The temperatures are dropping and the days are getting shorter, and that means it’s officially time to break out our favorite winter nails and nail art design ideas! Nothing helps you beat the cold like a truly great mani, and we’ve found the cutest nail designs to add to your winter inspo board.
From festive nail art to frosty designs to cozy colors (hello, hot chocolate nails!), these nail ideas will brighten up even the darkest winter days. Let’s get into it!
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1. Candy Cane Themed Winter Nail Art
Transport your nails to the North Pole with this festive winter nail art! With adorable candy canes, gold stars, and glittering rhinestones, these nails look like something straight out of Santa’s gift sack. If you’re hoping to secure your spot on the nice list this year, look no further!
2. Classy Evergreen Inspired French Manicure
photo: @thehotblendWhen it comes to festive winter nail ideas, why not use your evergreen tree as inspo?! With dark green tips, a swipe of glitter, and that foliage-inspired nail art, these winter nails are giving us just as much joy as a decorated evergreen tree. Now if only we could replicate that dreamy evergreen smell, too…
When it comes to festive winter nail ideas, why not use your evergreen tree as inspo?! With dark green tips, a swipe of glitter, and that foliage-inspired nail art, these winter nails are giving us just as much joy as a decorated evergreen tree. Now if only we could replicate that dreamy evergreen smell, too…
3. Classy Hot Chocolate Winter Nails
brown nail polish: Olive & June
Warning: these classy winter nails may cause a hot chocolate craving! Inspired by the winter brew, this brown nail polish will instantly add a warm and cozy touch to your look. Perfect for those extra cold winter months!
And for an even trendier look, we also love these brown glaze nail strips, which give your hot chocolate nails an extra dose of glamour!
4. Classy Hot Chocolate Winter Nails
Warning: these classy winter nails may cause a hot chocolate craving! Inspired by the winter brew, this brown nail polish will instantly add a warm and cozy touch to your look. Perfect for those extra cold winter months!
And for an even trendier look, we also love these brown glaze nail strips, which give your hot chocolate nails an extra dose of glamour!
5. Classy Velvet-Inspired Winter Nails
velvet winter nail ideas: Dashing Diva
We LOVE the idea of velvet nails, especially for the winter. They’re just as cozy and classy as your favorite velvet dress, and equally trendy!
To DIY this winter nail trend, all you need is magnetic cat eye nail polish, which gives you that chic fuzzy texture. Or for something even easier, we also love these velvet-inspired press-on nails! They come in three different classy colors and are so easy to use.
6. Classy + Festive Gold French Manicure
photo: @amberjhnails
It doesn’t get much more festive than this! Decorate your nails the same way you decorate your house with glittery gold accents and classy seasonal garlands. It’s the perfect winter nail design for the people who hang their festive decor starting November 1st!!
Cute Short Winter Nails Designs and Ideas
Looking for short nail designs and ideas for winter that don’t sacrifice style? We’ve got you covered!
If you like to keep your nails short and natural during the winter months, these festive designs will help you make the most out of every inch. Whether you’re a nail art fanatic or love a more simple look, we’ve rounded up the best short winter nail inspo and ideas for every style down below!
7. Short Snowglobe Themed Winter Nail Art Inspo
photo: @mynailgirlness
These short winter nails are like mini snowglobes for your fingers, complete with falling snow and the dreamiest winter scene. Safe to say were totally obsessed!
DIY your own winter wonderland manicure with this nail art brush kit. The dotting tools are great for recreating snow!
8. Short Latte Inspired Winter Nail Inspo
photo: @gel.bymegan
Latte nail art is having a serious moment right now, and that’s not about to change anytime soon! Give the trend a winter update with this skittle nail design, which features a gradient of drool-worthy brown hues.
Such a cozy design to pair with your favorite coffee off the seasonal Starbucks menu!
9. Short Vampy Red Winter Nails
photo: @charlotteemilybeauty_
Consider this your go-to color of the season! Red nails are always a fool-proof choice, and this dark vampy shade embodies the perfect moody vibe for winter. For winter nail ideas that will never steer you wrong, it doesn’t get better than this!
10. Short Metallic Winter Nail Art
photo: @m.o.n.a.j.
You heard it here first: the metallic trend is going to be huge this winter. And this short nail design is such a classy way to incorporate it into your winter wardrobe!
To make those metallic silver details stand out, add contrast with an all-black base. This will give the celestial nail art its time to shine — perfect for short nails with major wow factor!
P.S. This Color Foil nail polish will give you that metallic silver look with a single swipe. Brb, adding to our cart as we speak!!
11. Micro Metallic Gold French Manicure
photo: @gel.bymegan
Another one of our favorite metallic nail ideas, this chic design is the epitome of winter glam. The glimmering gold polish instantly catches the light, while the trendy micro French tips give your short nails an elongated look. Subtle, but super effective!!
12. Short + Festive Blue Winter Nail Art
photo: @toniafizzarotti
The bright bold hue! The chic snowflake details! The cozy sweater design! These short nails are checking off ALL the boxes for a chic seasonal mani.
For more unique winter nail inspo, we love the idea of choosing a festive nail decal and building the rest of your mani around that design. You can recreate a similar look using these sweater inspired stickers for an accent nail!
photo: @toniafizzarotti
The bright bold hue! The chic snowflake details! The cozy sweater design! These short nails are checking off ALL the boxes for a chic seasonal mani.
For more unique winter nail inspo, we love the idea of choosing a festive nail decal and building the rest of your mani around that design. You can recreate a similar look using these sweater inspired stickers for an accent nail!
13. Short Skittle Winter Nail Inspo
photo: @mynailgirlness
If you haven’t noticed by now, we adore skittle nail ideas for winter. They’re cute, they’re easy to DIY, and they look amazing for short nails. What more can you ask for?!
Give the skittle nail trend the winter treatment with this festive color combo. Alternating between red, green, icy blue, and turquoise, it oozes December vibes!!
14. Seasonal + Sparkly Short Manicure
photo: @bymaisiejayne
The easiest way to take your short winter nails from neutral to festive? Just add glitter! We love how this winter nail design alternates between a dark neutral grey and a dazzling sparkly silver. It’s playful and seasonal without looking too over-the-top — the ultimate everyday manicure!
15. Santa Themed Short French Manicure
photo: @mynailgirlness
Embrace your inner Santa Clause with this short red + white winter nail design! Featuring Old St. Nick’s classic color palette, they’re the perfect nails to rock as you check off your December to-do list. We’re especially digging the alternating French tips — kind of like little Santa hats for your nails!
16. Glamorous Gold Short Manicure
photo: @gel.bymegan
If you want to make the most out of every inch of your short nails, then you can’t go wrong with a glamorous metallic gold finish. It’s bright. It’s bold. And it gives even the shortest nails a super eye-catching look for winter!
Complete the show-stopping design with a holographic powder or ultra-glossy top coat for maximum star power. So good!
17. Short Sweater Inspired Winter Nail Art
photo: @sonyas.nails
Celebrate sweater weather with these short statement nails! For winter nail ideas that look cozy enough to cuddle up in, it doesn’t get better than 3D sweater nail art. Because even your nails need a chunky knit in winter!
To create sweater inspired accent nails to go with your winter mani, we love these embossed nail stickers. They’ll give you that cozy knit texture, no nail art skills necessary.
White Winter Nails Designs and Ideas for a Truly Wonderland Inspired Vibe
Flurries. Snowmen. Eggnog. Snowflakes. White is a winter staple, and the same goes for these white winter nail designs and ideas!
Elegant and classic, white nail art will always be in style, especially during the winter. If you’ve been looking for the best winter nail designs and ideas that you can rock all season long, we’ve found the most stylish inspo for you!
18. Snowstorm White Winter Nail Art Inspo
photo: @bycheznails
These white nails are truly a winter wonderland in nail form! With a glittery ombré design, each nail looks like it has its own mini snowstorm trapped inside. One word: magic.
And don’t forget the metallic gold snowflakes to tie the whimsical design together. We found the perfect golden nail stickers to recreate the look!
19. Party-Ready White Winter Nail Inspo
photo: @magnificientnails
Up the glam factor with this glittering white winter nail inspo! From the shiny pearlescent finish to the playful sparkly details, these beauties are definitely party-ready. They’re also one of our favorite winter nail ideas to pair with your NYE ‘fit!
These nails + sequins = a match made in heaven.
20. Snowy White French Manicure
photo: @thehotblend
White French tips are a classic for a reason! Give the age-old look a unique seasonal twist by painting the tips of your nails with a glittery white polish. You can even sprinkle a dusting of white glitter on top to create that sparkly fresh snow-textured effect.
Complete with a snowflake accent, these nails are so swoon-worthy!!
21. Glittery White Coffin-Shaped Winter Nails Idea
photo: @jet_set_beauty_nails
If you love coffin nails, this is one of our favorite design ideas for winter. The sweet and sparkly details balance the bold shape of the nails, and white ombré accents add such a dreamy touch. We love!
And if you want to skip the salon sesh, we also found these similar white press on nails with a snowy + sparkly design.
22. Simple Pearlcore White Manicure
photo: @latelieroboutdesongles
If you’re still not over the pearlcore trend (because same!), then we’ve found the best white winter nail ideas for you!
With an ethereal, iridescent finish, these shimmery white nails truly look like glistening pearls. And since frosty white is also a classic winter color, they double as the perfect seasonal nails, too!
23. White Winter Wonderland Nail Inspo
photo: @paznokietki_dla_kobietki
The Hallmark movie version of winter nails, these beauties are almost too good to be true! We love the winter wonderland vibes of the snowflake decals, especially paired with the metallic gold accents.
Complete with a snowy white base coat, it’s the dreamiest manicure to carry you through the cold winter months!
24. Abstract Ribbon-Inspired White Manicure
photo: @m.o.n.a.j.
Come December, chances are you have dozens of ribbons and bows strewn around your living room — and that’s the inspo behind this white winter nail art!
Featuring a single thread of gold tying each nail together, this white manicure is like a gift box just waiting to be wrapped. It’s such a cute and unique way to celebrate the season, and so fun to DIY, too. Just grab this gold nail polish liner and start doodling!
25. Eggnog White Winter Nail Inspo
photo: @thehotblend
We’ve talked about hot chocolate nails, latte nails, and even red wine nails. And now we’re introducing another one of our drool-worthy winter nail ideas: eggnog nails!
Like the famous winter drink, these white nails look creamy, rich, and ultra-sweet. Get the sugary glazed look with this milky white nail polish, finished with a shimmery top coat. Now all that’s missing is a mug of (spiked) eggnog!
26. Sparkly Silver + White Winter Nail Art Inspo
photo: @sonyas.nails
The best way to upgrade a simple white winter manicure is with some sparkly nail art. Case in point: this festive white winter nail design!
We love the contrast of the glittery silver accent nail with the stark white polish. And don’t even get us started on that glittery snowflake design! If this festive combo doesn’t scream winter, we don’t know what does.
27. Simple White Manicure With Striped Accents
photo: @nailsbyalsn
Another one of our favorite ideas for spicing up your white winter nails? Add an accent nail inspired by festive candy canes!
This simple striped design instantly elevates an all-white mani, and it’s SO easy to recreate. Just use some nail striping tape to create the design, paint over it with white polish, and remove the tape once it’s dry. It’s the ultimate December mani!
Our Best Winter Fashion Guides to Slay the Chilly Szn
Pay homage to the longer nights of the season with this celestial winter nail design! This nail artist created the ethereal midnight hue by layering two coats of this navy blue polish with two coats of this shimmery top coat.
Complete with some constellation nail art, this winter design has us totally starry-eyed!
Which of these winter nail ideas are you planning to rock first? Let us know in the comments below!