6 Winter Nail Colors to Try Right Now, According to the Pros

Whether a little glam or a little goth, dark winter nail colors are always a bold statement of the season. Some match a five o’clock setting with navy blue or gorgeous bordeaux, while others reflect a certain attitude or emotional expression. Vinyl midnight nail art, for example, is a timeless classic in the world of fashion and music.

“I am from years old,” said Desire frontwoman Megan Louise, as we traveled from Paris following the reopening of DJ Chanel’s store in Saint Honoré this week. Saw her on the flight out. Her mother disapproved then, and now, “I still think it’s kind of rebellious to go on like this 06,’ said Louise. “Dark nails are your little black dress after all.” For as long as she can remember, she’s worn Chanel Le Vernis in sky blue at Rhythm and Hermès polish at Brun Bistre, ever since she stumbled upon it during a European tour After that, she kept thinking. “My Berlin friend Ava Vegas had it on her coffee table and I had to try it out – the brown metallic looks really rich and rich, the perfect combination for a winter blues look.” For Sandy Liang this season For Holly Falcone, a manicurist who hosts New York Fashion Week shows for , Batsheva and Susan Alexandra, styling is a staple of fashion. “Dark nails are like a great leather accessory,” says Falcone. “It’s extra chic in the winter and speaks to all the different holidays and events winter brings.”

Then, there’s the optical trick with dark nails. According to New York City editorial expert Jin Soon Choi, colder weather has the potential to “twist skin tones towards the cooler side of the spectrum, but some unexpected shades can enhance and bring out the natural warmth of the skin,” she says, frequenting Dior Vernis Nail Lacquer in Nuit, a deep red, and this season her own Absolute Black nail polish. “A darker color is always suitable for any shape of nail, short or long,” says manicurist Sonya Belakhlef, who works with clients like Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michaela Jae Rodriguez and Natasha Lyonne. They point to the Matrix-centric undercurrent and moments of emotional revival taking place on the runway and on the red carpet as proof that this isn’t just a seasonal shift. “Fashion has become more ‘edgy,’ so dark nails have become popular,” says Belakhlef. “But it’s easy to justify it in winter!”

Here, The pros share the winter nail colors they wear and use for their clients—including the onyx OPI shade that’s been featured at nearly every award show.

Deep Reds

“These signature deep reds will never go out of style,” says Soon. “They are the fashion colors most recognized by models and fashionistas.” As evidence, in Proenza Schouler’s spring 404 Shown, nail artist Mo Qin used Wicked’s Essie Polish in burgundy on the model’s fingers and toes. “A deep, sexy red is always perfect for a sweltering winter day,” says Falcone, noting that it’s great on its own or “for a moody French manicure.” To cope with changing temperatures, Belakhlef likes Rothko’s red Cirque Colors polish, which “turns a deep oxblood red when it’s cold and a bright crimson when it’s warm.”

Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color in Désir

Dior Vernis Nail Lacquer in Nuit

evil Essie Nail Polish

Rothko Red Ring Nail Polish

Absolutely Black

OPI’s Black Onyx GelColor Takes Red Carpet Looks to the Extreme 405 award season winner. The shade was seen on Olivia Rodrigo and Addison Rae at the Grammys, Laverne Cox at the Academy Awards, Lil Nas X at the VMAs and Lizzo at the Emmys. Falcone describes short onyx nails as a “clean look with a slightly rebellious edge,” and favors a super-shine topcoat like Orly’s Shining Armor quick-drying formula “so blacks look creamy and shiny, not dull.” Soon Note that black nails work for everyone – like a tailored suit. “They’re so rich that they’re a great contrast to many skin tones, like a black wardrobe,” she says.

OPI GelColor in Black Onyx

Gucci Crystal Black Gloss Nail Polish

JINsoon Pure Black Nail Polish

Ciaté Pot Naturally Strengthens Nails with Infinite Glamour Oil

Midnight Blues

Navy and Night Sky Blues are the choices of the New Romantics – like Louis’s favorite Chanel polish in Rhythm, musicians never The masked shadows are fascinated by… Belakhlef describes Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in Bleu Encre as “the deep blue of night when dawn breaks.” For this season, Falcone noted, “Midnight blues always reflect colder weather, and in a way It heralds winter,” she said. But in the spirit of adding a touch of heat, she pays close attention to undertones. “I like royal blue with a slightly warmer undertone so it doesn’t look so cold,” adds Falcone.

Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Rhythmic Nail Polish

Hermès Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in Bleu Encre

Nail Polish Colors in Commercial

Glass evergreen

Mossy evergreen Green nails are what Falcone describes as “midnight green” and look best in intensely pigmented shades with a vitreous sheen. (Interestingly, Mights Queen Taylor Swift has been wearing this shade on and off stage for years). “Midnight greens are perfect for cold weather,” she says. “It’s actually very earthy, like a forest outside a winter cabin.” For a wet gloss, Orly’s Glosser top coat creates a protective barrier at home for a salon finish.

Pool Room Static Nails Liquid Glass Nail Polish

Wild Color Box Nail Polish

Manicurist Paris Green Poison Nail Polish

Miniluxe Pure Polish

Chocolate Brown

The cocoa hue of Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel is setting the tone at Brun Bistre for Louise and musician Ava Vegas. “A rich chocolate metallic is the perfect nail color to evoke comfort this season,” says Belakhlef. They describe Orly’s metallic Stop the Clock paint as “the perfect luxe neutral for those looking to add some interest without straying too far from the classic.” For those who prefer a no-glitter finish For people, its depth has power. “I love taupe as a dark neutral for winter,” says Falcone. “It’s like a neutral dark taupe that looks flattering when we get our summer tan off.”

Hermès Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in Brun Bistre

Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Color in Farida

Orly Nail Lacquer in Stop The Clock

Le Chat Dare Nail Polish at Fabulous Boot Camp

Metallic carbon

book Ji’s particularly popular metallic carbon-colored manicure is a bit sci-fi. New York label KAIMIN (known for its collaborations with artists including Björk, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and BlackPink) enlisted manicurist Junko Uyama to create holographic slate nails. They revealed their augmented reality and IRL fashion Meta Couture collection, which debuted last month. Then, for something glam, there’s OPI’s Shimmery Bronze Twilight shade painted on Lizzo by artist Eri Ishizu for this year’s BET Awards. Belakhlef says “near black holograms are a must” and calls KBShimmer’s Stark Raven Mad his favorite. “In light, linear holograms appear, adding to the iridescent aesthetic,” they promise.

OPI Twilight Tint Gel Nail Polish

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39767058317406Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish I’m Coming Out

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39767058317406 Côte Nail Polish in No.57 Shiny Slate Gray

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403711248 KBShimmer Holographic Polish in Stark Raven Mad