Best Splurge
Hermès Les Mains Hermes Nail Enamel in Bleu Encre
Best Splurge
Hermès Les Mains Hermes Nail Enamel in Bleu Encre
Credit: Saks Fifth AvenueMidnight blue makes for a perfect winter shade, with its depth and fullness that can make any nail pop. We especially love this shade from Hermès, which provides full creamy coverage and long-lasting wear. (Plus, it makes for one of the chicest holiday gifts).
Best Red
PLA Gel Polish in Very Merry Kissmas
Best Red
PLA Gel Polish in Very Merry Kissmas
Credit: PLAA bright red can be worn all year round, but there's something especially festive about this wonderful shade. This PLA polish is a bright neon take on the classic color and it boasts a formula—as with any PLA polish—that is free from harmful ingredients such as formaldehyde, parabens, phthalates, resin, and more.
Best Sparkle
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in 171 Sequins
Best Sparkle
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in 171 Sequins
Is it even winter without some shimmer? We always know to turn to Chanel for a classic black shade, but if want to subtly elevate the look you go for this glitter finish that's just lovely.
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Best Clean Polish
Gitti Nail Lacquer in No. 186
Best Clean Polish
Gitti Nail Lacquer in No. 186
Credit: Gitti Since making its debut in the US this past summer, Gitti polish has been at the top of everyone's list. Made with an 82 percent plant-based formulation that is also free of 30 known toxic ingredients, this polish gives your nails great color coverage as well as providing beauty lovers with one of the cleanest polishes out there. Our pick this winter is this bright deep plum called No. 186.
Best Gold
Sally Hansen Insta Dri Nail Lacquer in Go For Gold
Best Gold
Sally Hansen Insta Dri Nail Lacquer in Go For Gold
Now 25% Off
Credit: AmazonShiny and warm, gold is the classic metallic to turn to in any winter. This one from Sally Hansen dries in about a minute, so you can move right on to gift wrapping and other important winter things.
Best Shade Name
Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer in Boozy Chocolate
Best Shade Name
Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer in Boozy Chocolate
Credit: Butter LondonThis rich chocolate brown makes for a great everyday option and comes in a glossy sheen for those that what their nails to really shine. Plus, foodie beauty was one of the biggest trends this year, and this shade of chocolate fits perfectly.
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Best Long-Lasting
JinSoon Nail Lacquer in Obsidian
Best Long-Lasting
JinSoon Nail Lacquer in Obsidian
Credit: JinSoon Tiny silver flecks brighten up this deep JINSoon black shade. Plus, it also has one of the best-staying powers of any polishes out there (with a formula that is 21-free), so turn to this when you want your mani to last as long as possible.
Best Brown
Tenoverten Nail Lacquer in Cliff
Best Brown
Tenoverten Nail Lacquer in Cliff
Credit: Tenoverten There's just something warm and inviting about terracotta. In summer, this would look like the perfect beachy neutral. But in winter? It's giving gingerbread in the best way.
Best Bright Shade
Ciaté London Plant Pots Nail Lacquer in Iced Frappe
Best Bright Shade
Ciaté London Plant Pots Nail Lacquer in Iced Frappe
Credit: CiatéA light lavender shouldn't only be worn in spring. What's cool about this pastel is that it's also a bit silvery, so the metallic vibe helps brighten things up.
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Best Muted Shade
J.Hannah Nail Lacquer in Compost
Best Muted Shade
J.Hannah Nail Lacquer in Compost
Credit: J.HannahWe can't stop looking at this muted olive that will most likely earn a permanent spot in our nail color rotation this winter.
Best Iridescent Shine
Olive & June Nail Lacquer in Sugarcoat
Best Iridescent Shine
Olive & June Nail Lacquer in Sugarcoat
Credit: Olive & JuneHave slight Barbiecore fatigue but still want to incorporate pink this winter? This is the perfect shade for you. This buildable sheer coverage is a sweet and fun pink that's not overwhelming.
Best Velvet Effect
Nails Inc. Magnet Effect Nail Polish in Play The Field
Best Velvet Effect
Nails Inc. Magnet Effect Nail Polish in Play The Field
Now 50% Off
Credit: Nails Inc. An emerald green is stunning on its own, but what makes this one perfect for winter is the cool velvet effect. The polish comes with a magnet that helps add texture to the polish as it dries.
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Best Metallic Orange
Orly Nail Lacquer in Light My (Camp)Fire
Best Metallic Orange
Orly Nail Lacquer in Light My (Camp)Fire
Credit: Orly This warm copper with a metallic sheen gives foliage vibes. As an added bonus, you don't need a base or top coat to ensure this stays on.
Best Glitter
OPI Nail Lacquer in Hot & Coaled
Best Glitter
OPI Nail Lacquer in Hot & Coaled
Credit: OPIFor all-out glitter, we love this OPI shade. It brightens up a black base with glitter specks of purple, pink, silver, and turquoise for something really fun.
Best Silver
Mooncat Nail Lacquer in Outlaw Country
Best Silver
Mooncat Nail Lacquer in Outlaw Country
Credit: MooncatIf Beyoncé taught us anything, it is that 2023 is the year of silver. This creamy full-coverage metallic shade has silver shimmer for added drama and makes for one of the prettiest shades this winter.
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Best Retro Red
Essie Nail Lacquer in Vintage Vanity
Best Retro Red
Essie Nail Lacquer in Vintage Vanity
Credit: EssieInspired by Old Hollywood glamour, Vintage Vanity is a luscious red with a retro feel. It's a new take on a classic shade.
Best Gemstone Green
Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Wild Thing
Best Gemstone Green
Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Wild Thing
Credit: Deborah Lippmann We love this polish for the creamy gemstone green shade and the impressive formula that contains nourishing ingredients like keratin, biotin, and green tea extract.
Best Winter White
Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquer in White Lightning
Best Winter White
Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquer in White Lightning
Credit: Dazzle Dry We love a winter white. This shade from Dazzle Dry goes on bright and lasts for about two weeks of wear.
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Best Black Shade
Mischo Nail Lacquer in Run The World
Best Black Shade
Mischo Nail Lacquer in Run The World
Credit: Mischo Beauty This creamy black polish is great year-round, but we especially love it in the dark days of winter on both fingers and toes.
Best Holographic
Zoya Nail Lacquer in Twinklette
Best Holographic
Zoya Nail Lacquer in Twinklette
Credit: Zoya This rose gold shade is infused with pink shimmer flecks for a holographic effect. You can wear it alone or layer it with another polish for instant drama.
Audrey Noble is a freelance writer and reporter. She writes celebrity profiles and does deep-dive features about the ways race, gender, sexuality, and other forms of identity impact society via the beauty industry. Her previous work experience includes editorial positions at Vanity Fair, Refinery29, and Allure. Her writing can also be seen in Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR, Bustle, HelloGiggles, and more. You can keep up with her on Twitter.
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