As the seasons transition into colder months, one trend is poised to stay put: short winter nails. From understated elegance to bold flair, this season’s nail trends cater to a wide range of personal styles. As we dive into the shapes, colors, and designs that will dominate winter’s nail landscape, let’s explore how you can easily recreate these looks from the comfort of your own home.
Elegant Glossy Round Nails
This understated yet sophisticated design is achieved through the harmonious combination of simplicity and elegance. The rounded acrylic shape effortlessly adapts to the natural contours of the fingers, making it an ideal choice for those with shorter nails. The subtle neutral hue complements the natural beauty of the nails, resulting in a timeless look that’s suitable for any occasion.
The glossy finish adds a touch of sophistication without overdoing it, making it a top contender for those who appreciate understated yet elegant designs. Consumables for this look:* Essie Gel Couture in ‘Sheer Fantasy’* OPI Infinite Shine Gloss Top Coat* Sally Hansen Vitamin E Cuticle OilTo recreate this look at home, start by filing your nails into a rounded shape to ensure a smooth and symmetrical finish.
Apply a base coat and follow with two coats of Essie Gel Couture in ‘Sheer Fantasy’, allowing each layer to dry fully before sealing the design with a high-gloss top coat. Finally, massage cuticle oil around the nail beds to lock in hydration.
Winter Snowflake French Tips
This artistic winter design combines the classic French tip style with intricate snowflake details, creating a playful yet sophisticated look. Perfect for short winter nails, this design is both understated and eye-catching, thanks to the contrast between the natural nail color and the delicate snowflakes. It’s an ideal choice for holiday gatherings or special occasions. To recreate this look at home, start by shaping your nails into a squoval or round shape using a nail file.
Next, apply the French tips using a stencil or freehand with a white nail art pen. Use a fine brush to draw delicate snowflakes onto the tips, adding an extra touch of whimsy to the design. Finally, seal the look with a clear top coat for added shine and durability. For this look, you’ll need:French manicure kit (Kiss Everlasting French Manicure Kit)White nail art pen or brush (OPI Nail Art Brush Kit)Clear top coat (Sally Hansen Mega Strength Hardener)Photo credit: @tessa. lyn. nails
Matte Gray Almond Nails with Snowflake Accent
This winter, a subtle yet stylish trend has emerged: gray nails with a matte finish. The combination of cool-toned base and snowflake accent nail art creates a look that’s both on-trend and visually appealing. The almond shape adds an elegant touch, while the matte texture provides a sophisticated contrast. The addition of a snowflake sticker gives the design a festive flair without overwhelming the overall aesthetic.
For this look, you’ll need:
Zoya Matte Velvet Lacquer in ‘Dovima’ for that sleek, gray base coat
Snowflake nail stickers (Essie Nail Stickers – Snow Day) to add a touch of winter whimsy
OPI Matte Top Coat to seal and matte the design
To recreate this look at home:
Shape your nails into an almond style and apply a base coat.
Use Zoya’s ‘Dovima’ for that cool-toned gray base. Allow ample drying time between layers to avoid smudging.
Apply a snowflake sticker on the accent nail and seal with OPI’s matte top coat.
Burgundy Nails with Subtle Winter Accent
This square acrylic design is a perfect fit for winter. The deep burgundy shade exudes both elegance and modernity, making it a great choice for short winter nails. To complete this look, simply add a touch of winter magic with a single snowflake design on one nail. For the finishing touches, use Essie Gel Couture in “Bordeaux” as a base coat, followed by a delicate snowflake stamp from MoYou London Snowflake Stamping Plate.
Seal it all with Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat for a high-gloss finish and added durability. To recreate this look at home, start by shaping your nails into square acrylic style. Then, apply two coats of Essie Gel Couture in “Bordeaux” to create a rich, luxurious base. Next, use the snowflake stamp on one nail to add a touch of winter whimsy. Finally, finish it off with a high-gloss top coat to seal the design and ensure it lasts.
Knitted Texture with Snowflakes
Glitter French Almond Nails
A symphony of shine and sparkle characterizes this wintery nail art design. The seamless blend of matte base and metallic tip creates an enchanting winter wonderland effect, perfect for holiday gatherings. This trendy yet versatile look combines the elegance of acrylic nails with the whimsy of glitter, making it suitable for any winter occasion.
The consumables required to achieve this look are: OPI Nail Lacquer in ‘Bubble Bath’ for a neutral pink base, Essie’s ‘Set in Stones’ glitter top coat, KISS Full-Cover Almond Nails for shaping and Makartt Nail Glue for securing the design. To recreate this look at home:1. Shape your nails into an almond style and apply a clear base coat.2. Apply two layers of OPI’s ‘Bubble Bath’ to create a neutral pink base.3.
Gradually add glitter to the tips, fading it downward to achieve a seamless transition.4. Seal the design with a glossy top coat for a long-lasting, shiny finish.
Cozy Knitted Sweater and Plaid Nail Art
Minimalist Winter Nail Art
Winter’s simplicity is beautifully captured in this understated yet festive nail design. Delicate snowflakes and soft beige tones evoke a sense of calmness, making it perfect for those who prefer subtle yet artistic designs. The round shape of the nails maintains a natural appearance while still conveying the essence of winter. The combination of neutral beige and silver glitter creates a soothing and wintery atmosphere.
To achieve this look at home, start by applying a neutral beige base polish and allowing it to dry completely. Next, use a fine brush or stencil to add intricate snowflakes and stripes to alternating nails. Add a touch of festive flair with a small amount of silver glitter accent polish on one or two nails. Finally, seal the design with a matte top coat to complete the minimalist wintery look.
Snowy Glitter Short Nails
This winter, shine bright with a festive yet elegant nail look that’s perfect for the season. The combination of clear polish, white snowflakes, and subtle glitter creates a frosty aura that’s both stylish and sophisticated. This design is ideal for those seeking a clean, polished finish that still exudes winter wonder. Photo credit: @onhernailsTo achieve this look at home:Start with a sheer base coat. Add delicate snowflake details using decals or a nail art brush.
Finish with a silver glitter top coat and seal with a high-gloss finish to amplify the sparkle. For added authenticity, opt for OPI’s ‘Alpine Snow’ clear polish as your base coat, Essie’s Nail Stickers for snowflakes, and Essie’s ‘Set in Stones’ silver glitter polish.
Icy Blue and Purple Shimmer Nails
This wintery design combines frosty tones with metallic purple and gel blue, elevated by an oval shape that adds sophistication. The shimmering chrome polish and delicate leaf details create a bold and pretty nail art look, perfect for those who love making a statement. A collaboration between icy blues and rich purples, this design is sure to turn heads.
Photo credit: @thenaillologist
To recreate this look at home:
First, shape your nails into an oval style to add some extra flair.
Next, apply the blue chrome polish to a few nails and metallic purple polish to others for a striking contrast.
Use a fine brush to paint delicate white leaf patterns on the accent nails, adding an extra layer of elegance.
Finally, seal everything off with a high-shine top coat for that icy winter glow.
Delicate Pink Winter Stripes and Snowflakes
Festive Holiday Icons Nail Art
A whimsical holiday-themed manicure featuring gingerbread men, candy canes, and Christmas trees in a playful, short design. This look is perfect for those who enjoy creative nail art. The sheer base polish creates a subtle background that allows the detailed designs to take center stage. The round or oval shape adds a touch of softness to the overall look. To achieve this festive look at home, start with a sheer nude base coat as a canvas.
Then, use Christmas-themed nail stickers or paint each icon by hand using fine brushes. Finish off with a high-shine top coat to ensure the design lasts throughout the holiday season.
Glittery Black French Tips with Snowflake Accents
Burgundy and Plaid Combo Nails
This winter nail design boasts a bold yet elegant combination of deep burgundy and navy plaid patterns. The rich colors and textured plaid detailing evoke a cozy atmosphere, making it perfect for winter outings. The trendy burgundy and plaid elements add depth to this otherwise simple design, while the almond shape elongates the nails and maintains their chicness. The overall aesthetic is both sophisticated and playful.
To achieve this look at home, start by shaping your nails into a soft almond style. Then, apply two coats of burgundy polish to most of the nails. For an accent nail, use plaid nail striping tape to create a pattern, filling in the spaces with navy polish. Remove the tape and finish the look with a top coat for a smooth and glossy finish.
Consumables:• Burgundy polish (Essie “Bahama Mama”)• Plaid nail striping tape (Makartt Nail Art Striping Tape)• Navy polish (OPI Nail Lacquer “Russian Navy”)• Top coat (Essie Gel Couture Top Coat)
Glitter Ombre with Snowflake Accents
This stunning winter-inspired nail art combines delicate almond-shaped nails featuring a glitter ombre effect that fades from tips down, accompanied by intricate snowflake accents. The blend of neutral tones and trendy glitter makes this look perfect for both everyday wear and special occasions alike. The subtle transition from glitter to polish creates a soft, dreamy ambiance, while the snowflakes add a touch of festive whimsy.
The beauty of this look lies in its versatility, as it can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. To recreate this magic at home, start by filing your nails into an almond shape and applying a nude base polish. Next, use a sponge to apply the glitter ombre effect, gradually increasing the concentration of glitter from the tips towards the cuticles.
To add some wintery charm, simply attach snowflake decals to one or two nails using a top coat.
Finally, seal the look with a high-shine top coat to ensure the glitter stays in place and the overall finish is smooth and glossy.
Sky Blue Matte and Glossy Glitter Combo
This stunning winter nail design features an almond shape and a soft sky-blue hue paired with a glittery matte finish. The combination of textures adds a unique depth to the look, making it perfect for everyday wear or special events. The simplicity of the design, combined with its frosty feel, gives it a timeless elegance. The photo credit goes to @lashesbykasja. To recreate this look at home, start by shaping your nails into an almond form.
Apply a sky-blue polish as your base color on all nails. For the accent nails, use a sponge to dab blue glitter onto the surface until fully covered. Finish with a matte top coat on some nails and a high-gloss top coat on others for a contrasting finish. To achieve this look, you’ll need: OPI Nail Lacquer ‘Gelato on My Mind’ for the base color, China Glaze ‘Fairy Dust’ for the blue glitter, OPI Matte Top Coat, and Seche Vite Top Coat.
Sparkling French Tips with 3D Snowflake Accents
This acrylic design seamlessly blends elegance and whimsy. The French tips are elevated with sparkling glitter, while an accent nail features a textured 3D knitted design. The addition of rhinestones and snowflake decals adds a touch of luxury to the overall look, making it perfect for winter celebrations.
Photo credit: @handsupnailartist
To recreate this look at home, start by filing your nails into a square acrylic shape and applying a nude base polish.
Then, use white 3D gel to create French tips that can be layered with glitter for a frosty finish. On one accent nail, apply a specialized gel to create a textured knitted design. Finish the look off with a high-shine top coat and add rhinestone accents for a touch of glamour.
Consumables:
– Nude base polish (Essie “Ballet Slippers”)
– White 3D gel (Makartt 3D Nail Gel)
– Snowflake nail decals (Born Pretty Snowflake Stamps)
– Glitter (OPI Nail Lacquer “Snow Glad I Met You”)
Burgundy and Star Accent Nails
Elevate your winter nail game with this stunning almond-shaped design. The fusion of rich burgundy and delicate gold stars creates a bold yet elegant look that’s perfect for those who crave a little extra glamour without going overboard.
For inspiration, check out the beautiful photo credit by @jayellabeauty.
To achieve this look at home, start by shaping your nails into a soft almond style.
Then, apply two coats of burgundy polish to most of the nails, leaving just enough room for the star accents on the accent nails. Apply gold star stickers over a light nude base and seal everything in place with a high-shine top coat from CND Vinylux Weekly Top Coat.
Don’t forget to stock up on these essentials:
Burgundy nail polish (OPI Nail Lacquer “Malaga Wine”)
Gold star stickers (Makartt Nail Stickers – Stars)
High-shine top coat (CND Vinylux Weekly Top Coat)
Blue Snowflake Winter Nails
Winter’s chill has descended upon us, bringing with it a picturesque landscape of frosty blues and delicate snowflakes. This captivating nails design seamlessly blends icy tones with intricate artwork, resulting in a trendy and festive look that exudes winter’s magic. The unique combination of glossy polish, glitter, and hand-painted snowflakes creates a dynamic visual experience that captures the essence of the season.
For this enchanting design, we’re joined by the talented @carliann123, who has generously shared her creative process with us. To recreate this look at home, start by shaping your nails into a coffin style. Apply blue polish to all but one nail, using China Glaze’s ‘Too Yacht to Handle’ as your go-to shade. On the accent nail, add a dash of glamour with OPI’s Infinite Shine ‘Twilight Tones’. Use a fine brush or Makartt Nail Stickers’ white snowflake decals to bring the design to life.
To complete the look, apply Essie’s Matte About You top coat to the snowflake nail and a glossy top coat to the rest for a delightful contrast in textures.
Festive Reindeer and Tree Nail Art
Adorn your nails with a winter wonderland scene featuring a reindeer, snowflakes, and Christmas trees. The delicate combination of nude and white tones is elevated by gold accents, making it a trendy and fun holiday look. The round shape of the nails complements the detailed art, ensuring ease of wear and practicality.
For this festive look, you’ll need:* A nude base polish (OPI Nail Lacquer ‘Do You Take Lei Away’)* A white nail art brush (Makartt Nail Brushes)* Gold foil accents (Essie ‘Getting Groovy’)* Snowflake stickers or decals (Born Pretty Snowflake Nail Decals)To recreate this look at home:Start by filing your nails into a round shape and applying a nude base coat. Next, use a white nail art brush or decals to paint festive designs like reindeer and trees on the accent nails.
Add gold foil accents to elevate the design and finish with a high-gloss top coat.
