20 Dark Nail Ideas to Inspire Your Next Winter Manicure (2024)

20 Dark Nail Ideas to Inspire Your Next Winter Manicure (1)

We love bright manicures as much as the next person, but every once in a while, we feel inclined to switch things up with a dark nail look. Winter is an especially great time to adopt a darker manicure, as moody colors like cranberry, navy, and brown are signatures of the season. To help you envision the many ways rich, deep polish shades can enhance your manicure, we've curated a list of 20 dark nail ideas perfect for the winter. Keep scrolling to see them all.

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Plum Glitter Nails

20 Dark Nail Ideas to Inspire Your Next Winter Manicure (2)

How sweet are these shimmery plum nails? For a similar look, use Lights Lacquer Nail Polish ($11) in the shades Clueless and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish ($7) in the shade The Queens Velvet ($7).

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Navy Blue Accent Nails

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You can use dark nail polish as an accent, too. For this look, use the Mooncat Getting Even Nail Primer ($13) as the base, and create the swirly nail art with Mooncat Nail Lacquer ($14) in the shades Head in the Clouds, Into the Abyss, andAntivenom.

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Dark Skittle Nails

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Skittle nails might traditionally showcase bright, rainbow-colored polish, but opting for darker shades creates an equally stunning look. We love how the tortoiseshell accent nails add dimension to the nail look while the subtle gold cuticle accents offer a luxe touch.

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Sultry Geode Nails

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These multicolored cat-eye nails are incredibly striking. Use Cirque Colors Heavenly Bodies Collection, specifically the Nail Polish ($15) shades Cassiopeia and Perseus to get the look.

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Holographic Chocolate Swirl Nails

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These glittery brown swirl nails are giving major Wonka vibes. All you need is Lights Lacquer Nail Polish ($11) in the shades Roast the Mallow and Espresso to achieve this chocolate swirl mani.

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Amethyst Aura Nails

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For a magical dark nail look, consider copying this amethyst-inspired aura mani. You'll need Mooncat Nail Lacquer ($13) in the shades From the Ashes, Freudian Slip, and A Doll’s House.

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Glossy Brown Nails

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There's always the option to keep it simple with a single color. If you're a fan of these glossy brown nails, the color in question is Hermès Le Mains Nail Enamel ($50) in the shade 95 Brun Bistre.

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Burgundy Chrome French Tips

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For a bold nail look, opt for burgundy chrome tips. You can easily recreate the French manicure using Cirque Colors Nail Polish ($15) in the shade Life on Mars.

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Plum Velvet Nails

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You can never go wrong with velvet nails, especially during the winter. And by opting for a dark shade, they'll look even more on-trend for the season. Nail artist Phoebe Summer created these plum velvet nails using Gelcare UV Gel Nail Polish ($20) in the shades Fig and Silver Velvet.

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Burgundy Ombre Nails

How pretty are the burgundy ombré nails? You'll need OPI Nail Lacquer ($12) in the shades Big Sagittarius Energy and Lincoln Park After Dark to recreate the look. Simply paint the two polishes onto a sponge and press it into your nail to achieve the subtle gradient effect. Then, paint on a layer of top coat for a smooth, glossy finish.

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Dark Blue Swirl Nails

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Navy and negative space look pretty good together, don't you think? To DIY this nail look, use a fine-lining nail art brush dipped in navy blue polish and trace the squiggle-edged shape onto each nail. Then, use another nail art brush to add a silver border to each. Don't forget the top coat.

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Dual-Finish Plum Drip Nails

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We love a dual-finish nail look, and this drip design is a prime example of why. To create the ultra-cool look, use a plum matte nail polish for the base, then use a nail art brush dipped in the high-shine top coat (like the Olive & June Top Coat, $10) to create the glossy drips.

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Polka Dot Jelly Nails

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Jelly nails made a splash over the past year. While the nail trend is often reserved for vivid polish colors, we love the alluring appeal of black jelly polish paired with opaque French tips. The polka dots are an elegant finishing touch.

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Bedazzled Cherry French Tips

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Dark cherry French tips? We're here for it. Bring this mani to life using Lights Lacquer Nail Polish ($11) in the shades Americano and Oui'd paired with DND Gel in the shade Sunset Suede ($8). Achieve the cherry designs with the Lights Lacquer Gemstone Charms ($8).

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Black Multichrome Nails

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For a dark, artsy nail look, consider this black multichrome nail look. It reminds us of the shattered glass mani trend, albeit in a matte finish.

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Navy Floral Nails

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While we wait for spring to arrive, this navy floral manicure will hold us over. The handpainted blue and gold flower accents are beyond gorgeous.

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Heart Cutout Nails

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There are so many ways to work negative space into your nail looks. This brown mani, for example, showcases a crisp, clear heart on the ring finger.

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Dual-Finish Black French Tips

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Here's another dual-finish nail look worth recreating. A matte black base with glossy black tips works well for everyday and special black tie occasions.

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Mixed Glitter Nails

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Not sure what you want to do with your nails? Experiment with a little bit of everything. This nail look was created using the Mooncat Glitch in the Matrix Collection. While the whole collection is sold out, two shades remain available: Firewall ($15) and Access Denied ($14).

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Gold Foil Nail Art

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These whimsical astrology nails make for a one-of-a-kind manicure. Create this nail look using the Lights Lacquer Nail Polish ($11) in the shades Tuxedo Mask and Clueless, and top it off with the Lights Lacquer Gold Celestial Stickers ($8).

10 Dark Red Nail Ideas for a Moody Manicure

20 Dark Nail Ideas to Inspire Your Next Winter Manicure (2024)

FAQs

20 Dark Nail Ideas to Inspire Your Next Winter Manicure? ›

Achieve chocolate-glazed nails by opting for warm brown shades like Salted Caramel with creamy undertones. Or go bold with a darker, more rich chocolate brown like Créme de Chocolat. Experiment with different nail shapes, such as square or oval, to find the style that complements your hands.

What color nail polish for winter 2024? ›

Achieve chocolate-glazed nails by opting for warm brown shades like Salted Caramel with creamy undertones. Or go bold with a darker, more rich chocolate brown like Créme de Chocolat. Experiment with different nail shapes, such as square or oval, to find the style that complements your hands.

What is a good nail color for 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 two nail colors look good together? ›

Nail Colors that Go Together
  • Red, White and Blue. Pick a sparkly blue for the majority of your nails. ...
  • Mauve and Pink. This combo is not too surprising, but go with a sparkling or glittery mauve. ...
  • Berry Gold. A deep berry color is always classy and interesting. ...
  • Minty Orange. ...
  • Neon and Nude. ...
  • The Blues.
Jan 31, 2017

What nail shape is 2024? ›

Trending nail shapes for 2024

2. Coffin: Coffin-shaped nails, also known as ballerina nails, feature a square shape with tapered and pointed tips. This shape provides a bold and trendy look that is popular among many fashion-forward individuals.

What color nails are in for spring 2024? ›

The Prettiest Nail Polish Colors For Spring 2024
  • Essie Lilacism. Ulta.com. View On Amazon $9 View On Walmart $8 View On Ulta $10. ...
  • OPI Mexico City Move-mint. OPI. View On Amazon $12. ...
  • Sally Hansen Eternally Grapefruit. Sally Hansen. View On Target $8. ...
  • OPI Destined To Be a Legend. OPI. View On Amazon $12. ...
  • Essie Make a Splash. Essie.
Mar 7, 2024

What is the nail trend in spring 2024? ›

All of spring 2024's nail trends make a statement with bold art and flashy details. Artists are getting creative with their finishing touches: The classic French manicure is gilded in gold-dipped tips and pastels are getting the “cateye” treatment.

What nail Colour makes you look younger? ›

Bright Colors and Youthful Appearance

Vibrant shades like orange-based reds and corals are especially effective in bringing a youthful appearance to the hands and skin. They add a pop of energy and a fun, carefree vibe to your overall look.

What nail color is deep winter? ›

Perfect for winters are colours rich in dark glamour such as plum, deep red, teal, forest green, burgundy, magenta etc.

What color nail polish for winter toes? ›

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 dark nail colors go with everything? ›

"Go darker and choose delicious chocolate brown to add depth and richness," says Streets, like Orly Breathable Nail Polish in Double Espresso. "Or, select taupe for a sleek and modern-looking manicure." Try Zoya Rowan or Londontown Café Au Lait.

What nail color attracts guys the most? ›

The answer to this question can vary depending on personal preferences, but generally, guys tend to like natural or classic colors for nails. This includes shades like nude, light pink, and red. These colors give off a clean and put-together look that is attractive to many guys.

What nail color is most classy? ›

“I would say a milky pink [think Chanel's Ballerina], due to the trend of quiet luxury,” says Kandalec. “Or if someone is a gel/enhancement girlie, I'd say an autumnal red that's deeper and more brown based versus a classic red [like CND's Classic Lipstick], or a French manicure with thin, classic white tip.”

What is the most popular nail color for 2024? ›

Vibrant Neons: Neon nail polish shades are all the rage in 2024. These bold and eye-catching colors add a pop of excitement to any manicure, making them a favorite choice for those who want to make a statement with their nails. Pastel Hues: Soft and delicate pastel nail polish colors are also trending this year.

What nail Colour is trending now? ›

While we're used to seeing pastels and floral-inspired colors in the spring, this year, spring nail colors are bolder and brighter. Think fiery reds, splashy blues, and even vivid yellows alongside classic springtime hues like lavender and pink.

What is the popular nail color for January 2024? ›

As we kickstart 2024, there are many ways to approach your manicure. For example, the January birthstone is garnet, so sultry red nail looks are fitting for the month. Then there's the fact that January falls in the dead of winter, so anything icy or blue can work, too.

What color nails will be used in February 2024? ›

Simple Yet Elegant Nail Color Ideas for February 2024 - In February 2024, simplicity meets elegance in nail color trends. Opt for simple yet good OPI French manicures or try ombre designs in subtle hues like soft pink or lavender.

What color nails to wear in February 2024? ›

Try a cool-toned gray or silver shade to create a modern andsophisticated manicure. Alternatively, go for a frosty blue or icy mint green hue to capture the crispness of the season. You can also experiment with a holographic or chrome finish for a futuristic and edgy look.

What nail colors are best for summer 2024? ›

Summer 2024 Nail Trend: Pastel Nail Colors

“This summer, soft and delicate pastels will gain popularity with baby pink, mint green, and soft lemon leading the palette,” says Walton. It's fresh and fun for summertime without the intensity of the brights and neons we're used to seeing in the warm months.

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