24 Short Winter Nail Ideas That Are Perfect for Icy Weather (2024)

24 Short Winter Nail Ideas That Are Perfect for Icy Weather (1)

For many of us, our manicure vibe is dependent on the season. During the winter, in particular, we tend to gravitate toward darker colors and designs. You may find yourself wearing moodier shades like burgundy, navy, or gray more often than not. Or, if you're really feeling festive, you may throw on a few coats of sparkly silver or black polish.

Regardless of which direction you go in, it's worth noting that winter manicures don't have to be done on long nails to look stunning. There are many ways to achieve a showstopping seasonal mani on short nails, too. To help spark ideas ahead of your next nail appointment, we've rounded up 24 short winter manicures. See them all below.

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Silver Lining

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You don’t need intricate nail art to make an impact. This mani proves a single color in the right hue—in this case, a super sparkly silver—can make a statement. Simple yet stunning, this is a winner for short winter nails.

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Back to Black

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When looking for short winter nail inspo, you can’t go wrong with a variation of a French manicure. Give it a moody edge by going for black tips. The square shape feels fresh, too.

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Crocodile Skin

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Animal print always looks luxe, even on a mani. And this croc-inspired nail look serves as proof. The winter white polish makes it feel on-trend for the season.

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Starry Night

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Bring the beauty of a starry night sky to your nails. Start by painting your nails with a rich, navy nail polish like Essie Nail Polish ($10) in Step Out of Line. Use a thin nail art brush to paint on your white stars and dots.

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Blue Tortoiseshell

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One thing we love about tortoiseshell manicures is that each nail looks slightly different—case in point: this nail look. Add a bright blue line on a few nails as an accent to make the mani even more unique. It’s definitely a design worth shelling out for—pun intended.

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Feeling Jaded

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Jade is a gorgeous green stone known to symbolize wealth and nobility. This manicure inspired by the gemstone is equally striking. The hints of gold give the nails such a luxe feel.

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Go for the Gold

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This manicure is golden—literally. The gold foil paired with the black tips gives this nail look an elegant yet edgy vibe. Best of all, this design is easy to achieve at home. All you need to buy is black nail polish and sheets of gold foil.

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Black Out

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Black is a go-to nail color for many of us (*raises hand*). The bold shade goes with everything, making it a perfect choice any time of year. To give the classic color added flair, create a few matte swirls on each nail.

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Orange Crush

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Orange is an underrated nail color, but this manicure makes a strong case for why we should all wear the shade more often. To further enhance this rust-colored matte mani, add a few flecks of gold foil on one nail as an accent.

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Blonde Tortoiseshell

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You don't have to use traditional colors to create a tortoiseshell manicure. To recreate this blonde version, use Cirque Colors Nail Polish ($13) in Organza and NSFW Jelly.

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Put it in Neutral

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Instead of one neutral shade, go for five. The gradient nail trend looks great with any mix of colors, but we think this mani features the perfect shades for winter.

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After Dark

Nothing says moody, winter mani like sparkly black polish. To nail the look, layer a sparkly top coat like the Sally Hansen Crystal Top Coat ($9) over black lacquer.

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Glittery Teal

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Dark, glittery nails are synonymous with winter. Get this exact look by swiping on a few coats of Holo Taco's Nail Polish ($14) in Starry-Eyed. We know this deep teal manicure will elicit tons of compliments.

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Abstract Art

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This manicure is an absolute masterpiece. You can recreate a similar look using a range of neutral nail polishes—the Londontown Perfecting Nail Veil Collection ($52) includes comparable shades.

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Haute Chocolate

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A chocolate burgundy is a fitting nail color for the season. Top it with streaks of gold paired with dainty pearls, and you have the perfect short winter mani.

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Tweed Touches

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This manicure essentially brings a Chanel tweed jacket to your tips—and we're here for it. From the textural tweed print to the pearl accents, everything about this nail look is posh.

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Black and White

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It’s hard to think of a color combo more iconic than black and white. This manicure proves there are many ways to wear the classic color pairing—each nail features a unique design.

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Matte Black Magic

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There are many ways to spice up a simple black manicure. Take some cues from this look by adding a matte finish and textured accents to your nails.

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Golden Marble

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If you want a conversation-starting manicure, opt for this golden marble nail look. The marble design is stunning on its own, but the flecks of gold foil make the mani even more eye-catching.

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Golden and Black Swirls

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Recreate this mesmerizing manicure by first swiping on a nude iridescent nail polish. Then, pull out a nail art liner brush and black nail polish to create your abstract swirls. On your left and right ring finger, add a few pieces of gold foil.

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Gray Tortoiseshell

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You can really get creative with tortoiseshell nails, from the colors to the design. This gray take on the trending animal print design is incredibly eye-catching. Take the nail look up another notch by using tortoiseshell tips as accent nails.

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Neutral Simplicity

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This neutral manicure is the definition of chic simplicity. The beautiful thing about a classic nude mani is that there is no occasion or outfit it isn’t perfect for—it complements every look.

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Flaming Hot

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Flame nail art doesn't always have to be done in fiery colors. A silver chrome flame looks just as eye-catching. Use The Gel Bottle's Studio Gel ($17) in Mirror Chrome to recreate the design.

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Bejeweled Duo

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When you want to elevate a simple nude manicure, add a couple of gems to each nail. You can use the Deco Beauty Jewels Nail Stickers ($12) to achieve a similar bejeweled look.

17 Winter French Nail Ideas Perfect for the Cooler Months

24 Short Winter Nail Ideas That Are Perfect for Icy Weather (2024)

FAQs

What color nails look good in winter? ›

Winter nail colors in particular are known to be cooler, richer, and more muted than other seasons of the year. The most popular winter nail colors include dark purples, intense blues, luxurious golds, and deep forest greens, according to Rianna Basurto, director of marketing and brand development at Bellacures.

What nails are trending in the winter 2024? ›

Chocolate Glazed Nails

For those who prefer a classic look but still want to stay on-trend, chocolate-glazed nails are the perfect choice. Imagine rich and creamy chocolate hues adorning your nails, providing a warm and cozy feel during the winter months.

What is the best color for short nails in 2024? ›

RED-Y FOR SHORT NAILS

I will keep it short and sweet—go short and red for Spring 2024. Red nails are a classic and often showcased on long nails, but Proenza Schouler reminds us how great the color looks on short, manicured nails.

Should you wear dark or light nail polish for winter? ›

When it comes to winter, we often see a color palette that is dark and moody. While some shades—like burgundy, navy, emerald, and silver—are classic go-to polish colors for the colder months of the year, there are always ways to switch things up.

What nail colour makes you look younger? ›

"Orange is a youthful, bright and uplifting colour, and it helps draw attention away from signs of ageing hands with age spots, visible veins and wrinkling skin," says celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann from her eponymously named polish brand.

What is the most attractive nail color? ›

In a representative survey, the German Paint Institute found that men generally likeblue , but also likegray , black and brown . Both sexes like green about equally, while women are more likely to like red ,yellow ,beige and orange .

Are glazed donut nails still in style in 2024? ›

With everything from French Donut Nails to Glazed Donut Hair the glazed donut nail trend took the world by storm and rose to the #1 nail trend spot in 2023 and following the glass-like hair and skin trend, is still trending in 2024.

What color nails for feet in winter? ›

It's time to swap the bright pinks, pastel purples, and stark white polishes for moodier shades like muted blues, shimmery golds, and deep greens to ring in the winter months.

What colors look best on very short nails? ›

Nail colours in pastel and even neutral tones can make your short nails look longer and adding them in gradient colours can provide interest to your shorter manicure.

What color nails to dip in spring 2024? ›

Look for pastel shades like powder green, baby blue, and soft lilac, adorned with Easter-themed designs such as tiny eggs or floral patterns. These playful and festive nails will be perfect for celebrating the holiday, suitable for all nail types, including coffin and ballerina.

What color nail polish goes with everything? ›

Nude or Beige

A timeless tone of beige or nude goes well with both formal and casual ensembles. It has a refined and tidy appearance that complements any color scheme. Beige or nude nails look elegant and classic, offering them a flexible option for any setting.

What are the best winter nails for 2024? ›

Icy Blue. Aside from dark shades of navy blue, baby blue nails are yet another pastel manicure trend that is set to take winter 2024 by storm. “Light blue stands out beautifully,” Schuetz muses. Joseph chimes in to say: “I'm sure blue pastel with chrome will be around all winter as well to give a frosty, snowy look.”

What is the classic nail color for winter? ›

Deep Red. What is winter without a classic red nail? This season, it's all about super-glossy, deep tones. Iram Shelton, resident manicurist at the Bulgari Hotel London, says, "A deep red is a classic colour which can be worn all-year round, not just during the winter months.

What are the most popular nail colors for winter? ›

Here, the pros share the winter nail colors they're wearing and using on clients.
  • Deep Reds. Think of you classic red and go a shade or two darker for your winter nail look. ...
  • Absolute Blacks. ...
  • Midnight Blues. ...
  • Glassy Evergreens. ...
  • Chocolate Browns. ...
  • Metallic Charcoals. ...
  • Winter White. ...
  • Glitter Gold.
Nov 26, 2023

What color are nails when cold? ›

In low temperatures, the nails may appear blue, as the body constricts the circulation to protect the internal organs. Cyanosis may also be a symptom of a more serious health condition, such as a heart, lung, or blood vessel disorder.

What nail color makes you look tan in winter? ›

Opt for Warm-Toned Nail Colors

Warm-toned nail colors like coral, peach, or bronze can enhance your tan. These shades create a harmonious and flattering look that brings out the warmth in your complexion.

What color will look best on my nails? ›

If you have a cool undertone, stick to cool colors like navy and light pink. Warm colors like peach and gold will make you look washed out. If you have a warm undertone, choose warmer colors like red and orange. Stay away from cool colors like green and purple, which will make your skin look sallow.

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