Winter's Best Nail-Polish Colors Are Dark Like the Sky at 5 p.m.

Updated on 11/22/2023 at 5:45 PM

Olive & June

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It's true that most things in winter are dark. The sun starts fading practically after lunchtime and, all of a sudden, everyone starts wearing black. The same goes for nail-polish shades. The big difference this season, though, is that you can expect a slow build into dark territory when it comes to winter nail colors.

"Fall polish was all about warm neutrals, rosy blushes, and a hint of deeper berry shades, but as we head into winter, we're seeing darker colors reign supreme, with metallics adding a pop of fun," Sarah Gibson Tuttle, founder and CEO of nail brand Olive & June, tells POPSUGAR. "It's not just the expected black; it's slight variations of that deep tone — so vampy plums, deep greens, chocolate browns, and midnight blues are going to be big."

The biggest theme is "an ode to the '90s, but with an unexpected twist that makes you look twice," she says. "These nail-polish shades are more nuanced and have more depth to them. The subtlety is what allows you to express your every mani mood."

Ahead, we're breaking down the best winter nail colors you can expect to see everywhere this season — plus our favorite options to shop.

Cherry Mocha

DND Cherry Mocha ($10)

Cherry Mocha nails have been going viral on TikTok, and the hashtag #cherrymochanails has more than 14 million views and counting on the app. The craze originally started when one specific brand's shade went viral, but since then, there have been plenty of other similar hues gaining popularity. The deep burgundy color is perfect for the colder months.

DND Cherry Mocha

From

$10

Rich Reds

OPI Big Apple Red ($9)

"While we loved all things Barbiecore, we're temporarily retiring our bright pinks and shifting into rich, passionate reds," Michelle Nguyen, founder of Paris Lash Academy, previously told POPSUGAR. One of our classic favorite red shades is OPI Big Apple Red.

OPI Big Apple Red

From

Olive Green

OPI Suzi The First Lady of Nails ($12)

"Earth tones always transition beautifully into fall, and we love a good olive green especially paired with a matte top coat," Nguyen says. Our favorite olive green hue is OPI Suzi The First Lady of Nails.

OPI Suzi The First Lady of Nails

From

$12

Steel-Toned Metallics

Orly's Ascension ($8)

"Cool, steel-toned metallics are having a day this winter as we channel our inner ice princess," celebrity nail artist Holly Falcone tells POPSUGAR. "These shades don't require intricate nail art; they're gorgeous alone on long, either squoval or round nails. Try Orly's Ascension and top it with a glossy topcoat."

Orly Ascension

From

$11

Warm Browns

Zoya Nail Polish in Kateri ($12)

If you want a winter nail that is classic and chic, you can't really go wrong with a rich brown like the Zoya Nail Polish in Kateri. Browns are a perfectly understated look that go with every outfit.

Zoya Nail Polish in Kateri

From

$12

Deep Blues

Essie Salon-Quality Nail Polish ($10)

Deep blue, almost black shades are going to be everywhere this fall. They can be combined with other nail trends like chrome nails, or worn on their own for a pared-down, understated look.

Essie Salon-Quality Nail Polish

From

$10