20 Winter Nail Colors To Revamp Your Manicure Come December

By Southern Living Editors
Barneys

Southern winters can be tricky to predict. All Southern women know good and well that one day we’ll be bundled up in hats and gloves, and the next we’ll be bare-legged as if it were the middle of July. In turn, this means our nails better be prepared to be in the spotlight on any given day. 

The winter blues are all too real, but there’s nothing that perks us up like a fresh new update to our look. We know that the devil’s in the details, and Southern women are notorious for keeping themselves put-together at all times from our curled hair down to our perfectly polished toes. Around here, you’ll nary find an unpolished hand, or worse, chipped polish, so help our grandmothers.

Although our hearts will always be true to Ballet Slippers, we’re revamping our manicure for the upcoming winter season with fresh new hues, from moody blues to warm taupes to vampy purples. Whether you're aiming to make a statement or try something classic, these trendy winter nail colors will take your look from flat to festive in a cinch.

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Eggplant Purple

OPI

Like a more vibrant version of "Lincoln Park After Dark," this jeweled purple is just the shade to try if you're tired of super-dark shades. (Try "Good Girls Gone Plaid", also from OPI's Scotland Collection, when you start to crave a deeper winter hue.) 

BUY IT: "Boys Be Thistle-ing at Me" by OPI; $13; amazon.com

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Inky Blue

Smith & Cult

This shade is just as dark and moody as navy blue, but it comes off even more vividly blue after two creamy coats. 

BUY IT: "Kings & Thieves" by Smith & Cult; $18; dermstore.com

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Perfect Taupe

Dior

This is the ultimate winter trade for your everyday nude. This color by Dior captures the perfect shade of warm taupey gray. 

BUY IT: "Palais Royale" by Dior; $28; bergdorfgoodman.com

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Oxblood Red

Butter London

Everyone needs a staple red polish, and this wine red is our go-to for cold months. 

BUY IT: “Ruby Murray” by Butter London; $15; amazon.com

5 of 21

Hunter Green

Nordstrom

A deep green is a diversion from classic red we’ll gladly take for the holiday season.

BUY IT: “Fiction” by Chanel; $28; nordstrom.com

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Winter White

Essie

Marshmallow has been part of the Essie lineup for decades because it’s just that good. This silky white isn’t too stark and makes for the dreamiest winter manicure if you don’t want to go dark.

BUY IT: “Marshmallow” by Essie; $9; ulta.com

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Coal Gray

OPI

It's hard to find a cool charcoal gray that doesn't feel sleepy like a winter storm. This ultra-shiny shade does the job and looks oh-so chic paired with your winter sweaters. 

BUY IT: "Rub-a-Pub-Pub" by OPI; $13; amazon.com

8 of 21

Rich Raspberry

Dior

Our winter wardrobe consists of a whole lot of black, gray, and camel. A vibrant raspberry will pop against any cool-weather ensemble. 

BUY IT: "Sensual" by Dior; $28; dior.com

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Classic Navy

Essie

'Tis the season for jewel tones, and we dare you to try this luxe navy polish.

BUY IT: “Bobbing for Baubles” by Essie; $9; amazon.com

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Dusty Rose

Neiman Marcus

This dusty rose is the cool winter cousin to spring’s pale pinks, and it looks endlessly trendy with every outfit.

BUY IT: "I'm My Own Hero" by Deborah Lippmann; $20; neimanmarcus.com

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Moody Ruby

Essie

Winter is when red can fully embrace its dark and vampy side. Keep it fun with a shimmery ruby finish. 

BUY IT: "Wrapped in Rubies" by Essie; $9; walmart.com

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Metallic Taupe

Flora

This shade takes a quintessential taupe and makes it metallic. If nudes are too boring for you, try this stylish alternative. 

BUY IT: "Speckled Hellebore" by Flora 1761; $16; flora1761.com

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Holiday Red

OPI

Everyone needs a bright holiday red, and this new OPI hue (part of its Scotland Collection!) is the only color you need this holiday season. 

BUY IT: "Red Heads Ahead" by OPI; $10.50; amazon.com

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Dusty Blue

Neiman Marcus

This gorgeous powder blue-grey is inspired by the iconic “Junon” dress designed by Christian Dior. It's the perfect mix of popular winter shades, taupey gray and navy blue. 

BUY IT: “Junon” by Dior ; $27; neimanmarcus.com

15 of 21

Violet Metal

Anthropologie

This isn’t your average rose-gold nail polish. This shimmery shade reads on the lavender-gray spectrum, making it one of the coolest shades you can rock this winter. 

BUY IT: “Brill-Ant” by Londontown; $16; anthropologie.com

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Vampy Purple

OPI

This is the ultimate winter classic. Depending on how many coats you add, this sultry shade can range from a deep eggplant to almost-black aubergine. It's the perfect vampy option. 

BUY IT: "Lincoln Park After Dark" by OPI; $9; target.com

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Pistachio Green

Chanel

This winter, we're ditching camo green in favor of ultra-fun pistachio green. It feels both cool and classic. 

BUY IT: "Legerete" by Chanel; $28; chanel.com

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Rose Gold

Sally Hansen

If winter has you down, perk up with a splashy rose gold. The metallic hue will take you from holiday parties to the New Year. 

BUY IT: "Out of This Pearl" by Sally Hansen; $9.99; amazon.com

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Muted Magenta

Smith & Cult

If you're not into the super-dark winter colors, try something a little more vibrant. This magenta is dark enough to pull off during the cold months without being too harsh.

BUY IT: "Analog Fog" by Smith & Cult; $18; dermstore.com

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Nocturnal Blue

Barneys

Get lost in this deep, dark blue that’s only for the daring.

BUY IT: “Abyss” by JINsoon; $18; amazon.com

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