Nothing gets me quite in the holiday spirit like a little nail art. Something about looking down at glittering fingertips while I prepare holiday cocktails or cozy up with hot chocolate brings me pure, enamored joy. And, of course, choosing a design is half the fun. There are hundreds of options out there, from maximalist design scapes to minimalist touches of color. Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you. We sifted through hundreds of holiday manicures on Instagram to find the ten chicest options — discover them all ahead.
Under the Mistletoe
This holiday manicure features a shimmery, iridescent base with a bushel of mistletoe blooming from the bottom corner of the nail. With a steady hand and a lot of patience, you could recreate this look with a nail dotting tool and your favorite shades of green and red.
Red Snowflakes
Nothing says festive like a rich, red base with gold detailing. Here, nail artist @lolo.nailedit has used Essie shades Yummy and Penny Talk to hand paint unique snowflakes and perfectly spaced polka dots. To recreate the look on your own, try skipping the gold polish and using holographic nail stickers instead.
Evergreen Appliques
If neutral nails are more your style, we love the idea of painting a pinky-nude base layer adorned with a festive, minimalist accent — like these snow-covered evergreen trees. For an even more understated effect, try adorning just your ring finger with the evergreen tree. And to make things more festive, ask your manicurist to add little red dots to the trees to look like holiday lights or ornaments.
Glittery Hanukkah Nails
Rich blue and glittery silvers really make this festive manicure. The royal blue thumb and ring finger accent nails get perfectly tied in by the accent snowflakes on the remaining nails, and the ombre effect gives you that snow globe effect. Be sure to ask your manicurist to use gel polish to ensure it lasts for all eight nights.
Classic Red
When it comes to the holidays (or ever), you can’t go wrong with classic red lacquer. This manicure by @amyle.nails uses shade The Message by Smith + Cult, a highly pigmented, shimmery red to match Santa’s sleigh.
Festive French
If all red on every nail isn’t your style, try taking things down a notch with this chic-colored French. Start by painting your base with your favorite nude polish. Then, using Scotch tape as a stencil, paint your tips the red polish of your choosing. Finish things off with a glossy, clear topcoat to prevent chipping — and be sure to “cap” each nail by painting the top coat behind each nail as well.
Pearlescent Poinsettias
Nothing says Christmas like a room full of poinsettias. We love the way this design by @ajackdannie uses iridescent shades to create a snowy, sugary effect.
Candy Cane Swirls
Once December rolls around, I’m into peppermint everything — coffees, hot chocolates, cookies, you name it. Little did I know I could rock candy cane swirls on my nails 24/7. While this look would be hard to pull off as an amateur, a professional manicurist should be able to recreate the look. (And to cut down on cost and time in the chair, you could ask for a peppermint accent nail.)
Velvetine Dream
Searches for velvet nails increased tenfold last holiday season, and it would seem the trend is here to stay. Using a special magnetic polish, nail artists can create a velvety, light-reflective effect on the nails that reminds us of champagne and the sun hitting the snow.
All That Glitters
While festive, this manicure by @Imarninails is also holiday neutral. So if you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, you’re set for the season with this glittery ombre.
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