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The Best New Holiday and Winter Nail Polishes

For every taste, from sparkly to subdued.

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Generally, there are fewer new nail polish colors released in the winter than there are in the fall or spring, but the ones that are launched are pretty festive — it is the holidays, after all. This can be good or bad, depending on your feelings about red or glitter (or both simultaneously).

Luckily, there are plenty of shades available this season for just about every taste preference, including several that don’t scream, “Let’s decorate a tree and drink egg nog!!!” Here are 14 brand new polishes for whatever your mood is this winter. Shop soon if you’re in the market, because many are limited-edition.


Shimmer/Metallic

A bottle of metallic gray Context nail polish
Context Whiplash ($15)
A bottle of duo-chrome silver Essie nail polish
Essie Social Lights ($8.99)

Context Whiplash ($15): This subtle silver metallic reads chic and not too glittery.

Essie Social Lights ($8.99): Gray provides a neutral base for a duo-chrome, opalescent shimmer that has hints of red.

A blue glitter OPI nail polish
OPI Coalmates ($10.49)
A green shimmery Dior nail polish
Diorific Vernis Emerald ($28)

OPI Coalmates ($10.49): This charcoal-based color holds fine multi-colored glitter and gives an oil-slick look.

Diorific Vernis Emerald ($28): Yes, it’s pricey, but no one does a more festive holiday nail polish bottle than Dior. This metallic green is basically holiday in a bottle.

A metallic coppery red nail polish by Zoya
Zoya Tawny ($10)

YSL La Laque Couture Studio Silver ($28): This color is like a disco ball for your fingers.

Zoya Tawny ($10): This unique rosy copper shade is a nice alternative to a run-of-the-mill red polish.


Variations of Red

A red OPI nail polish
OPI My Wish List Is You ($10.49)
A red Dior nail polish
Diorific Vernis Grenat ($28)

OPI My Wish List Is You ($10.49): This is a lovely orangey-red cream shade.

Diorific Vernis Grenat ($28): This blue-red cream screams classic holiday.

A shimmery red nail polish from Butter London
Butter London Glazen Nail Firecracker ($10)
A berry red nail polish from Deborah Lippmann
Deborah Lippmann Little Red Corvette ($20)

Butter London Glazen Nail Firecracker ($10): This is a poppy cherry red with red shimmer added for good measure.

Deborah Lippmann Little Red Corvette ($20): This deep red cream has berry undertones.


When You’re Sick of Holiday-Themed Nail Polish

A green blue Essie nail polish
Essie On Your Mistletoes ($8.99)
A black cream Chanel nail polish
Chanel Celebrity ($28)

Essie On Your Mistletoes ($8.99): Despite the name, this dark teal cream polish does not bring to mind mistletoe.

Chanel Celebrity ($28): This shiny, inky black is perfect.

A purple nail polish from LVX
LVX Mulberry ($18)
A beige metallic nail polish from Orly
Orly Champagne Slushie ($6.85)

LVX Mulberry ($18): If purple and mauve had a baby, it would be this color.

Orly Champagne Slushie ($6.85): The name perfectly describes the shade.

Racked occasionally accepts products for research and reviewing purposes. For more information, see our ethics policy here.