When everyone is stressed about gift-giving, holiday travel plans, and decorating their homes, choosing a holiday nail color may not be at the top of your priority list. But a festive manicure is one of the easiest ways to get into the holiday spirit, making it just as important as everything else on your holiday to-do list. Think of it like trimming the tree—except you’re the tree, and OPI’s holiday nail polishes are the gorgeous ornaments. The way I see it, deciding on your holiday manicure now means one less decision to make once the season is in full swing.
Whether you’re planning a classic Christmas manicure, looking for the perfect winter nail color, or simply want to add a little sparkle to your nails, OPI has a holiday shade for every style. From timeless OPI reds and festive greens to shimmering neutrals and rich berry tones, these are the best OPI holiday nail polish colors to wear during the holiday season and throughout the rest of winter.
How to choose the best OPI holiday nail color
If you prefer neutral winter nails:
Soft taupes, creamy beiges, warm browns, and milky pinks feel just as chic during the holiday season as they do during the rest of the year. Plus, they pair effortlessly with everything in your winter wardrobe.
Try: Icelanded a Bottle of OPI, Put It In Neutral, Crimp and Proper, Bubble Bath, or Kyoto Pearl.
If you love rich winter colors:
Deep, moody shades are perfect if you want your manicure to feel festive without fully committing to the bit. Burgundy, plum, navy, emerald, and espresso hues are elevated, timeless choices you’ll want to wear well into January.
Try: Havin’ a Candy Ol’ Time, Lincoln Park After Dark, Complementary Wine, or Espresso Your Inner Self.
If you want a glittery holiday manicure:
Whether you go for a full sparkle manicure or use glitter as an accent, shimmer instantly makes your nails feel celebration-ready. Metallics and glitter toppers are especially fun for holiday parties and New Year’s Eve.
Try: Gemini and I, Metallic Composition, Happy Anniversary!, or Suga Cookie.
If you’re looking for the perfect holiday red:
The best holiday red depends on the look you’re after. Choose a true red for a classic Christmas manicure, a deep wine for an elegant holiday event, or a cranberry shade for something festive without being too on-the-nose.
Try: Big Apple Red, Coca-Cola Red, Malaga Wine, or We the Female.
If you want a color that lasts through January:
Choosing a versatile winter shade means you won’t feel the need to change your manicure as soon as the clock strikes midnight. Rich reds, berries, and dark neutrals transition seamlessly into the rest of the season.
Try: That’s What Friends are Thor, Less Is Norse, In the Cable Car-Pool Lane, or Como se Llama?.
15 best OPI holiday nail colors
1. Louvre Me Louvre Me Not
Just looking at this gorgeous shimmery pinky-purple shade, I can’t help but think of the girly ’90s holiday decor of my dreams. Plus, what better way to brighten up a dreary winter day than a bright pink holiday nail polish?
READ: The Best Dark OPI Nail Polish Colors
2. Vodka and Caviar
Everyone’s always talking about Rudolph, but after seeing this OPI red nail polish, I think Vodka and Caviar is the superior reindeer. It’s the perfect red for the holidays, and I want it on my nails immediately.
3. Crimp and Proper
If you thought neutral nails couldn’t be festive, you thought wrong. This opaque, cool-toned purple polish is exactly the OPI neutral nail polish you need for winter.
READ: 10 Celebrity-Approved OPI Nail Polish Colors
4. Case of Glamnesia
Honestly, I can’t get enough of tinsel when I’m decorating for the holidays, so why not bring the same energy to my OPI manicure? It’s festive, fun, and definitely eye-catching.
5. Cyber Cherry On Top
Is it a pink OPI nail polish? Is it red? TBH, I don’t care—all I know is it’s sparkly and absolutely gorgeous. This one is for the girls who want their nails to shine brighter than any christmas tree display they’ll see this season.
6. Stay Off the Lawn!!
It only makes sense to have a rich green on our holiday OPI nail polish list, and Stay Off the Lawn!! is simply iconic. It brings all the jolly energy you want without being too cheesy.
7. Happy Play-ce
While I love a glittery manicure year-round, there’s something about the holidays that makes it feel particularly apt. This glittery blue nail polish feels light, icy, and shimmery, making it a top choice for a winter manicure.
8. We the Female
This classic OPI red is the right choice if you want something that feels more seasonal rather than explicitly holiday. The dark hue screams winter, and the slight tinge of deep red gives just the right nod to the holidays.
READ: The Best OPI Red Nail Polishes of All Time
9. Bogotá Blackberry
OPI Bogotá Blackberry is a stunning holiday shade because its deep, rich berry tone adds a festive pop of color without feeling over the top. The subtle shimmer catches the light beautifully, giving every manicure a touch of seasonal sparkle.
10. Reoccurin’ Gleam
If you’re a Bubble Bath loyalist who wants to mix things up a little for the holiday season, Reoccurin’ Gleam is exactly what you need. It has the pinky-neutral shade we all love with a touch of peachy shimmer that makes things feel a bit bolder.
11. Welcome to Your Whirl
Sure, snow days get old after a while, but Welcome to Your Whirl will have you manifesting a fresh dusting every day. It brings that sparkling, fresh energy we love from a snowfall straight to your manicure.
12. In the Cable Car-Pool Lane
If Lincoln Park After Dark feels a little too moody for the holidays, this OPI polish brings the same dark burgundy vibes but in a way that feels slightly less vampy. Personally, I can’t wait to wear it this winter.
13. This Color’s Making Waves
For the maximalist who wants something bold and unexpected for their OPI holiday nails, it doesn’t get more fun than this one. A dark greenish-blue packed with glitter is a nonstop compliment-getter.
14. Grunge Queen
For the neutral girl who wants to try their hand at a very subtle red, this rich, dark brown comes with a quiet red shimmer—giving your nails that seasonal pop that, when it hits the light just right, will make you never want to take it off.
15. Nougat by Nature
If you’re wanting something very main character, opting for the same color as the star on top of your Christmas tree is a sure-fire way to stand out at a party. Gold usually isn’t my OPI go-to, but this sharp shade is about to be mine for the holidays.
Frequently asked questions about holiday OPI nail polish
What are the best OPI holiday nail polish colors?
There are a lot of reds, greens, and glitter polishes out there, but some are just better than others. Whether you’re headed to a family gathering, a neighbor’s party, or grabbing a festive drink with friends, here are the OPI shades to wear on repeat this season:
- Best red: Rebel With a Clause
- Best green: Leaf By Example
- Best glitter: Tempted to Lick-orice
- Best neutral: Double Nude-y
- Best berry: So Berry Quick
- Best blue: Shake Your Blue-ty
What are the best white OPI shades for winter?
OPI has some of the most iconic white nail shades to choose from. While go-to colors like Funny Bunny and Alpine Snow are great for year-round use, when they’re against those festive snowy scenes this time of year, a white nail just never misses. Here are the bottles we are always grabbing:
- Best for the seasonal office party: Cauliflower Power
- Best for a night out: Shimmer Takes All
- Best for the museum day: Hands in the Clouds
- Best for a cold snowy day in: Crisp White
- Best for cozy reading in a cafe: My Vampire is Buff
Are OPI holiday nail polishes limited edition?
A lot of our go-to holiday shades are the gift that keeps on giving year after year, but there are a select few that only come around for a season. This year, OPI’s limited holiday selection is in collab with M&M, where they are offering several limited-edition colors like Red-iculously Sweet, Crack Me Up, Peanut Butter Me Up, and White Choco-hot. “Chic” was never usually the first word I thought of when I heard the word M&M, but twist my arm, I’ll admit it: that nutty Peanut Butter Me Up is chic as hell.
More limited-edition M&M holiday colors that are actually kind of cute:
What OPI color is best for Christmas nails?
If you’re wanting classic Christmas nails that can feel timeless for any festive occasion, emerald greens, classic reds, gold shimmers, and deep berries are always a solid choice. But oh, which one to choose?! Here are some of our go-tos:
- Best classic red: Big Apple Red
- Best emerald green: What a Tree-t (NEW)
- Best gold shimmer: Winter Gets the Gold
- Best silver sparkle: Deck the Shells (NEW)
- Best deep berry: My Berry Janes
Can you wear OPI holiday nail colors after Christmas?
Of course! While a lot of greens and shimmer shades get their moment during the holiday season, your festive burgundy, silvers, browns, and whites can still transition seamlessly into the new year. My Berry Janes is great for livening up the January blues, Cauliflower Power is perfect for championing in-office days, and if red is your favorite shade, So Berry Quick is the winter shade to keep on hand. More of our holiday nails that work just as well after Christmas:
Want more OPI nail polish? You’ll love these…
- The Best OPI Red Nail Polishes of All Time
- Holiday Nail Ideas That Give All the Festive Vibes
- Unexpected Holiday Nail Ideas That Aren’t Red
- The Best OPI Colors for Your Thanksgiving Manicure
Madigan Will, Contributing Writer
As a contributing writer and former Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Madigan has written and edited content across every topic under the digital media sun. As the oldest of four siblings, she brings a big-sister perspective to her work, helping readers discover new ways to maximize their everyday.
Lauren Blue, Editor & Book Club Co-Host
As an Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives, from must-read books and behind-the-scenes interviews to beauty products she can’t live without. When she isn’t sitting in an AMC watching the latest buzzy release, she can be found scouring Goodreads for the perfect pick for The Everygirl Book Club. There, she co-hosts discussions with members, debating plotlines, fancasting characters, and, of course, tossing in her own recommendations.
