiseau de Nuit

Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Oiseau de Nuit
Credit: Chanel

This classic eggplant delivers the same vibrancy as classic red but works for all skin tones.

Deep Plum

Emilie Heathe Nail Artist Nail Polish in Big Night Out

Nail Artist Nail Polish in Big Night Out
Credit: Saks Fifth Avenue

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.

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Deep Red

Christian Louboutin Beauty Lalaque Le Vernis Nail Color in Sevillana Wine

Lalaque Le Vernis Nail Color in Sevillana Wine
Credit: Neiman Marcus

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

Red Brown

Essie Nail Lacquer in No To-Do

Nail Lacquer in No To-Do
Now 12% Off
Credit: Amazon

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 seamless combination of two of the best winter nail colors.

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Barely-There Beige

Côte Nail Polish in No. 3 Barely There Beige

Nail Polish in No. 3 Barely There Beige
Credit: Côte

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.

Icy Silver

JinSoon Nail Polish in Halo

Nail Polish in Halo
Credit: Jin Soon

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

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Smoky Gray

Zoya Nail Lacquer in Tris

Nail Lacquer in Tris
Credit: Amazon

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

Meet the Experts

a thick line break
  • Mazz Hanna is a nail artist and the CEO of Nailing Hollywood.
  • Chaun Legend is a celebrity nail artist and artist-in-residence for Lottie London.
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