This Minimalist Winter Nail Color Trend Looks So Gorgeous On Everyone

Though you might be feeling over the cold weather, some parts of the country will continue to see snow (*shivers*) and chilly winds for a while more — after all, winter doesn’t officially end until March 20. And as you’ve (hopefully) switched up your skin care routine in response to the season (read: pull out the heavy-duty moisturizers), don’t forget about your nail products, too. Translation: Trade in your trusty burnt orange for the winter 2022 nail color trends, which range from minimalist wintery white to pretty lilac.

“Trends this year for winter polish colors seem to be a little more all over the place than previous years, [but] there’s a lot more texture, embellishments, and overall ‘all-out’ feel going on,” Alicia Torello, a New York-based editorial nail artist, tells TZR. It turns out the nail trends for winter align with popular makeup trends, namely embellishments (think: pearls, crystals, and foil). Not to worry, though — the nail expert ensures there will still be more pared-back winter classics, such as grays, neutrals, and reds. “But there’s definitely more of a mixed feeling,” Torello adds.

Below, TZR tapped industry-favorite nail artists for their perspective on the winter 2022 nail color trends (and of course combed through social media to see what top content creators are loving at the moment). Keep scrolling to meet the top nine winter nail colors that will dominate through to spring.

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Pretty Peach

As winter begins to inch closer to spring, Elle Gerstein, a celebrity nail artist whose clients include Gigi Hadid and Katie Holmes, recommends putting your springtime nail shades to work early. A gentle peach hue on your nails will bring a pop of color to the dull winter days and help transition to spring. This color will look great on its own as a solid color and in more impressionistic and artistic designs. “Impressions and pops of bold pastels [are] great for brushstroke techniques and abstract art,” says Gerstein. “Both abstract art and brushstroke art are going to be very big.” For peachy shades, she suggests Orly’s Danse With Me.

Soft Yellow

In the same vein as pinky lilac and peach, a soft yellow polish will also help brighten up the cold weather months. “The colors are muted, but when combined correctly can make an impactful contrast,” Gerstein says. “They also look great with a metal accent, which is another huge trend right now. We’re seeing foil flakes pop up almost everywhere now.” For the pre-spring season, opt for subtler, mellow yellows as opposed to summertime bright yellows, such as Chanel’s Le Vernis in Riviera and Orly’s Golden Afternoon, as Gerstein suggests.

Pearly White

According to Mimi D, a celebrity manicurist and nail artist, Snow Day in LA by OPI is a pearly white polish that will amp up your go-to traditional winter white. “It’s a full-coverage white shade that’s sure to elevate your holiday French manicure,” she tells TZR. “It’s available in both regular and gel polish.” Pro tip: Add some pearls for extra oomph.

Candy Apple Red

Another color trend Mimi D cites is candy apple red polish, like A Night to Shine by Red Carpet Manicure or Pear Nova’s Truth Oar Dare. “This shade is great as a stand-alone manicure, or if you’re into nail art, creating a candy pattern is perfect with this shade,” she says. This is definitely one of the best pairings for your bold wintery looks.

Baby Blue

One of the best things about blue is there’s no “right” season to wear the color. While a darker shade works with any outfit you throw on, a soft baby blue will be a much-needed mood booster come winter. Give the polish an icy touch by swiping on a bit of clear glitter polish.

Mossy Green

Loving the growing popularity of green nails? If so, you’re in luck: Mossy green is the next “it” color to test drive. “It gives a muted green vibe that goes well with all skin tones,” Gerstein tells TZR about the color trend. Examples of this particular hue are Orly’s Wild Willow and Static Nails’ Liquid Glass Lacquer Sage.

Gunmetal Metallic

A popular color Mimi D is spotting is “You Attract Me” by Nails.Inc. “It’s a gunmetal blue polish that’s perfect on its own or magnetized,” she tells TZR. There’s also OPI’s Turn Bright After Sunset, which is the perfect dark glitter polish to sport at any wintertime soiree.

Pinky Lilac

You probably pull out your lilac polishes every spring like clockwork — but this year, consider doing so a few months early. According to Instagram, the pretty pastel nail polish trend isn’t going anywhere this winter.

Bone

Gerstein says ivory, bone, and porcelain are all colors you’ll see a lot of this upcoming season. “Nails for winter are a classic shade of cream and are paired will with garden hues and latte accents,” she notes. For these shades, she suggests OPI’s Dusk to Dune and Nailtopia Creme de La Creme.