Winter nails come down to two choices: a deep or frosty color, and how long you want your nails to be. At Nailed It Spa in Fresno, you can wear that color on a gel manicure, Gel X, an Acrylic Full Set or Dip Powder, and match it on your toes with a pedicure.
Which colors work for winter nails?
Six cool-toned families cover most winter ideas. Treat them as general style ideas and save a photo of the exact shade for your appointment.
- Deep navy: a dark blue that reads almost black in low light.
- Forest green: a dark, slightly muted green.
- Berry: a red with a purple edge, close to a ripe blackberry.
- Icy silver: a pale, cool metallic.
- Milky white: a soft, sheer white with a little opacity.
- Soft gray: a light, quiet neutral that sits between white and charcoal.
Painting all ten nails one color is the simplest look. For more going on, give a single nail a second shade or a small design and leave the rest quiet.
Should winter nails be short or longer, almond or square?
Either works, and shape is a matter of taste. A short set looks good in one dark color or milky white, while a longer set leaves more room for a design or a shimmer finish.
Your own nails can take a gel manicure, Gel Builder or Dip Powder, so those keep your current length. Gel X and Acrylic Full Set come in almond, coffin and square, and in lengths from short to long.
Gel X is a soft-gel extension that usually feels lighter and more flexible, while acrylic feels harder and more rigid. Almond tips narrow toward the end, and square tips keep straighter sides with a flat edge.
Which service should you book for winter nails?
Pick the length first, then the color. These five suit the winter looks above. Prices are cash prices, and services with a gel option are $15 more with gel.
| Winter look | Service | Cash price | Listed time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short deep navy or forest green on your own nails | Signature Mani with gel | $23 + $15 for gel | 30 minutes |
| Berry on your own nails, with a thicker overlay | Gel Builder | $55 | 60 minutes |
| Longer almond set in icy silver | Gel X | $60 | 60 minutes |
| Coffin or square set in soft gray | Acrylic Full Set | $50 | 60 minutes |
| Milky white built up in layers on your own nails | Dip Powder | $50 | 60 minutes |
Card payments add 2.5%, and prices may vary with nail length and design complexity.
How do you match winter nails and toes?
Plenty of people pick the same winter shade for their toes, or one step darker. Booking a manicure and a pedicure in the same visit makes that easy. In cash, a Signature Mani is $23 and a Classic Pedicure is $35, with $15 added to each for gel.
The Classic Pedicure lasts 45 minutes. It includes a sugar scrub and a lotion massage along with nail shaping and cuticle care. To compare it with the other pedicures, read about the five pedicure options first.
Which add-ons suit winter nails?
Add-ons sit on top of a main service. Whether a pairing works depends on the base, so ask when you book. The full list is on the add-ons page.
- Chrome Finish: $10, 20 minutes, a mirror-like shine. A pale silver or gray base is one to try for an icy look.
- Cat Eye: $10, 25 minutes. A band of shimmer appears to move as your hand does, and a deep navy or forest green base is one to try.
- Nail Art (per nail): $5 for a listed 10 minutes. One small line or dot is an easy way to add detail to a solid color.
- Color Change: $25, 20 minutes, for a new color on your nails.
Gel X with Chrome Finish is $60 + $10 in cash. For a side-by-side look at the two shine finishes, read chrome vs. cat eye nails.
Do winter nails still work after Christmas and in January?
Yes. Navy, forest green, berry, silver, white and gray are not tied to one holiday, so the same colors carry from December into January. A set you book before the holidays does not need a new theme afterward, and you can always change the color at your next visit.
Ready to book your winter nails?
Choose a color family, a length and whether your toes join in. Look through the gallery for shapes and finishes you like, save a photo of your shade, and book your appointment.
