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. Groovy Abstract Blue French Manicure
photo: @bycheznails
Why settle for a traditional French manicure when you could rock these groovy tips instead?! Featuring THE color palette of the season, this winter nail art will add a funky touch to any outfit.
Plus, the abstract design makes these nails super easy to DIY. Start with cobalt blue tips, then layer the light blue and white polish on top in unique, wavy patterns. Just be sure to let each layer dry before you add another!
2. Mismatched Blue Winter Nail Art with Snowflake Designs
photo: @sonyas.nails
Can we just take a moment?! Unique, seasonal, and SO chic, these wonderland nails are the ultimate winter design. They have a little bit of everything: a trendy blue hue, stylish snowflake details, and glittery accents for a festive touch. Perfect if you’re feeling indecisive about your winter mani!
The Cutest Simple Winter Nails Designs and Ideas
Winter may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also the busiest. When you’re busy wrapping presents, setting resolutions, and battling the cold, you need winter nail designs and ideas that are simple and easy — while still being super stylish. And we’ve found the perfect nails for the job!
Whether you’re a minimalist at heart or are looking for easy DIY ideas, these are the best winter nail designs to give you some seasonal inspo. Scroll on for our faves, plus some tips for recreating them at home!
3. Simple Winter Nail Design With a Red French Tip Double Outline
photo: @thenaillologist
This winter nail design is proof that simple doesn’t mean boring! Spice up your nude mani with chic red outlines for a subtle pop of color. We also love how one tip is filled in for a bold accent nail!
If you want to DIY this winter nail design, these nail sticker guides will help you create the perfect outline every time. You can thank us later!
4. Simple Holographic Lavender Winter Nails
photo: @amberjhnails
We definitely want to stay in THIS lavender haze! With a shiny holographic finish, these lavender nails are such a chic and unexpected way to brighten up your winter wardrobe. Perfect for the Swifties who are still in their Eras era!
P.S. Looking for more Taylor Swift inspired nail designs? We’ve got you covered.
5. Simple Wine Red Winter Nails with Negative Space Cuticle Nail Art
photo: @heluviee
Just picture these burgundy nails wrapped around a glass of red wine as you lounge next to the fireplace. Perfection!
For extra oomph, add a pop of negative space at the base of your cuticles. Kind of like a reverse French tip, it’s a simple design that makes a serious statement! Just use a Q-tip and nail polish remover to create the elegant look.
6. Sparkly Nude Simple Winter Nails
photo: @nailsbyalsn
Here at GWS, we believe there’s no such thing as TOO much sparkle, especially in the winter time. For simple winter nail ideas that bring the glamour, look no further than this glittery nude design!
Sparkly, simple, and super versatile, these nails can easily be dressed up or down for any occasion. Think of them as the perfect seasonal neutral!
7. Simple Rainbow Skittle Winter Nail Design
photo: @sammismanis
If you’re tired of the same old winter colors, mix things up with these rainbow skittle nails! Like a breath of fresh air compared to all the dark tones of the season, this bright palette will give you instant serotonin every time you glance down at your hands.
While you can recreate this look with any nail polish colors, we’re especially digging this magenta pink, olive green, cherry red, navy blue, and terracotta orange combo. It’s unique, while still checking off the major color trends of the season!
8. Simple Forest Green Winter Nails
photo: @nailsbyalsn
Speaking of the color trends of the season, these simple forest green nails are a MUST for winter. Dark and elegant, they’re our favorite seasonal update to an all-black mani. And just as versatile, too! For trendy nail ideas that you can rock the entire winter season, it doesn’t get better than this.
9. Simple + Shimmery Green Winter Nail Inspo
photo: @amberjhnails
It’s no secret that green nails are having their moment this year, and this is another winter-approved version of the trendy shade. If you’re looking for something bright but still festive, this olive green hue is IT.
With a shimmery finish, this simple mani will look so chic peeking out from under a chunky sweater!
10. Simple Glittery Blue French Manicure
photo: @nailsbyalsn
A simple French manicure is always a good idea — but it can also get a bit boring after a while. Give the look a playful upgrade by swapping classic white tips for this glittery blue hue! Simple and unique at the same time, these frosty blue nails are truly the best of both worlds.
11. Simple “Falling Snow” Gold Foil Winter Nails
photo: @nailsbyalsn
Proof that all that glitters is gold! For winter nails that double as elegant jewelry, look no further than this simple design. Instead of glittery polish, they feature flecks of metallic gold foil layered on top of a nude base.
With such a sparkly and eye-catching design, they’re are the only accessory you’ll need this winter!
12. Simple Vanilla Winter Nail Inspo
photo: @thehotblend
Prepare to see these nails EVERYWHERE this season. With a warm vanilla hue, they’re the coziest neutral for all those cold winter days. Plus, they’re super easy to DIY! All you need is vanilla nail polish, pearl nail powder, and a disposable eyeshadow applicator. And don’t forget a strengthening top coat!
For a simple tutorial on how to recreate this mirrored vanilla design, check out this nail artist’s how-to video.
13. Simple “Clean Girl” Winter Nails
photo: @amberjhnails
If you need a no-nonsense manicure to carry you through all the dinner parties, to-do lists, and festive events of the season, then look no further than these gorgeous nude nails! Sleek and simple, they’re designed to look like your natural nails, but better.
Get this “clean girl” look by layering light pink polish with an ultra glossy top coat. Best paired with a slicked back bun!
14. Simple Snowflake Themed Winter Nail Art
Manifest winter flurries with this simple snowflake nail art! To DIY this seasonal design, use a dotting tool and a small liner brush to draw whimsical white snowflakes on top of a nude base. We also love the matte finish — which you can recreate using this matte top coat!
Our Favorite Classy Winter Nails Designs and Ideas
If you’re anything like us, then your winter calendar is full of events, from festive parties to NYE celebrations. And these classy winter nail designs and ideas are the perfect accessories to complete your formal looks!
With festive nail art, elegant designs, and plenty of sparkle, these classy winter nail ideas will instantly elevate any ‘fit. We’re adding them to our winter wardrobes ASAP!
15. Classy Tinsel-Inspired French Manicure Outline
photo: @amberjhnails
Give your nails a festive touch by adding a little tinsel to the edges! Simple yet sparkly, this nail design is the cutest way to count down to December 25th. Keep it classic with a glittery gold outline, or have some fun with mismatched sparkly colors. There are no wrong answers here!
16. Classy Plaid Winter Nail Art
photo: @thehotblend
Plaid is a winter fashion essential — so why not rock it on your nails, too?! We love love love this purple plaid nail design, complete with sparkly silver details and unique geometric French tip nail art. It’s a must for the fashion girlies who love to match their nails to their outfits!
P.S. For a simple DIY mani, we found these similar purple plaid nail strips. Obsessed!
17. Classy Almond Shaped Sage Green Winter Nail Design
photo: @amberjhnails
Is it just us, or are you getting major aprés ski vibes from this winter nail design?! From the soft sage green color palette to the geometric tips (which almost look like snowcaps on a mountain!), they have us dreaming of a day on the slopes. Snow bunnies, this one’s for you!
18. Classy Sparkly Black Winter Nail Art
photo: @thehotblend
A black manicure, but make it festive! If classic black is your go-to nail color, this is the best way to make it feel seasonal. Alternate between solid black polish, classic French tips, and a chic snowflake design for winter nails that are edgy and elegant at the same time.
And yes, we found the perfect glittery black polish for the job!
19. Classy Silver Snowflake Winter Nail Art
photo: @thehotblend
This classy winter nail art channels the same festive vibes as the last example, but this time in a sparkly silver hue! Super eye-catching, it’s the design we’ll be rocking to all our glamorous seasonal events. Because where these metallic nails go, the party follows!
Pro tip: If you love metallic nail ideas for winter but can’t decide between silver or gold, use your jewelry preference as a guide. This nail design would look just as stunning in gold!
20. Classy Iridescent Blue-Grey Manicure
photo: @thehotblend
We’re calling these nails “blizzard chic.” From the icy metallic finish to the frozen grey hue, they take the cold weather of the season and turn it into a stylish aesthetic. And we are HERE for it!
Get the look with this frosty nail polish, which has the perfect iridescent shimmer to recreate that dreamy blizzard effect.
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!