10 Holiday Nail Art Ideas to Get You Feeling Festive

Celebrate the season in style.

Two hand models show their manicures, one with silver stars and the other black with silver sparkles
Photo: opi/Instagram, betina_goldstein/Instagram

'Tis the season for fuzzy pajamas, eggnog, decking the halls with as much red and green decor as possible — and festive manicures that match your holiday spirit.

There's no right or wrong way to celebrate the holidays, and the same goes for your mani to match. Whether you like to keep your nail art classic with snowflakes, extra with a ton of gold glitter, or subtle with a hint of shimmery sparkles, there are holiday manicures out there for both nail art maximalists and minimalists — and anything in between.

So, make a cup of hot cocoa, turn on your favorite Hallmark holiday movie, and screenshot which of the following festive manicures you're going to try this year. From red and green swirls to icy white shimmer nail polish, the following 10 nail art ideas will help you celebrate the holiday season in style.

1. Seeing Stars

Holiday Nail Art Designs That Will Make You Feel Festive

Instagram @betina_goldstein

This manicure sparkles like the star on top of your Christmas tree. Here, manicurist Betina Goldstein used nail jewels to create the design on a clear base.

2. Festive French

This seasonally appropriate French manicure features red trips and a swipe of multicolored glitter polish. The exact shades editorial manicurist Mimi D used? OPI's Big Apple Red ($11, amazon.com) and You Had Me at Confetti ($11, amazon.com).

3. Candy Cane Swirls

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIPMthcsXBW/

Instagram @nailartbysig

Channel the classic holiday treat with this swirly manicure by Sigourney Nuñez. The nail artist went with OPI's Alpine Snow and a red polish for the white and red swirls, and gold and green lacquers for the others.

4. Christmas Lights

Holiday Nail Art Designs That Will Make You Feel Festive

Instagram @thehangedit

The combination of deep navy blue and the colorful polka dot accent nail reminds us of twinkling Christmas lights at night.

5. Red Ombré

Holiday Nail Art Designs That Will Make You Feel Festive

Instagram @oliveandjune

Why choose one of your holiday reds, when you can wear all of them? Use five different shades, starting with the darkest on your thumb, to create a cool ombré effect.

6. Frosted Ice

Holiday Nail Art Designs That Will Make You Feel Festive

Instagram @essie

Not feeling full-on glitter polish, but still want a holiday manicure with a little shimmer? Try a frosted white nail polish like Essie's Crystal Clear Intentions. It's an opalescent polish with multidimensional shimmer that will remind you of the morning sun reflecting off a fresh pile of snow.

7. Let It Snow

Holiday Nail Art Designs That Will Make You Feel Festive

Instagram @paintbucketnails

Speaking of icy, no manicure screams "holidays" like classic white French tips paired with a snowflake accent nail.

8. All That Glitters Is Gold

Holiday Nail Art Designs That Will Make You Feel Festive

Instagram @paintboxnails

Adding a swipe of gold glitter over your base instantly makes any neutral polish feel festive. If you're into this slate blue and gold combination, the exact shades are Paintbox's Like Gilded and Like Wonder.

9. Chic Wrapping Paper

Holiday Nail Art Designs That Will Make You Feel Festive

Instagram @natalieminervanails

This festive design by manicurist Natalie Minerva is reminiscent of beautifully wrapped gifts under a Christmas tree. Use white polish as your base, then a nail art brush to paint the gold stripes. Finish by adding nail jewels for a little sparkle.

10. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Holiday Nail Art Designs That Will Make You Feel Festive

Instagram @opi

A black shimmer nail polish looks like twinkling stars in the winter night sky. And the beauty of this manicure is that all you have to do is simply paint your nails with OPI's Turn Bright After Sunset to recreate it.

Related Articles