7 Winter 2020 Nail Polish Colors

With its numbing cold that makes for uncomfortable commutes, long, dark nights spent bundled at home, and the layers upon layers that you're forced to resort to, winter has a way of hiding away any semblance of self when it comes to getting ready. It sounds melodramatic, but it's true — people are just trying to stay comfortable and cozy, even if it means packing away personal aesthetics 'til spring. But there's still one way to express yourself amidst all the flannel, down, and wool: by coating your nails with one of these unexpected winter 2020 nail polish colors.

A fresh manicure can do wonders when it comes to resetting your outlook (on your wardrobe, and on life in general), and luckily there are plenty of new polishes to get inspired by for your next salon visit. But the colors coming out by beloved nail brands and indie lines alike aren't just your typical winter hues — you know, the snow whites, jet blacks, moody purples, and jolly reds you're used to seeing — alongside those classics you'll find cool colors that are reinventing what a seasonally appropriate manicure really looks like.

From whimsical updates on wintry mainstays to warm colors you'd typically spot somewhere tropical, click through to discover the shades to shake up the season (and show off your style).

It's going to be cold outside for the foreseeable future, so why not give in to the chilly vibes? Go for one of the icy blue nail polishes that are featured big in this season's polish drops — from deeper blues that evoke glacial atmospheres to silvery shades that sparkle like falling snow, they'll make your manicure winter ready in an instant (and look more unique than a standard white or silver).

Cold Shoulder is a deep teal with grey-blue glitter that feels unexpected, but will perfectly complement a winter wardrobe.

Part of OPI's Hello Kitty collection, Let Love Sparkle is a playful pale blue with platinum sparkle — it's like a supercharged take on a metallic silver winter manicure.

Tend to go for a classic red manicure all year round? You're not alone, and plenty of this season's nail drops included a crimson iteration — but with a winter-ready twist. Reds with richness and depth by way of brown undertones instantly warm up your vibe this time of year; keep an eye out for oxblood, burgundy, and cherry chocolate lacquers to get the look.

Essie's Expressie collection features a variety of shades that dry super-fast so you can get your manicure on point in a flash. Go for Not So Low-Key to get the rich red look for winter — it's a cherry chocolate shade that's got deep brown undertones for a sensual vibe.

Chanel's holiday collection, which is about all things opulent, included two fresh nail lacquers. One is Richness, a bold oxblood shade that's a sophisticated, warm winter-ready take on a classic red manicure. Whether worn for a big day at work or out on a dinner date, it says all the right things.

No. 101 is a smoky gray with a creme finish that's got a cool tone. It'd be a fun shade for playing with negative space nail art, but would be equally as modern covering the full nail.

Darker but still plenty cool is OPI's Rub-a-Pub-Pub, from the brand's recent Scotland-inspired collection. Created by combining an ashy coal with a chilly gray, it's an unexpected shade suitable for cold winter days.

Want to keep everyone on their toes? Opt for one of winter's more unexpected polish shades: bold fuchsia. The vivid pink hue is a playful pick that'll instantly make you feel warm and bright, as if you're about to embark on a tropical getaway. And don't worry, thanks to fuchsia's blue undertones the color still feels cool and weather-appropriate. Choose the shade if you're tired of your tried-and-true red.

Essie's New Flying Solo Nail Polish Collection Will Convince You To Plan Your Next Getaway

Have your goal-setting sessions for this shiny new year included a whole lot of travel plans? Jetting off to somewhere you've never seen is a great way to grow by expanding your horizons (literally and figuratively) and getting a fresh perspective on life. And naturally, you want to do so in style — which means you'll need a gorgeous getaway manicure to get your vacay looks ready for takeoff. And that's where essie's new Flying Solo nail polish collection comes in with a fresh palette of adventure-ready hues. Happy travels ahead.

On the heels of essie's first new formula launch in years, the Expressie quick-drying line, the beloved nail brand is starting off 2020 on a high note with a solo travel-inspired collection. But even if the travel you're looking forward to is with a group of girlfriends or your partner, these fresh shades are still wanderlust worthy.

The Flying Solo nail collection, $9 each and up for grabs at beauty retailers like Ulta and Target and on essie's website, took inspiration from a multicolored sunset you might spot from your window seat as you jet off someplace exciting. And true to essie's playful vibe, the selection of nine bright shades have cheeky names that'll inspire you to book a trip STAT.

The collection's namesake shade, Flying Solo, is a creamy mid-tone pink that mimics the cotton candy clouds in a sunset sky, and is joined by more rosy-tinted shades like cool-hued pastel pink Free To Roam and iridescent One Way For One which combines a blue-pink with warm golden shimmer. Warm shimmery peach Reach New Heights and creamy coral Check In To Check Out complete the color palette of a dreamy scene.

Warm golden yellow Check Your Baggage will tempt you with the promise of sunshine somewhere tropical, while the periwinkle-violet shimmer polish You Do Blue would be fitting for a wintry escape (or a relaxing staycation somewhere close to home). Two deeper shades round out the collection — pearlescent plum Without Reservations encourages a spontaneous getaway while keeping your manicure classic, and In Plane View presents a deep, creamy teal of a twilight sky.

Essie Teamed Up With Olive & June to Launch Nail Stickers You'll Be Wearing All Summer Long

Your summer manicure game just got a whole lot cuter. L.A.-based nail salon Olive & June Opens a New Window. is already known for its adorable mani stickers, and now it’s teamed up with Essie Opens a New Window. on a warm weather-inspired collection that just launched exclusively at Target Opens a New Window. .

Olive & June founder Sarah Gibson Tuttle opened her first outpost in Beverly Hills in 2013, and, in addition to building on her in-salon treatments and services (there are now two more locations in Pasadena and Santa Monica), she’s been figuring out ways to up the at-home mani/pedi experience as well.

From seven-free polish and tools to pedicure-friendly sandals and, yes, stickers, Olive & June has the nail market covered and it launched its OG stickers as a way for clients to enjoy a nail art mani on the go. Designed in L.A. and made in Korea, each pack of 36 stickers is inspired by the designs dreamed up in the salon and can be set onto a polished or bare nail with the help of a clear top coat.

In partnering with Essie, Olive & June stickers will be available in-store for the first time. The brand created six playful packs featuring palm trees, flowers, rainbows and more that pair perfectly with Essie’s limited-edition summer neon shades — or just about any hue in the iconic nail care line’s collection.

Whether you choose to be pretty in pink with the Cabana Crush flamingo stickers and Essie’s Fiji polish or bring a bit of sunshine with the Rainbow Bright pack on top of the dandelion yellow Avant-Garment Gel Couture shade, the mix and match options are endless.

With the sticker packs retailing for $7.50 and the polishes starting at $9, the Olive & June x Essie partnership is available at Target and target.com Opens a New Window. for a limited time. Keep scrolling to see some of our favorite nail art pairings!

How Vietnamese Americans Took Over The Nails Business

If you've had a manicure lately, chances are you probably had it done at a nail salon run by people of Vietnamese heritage.

The salons are everywhere — in nearly every city, state and strip mall across the United States. So how did Vietnamese entrepreneurs come to dominate the multibillion-dollar nail economy?

Filmmaker Adele Free Pham set out to answer that question in a documentary called Nailed It. Growing up in Portland, Ore., she says, she observed that all the nail salons around her were Vietnamese run.

"So I knew that something was missing in mass media about this thing, this nail thing," Pham said in an interview. "And I also just always wondered why so many Vietnamese people were in the nail industry, to the point where my father, who is a Vietnamese refugee who came in 1975 — he wanted me to get into the nail industry as I was graduating high school as a side hustle, but also probably to retain my Vietnamese-ness.

"But it was just something that I was diametrically opposed to because of my own internal classism, you know? And that's something that I've been reanalyzing since I was 18. I just knew there was a whole other side to this industry, being Vietnamese, that the greater general public did not understand."

Nailed It premiered on PBS last week and is available as a free stream online until July 6 through the World Channel.

Interview Highlights

On the impact of actress Tippi Hedren on the nail industry

In 1975, Tippi Hedren was doing humanitarian work. She was running a program for 20 Vietnamese refugee women to resettle them in the U.S. They admired her nails, the care that she took, and she got the idea to get her personal manicurist, Dusty Cootes, to come to the refugee camp in Northern California and teach these women how to do a manicure as it would be done in Beverly Hills. And they're really the first manicuring licenses out there in the world, because before that time, women always got licensed for both hair and nails.

On representing the Vietnamese community's perspective in her film

I consider myself a person of color, and I feel like a lot of times, our history isn't documented or reported or even seen outside of the white gaze. So there's something very attractive about the Tippi [Hedren] story; I mean, she's this beautiful actress that was in iconic films. But I was pleasantly surprised that the more I researched, the more I really became convinced that this was the original spark for the Vietnamese entering the nail industry. And it was also important to show how they took over this $8 billion industry — or created this $8 billion industry, right? There's so many different facets to the story and how it became a mainstay in our culture.

On the Mantrap salons, which operated in black communities in South Los Angeles

I really believe all fashion comes from black culture. So I always wondered — this was another reason why I made the film — how did these nail salons get to the black neighborhoods, right? ... And that's how I came to know the story of Mantrap. One of the [two co-founding] women is Vietnamese, and the other is African American. And I really believe this was where the Vietnamese found their footing in the nail salon industry, right? Because they brought the price down to a point where working-class women could afford this luxury, and black women just brought an art to it, right? ...

Nail Trends Our Editors Can't Wait To Try This Fall

If you haven't heard, we're still feeling the adverse effects of some planetary mayhem. Already we've dealt with at least three short-lived retrogrades, but we're also in the midst of Saturn's backspin until the end of September. 'Til then, we're encouraged to look before we leap and avoid any rash behavior. While some may focus that energy on their careers and relationships, we'll be putting our conscientious decision-making into our nails.

If we can't control the direction in which the planets seem to be spinning, at least we can control what kind of nail art decorates our fingertips. With summer coming to a speedy close, we need something to look forward to for fall. Why not make that our manicures? We're ditching the predictable wine-red autumnal polish for something special, kind of funky, and totally unique.

Need some inspiration before booking that nail appointment? Check out our fall manicure plans ahead.

How Nails Can Be A Force For Change

One of the reasons I've always loved nails is that, like make-up, it's fun, everyone can enjoy it and it can boost your confidence. But sometimes a slick of polish can be more than that. Avon's latest commitment to end violence against women means that for just £3, you'll not only be purchasing Avon's True Colour Pro+ Nail Enamel in Arctic Steel, a cool steely blue shade, you'll be donating money to two important women's charities - Refuge and Women's Aid - with 50 per cent of profits of Arctic Steel being split equally between them.

And this is why the money raised is so important. What really stood out for me at the launch for Arctic Steel was the staggering facts behind domestic violence. One in four women will experience domestic violence in the UK. That means someone in your friendship circle could, has or is experiencing domestic violence. Shockingly, on average, two women are killed every week in England and Wales by a current or former partner. There are domestic violence related 999 calls every 30 seconds and 800,000 children will witness and experience domestic violence every year in the UK. Avon's aim from this campaign and going forward is to open up the conversation and make beauty a safe space for victims. This means being able to tell their beauty therapist, nail technician, hairdresser, Avon representative, whoever that person might be - and for that person to be armed with the right language and the knowledge to know what signs to look out for in someone who is suffering.

Founder of WAH nails, Sharmadean Reid, encourages her manicurists to look out for clients who might want to open up about domestic violence and be on hand to listen and offer the right guidance to a specialist organisation for anyone in need of help. “Beauty therapy is just that, therapy. But just like we aren't, as civilians, always equipped to deal with first-hand accounts of trauma in a professional manner, neither are the nail techs professionally equipped to deal with the weight of information and energy transference they receive from their clients on a daily basis. We are looking into domestic abuse and general counselling training as clients come to us with all kinds of personal problems and we want to be able to support them as well as protect themselves.” If Avon and WAH can join the conversation, more women might feel they too can come forward and speak out about their experience.

The Essential Nail Tips You Need To Know About

Make mani mistakes the stuff of beauty past with a little help from Adam Slee, talon-ted manicurist to the stars, official Rimmel spokesperson and all-round nail guru (cue rapturous applause).

Single File
'A good nail file is essential to achieving runway-ready nails. Friction is the biggest culprit for dryness as it causes heat and because nails are made up of several layers of keratin, like sawing through plywood, it can cause them to flake up. Speed is the thing that causes the most friction so take it slow and always file in one direction.'

Buff Love
'Don't use polishing buffers more than twice a month as it removes the surface of the nail making them weaker.'

Well Oiled
'Oil is the most important thing you can do for your nails – you can never over-do it (especially as you creep nearer to 40 when the skin becomes drier as the natural oils start to deplete.). Use it on and around nails as often as possible especially during the day when it's more likely to get washed off. I recommend slathering it on even if you're wearing polish as your nail will still absorb the oil at the cuticle to improve flexibility. (Oil doesn't make the nails stronger but it does make them more flexible and ensures that the cuticle doesn't stick to the nail bed as it grows out, helping to keep it neat.'

Patience Is A Virtue
'Never expect miracles overnight, nail treatments need to be kept up over a period of weeks rather than days before you are able to see any real difference to the condition of your talons, as the nail takes four to six months to grow from base to free edge. Damaged nails don't repair themselves and will only improve with fresh growth, proving that good things come to those who wait!'

Lift Off
'Whatever you wear on your nails: be it polish, gels or acrylic extensions, removal of the product is as important as the application. Most people will bite, pick and pull off product and then complain their nails are weaker after wearing them but nails are naturally hard and although they will soften if they are covered for a period of time, exposure to the elements will ensure they harden up again.'

Fix Up, Look Sharp
'Nails look great with colour but the key is uniformity so make sure they're all the same shape and length and never touch the skin around the sidewalls as the colour will bleed and look messy. If your nails are in less than tip-top shape and you want an instant make-over, go for a textured look as it can hide a multitude of sins.'

Don't Blow It
'Your breath contains wet air so never blow on your nails to help dry them as it will simply encourage bubbles.'

Cuticle Care
'Although it's fine to cut off dead bits of skin and neaten up, don't cut the actual cuticle as although it may look good for a day or two, cutting it opens up the seal of skin which means that it'll look worse in the long-term. If you need to do anything, push them back as it's far more gentle.'

Shape Up
'Most people's nails are a mirror of their cuticle shape so try and keep them as near to that shape as possible – it's what will suit your hands best and will also keep them the strongest. Speaking of strength… Keeping the side walls running as parallel as possible will ensure the strongest shape. Too pointed weakens them as you're taking off the side wall so they're more prone to flipping over, whilst a square shape, although not the most modern, will ensure that the nails will stay very strong.'

Fake It
'The biggest problem with acrylics is the fact that the nail isn't exposed to air which means that it's not working as it should naturally, making them weaker. Nails don't breathe (they don't have lungs!), but the keratin needs air to harden up. Also if you go from really short to really long instantly, the skin at end of nail isn't prepared to bear the extra weight (with naturally long nails it grows out gradually which is what makes them stronger).'

Staying Power
'Never put oil on before polish as it forms a barrier which means that the polish will come off quicker. If anything, apply it afterwards which will help to protect the polish and decrease the chances of it smudging. A base coat is your best bet because the surface of nail is porous, it will protect it from the oils coming out from nail bed as well as keeping the nail stain-free. (Some people's nail beds are oilier than others which influences how long the nail polish stays on). Contrary to what many of us think, nail polish actually takes a total of 74 hours to completely dry – never attempt to dry it in direct sunlight as it will simply make the polish dry too quickly resulting in an uneven, gloopy finish.'