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With winter’s blustery winds and low temps comes the need to update our beauty routines. While having to switch skincare products and tailor our haircare regimens can be a bit tedious as we figure out how to keep everything in balance, having an opportunity to upgrade our nails with seasonal hints can add a boost of fun to the changing seasons. It’s because of this that snowflake nails are growing in popularity on social media.
These icy, often white- and silver-tinted nail looks sometimes feature actual snowflake designs, while other examples harness the trend in hue alone. So whether you’re looking for a cool way to elevate your nails this winter or you have a soft spot for the delicate beauty of literal snowflakes, you’ll likely want to hop on this nail trend ASAP.
And don’t worry, we’d never leave you in the dark. That’s why, below, you’ll discover the best snowflake nail designs Instagram has to offer. While some can be recreated at home, others will undoubtedly require a professional nail artist’s assistance. Read on to see 16 of the best ways to rock snowflake nails this winter (or whenever you want).
Standalone Snowflake
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Snowflake nails will look intricate even without a ton of effort. Here, you can see how a single statement nail featuring the design can make quite the impact. Best of all, you can recreate it by dipping a toothpick in white polish and tracing on a simple snowflake design.
Merry Magic
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While many snowflake nail designs are white or silver, you can absolutely tailor the base shade to your preference. Here, you can see how merry a red and gold layering can look.
Snowflake Shimmers
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Remember: Snowflake nails can be more about a vibe than actual snowflake designs. With that in mind, buy a bottle of Essie’s Enamel Nail Polish ($9) in Twinkle in Time.
Snowflakes and Dots
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Why stop at snowflakes when you can apply chunky glitter dots to mimic the look of falling snow?
Mix-and-Match Snowflakes
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More of a mix-and-match person? With a different pale shimmering shade on each nail, you can still hold true to the snowflake trend.
Rose Gold Snowflakes
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Rose gold nail polish makes for a stunning base. Top it off with white dots and snowflakes—both of which can be created with a dotting tool or toothpick—to complete the look.
Chrome Snowflakes
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Hoping for a more neutral-meets-negative-space idea? Start with a clear or nude polish and then paint snowflakes in the metallic shade of your choosing.
Velvet Snowflake Mani
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Intricate snowflakes paired with another of the year’s top nail trends? We’re sold.
Minimalist Snowflakes
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Another negative space idea is to paint only partial snowflakes on each nail. While taking up less nail real estate, the design will remain just as Insta-worthy.
Subtle Shimmer
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We love a good set of ombré nails, and these feel festive thanks to the silver shimmer.
Subtle Snowflake Shimmer
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An allover semi-holographic shimmer will do the trick, too. Plus, it just so happens to be one of the easiest ways to obtain a snowflake-inspired nail look.
Confetti Snowflake Nails
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If a few sparkles just don’t cut it, consider going all out with holographic confetti and silver foil snowflake decals.
Glitter Snow
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Glitter ombré creates a stunning balance between bold and subtle, and while these silver sparkles may actually feature stars, their placement creates a snowfall effect.
French Tip Snowflake Nails
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Add a bold pop of bright blue to really make your snowflake nail design stand out. We love how the nails with snowflakes are French tips, giving the overall nail look an even more elevated vibe.
Glittery Snowflake Nails
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Speaking of French tips, sticking true to all white polish is just as gorgeous of a choice. Whether you opt for rounded, square, or squoval nails, you simply can’t go wrong with this whimsical nail idea.
City Snow
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Can’t decide between wanting to feel light and fresh and having the perfect amount of depth to match your smoky eye? Try these on for size—the pink-and-white nails balance out the deep silver shimmer to embody the feeling of a city snowstorm.
