Winter is just a few short weeks away and if you’ve yet to decide on your next manicure, look no further than at snowflake nails. “This nail art always trends because it’s a non-holiday specific winter manicure that can also be really chic and delicate,” says celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec. “Plus, you can wear it all the way through February.”
The best part of this trend is that snowflake nail designs can be left open for interpretation. Whether you want a detailed snowflake on each finger, or you want your nails to look flocked, snowy nails can go any direction you’d like. Another perk of this trend is how easy it is to DIY at home. “The best way to do this look at home is to use nail decals,” says Kandalec. “You can play with the length of the snowflake by positioning it at the base of the nail or vertically along the length, you can sprinkle white fine glitter on your gel base before curing everything for a 3D effect, and you can even put the decal under a jelly nail polish for a peek-a-boo design.”
Ready to walk around with snowy nails? Ahead, we rounded up some of our favorite designs that you can wear well into the new year.
Glittery Blue
@adoreaxo
Not only can you play with the design of your snowflake nails, but you can also play with the texture of the manicure. This look features a blue theme alongside detailed snowflakes and thick powdered glitter for a flocking effect.
Colorful Lights
@adoreaxo
Capture the nostalgia of stringed lights during the holidays by combining your snowflake nails with the colorful design. You can get the design on an accent finger, on every other nail, or even combine it with the snowflake design.
Moody Snowflake Nails
@thenaillologist
You don’t have to stick to traditional colors for your snowflake nails. In fact, this manicure with shades of brown, cream, and even purple is the perfect example of taking this trend and making it your own.
Chilly Bear
@thenaillologist
Still, if you’re a fan of a good theme, nothing is more adorable than a snowflake manicure that features a polar bear.
Pink and White
@thenaillologist
Want a classic pink-and-white manicure but don’t want to go for a traditional French tip? Swap the smile lines for snowflakes and white dots that mimic the look of snowfall.
Abstract Snowflake Nails
@thenaillologist
Abstract patterns create are some of the most eye-catching manicures. Add in a cohesive snow-flake design like this one and you’ll be the talk of every holiday party you attend.
Aura Snowflake Nails
@thenaillologist
You’ve likely heard of aura nails, where the middle of each finger is painted in a slightly darker and complementary shade to the base coat. Usually, people stop there for the design, but this manicure adds a delicate snowflake on top of the aura design for a minimal take on the snowflake trend.
Glitter Ombré
@thenaillologist
You know that feeling you get when you’re cozied up by a window while snow falls outside? This manicure perfectly captures it thanks to the diffused baby blue French tip and delicate snowflake nail art that looks like flurries in the winter.
Stiletto Snowflake Nails
@yaninnails
You don’t have to shy away from your perfect length to get the snowflake manicure of your dreams. These extra-long stiletto nails still look as delicate as any other snowy nail look, thanks in part to a simple pink-and-white color palette that even extends to the jewels used in the look.
Delicate Silver
If you want to add glitter to your snowflake manicure but don’t want to take away from the understated feel of the look, opt for a color that can provide a scattered shimmer effect like silver. For this manicure, it’s used on numerous fingers, but it doesn’t overpower the snowflake design.
Black and Gold
@luv_nailsbyshelley
Black snowflake nails feel like an easy way to add a bit of grunge to the classic manicure. Add in a subtle but impactful metallic shade like gold and you’ll end up with a sultry version of snowy nails that you’ll want to wear well into the spring.
Blue Snow-Fall Nails
@luv_nailsbyshelley
Not only is this dark blue base color stunning, but the shimmers at the base of the nail look like snow falling down each finger, which is a more abstract expression of the snowy nail trend.
Snowy Christmas Tree
@studiobarinails
A Christmas-themed manicure that doesn’t feel cringy? Yes, please. This snowflake nail look combines a hand-painted Christmas tree that is surrounded by falling snow and deep red accent nails.
Christmas Mix-and-Match
@brontenails_x
Want to stick with a classic red snowflake manicure? You can never go wrong with a French tip. This version features snowflake on just one finger, with the rest being adorned by Santa hats, bows, and candy-cane nail art.
Red French
@brontenails_x
You don’t have to have long nails to get in on the snowflake fun. This manicure has a simple approach to the snowy nails trend and has a simple red french tip, with two accent fingers donning one snowflake each.
Cartoon Snowflake Nails
@nailedbyvalz
Though snowflake nails are typically a winter manicure, that doesn’t mean you can’t add other types of nail art. This look features a cartoon character on each ring finger and snowflakes on the rest for a unique take on the snowy nail trend.
Snowangel
@nailedbyvalz
Not only does this manicure feature snowflakes, but snow angels and charms are also added throughout the design. If you prefer more maximal, but still cohesive look, these nails are for you.
Crystals
@thenailplug210
Hand-painted snowflakes are already impressive when incorporated into a manicure, but if you want to take your nails up a notch, create one entirely out of crystals as seen in this look.
Disney Snowflake Nails
@thenailplug210
Big Disney fan? Incorporate your love of Mickey Mouse into your manicure by using crystals to emulate the look of Mickey ears, while pairing the nail art with more winter themes like snowflakes, and sweater designs.
Candy-Cane
@thenailplug210
If you’re leaning into the color red for the fall and winter, you don’t have to abandon the shade to get snowflake nails. This manicure not only features snow flakes, but also candy-cane designs, a fully detailed Santa Claus face, and French tips to tie everything together.
Snowman
@thenailplug210
Although snowy nails can include snowflakes, they can also include other winter-themed designs like snowmen, and flocked nails that look like you’ve been writing in snow.
Snowflake Sweater
@thenailplug210
Sweater nails will always be a fall and winter staple, but the addition of snowflake accent nails adds that extra touch of something extra that makes this manicure feel like the perfect holiday nail.
Snowflake Glitter
@thenailplug210
This snowflake manicure is perfect for people who want snowflake nails, but still want a bit of color in the traditionally very understated manicure.
Floral Snowflake
@thenailplug210
Yes, flowers are typically seen in spring and summer manicures, but rules are made to be broken and that is exactly why we love this nail look. Flowers, snowflakes, and candy-cane stripes are incorporated for a playful version of the winter manicure.
Simple Snowflake
@babybear.nailsxo
Do you fall more on the minimalist side of things? Opt for a simple skin-toned neutral color for your base, then add a single snowflake on an accent finger.
