The winter makes me want a little bit of glitz and glam in all things – most especially in nails. Perhaps it is the difference between the coolness of the air and the warmth of the textures, or it is simply that time of the year when everything is going slower, and you finally have time to spoil yourself. This season, nail art is a silent luxury. The type that does not scream but murmurs, I see to the details.
Golden Frost Elegance
It is magic in the combination of gold and nude during the winter. The design is a balance between luxury and softness, which I like to get a glimpse of the sunshine on a fresh snow. The golden glitter is merged into the nude foundation, giving a look that is both celebratory but still exceptionally elegant. The snowflake of black is a little touch of contrast and is ideal to wear during the holiday party or even a night out in a sweater dress.
To make this manicure, I tend to start with a light buff and a base coat, which is my preferred OPI Natural Nail Base Coat. Next there is a pink foundation, such as Essies Ballet Slippers or the Avery of Zoya, nude-pink. I apply a fine gold glitter polish, being more concentrated on the tips to create that gradient frost effect. In the case of the snowflake art, a fine brush and black gel liner work miraculously. Spray it all off with a shiny layer coating.
As I attempted it on the first time, it immediately cheered me up, it is the sort of manicure that will leave you feeling presentable even in the mid-winter mayhem. According to Allure, in an interview with celebrity nail artist Betina Goldstein once, a single metallic accent can make an otherwise ordinary manicure a statement. This one is a complete confirmation to her.
Monochrome Holiday Chic
Black, white and silver- old, clean and surprisingly new. This nail art comes as a dream nail of a minimalist during the holiday season. Those linear lines and that geometrical christmas tree are so new of the art around the festive season. The combination of the glossy black and silver glitter is not too dramatic, whereas the white returns the whole to the earth and an up-to-wearing level.
In order to make it again, I use gel polishes to make that glass look. The Alpine Snow by OPI should be used as the white base and Gelish Black Shadow should be used as the jet-black contrast. In the case of the silver, CND Vinylux in Silver Chrome provides that ideal iciness. Balanced it is- use the glitters sparingly and they do not bury the design.
Frankly speaking, last Christmas I was dressed in a similar combination and people could not stop inquiring me where I had it done. The best thing about it is that it is suitable with anything, even a shiny dress or your fluffiest sweater. According to the recent post in Harper, Bazaar, monochrome manis are the new red lip, which is everlasting, even as of the season. I couldn’t agree more.
Soft Cocoa Sparkle
It is the one to be used by the minimalists that still need that winter glow. The shimmering stuff is almost the same, the cozy beige is almost hot cocoa sprinkled with pearl shimmer. It is subtle, feminine and it works with warm and cool tones. When your mojo is easy luxe, this is the winter 2025 fashion item.
I prefer to apply Olive and Junes Pink Sands as a foundation, it is less apparent yet it glows, and then add a layer of Essie Summit of Style, a sheer layer, to get a glass finish. To make it last longer for wear, I top it with a gel finish. This nail polish is also extremely easy to upkeep and this makes it ideal to all those that like a fast at-home nail polish.
Whenever I perform this style I experience that sense of clean girl confidence, the type of manicure that speaks quietly rather than screaming. You need to get yourself a winter cleanse, and you can begin here. It’s cozy elegance in a bottle.
Smoky Quartz Grey
Grey nails have sneaked in as the new neutral of winter and this hazy glossy shade is evidence of this. It is brooding, smooth and so fashionable. This tone is really calm sophistication, between slate and silver, and it is astonishing both in the natural daylight and candlelight.
I am addicted to OPI Steel Waters Run Deep in this type of color. It is deep without being black, and combined with the high gloss top coat such as Seche Vite, it will be hypnotic. Carve your nails into an almond shape to make the fingers longer, to make the sleek look.
The first time I did this manicure was in January and it immediately became what I would describe as the nailing equivalent of the cashmere sweater. Subtle, but powerful. Jin Soon Choi, a celebrity manicurist, told Vogue that grey nails are discreetly assertive, cheesy but demonstrative. Can not have put it better.
Chocolate Glaze Glam
The use of warm brown colors is taking a very serious moment and this chocolatey manicure justifies the reason why. It is thick, welcoming and immediately gives winter wear a dimension. The sparkling oversized glitter of an accent nail is the sweetener of the hands- a great combination of fashion and style.
In the event that I were to recreate it, I would go to OPI Express yourself in Espresso or Lights Lacquer Teddy Bear. The glitter accent could be done with Butter London Gold Rush Overcoat- it gives that multipolar shininess that is not too festive.
The initial experience of using a chocolate shade did not make me assume that it would become my winter color of choice, but here we are. It is comfortable and self-assured, and I like the fact that it compliments every shade. The new red is brown nails and you have not yet tried them, and believe me, it is your time to do so.
Midnight Snowflake Charm
Nothing is more winter-perfect than the combination of deep navy nails and a silvery accent. This glimpse immediately brings to my mind the snowy nights when there are no people around and the stars are nearer. The cold metallic shine on one of the nails, with a little snow-white snowflake on top of it, gives the perfect level of celebration without going overboard.
I adore Essies After School Boy Blazer in the navy and OPI silver on Ice in the metallic touch to attain this sleek finish. A thin white nail art pen can be used on the snowflake detail or it can be stamped using a stamping plate- both are easy to create the frozen feel of the snowflake at home.
I feel polished when wearing this design, literally. It is dressy enough to work in, but glamorous enough to go out in the evenings during the winter. According to Vogue Beauty, featured last season, the colour of the nails is also a quiet form of luxury, particularly when the colour is contrasted with silver or white.
Evergreen Christmas Muse
The combination of matte forest green and crimson red is all I like about the holidays, does not seem like the holidays, yet it is warm and nostalgic and still stylish. It has a modern twist with the soft matte finish, but the small snowflakes of white color and the accents of leaves make it appear directly out of a holiday card.
In this design, I will recommend the Hunter by Zoya as the green base and the Got the Blues by OPI as the deep red. To provide that smooth velvety finish a matte topcoat such as Essie Matte About You will do the trick. To do the details of the design, one takes a fine-tipped brush and applies the snowflakes and foliage with a white and an olive-green gel paint.
I have never tired of this combination of colors matched with a cozy knit-sweater and hot cocoa held in your hands. It is cute but well-dressed, the manicure version of the ideal winter dress. According to Allure, nail expert Julie Kandalec said that a matte finish would turn any celebratory shade into a high-fashion accessory. Couldn’t agree more.
Black Ice Minimalism
Something boldly basic about jet-black nails seems to be eternal and strong. This is a design that is tilted towards that energy clean, glossy and bold. It is the final least is more of winter 2025. This is the look that you are. When you prefer a certain amount of mystery.
To achieve the perfect jet-black gloss I turn to OPI Black Onyx or the Fade to Black by Deborah Lippmann. Roll the nails to long almonds to achieve a sharp and modern shape. Last on Seche Vite to that mirror slickness.
Whenever I go black during winter, I am reminded of how easy it is to do- as though I were wearing my favorite piece of leather clothing in nail form. It is trendy, daring, and it does not require a description. The ideal choice when you feel like you have your life together, though you are simply enjoying a cup of coffee in your coziest sweater.
Emerald Sparkle Envy
Dark green and gold shiny – what could be more gala? This nail polish is a recreation of the beauty of the evergreen trees in the twinkling lights. The glitter gradient does not take away that natural beauty, instead it brings a little glamour to it and this makes it suitable both in daily use and in the holiday season.
My combination of choice: Essie Off Tropic in the green base and CND Gold VIP Status in that fine, radiant sparkle. Application Blend the glitter in the tips downwards with a makeup sponge to give that seamless fade.
My favorite part of this manicure is that it immediately provides the effect of a holiday glow to your hands, even without jewellery or accessories. Previous nail art by manicurist Tom Bachik once said to Byrdie that adding gold details in winter makes the color warmer – it is the glow-up your nails need. This look nails it, literally.
Gilded Starry Night
This would be the winter magic looking. Dark matte green nails with golden star patterns and small red gems all this design reminds me of a Christmas night in nail polish. It is artistic, graceful and somewhat playful which is what the season demands.
To be replicated, begin with Zoya Eivissa or Essies Satin Sister that dark green shade. Apply a thin layer of gold liner polish or gold foil to create the shape of celestial objects after applying a matte top coat. Put in little red crystals to make a jolly pop – faint, though they take the light well.
I recall that I had something like this on me last December and frankly speaking, I only needed this single accessory. The light seemed to have been tightly filled around my hands every time the light struck those gold stars, and it felt like they had been encircled by holiday cheer. It is daring and yet sophisticated, the best way to end the nights that were the most magical of the season.
Frosted Blue Candy Stripes
The combination of icy blue, white and shimmer is so easily cool. The design reminds of a snowy winter frost-a sense of whim and yet retains that quality of a sophisticated and elegant style. It feels high-end with a combination of glitter, stripes, and a slight texture with the ability to wear.
To achieve the appearance, I would use the OPI GelColor in My Pal Joey to have that rich cobalt blue, and a clean white such as the Essie Blanc. With the glitter accent, CND Vinylux Ice Bar is a perfect match. The striped pattern is achievable with the help of tape to create clean lines- ideal in that candy-cane effect.
As I put my blue nails on as such, I immediately feel that I have left a snow globe. It is clean and somewhat bold, and as a matter of fact it makes any clothing stand out. Blue polish has turned into a winter necessity in the recent past- even Harper bazaar has named it the new cold weather neutral. I couldn’t agree more.
Peppermint Twist Glam
There are not many designs that are more associated with a holiday than red and white stripes with glittering decorations. It is a peppermint dream manicure, totally raised with the contemporary form and shine but enjoyable, cheerful and nostalgic. It is all held together with the red gems and snowflake art creating a winter fantasy moment.
I adore Gelish Good Gossip in the ideal metallic red and Funny Bunny of OPI in white base. The stripes may be drawn with a fine brush or they may be painted with nail tape. Add rhinestones, and finish with high gloss top coat to get a candy shine.
It is audacious, but in the best sense of the word. It is the manicure that I would use during holiday events, girls night out or any other time where I need to add a bit of glitter in my life. According to Allure, this is because celebrity manicurist Brittney Boyce says that playful nail art is a way of rekindling the fun of self-expression. That happiness gets nailed to that design.
Lavender Knit Serenity
This comfortable matte lavender appearance is like putting your fingernails in a cashmere sweater. The knitted detailing on some of the nails is also textured, which gives it the feel of interest that touch is gaining momentum in these days. It is soft, feminine and adds a pop of color to those grey winter days.
I will suggest the Abby by Zoya as the base because it is a flattering shade of lavender which is suitable during the season. In the case of the sweater texture, you may either use a dotting tool or fine brush with 3D gel paste and then cure it. Add a matte top finisher to create that velvety finish.
A similar design was my go-to mani in February last year, and it was an immediate comfort mani. It is so comfortable and luxurious, but it is not very heavy to wear on a daily basis. According to Vogue, once, soft purple colors are the new definition of quiet confidence, and I cannot agree with it more.
Classic Holly Cheer
Holly leaves and candy canes are the best symbols of Christmas. The design is a combination of dark matte green and cream nude colours as well as seasonal cute patterns. It is celebratory, merry, and not excessively so, think of warm holiday film energy but make it trendy.
In this appearance, OPI Stay Off the lawn! is the perfect base of the evergreen rich appearance, and Essie Topless and barefoot makes the ideal contrasting base. The details of the holly and candy should be done with a fine brush, or with nail stickers in case you are pressed in time. Top it all with a matte coating to make it smooth and modern.
Such a manicure makes one feel happier instantly, you get a touch of the holiday atmosphere anywhere. I did the same with a family gathering last Christmas and my nieces could not stop staring at me. It is that ideal blend of fun and subtlety.
Emerald Mirror Magic
Winter would have a luxury colour that would be this colour. Dark emerald and metallic mirror finish are royal and enigmatic at the same time. The light has a feather-like pattern that is subtle, but the element of magic is almost magical. This is the type of manicure that ensures that one feels strong every time he sees his hands.
In order to obtain the same sheen, Born Pretty Cat Eye Gel in Green Aura would work great and would be pulled using a magnetic wand into that feathered reflection. Once you know how to do it, it is so easy. Apply a high-impact glossy top and finish.
Wearing emerald nails immediately gives me the self-confidence, it is that warm, down-to-earth energy that winter can occasionally require. Nail artist Tom Bachik once remarked that Green is the new black when it is to be done using shine and this appearance is just that.
Midnight Elegance with Gold Accent
The combination of deep navy and soft lilac with one stripe of gold is rather quiet and sophisticated. The harmony of the cool and warm colors is the encountering of the night and candlelight modern, minimal, and impossible chic. I have always been fond of that kind of manicure that seems expensive despite the efforts not being put into it, which this is. The gold line reflects the light to some extent so as to make you look more elegant in your gestures.
In order to achieve this appearance, I prefer OPI-Less Is Norse in the navy shade and Essies-As If! in the lighter blue-grey shade. A metallic nail tape or exact swipe of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri “Go for Gold can be used to obtain the gold stripe. It is finished off by a high-shine top coat to give a glass-like finish that is unresistible.
The thing that I like the most about this style is its flexibility. It is smooth to work on in the office and is good enough to be used during a holiday dinner. I have always been asked when wearing it, whether I got my nails done professionally or not. And I just smile.
Emerald Christmas Charm
This one immediately puts my party-giving side into action. Emeralds and candy-canes clash in the most playful way and just in a flash it seems that it is Christmas morning in a bottle topped in manicure. The combination of jewel colors and creamy nude makes an ideal balance of the holiday bold, neither too much. It is the type of design which makes it even more adorable to hold the cup of hot cocoa.
I would use OPI “Stay Off the Lawn!!” as a deep green base and a neutral such as Essie “Ballet Slippers” as the nude to recreate it. All it takes is a little brush and some patience in order to paint that candy cane stripe. The trick to festive nails, according to nail artist Julie Kandalec, is all about the accuracy and balance- and I could not agree more. An oily glossy finishing creates the impression that it is a small work of art.
Whenever I am even wearing this, my mood is instantly boosted. It is nostalgic, lighthearted and a little bit of whim right in time during winter.
Copper Frost
Electricity comes in combining smoky gray with copper glitter. It is melancholic, but light, like candlelight through frosted glass. This manicure is full of winter night out vibe and there is enough drama therein to make you feel strong when you hold a cocktail glass in your fingers.
I prefer wearing Essie Cashmere Bathrobe as basic and applying Zoya Autumn or China Glaze Harvest Moon at the ends. This fade effect can be best achieved using a small sponge- dab and blend the glitter upwards. Layered metallics, according to celebrity nail artist Betina Goldstein in an Allure story, turns short nails into dressy and modern attention-grabbing and, therefore, are ideal in this look even with mid-length nails.
When I attempted this on one party during December, it complemented my bronze earrings and I felt that I had it all about me even when I was wearing a black sweater.
Cocoa Chic
Cute, cozy, and a little surprise, that is how I would define this combination of chocolate colors, smooth whites, and odd 3D pearls. Even the slight bear accent pays homage to the nail art that has been massive this year and is K-beauty-inspired. It is adorable and yet stylish, something that you would find on Instagram and pin it in a second.
In the case of the brown, I would use OPI, Chocolate Moose, and Essie, Coconut Creams. In order to add pearls, I employ tiny self-stick beads covered with a thick top layer. The bear design – believe me, it is not hard as it sounds. The face details are performed with a dotting tool and a fine liner brush.
This style reminds me of the moments in the cozy cafes with friends, enjoying the mocha lattes and gossiping about everything. It is whimsical, friendly and the sort of manicure which leaves people smiling when they look at it.
Velvet Snowflakes
There is nothing more wintery than matte burgundy nails with golden snow on them. It is classic and immediately celebratory, without entering into the world of kitsch. The matte finish gives this touch of soft velvety texture that reflects the light in a somewhat mysterious, somewhat royal way.
On the base, OPI Malaga Wine or Deborah Lippmann Single ladies is a perfect match. I seal and stamp gold foil-polished snow with a matte top coat. Expert tip as nails expert Jin Soon Choi gives Elle: matte manicures are most effective on a nail that has all the layers below completely smooth. And have your time polishing the under coat – then everything is all.
When I put on this design, each time I feel like I am in a snow globe experience with warm sweaters, golden lights and this cozy serenity of winter nights. It is a simple form of magic, and it can never get old.
Mulberry Glow
Something about deep berry shades in winter is so mouth-watering – as well as with a little glitter. It has a matte mulberry nail with a single glittering nail accent of rose-chrome that makes the nails shine and reflect the light in the perfect manner. It is festive yet sophisticated, comfortable yet assertive. The matte finish makes it not too sweet and the metallic makes it sparkling as we all need in the longer nights.
In this appearance, I turn to Essie Bordeaux as the matte color and OPI Chrome Effects Rosy Future as the pink metallic touch. A good matte top coat such as Zoya Velvet Matte will be required to maintain the balance of texture. The best thing about this combination is that it makes hands immediately warmer like having them in a scarf made of wine-colored cashmere.
Any time I put on this design, people who serve me at bars, my colleagues, and even complete strangers at checkout lines asked me some questions about it. It is subtly beautiful, yet that one glitter nail? It’s pure personality.
Plum Perfection
Sophistication would be like a color, it might be as deep and glossy as plum. It is abundant, immortal, and the best remedy to gray days in winter. The rounded-off design offers confidence and the mirror-like reflection provides it with a high-brow appearance. It is a glance of the sort you say less is more, uncomplicated to say, magnificent to do.
I am fond of OPI after dark, Lincoln park or Essie after dark, Wicked. Two coats of top coat with a high shine results in that salon-like shine, however, and see Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat to get a glass-like finish. Celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik once said that an ideal dark nail polish must be reflective of light like patent leather and this one fits the description perfectly.
Whenever I dress in this tone, I feel like a complete person even in my most comfortable sweater. It is the kind of immediate confidence booster, the one that goes hand-in-hand with a holiday dress or a hot cup of coffee.
Emerald Lines
It always seems strong in winter in dark green, it is deep, dramatic, and to some extent mysterious. This appearance incorporates that traditional forest green with a finer touch of gold and it comes across as luxury. The juxtaposition of the jewel coloring and metallic stripe is both royal and rough as though it were a must and fashion.
This combination mixture matches perfectly with Essie “Off Tropic” at the bottom base and Sally Hansen “Golden-I” at the fine line. I apply a fine striping brush and rest my hand on a table to be very much accurate. Once nail artist, Brittney Boyce, told Harper Bazaar that metallic lines could serve as jewelry to your nails- minimum work, maximum effect and I could not agree more.
It is fancy, celebratory and it is unbelievable in combination with gold rings or oversize sweaters. I always think to myself that I have my life together with this design, even on the hectic December mornings.
Frosted Blue Snowflake
It is magical in the icy blue nails with a warm winter sweater. This appearance is a shimmery navy bottom mixed with a snowflake decoration that immediately takes me to the moment of the first snowfall. The slight art preserves it delicate, and the dark blue that which makes it midnight-sky.
To make this, I prefer the base of OPI “Russian Navy” and the fine white stamping polish such as Born Pretty Snowflake White. It can be painted by hand on the snowflake, it only takes a tolerance, and then you must use a very thin brush. The magic is clearly sealed with a glossy top surface. The NailPro Magazine reports that this winter, blue nails are on the hype as a reminder of the cold tranquility and harmony.
It is a favorite of mine in terms of the design it does not seem cliched, but remains wintry, and when I look at it I can almost smell hot chocolate and pine.
Holographic Aurora
This appearance is the art and science combined, the awe-inspiring combination of teal, violet, and copper chrome, which changes with each movement. It is as though the northern lights were taken in your fingernails. Such a design is always a subject of a discussion, as it is unusual, but fully able to be utilized in the colder season. Think “mystical elegance.”
I attain this effect by using a teal gel polish as a base, and apply chrome powders in magenta and copper colors. They are mostly best blended with a silicone applicator. Nail artist Chaun Legend posted that the new neutrals are multichrome finishes, they change with the light, outfit, and mood, which best describes the versatility of this manicure.
I can never get my hands off of it whenever I put it on. It is futuristic, somewhat rebellious, and a reminder that even when it is silent in the winter, there will always be some magic lurking in the light.
