I’m heading into my first manicure of 2025 with very clear intentions: something fresh, cool, and extremely January-coded. The start of the year feels like the perfect time to reset everything, nails included, and lean into winter polish colors and designs that match that crisp, wintery energy.
While yes, the best January nail ideas obviously include glittery snowflakes and frosted finishes, there are also some fun designs to elevate your mani beyond a winter-esque pattern. So, if you’re ready to let go of your holiday nails and need some fresh winter nail inspo for the new year, these are the best January nail ideas to try for your next manicure.
1. Snowy Nails for January
If January had an official nail look, snowy nails that mimic fresh snowfall would be it. Whether it’s intricate flakes or sheer washes of white, you can't go wrong with a manicure to match the cold winter weather.
2. Coquette Winter Nails for January
Not fully ready to graduate from your holiday nails yet? Try a version of these coquette nails. It's soft and romantic, featuring plaid, lace, and tiny bow details that feel festive for winter without being overly Christmas-coded. Never too early to get a head-start on Valentine's Day as far as Cosmo's concerned.
3. Stocking-Inspired Nails for January
This nail trend borrows the sheer finish that mimics our winter wardrobe necessity: tights. You can play with polka dots, lace, or any stockings-esque texture for a cozy manicure that's subtle but still fun.
4. Metallic Animal Print Nails for January
Our basic animal prints are getting a cold-weather upgrade with sparkly finishes and icy undertones. Chrome leopard spots and silvery zebra stripes amp up the pattern to be bold and edgy, aka a perfect recipe for the new year.
5. Gold Accent Nails for January
Gold accents are the easiest way to elevate a winter manicure. Over a creamy, milky base, add foil details, bedazzled accents, or gold tips for a look that feels effortlessly chic.
6. Deer Print Nails for January
This mani of soft browns and creamy whites are the biggest animal print trend for winter this year. With its cozy and woodsy-inspired vibe, the print is perfectly suited for the cold season.
7. Icy Blue Nails for January
Icy blue is my favorite nail color for January (as I type this with my frosty blue fingertips). From chrome finishes to glacial shades, it instantly gives frozen, wintery vibes and is the perf way to embrace the season without defaulting to white or gray.
Why trust Cosmpolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo where she researches beauty trends for a living. She's obsessed with manicures (you'll never find her nails without a polish on them) and for this story she spent hours scrolling through nail artists' social media pages and researching nail polish trends to find the cutest January nail ideas to try this season.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
