A new year calls for new nail inspo and, as always, we’re here to help. To kickstart the year, we present you with a selection of must-try January nails. This winter season, our pros anticipate soft, cozy nail looks to reign supreme. Along with crisp and cool shades of sapphire and mint, we can look forward to warm brown nail art, creamy white accents, mesmerizing metallics, and unexpected pops of pink to make their cold-weather debut.
Meet the expert
- Olivia Van Iderstine is Olive & June’s mani trend expert and vice president of content.
- Mazz Hanna is a manicurist and the CEO of Nailing Hollywood, an agency that represents the top talent in the nail industry.
Ready to start planning? Ahead, explore 20 January nail ideas.
Cool Sheer Milky White Nails
Up first, we have cool, sheer milky white nails for a crisp start to the year. “January is all about a palette cleanser—it’s a new year, a fresh start,” says nail artist Olivia Van Iderstine, Olive & June’s mani trend expert and vice president of content. “After a holiday season of bold reds, dark chocolates, and lots of loud glitter, we’re into something sheer and effortless that’s totally you. This nail art look is achieved by simple nail polish layering! Choose two neutral sheer shades and layer one on top of the other. The result is an easy kiss of milky color in a combo that is all yours.”
Chrome Cocoa Ombré Nails
The chrome craze isn’t going anywhere in 2025. “Chrome nails with ombré effects are a natural fit for January since they bring a frosted, reflective quality that feels modern and seasonal,” says Nailing Hollywood CEO Mazz Hanna. “Warm shades like brown, gold, or champagne add a hint of glam while staying understated. This trend is perfect for anyone who loves a clean but eye-catching look.”
Minimalist Black and White Nails
Black and white is a classic color combo that will take you from New Year’s Eve into the New Year. “Minimalist nail art works well for January because it complements the fresh start of the new year,” Hanna says, referencing this eye-catching black and white design. “Simple geometric lines or waves in metallic or black polish over negative space add interest without going overboard. This look works well for those who prefer subtle yet creative nail designs.”
Minty Fresh Aura Nails
According to Van Iderstine, mint green is a must for January 2025. “It’s so fresh for the new year,” she says. “A minty green is like a total mani refreshment—exactly how you want your mani to feel in a new year.”
Mint Green Marble Nails
As gorgeous as mint green polish is all on its own, it can really pop when paired with different toppers and/or nail art. Where the color was incorporated into a trendy aura design above, here, it features a chic marbled design. “To make mint green polish feel even more wintery fresh, try topping it with a pearlescent shade to give it a frosty feel,” Van Iderstine suggests.
Abstract Champagne Shimmer Squiggle Nails
Just because the holidays have come and gone doesn’t mean fun, festive metallic accents need to be left behind, too. “Gold flakes and metallic accents are a great choice for January since they add warmth and sophistication to deep or neutral bases that we typically see in January,” Hanna says. “Metallic accents work well for anyone looking to elevate their manicure without going overboard.”
Cool Blue Cat Eye Nails
The way Hanna sees it, blue nails are a given for January 2025. “Blue shades are having a moment since they offer a frosty, winter-inspired vibe that is perfect for January,” she explains. The best part? It doesn’t matter what shade of blue you opt for, so long as it has an icy undertone. (Psst: If you can’t land on a single shade, consider a shifty, cat-eye velvet option like the one above.)
Baby Blue Bejeweled Aura Nails
Lighter blue hues work, too. “A muted blue or a dusty periwinkle paired with negative space or subtle metallic accents are a great choice for those looking for something minimalistic but still seasonal,” Hanna says.
Gold Chrome Rose Gold Velvet Nails
How pretty is this dual-finish, cyber-inspired nail design? With a shimmery rose gold velvet base and metallic champagne chrome design on top, it’s trendy for more than one reason.
Hot Cocoa Mix-n-Match Nails
Animal print remains a popular nail art trend for January 2025, as do cozy shades of cocoa and cream. Suffice to say, we’re obsessed with this mix-n-match mani embracing all that and more. “Start the new year fierce,” Van Iderstine encourages. “From zebra to cheetah to cow, it’s all about the animal print. This look is unapologetic and doesn’t take itself too seriously.” As much as we love a neutral animal print design, Van Iderstine reminds us to have a little fun in the new year. “The sky is the limit when it comes to color combos, so don’t feel like you have to stick to a traditional palette,” she says. “Strawberry cows? Neon pink zebras? Anything goes.”
Magenta Velvet Nails
January is cold, so rich velvet textures make sense. “Velvet nails feel luxurious and cozy, making them a great choice for winter,” Hanna says. “Jewel tones like sapphire and amethyst enhance the richness of this style, which is perfect for those who love bold yet wearable nail art.” Our personal favorite for a bold pop of color? Magenta!
Metallic Midnight Blue French Tips
The year 2024 saw many’a micro Frenchies but in 2025, Van Iderstine recommends beefing up your tips. “A thicker, bolder French tip makes a major statement—and who doesn’t want to start the year off strong,” she says. “The easiest way to achieve a perfect French is by popping on a press-on. Always perfectly precise and so easy! And you don’t have to stick to the classic pink and white—try bold blues or a wash of shimmery chrome.”
Midnight Blue Marble Nails
Another nail art trend for January 2025? Marbled designs. “Marbled nails in deep tones like navy, slate gray, or charcoal mimic the dramatic beauty of winter skies and stone textures,” Hanna says. “They’re elevated yet approachable, making them a great option for anyone looking to try something bold but still sophisticated.”
Pearly White Micro French Tips
Good news: Just because thick Frenches are in for 2025 doesn’t mean we can’t still rock a micro mani. “Micro French manicures are perfect for January since they offer a clean and understated update to the classic French tip,” Hanna says. “Thin, delicate lines in classic white, metallics, deep green, or champagne give just enough detail without feeling over the top.”
Minimalist Double Glitter French Tips
Heck, you can even double up your arches if you’d like. We love how this micro French design was crafted in glitzy copper-tinted black glitter for an art deco-y vibe.
Sheer Subtle Shimmer Nails
Looking for a simple solution for stunning nails? Van Iderstine says to opt for a super subtle shimmer. “The name of the shimmer game is less is more,” she explains. “Less New Year’s Eve glitter, more wash-of-shimmer for a little bit of something on your nails.” At first glance, you might think this is just your average white mani but if you look closely, you’ll see that it’s glistening in the sun.
Sheer White Metallic Nails
Of course, if you love the glitzy vibe of New Year’s and want to usher it into the new year, silver shimmer nails are a great option. “To keep it even more fresh, choose a neutral base underneath and apply a subtle sparkle top coat on top, or try one coat of a silvery metallic to create a barely there gloss effect,” Van Iderstine says.
Sheer Marble Nails
Deeply toned marble nails are gorgeous but sheer marble designs can be, too. Check out this creamy pale pink ombré mani with subtle white marbling on top. The ultimate neutral nail art, don’t you think?
Tiger Nails
We love a neutral animal print design but if you adore color, don’t feel pigeonholed to shades of brown. This tiger mani is accurate to the animal but you could just as easily accomplish the design in vivid shades of purple, cobalt, chartreuse—you name it!
Sheer Lavender Shimmer Nails
One more shimmery nail look for good measure. This time, a pretty pale pink number, as the shade is set to soar for winter 2025.
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