It’s that time of year again — winter is upon us. And there’s no better accessory to pair with your new chunky knit than a chic, mod mani peeking out from your sleeves. Though we’ll take any excuse to get our nails done, painting nails with a polish also serves a purpose: When it comes to nails in the winter, it’s actually better not to go bare.
“Nails tend to peel and crack more in the winter, so wearing polish actually helps guard them from the conditions,” says Marcy L. Street, M.D., founder and medical director of Doctor’s Approach Dermatology in Okemos, MI. Of course, don’t forget to take care of your cuticles and hands: Stash a hand cream with thick emollients in your purse or at your desk to smooth on throughout the day.
But wearing nail polish isn’t just a preventative measure in the winter. It’s also a fun way to show off your personality and embrace current trends. “Winter is the time for darker, warmer colors. Warm reddish browns are very popular right now,” says Eunice Park, Research and Development Manager from Aprés Nail. “Burgundy is also a classic winter color you can’t go wrong with.” And with more than 20.1 million views on TikTok, the emerging peekaboo nail trend is also set to take off this winter (the trend was also seen during New York Fashion Week). “The peekaboo look has one color/design on the bottom of the nail and another color/design on the top,” Park adds.
Ahead, check out these luxe lacquers to keep your nails in tip-top shape and on trend. Whether you’re searching for winter nail colors for dark skin, fair skin or anything in between, here are the best nail polish colors for winter.
A fresh neutral is a seasonal staple: Like a classic cashmere pullover, you can never go wrong with a stunning taupe. This GH Beauty Lab test winner transitions well from fall to winter, matching any cozy sweater.
No matter what NYE will look like this year, you can bring the party with you thanks to gilded nails. This sandy gold looks good on any skin tone, and even better with a glass of your favorite champagne or sparkling wine in hand.
Just like a rose flower, a traditional warm red shade never goes out of season. Liven up the gray, gloomy days of winter with this glossy red-orange polish. These warm reddish shades are in this season and another great transition shade from fall to winter.
