12 Best Winter Nail Colors 2022

It’s that time of year again — sweater weather is upon us. And there’s no better accessory to pair with your new chunky knit than a chic, mod mani peeking out from your sleeves. Though we’ll take any excuse to get our nails done, painting nails with a polish also serves a purpose: When it comes to nails in the winter, it’s actually better not to go bare.

“Nails tend to peel and crack more in the winter, so wearing polish actually helps guard them from the conditions,” says Marcy L. Street, M.D., founder and medical director of Doctor’s Approach Dermatology in Okemos, MI. Of course, don’t forget to take care of your cuticles and hands: Stash a hand cream with thick emollients in your purse or at your desk to smooth on throughout the day.

But wearing nail polish isn’t just a preventative measure in the winter. It’s also a fun way to show off your personality and embrace current trends. “Winter is the time for darker, warmer colors. Warm reddish browns are very popular right now,” says Eunice Park, Research and Development Manager from Aprés Nail. “Burgundy is also a classic winter color you can’t go wrong with.” A timeless, solid color like this is great for both short and long nails in the winter.

With more than 8 million views on TikTok, the emerging peekaboo nail trend is also set to take off this winter (the trend was also seen during New York Fashion Week at the Maisie Wilen show). “The peekaboo look has one color/design on the bottom of the nail and another color/design on the top,” Park adds.

Ahead, check out these luxe lacquers to keep your nails in tip-top shape and on trend. Whether you’re searching for winter nail colors for dark skin, fair skin or anything in between, here are the best nail polish colors for winter.

Our top picks:

Looking for more ways to keep your fingertips in top shape this winter? Check out our guides on the best cuticle oils and festive holiday nail art ideas.