Darkness in the wintertime is the talk of every meteorologist and “Game of Thrones” fan, but it’s true: it comes without warning. Once your body has adjusted to getting that extra hour of sleep from the “fall back” portion of daylight saving time, the sun starts fading five hours too early and you’ll notice everyone, all of a sudden, is wearing black. The same goes for nail-polish shades. The big difference this season, though, is that you can expect a slow build into dark territory when it comes to winter nail colors.
“Fall polish was all about warm neutrals, rosy blushes, and a hint of deeper berry shades, but as we head into winter, we’re seeing darker colors reign supreme, with metallics adding a pop of fun,” Sarah Gibson Tuttle, founder and CEO of nail brand Olive & June, tells POPSUGAR. “It’s not just the expected black; it’s slight variations of that deep tone – so vampy plums, deep greens, chocolate browns, and midnight blues are going to be big.”
The biggest theme is “an ode to the ’90s, but with an unexpected twist that makes you look twice,” she says. “These nail-polish shades are more nuanced and have more depth to them. The subtlety is what allows you to express your every mani mood.”
Ahead, we’re breaking down the best winter nail colors you can expect to see everywhere this season. Consider it reading the “warning” label.