The 10 coolest winter nail trends to go ahead and start wearing now

By the end of the year, even the most manicure-obsessed among us can get into a nail rut. But it's also one of the best times to have a mani; glitter and shimmer are welcome, and the seasonal color trends can be as bold or muted as you like. For those who need some guidance this winter, we consulted some of the top nail artists in the game to share their predictions for the biggest nail trends for winter 2025—read on for their picks.

Pearly Polka Dots

Expect to see the polka-dot trend in fashion extend to your mani, too. For this sweet look, celeb nail artist Zola Ganzorigt used OPI GELement in "Glazed Donut" for the base and OPI GELement in "Snow AnGEL" for the polka dots.

Rich, Dark Hues

Ganzorigt says she goes back to dark colours, like deep wine, every year around this time—as she did with Kylie Jenner, here, in the classic Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI.

Chocolate Nails

"Chocolate nails are carrying their reign straight into winter," says nail artist and educator Sofia Mazur. "Deep cocoa, mocha, and espresso tones appeared on runways in New York, Paris, and Milan, seen from brands like Miu Miu and Bottega Veneta." She says what makes the look so nice for winter is its versatility: "It pairs beautifully with both cool and warm complexions, looks elegant on every nail shape, and adapts easily to any finish—from high-gloss mirror shine to soft velvet matte or molten chocolate chrome."

Hazelnut Nails

Similar to chocolate but a little warmer and creamier, hazelnut is the perfect neutral shade to wear all winter long, especially when paired with a high-shine finish and elongated almond nails, as shown here.

Velvet Nails

Go for a velvet or cat-eye finish in "Deep emerald, navy, ruby, and amethyst with a soft, velvety, light-absorbing finish. It feels rich and wintry without being overly 'holiday,'" says celebrity nail artist Elle.

Icy Pastels

Visions of sugarplums are taking shape this season. Shades like "baby blue, lilac, frosty white like Mineral Fusion Ice Breaker, dove grey—toned down and slightly muted," explains Elle. To make it feel right for the season, "Think winter frost rather than Easter pastels. This works beautifully on short or long shapes."

Geometric Designs

Nail art is going swervy, swoopy, and modern, says Mazur. "You can play with geometry however you like," she explains. "Combine French tips with curved accents, layer lines, or add small dots for a playful twist." She recommends navy, like Mineral Fusion Deep Dive, against a sheer base for a cool wintry look.

Nail Art on Short Nails

"Clean, minimal lengths are being embraced for their versatility and practicality," says celebrity nail artist Erica De Los Santos. "They pair perfectly with intricate chrome details, micro-French tips, and winter-inspired art."

Glitz and Glitter

"My personal favourite winter nail trend has to be flash glitter gels," says De Los Santos, who says "they’re festive when they want to be but subtle when they need to be."

Metallic Accents

A pop of silver always works against seasonal colour trends. "This season, expect to see rich reds and forest greens taking centre stage alongside cool chrome accents," says De Los Santos, who created this look.

Lead image: Getty

This article originally appeared on harpersbazaar.com

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