Nail polish trends tend to line up with the seasons: For winter, deeper shades like glossy black and midnight blue perfectly complement the freezing temps and 4 p.m. sunset. But according to the pros, this season's up-and-coming picks also draw inspiration from emerging neutral color trends, as well as some glittery red and gold undertones of the holiday season.
Ahead, you'll get your first look at the experts' nail-polish trend predictions for winter 2020-2021. Shop your favorite shade now, before you're sitting at your next Zoom happy hour and see the shimmery rose gold of your dreams wrapped around the stem of someone else's wine glass.
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Iridescent Shimmer
In lockstep with this season's breakout nail-art trend, velvet nails, comes an iridescent polish that delivers a mesmerizing soft-velour finish in a single coat.
Burgundy
You can't go wrong with the winter classic: a high-shine burgundy. Celebrity nail artist Tom Bachik says the trending tonal range is wide. "I'm constantly pulling burgundy, wine, and berry shades this time of year," he tells us. Our most worth-it polish pick: Mischo's gorgeously rich blend of reddish brown with cranberry undertones.
Light Oak
Somewhere between a light taupe and a mahogany lives this season's trending shade of oak brown. If you're looking for one of the best earth-toned neutrals to take into your December wardrobe, we'd recommend this bottle by Pear Nova named in honor of Michelle Obama.
Bright Red
When it comes to red nail polish, you want to make sure you get the undertones just right. While some bottles read too orange and others too blue, this Suite Eleven shade is the perfect candy-apple color.
Pale Lilac
Not quite white, a creamy lilac is the perfect nuanced light tone for cooler weather. Nail pro Rita Remark tells us her favorite pale-lavender polish is Paintbox Like Dreams.
Olive Green
According to celebrity nail artist Gina Alcedo, green — specifically, the color of a martini olive — will continue to gain traction through winter. "Light pistachio was popular for a moment, but for winter I see one shade deeper," Alcedo says. "Olive is on trend and plays well around the holidays. My favorite is Olive for Green by OPI."
Sable Brown
It's official: Dark brown is the new black — and even chicer, at that, according to Olive & June founder Sarah Gibson Tuttle. "A rich chocolate brown is the most fashion-forward neutral," she says. "Our take is a glazed dark-chocolate brown, and we'll definitely be seeing a lot more of it this winter."
Rose Gold
Tuttle also confirms that shiny metallic manis are of the moment, especially the pale pink-tinged variety. "Rose gold is currently a favorite shade," she says. "You can wear as a solid color or add it as a nail-art accent." This polish — Reflection Perfection from Essie's metallic line — is that perfect sparkling-rosé shade.
Deep Purple
There's something about a deep gothy purple that is both edgy and elegant at the same time — the perfect complement to any crewneck sweatshirt or house dress. To make this NVLA polish all the more appealing, Alcedo tells us it's one of Amal Clooney's go-to shades.