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10 Trending Winter Nail Colours We’re Obsessed With

By Gabriella Buckner - 1 year ago | Updated
Winter 2022 Nail Polish image

What’s that? An excuse to hit the nail salon again? Oh, go on then.

With the temperatures dropping and baggy jumper season just on the horizon, we’ve felt inspired to give our mani’s a winter-themed makeover. It’s time to ditch the summer nail colours and welcome in a whole new palette of shades and styles.

After scouring Pinterest for the best winter nail ideas of 2022, we’ve plucked out our favourites to save you some time. Whether you're looking for an understated, vampy look or something a little lighter, Cosmetify and the world of Pinterest have you covered.

Ranging from classic Christmas colours to unexpected twists, these are the hottest (or coldest?) colours for winter 2022.

1. Deep Reds

One shade you’re probably expecting, but never gets old? Red! Candy canes, holly berries, Christmas tree baubles, Santa—how could we not wear red in winter?

However, if you’re over true red, the colder months are the perfect time to break out the deeper reds. A dark cherry red or slightly browny red looks great on everyone.

essie Expressie Quick Dry Formula Chip Resistant Nail Polish - Not So Low-Key

essie Expressie Quick Dry Formula Chip Resistant Nail Polish

£8.81
Jessica Custom Nail Colour - Bedazzler

Jessica Custom Nail Colour

£7.99

2. Christmas Tree Green

If it’s still a bit too early to put up your tree, lacquer up your nails with this deep emerald colour. You can really go all out with Christmas tree nail art and the like, or keep it plain and elegant. This dark shade really lets you do it all.

Jessica Custom Nail Colour - Sexy Safari

Jessica Custom Nail Colour

£9.90
Jessica Effects The Touch - 2012 Gold Digger

Jessica Effects The Touch

£8.65

3. Shimmer

If darker colours feel too heavy, just give your nails a single swipe of a shimmery shade. It’s fast and easy to apply, and seeing a bit of your nails underneath makes this look extra delicate.

Mavala Star Top Coat - Gold Star

Mavala Star Top Coat

£9.95
Jessica Custom Nail Colour - Gleaming Gold

Jessica Custom Nail Colour

£7.99

4. Metallic or Frosted Tips

For the best of both colour and nude nails, French tips are of course the answer. But this winter you’re going to be seeing everyone mixing it up with metallic or frosted tips instead of your classic white. Tip your nails with golds, chromes and/or lots of sparkles for a mini winter wonderland.

SOSU by SJ X Laura Anderson Goal Digger Faux Nails

SOSU by SJ X Laura Anderson Goal Digger Faux Nails

£8.95

Mavala Nail Polish

5. Gold and Chrome

These metallic shades are reminiscent of Christmas tree stars and baubles, tinsel and sparkling lights. If metallic tips aren’t enough for you, you’ll want to really bring the bling by going all out in gold or chrome.

Chrome’s a slightly more futuristic option compared to your typical silver, while there’s something just so holiday-esque about gold, especially when used with other colours on this list like a dark red!

Mavala Nail Polish

Jessica Diamonds Endurance Shatterproof Base Coat

Jessica Diamonds Endurance Shatterproof Base Coat

£13.75

6. Pearly White

Lots of people, probably thanks to Euphoria, are wearing pearls everywhere this year—around their eyes, on their nails. If you’re not sure about adding these rounded accents to your nails, then using a pearl white polish will still give you all that iridescent shimmer.

It also reminds us of icicles and snow glittering in the sun, and who wouldn’t want to think of that when looking at their nails?

Jessica Custom Nail Colour - The Proposal

Jessica Custom Nail Colour

£7.99
Mavala Natural French Manicure Ice Cube Set

Mavala Natural French Manicure Ice Cube Set

£12.95

7. Stormy Blue

Another weather-inspired colour this winter will be this moody, storm-cloud blue. Perfect for curling up by the window to watch the rain with a nice hot cuppa. The grey tones keep this shade understated, making blue polish super wearable for anyone who isn’t feeling a bright pop of colour.

essie Expressie Quick Dry Formula Chip Resistant Nail Polish - 340 Air Dry

essie Expressie Quick Dry Formula Chip Resistant Nail Polish

£7.04 £7.99 (12% off)
essie High Voltage Nail Polish Collection - 812 Feelin Amped

essie High Voltage Nail Polish Collection

£8.81

8. 50 Shades of Brown

Speaking of cups of tea—why not a cup of hot chocolate or a mocha? Shades of brown are going to be really trendy this winter, and they’re a great way to wear darker shades in warm tones if you’re not feeling the cooler blues or greens.

Brown is both a sophisticated and cosy shade that’s become much more popular in fashion lately, no longer a dated, boring colour but a flattering and versatile neutral. Pop it onto your nails this winter and you’ll see how it goes with everything you wear!

essie Expressie Quick Dry Formula Chip Resistant Nail Polish - Cold Brew Crew

essie Expressie Quick Dry Formula Chip Resistant Nail Polish

£8.81
Jessica Custom Nail Colour - Guilty Pleasures

Jessica Custom Nail Colour

£7.99 £9.45 (16% off)

9. Mustard Yellow

Brown isn’t the only trendy colour the ‘70s are giving us; mustard yellow is also back in a big way. Test out the waters by wearing mustard nails this winter, and we promise the unexpected shade will totally shake up your winter blues.

Jessica Custom Nail Colour - Yellow Lightening

Jessica Custom Nail Colour

£7.99
Jessica Custom Nail Colour - Free Spirit

Jessica Custom Nail Colour

£7.99

10. Burnt Orange

You might think this shade’s only for autumn, as much as it brings to mind falling leaves and pumpkin spice lattes. But we love it for a surprising yet not in-your-face pop of colour that’ll warm you right up in the colder months.

Like a halfway point between this season’s popular red, brown and yellow shades, darker, terracotta oranges are fun yet chic, and we can’t wait to wear them all winter long (when we’re not trying out every other trend on this list).

essie Expressie Quick Dry Formula Chip Resistant Nail Polish - Saffr On The Move

essie Expressie Quick Dry Formula Chip Resistant Nail Polish

£7.04 £8.81 (21% off)
essie Core Nail Polish Keep You Posted Collection - 768 Madrid It For The Gram

essie Core Nail Polish Keep You Posted Collection

£8.81

Had enough of your current acrylic nails? Learn How to Remove Acrylic Nails at Home in Five Steps for a safe removal that doesn’t require a salon.

Gabriella is a junior content writer with a background in creative writing, content marketing and journalism. She’s passionate about all things makeup and skincare, but especially vegan and cruelty-free beauty that is effective and inexpensive.

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