17 Winter French Nail Ideas Perfect for the Cooler Months

gold french tips — @betina_goldstein / instagram

French manicures are the bangs of the nail world. Like the ever-evolving ways to style your fringe, the French manicure keeps returning with a fresh twist. Sure, studded French manicures and double French manicures are still going strong this season. But if you want a French mani that is especially fitting for winter, we’ve got you covered. Winter French manicures run the gamut—featuring everything from winter whites to festive holiday takes. Scroll through to see the top winter French nail ideas.

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Black Diamond

Black and silver french manicure — @betina_goldstein / instagram

Think of this mani as an after-dark party for your fingertips. The black and silver French tips are absolutely dazzling.

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Glitter Bomb

This chunky glitter French manicure is super festive and delivers plenty of pizzazz. Use Ella + Mila's Polish ($11) in Party in a Bottle to get the look.

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Sparkle and Shine

gold glittery french manicure — @nailtherapy.co / instagram

Glitter and gold are synonymous with the season—and this manicure has both. The gorgeous gemstone decals are the perfect finishing touch.

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Tiramisu Tips

french tips with brown and white swirls — @manicure.as / instagram

Consider this design an abstract take on your favorite cozy winter dessert—it could be peppermint, tiramisu, or swirls of white chocolate.

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Burgundy Beauty

burgundy nails with black french tips — @betina_goldstein / instagram

Don't sleep on burgundy—it's a beautiful winter hue that tends to be put on the back burner. Enhance the rich hue with a black baby French tip. The completed look is moody and winter-worthy.

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Midnight Blue

Truly an underappreciated color for the festive season, this bold blue French manicure has all the holiday feels with a touch of sophistication. Use Zoya's Nail Lacquer ($12) in Jen or OPI's Nail Lacquer ($12) in Chopstix and Stones to achieve a similar look.

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Chrome Hearts

Chrome french nails with metal embellishments — @angelsnailz / instagram

A chrome French manicure is always cool for winter. However, what sets this mani apart from the pack is the eye-catching metal decals that add dimension and detail to each nail.

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Crystal Clear

Take your winter French manicure to the next level by reversing the design. Opt for clear, jelly-like tips and a milky white base. The unexpected nail look is absolutely attention-grabbing.

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Gold Mine

Delightfully dainty, this thin gold French tip is small but has a huge impact. The subtle sheer, shimmery base pairs perfectly with the metallic French, allowing it to be the star of the show.

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Seeing Red

red french tip — @nailtherapy.co / instagram

A Chevron French tip is a fun twist on the classic shape. Use a cherry red polish to recreate this look like Gitti's Vegan Nail Colour ($14) in Real Red.

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Starry Night

pastel periwinkle french tips with gold accents — @phoebesummernails / instagram

Only one word can describe this manicure: dreamy. The pretty periwinkle French tips, gold stars, and pastel gemstones are such a stunning sight.

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Mixed Metals

silver base with gold french tip — @betina_goldstein / instagram

Remember the outdated fashion rule about not mixing metals? This gold and silver French mani illustrates why some laws are meant to be broken.

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Bright Star

gold french tips with black star nail stickers — @disseynails / instagram

This manicure is all about the glitz and glamour. The gold glittery base and black star nail stickers make this a standout nail look.

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Candy Cane

There's no candy more synonymous with winter than the candy cane. And we'll be the first to say candy cane print looks pretty sweet on French tips, too.

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The Right Mix

mix and match holiday red and white nails — @melanated.mani / instagram

This mismatched winter mani is perfect for the winter. The white and silver French tip pairs perfectly with the accompanying designs.

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Pearl Jam

opalescent french tips with pearl accents — @phoebesummernails / instagram

This pearlescent manicure resembles a snowy winter wonderland. The iridescent white French tips and scattered pearls give this set a sophisticated feel.

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Frozen French

Blue french tips with gemstones — @phoebesummernails / instagram

If Frozen had an official manicure, it would probably look something like this. This fantastic wintry French mani features frosty blue tips and shiny silver gemstones.

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