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20 New Winter Holiday Nail Colors For The Manicure-Obsessed

Whether you prefer flecks of glitter or just a coat of vampy nail polish, these shades will last the season

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When it comes to the best holiday nail polish colors, anything goes. Of course, you'll always have the usual suspects: deep ocean blues, classic blacks, cranberry red, and emerald greens. But just because it's cold outside doesn't mean you have to stash away your pastels and bold nail polish colors until next year. Some of the top manicure shades for winter are also the most vibrant.

Shop The Best Holiday Nail Polish Colors

  • Les Mains Hermes Nail Enamel in Bleu Encre

    Best Splurge

    Hermès Les Mains Hermes Nail Enamel in Bleu Encre

    $55 at Saks Fifth Avenue
    Read more
  • Gel Polish in Very Merry Kissmas

    Best Red

    PLA Gel Polish in Very Merry Kissmas

    Read more
  • Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in 171 Sequins

    Best Sparkle

    Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in 171 Sequins

    Read more
  • Nail Lacquer in No. 186

    Best Clean Polish

    Gitti Nail Lacquer in No. 186

    Read more
  • Insta Dri Nail Lacquer in Go For Gold

    Best Gold

    Sally Hansen Insta Dri Nail Lacquer in Go For Gold

    Read more

Before you're hit with indecision fatigue at your next salon appointment, scroll through this list of some of the most coveted polish picks right now. Ahead, find the 20 of the best winter nail polish colors we'll have in rotation from the first day of the season well into 2024.

Related: The Prettiest Winter 2023 Nail Trends for a Chic Holiday Mani


Best Splurge

Hermès Les Mains Hermes Nail Enamel in Bleu Encre

Les Mains Hermes Nail Enamel in Bleu Encre
Best Splurge

Hermès Les Mains Hermes Nail Enamel in Bleu Encre

$55 at Saks Fifth Avenue
Credit: Saks Fifth Avenue

Midnight 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

Gel Polish in Very Merry Kissmas
Best Red

PLA Gel Polish in Very Merry Kissmas

Credit: PLA

A 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

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

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

Insta Dri Nail Lacquer in Go For Gold
Best Gold

Sally Hansen Insta Dri Nail Lacquer in Go For Gold

Now 25% Off
Credit: Amazon

Shiny 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

Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer in Boozy Chocolate
Best Shade Name

Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer in Boozy Chocolate

Credit: Butter London

This 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

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

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

Plant Pots Nail Lacquer in Iced Frappe
Best Bright Shade

Ciaté London Plant Pots Nail Lacquer in Iced Frappe

Credit: Ciaté

A 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

Nail Lacquer in Compost
Best Muted Shade

J.Hannah Nail Lacquer in Compost

Credit: J.Hannah

We 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

Nail Lacquer in Sugarcoat
Best Iridescent Shine

Olive & June Nail Lacquer in Sugarcoat

Credit: Olive & June

Have 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

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

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

Nail Lacquer in Hot & Coaled
Best Glitter

OPI Nail Lacquer in Hot & Coaled

Credit: OPI

For 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

Nail Lacquer in Outlaw Country
Best Silver

Mooncat Nail Lacquer in Outlaw Country

Credit: Mooncat

If 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

Nail Lacquer in Vintage Vanity
Best Retro Red

Essie Nail Lacquer in Vintage Vanity

Credit: Essie

Inspired 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

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

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

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

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.

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Audrey Noble
Beauty Contributor
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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