13 January Nails Ideas to Start the New Year Fresh
13 real January nails from nail artists on Instagram, from skinny white French tips to smoky blue chrome and smiley face nails.
After all the red and green, January is the perfect time for something new. Some people want clean and simple nails, others want a fun pop of color to beat the winter blues.
Here are 13 real January nails from nail artists on Instagram. For each one I share what it is, when to wear it, how to ask for it and who it suits.
🎨 January nail colors to try
1. Midnight Navy and Silver Chrome
View this post on InstagramA post shared by @thenaillologist (@thenaillologist)
📸 Look by @thenaillologist
Almond nails mixing deep navy, silver chrome and pale blue. It feels like a winter night sky.
Wear them right after the holidays, through all of January. They suit anyone who loves cool tones.
💬 How to ask for it
- Ask for almond shape
- Mix navy, pale blue and silver chrome
- Keep one or two nails simple
2. Nude With Tiny Black Dot Tips
View this post on InstagramA post shared by @lishbeautybar (@lishbeautybar)
📸 Look by @lishbeautybar
Long nude almond nails with tiny black dots along the tips. Clean, cute and a little playful.
Wear them to work or everyday life after the holidays. They suit women who like minimal nails with a twist.
💬 How to ask for it
- Ask for a sheer nude base
- Add tiny black dots at the tips
- Finish with a glossy top coat
3. Dark Minimal Short Nails
View this post on InstagramA post shared by @marinachangg (@marinachangg)
📸 Look by @marinachangg
Short nails in a deep, almost black shade. Simple, chic and so easy to wear.
Wear them all month long. They suit women who keep their nails short and love moody colors.
💬 How to ask for it
- Ask for short rounded nails
- Pick a deep black or espresso shade
- Skip nail art for a clean look
4. Smoky Blue Chrome
View this post on InstagramA post shared by @chloehayward_ (@chloehayward_)
📸 Look by @chloehayward_
Short nails in a smoky blue chrome with a soft shine. Cool, modern and perfect with silver rings.
Wear them for nights out or everyday style. They suit anyone who loves a little shine without glitter.
💬 How to ask for it
- Ask for short square or round nails
- Pick a dark blue base
- Add a chrome powder on top
5. Brown and Gold Aura Stilettos
View this post on InstagramA post shared by @nailsxtana (@nailsxtana)
📸 Look by @nailsxtana
Long stiletto nails with a brown to gold aura glow. Warm, glam and very rich looking.
Wear them to a winter party or a birthday dinner. They suit women who love long, bold nails.
💬 How to ask for it
- Ask for long stiletto acrylics
- Request a brown to gold aura fade
- Add a glossy finish
6. Baby Blue With Black Flowers
View this post on InstagramA post shared by @nailsbyashlyn_ (@nailsbyashlyn_)
📸 Look by @nailsbyashlyn_
Short almond nails mixing baby blue and nude with little black flowers and dots. Fresh and fun.
Wear them in January when you want something new. They suit anyone who loves cute nail art.
💬 How to ask for it
- Ask for short almond nails
- Mix baby blue and nude
- Add small black flowers and dots
7. Happy Smiley Face Nails
View this post on InstagramA post shared by @smbnails_ (@smbnails_)
📸 Look by @smbnails_
Almond nails with colorful smiley faces and stars on a sheer base. Happy nails for a happy new year.
Wear them when the January blues hit. They suit anyone who loves bright, fun nails.
💬 How to ask for it
- Ask for a sheer pink base
- Add colorful smiley faces
- Mix in tiny stars
8. Chocolate, Cherry and Polka Dots
View this post on InstagramA post shared by @nailzbyfrey (@nailzbyfrey)
📸 Look by @nailzbyfrey
Almond nails mixing chocolate brown, cherry red, nude and black polka dot tips. A chic mix that still feels fun.
Wear them all month and into Valentine season. They suit women who love deep colors.
💬 How to ask for it
- Ask for almond nails
- Mix chocolate brown and cherry red
- Add one or two polka dot tips
9. Hot Pink Ombre Stilettos
View this post on InstagramA post shared by @luxuriousnailart (@luxuriousnailart)
📸 Look by @luxuriousnailart
Long stiletto nails with a hot pink ombre. Bright, bold and fun for a fresh start.
Wear them to a girls night or a winter getaway. They suit women who love bold color.
💬 How to ask for it
- Ask for long stiletto nails
- Request a hot pink ombre from the tip
- Keep the rest simple
10. Skinny White French
View this post on InstagramA post shared by @jodiesnailbar (@jodiesnailbar)
📸 Look by @jodiesnailbar
Sheer nude nails with a very thin white French tip. The easiest, cleanest look for January.
Wear them to work, interviews or everyday life. They suit everyone.
💬 How to ask for it
- Ask for a sheer nude base
- Request a thin white French tip
- Keep the shape soft almond
11. Red French Tips
View this post on InstagramA post shared by @bymilliegraham (@bymilliegraham)
📸 Look by @bymilliegraham
Nude nails with bright red French tips. Classic red that does not feel like Christmas anymore.
Wear them for dinners, dates and nights out. They suit women who love a little red.
💬 How to ask for it
- Ask for nude almond nails
- Add a bright red French tip
- Finish with high shine
12. Milky Pink Clean Nails
View this post on InstagramA post shared by @valjetaefendiu (@valjetaefendiu)
📸 Look by @valjetaefendiu
Short square nails in a soft milky pink. Simple, healthy looking and so pretty.
Wear them when you want a break after holiday glitter. They suit anyone who loves the clean girl look.
💬 How to ask for it
- Ask for short square nails
- Pick a milky pink gel
- Skip art for a fresh look
13. Rose Gold Chrome With Confetti Glitter
View this post on InstagramA post shared by @nailsbyswayz (@nailsbyswayz)
📸 Look by @nailsbyswayz
Almond nails with rose gold chrome and colorful confetti glitter. Party nails for New Year and beyond.
Wear them for New Year parties or a January birthday. They suit women who love sparkle.
💬 How to ask for it
- Ask for almond nails
- Add rose gold chrome
- Top with colorful confetti glitter
Clean January Nails vs Fun January Nails
There are two big moods for January nails. Pick the one that fits how you feel.
Clean and simple
- Milky pink or sheer nude
- Skinny French tips
- Great for work and a fresh start
Fun and bright
- Smiley faces, flowers and glitter
- Hot pink or chrome
- Great for beating the winter blues
How to Keep Your Nails Healthy in January
Cold air and heaters can dry out your nails and cuticles. A few habits help a lot.
- Use cuticle oil every night
- Wear gloves outside
- Drink enough water
- Give your nails a short break if they feel weak
💡 Nail tech tip
If you want to try a new color in January, pick one bold accent nail first. It is an easy way to test a trend.
Quick Guide: Pick Your January Nails
- Work: skinny white French or milky pink
- Fun: smiley faces or flowers
- Moody: navy, black or blue chrome
- Glam: brown aura or rose gold glitter
January Nails FAQs
What nail color is good for January?
Milky pink, navy, chocolate brown, cherry red and chrome all look great in January.
Should January nails be simple?
Many people go simple after the holidays, but fun art is a great way to beat the winter blues too.
Are French tips good for January?
Yes. A skinny white or red French tip is clean, classic and easy to wear.
What nail shape is most popular right now?
Almond is the most popular, with short square and long stiletto close behind.
A Fresh Start for Your Nails
January nails can be clean and simple or bright and fun. Save your favorite set and start the new year with nails you love.
Want more ideas? See my winter nails, these New Years nails and my milky white nails.
