The festive season is the perfect time to go all out with your nail art, and this year’s xmas nails ideas are sure to dazzle. Whether you’re looking for something cute, minimalist, or bold with glitter, there’s a design for everyone. From classic reds and whites to unique greens and blues, these styles will make your nails the highlight of your holiday look. Here are some inspiring ideas for Christmas nails that you’ll love.
Festive Gold and Reindeer Accents
This festive look brings together the elegance of gold glitter with playful accents like a reindeer and tree branches. The almond-shaped nails have a simple base of neutral pink, making the gold tips and hand-painted details pop. It’s perfect for someone wanting a balance between cute and sophisticated for their Christmas nails.
Consumables:
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- Base coat: OPI Gel Color in “Bubble Bath”
- Gold glitter polish: Essie “Rock at the Top”
- Nail art brush: Thin for fine detailing
- Top coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
- Additional: Dotting tool for reindeer nose
Creating this look at home:
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- Start with a clean base of neutral pink using two coats.
- Apply gold glitter to the tips in a French style, letting it dry completely.
- For the reindeer, use a fine brush to paint the antlers and nose with precision. The tree design can be achieved with a darker green polish and small brush strokes. Finish with a shiny top coat to seal in the design.
Green French Tips with Stars
This nail design combines modern square tips with a festive twist of deep green and star accents. The tips are a bold green, and each ring finger features a Christmas tree-inspired pattern made from delicate zigzags. The minimalist design is perfect for someone looking for an elegant yet festive style that doesn’t overwhelm.
Consumables:
- Green polish: Essie “Off Tropic”
- White star decals: Kiss Nail Art
- Nail tape for clean lines
- Top coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast
Creating this look at home:
- Start by applying two coats of a soft nude or pink base.
- Once the base dries, use nail tape to mark off the tips, then paint with a deep green for a sharp French tip.
- Apply the star decals on the ring fingers, and use a fine brush for the zigzag tree design. Finish with a quick-drying top coat to lock everything in.
Snowy White and Glitter Coffin Nails
These long coffin-shaped nails are a winter dream, with a simple white matte base adorned with intricate glitter details. The snowflakes and gel-based accents give off a wintry charm, and the length adds drama. This xmas nails idea is perfect for those who want a bold statement while sticking to classic white tones.
Consumables:
- White matte polish: Zoya “Purity”
- Chunky glitter: China Glaze “Fairy Dust”
- Nail art brush for snowflakes
- Rhinestones: Swarovski crystals for added sparkle
- Gel top coat: CND Shellac
Creating this look at home:
- Apply a base coat, followed by two layers of white polish. Allow it to dry fully.
- Use a nail art brush to carefully paint snowflakes on alternating nails, and place small rhinestones in the center of each flake.
- Add a touch of glitter near the cuticles for extra shine, and finish with a gel top coat to keep everything in place for longer wear.
Classic Red and Candy Cane Design
This cute and festive design embraces traditional Christmas colors with red, white, and a touch of glitter. With an adorable candy cane stripe on one nail and playful HO HO HO lettering on another, this set screams Christmas fun while staying simple yet bold. The alternating nails in red and pink give it a creative twist.
Consumables:
- Red polish: OPI “Big Apple Red”
- White striping polish: Kiss Brush-On Nail Art
- Fine brush for lettering
- Pink glitter polish: Zoya “Monet”
- Top coat: Essie Gel Setter
Creating this look at home:
- Start with alternating coats of red and pink polish for each nail.
- Use a fine brush or striping tool to create candy cane stripes on one nail.
- Carefully paint the HO HO HO design on another nail, and add glitter accents on the remaining nails for a bit of sparkle. Seal with a top coat for longevity.
Glittery Evergreen French Tips
For a minimalist yet festive approach, this design features deep green almond-shaped tips accented with fine gold glitter. The look is clean, polished, and undeniably Christmassy without being over-the-top. It’s ideal for those who prefer a simple yet festive manicure that works well for both casual and formal occasions.
Consumables:
- Green polish: OPI “Christmas Gone Plaid”
- Gold glitter: Orly “Halo”
- Fine brush for tip application
- Top coat: Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro
Creating this look at home:
- Apply a clear or nude base coat to start.
- Use a fine brush to paint the tips with a deep green polish, making sure the lines are even and sharp.
- Apply a thin layer of gold glitter along the edge of the green tips for added sparkle. Finish with a gel top coat for a long-lasting finish.
Modern Metallic and Pink Combo
This minimalist yet striking design features a combination of soft pink and shiny metallic accents. The short, rounded nails alternate between a soft, glossy pink and a silver metallic finish, with a simple polka-dot pattern on the middle finger. The metallic silver tips on the ring finger add a touch of elegance to this otherwise subtle manicure, perfect for a chic and cute holiday look.
Consumables:
- Base coat: OPI “Bubble Bath”
- Silver metallic polish: Sally Hansen “Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear”
- Dotting tool for the polka dots
- Top coat: Seche Vite
Creating this look at home
- Start with a soft pink base coat on all nails, using two layers for opacity.
- Apply silver metallic polish on alternating nails, and use a dotting tool to create the simple polka dot design.
- For a sleek look, apply silver tips to the ring finger with a fine brush and finish with a top coat to seal the design.
Galaxy-Inspired Purple and Black Nails
For a bold and glittery holiday look, this galaxy-inspired nail design features a black base with deep purple glitter gradient. The short almond shape makes this set easy to wear while still making a statement. The play of colors between the dark black and shimmering purple creates a celestial vibe, perfect for those who want their holiday nails to stand out.
Consumables:
- Black polish: Essie “Licorice”
- Purple glitter: ILNP “Celestial”
- Sponge for gradient effect
- Top coat: CND Vinylux
Creating this look at home
- Apply a black base to all nails and let it dry completely.
- Use a sponge to gently dab the purple glitter polish from the tip downwards, creating a gradient effect.
- Seal the design with a glossy top coat to enhance the shimmer and protect the glitter design.
Festive Green and White French Tips
This classic Christmas-inspired design combines a soft nude base with green and white accents. The almond-shaped nails feature a French tip in a festive forest green, while the ring finger is adorned with a 3D Christmas tree accent. This cute and simple design adds just the right touch of holiday spirit while remaining polished and minimalist.
Consumables:
- Base coat: Zoya “Blush”
- Green polish: OPI “Christmas Gone Plaid”
- White polish: Essie “Blanc”
- Nail art brush for 3D tree details
- Gel top coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
Creating this look at home
- Apply a nude base coat and let it dry completely.
- Paint the French tips with green polish, ensuring clean lines with a fine brush.
- Use a nail art brush to carefully add a white tip and decorate the ring finger with a Christmas tree accent. Seal the look with a gel top coat for added shine and durability.
Green and Gold Christmas Elegance
This elegant design features a mix of green and nude nails with a touch of gold foil for added luxury. The green polish covers the majority of nails, while the accent nails feature a half-nude, half-green design with scattered gold foil. This is a chic and minimalist design that adds a festive touch without going overboard.
Consumables:
- Green polish: Essie “Trophy Wife”
- Gold foil: Born Pretty Gold Leaf
- Nude polish: OPI “Be There in a Prosecco”
- Top coat: Essie Gel Couture
Creating this look at home
- Start by applying green polish to most of the nails and a nude base on the accent nails.
- Use a fine brush to apply the green polish diagonally across the accent nails.
- Gently place gold foil on the nails while the polish is still slightly tacky. Seal with a gel top coat for a smooth finish.
Red Glitter and Holly Berries
This festive manicure features red glitter tips and delicate holly berry accents on the ring fingers. The almond-shaped nails alternate between a clear base with red glitter French tips and a soft pink with holly berry detailing. This cute design captures the holiday spirit while keeping things simple and elegant, perfect for any Christmas celebration.
Consumables:
- Red glitter polish: China Glaze “Ruby Pumps”
- Nail art brush for holly details
- Green polish for leaves: OPI “Stay Off the Lawn”
- Red polish for berries: Essie “Rock the Runway”
- Top coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
Creating this look at home
- Start with a clear or soft pink base coat.
- Apply red glitter French tips to the majority of nails.
- For the accent nails, use a fine brush to paint small holly leaves and berries on the ring finger. Seal the design with a gel top coat for a smooth and shiny finish.
Iridescent Aqua French Tips
These square-shaped nails feature a stunning twist on the classic French tip, with an iridescent aqua design that catches the light beautifully. The nails are kept neutral with a soft nude base, while the vibrant blue and green hues on the tips create a mesmerizing ocean-like effect. This simple yet eye-catching design is perfect for anyone who loves a modern take on the French manicure.
Consumables:
- Base coat: OPI “Bare My Soul”
- Iridescent foil: Born Pretty Mermaid Scales Foil
- Top coat: Essie Gel Couture
Creating this look at home
- Apply a soft nude base coat and allow it to dry.
- Use a blue or green iridescent foil for the French tips, applying them carefully with a nail foil adhesive.
- Seal the design with a gel top coat to enhance the shine and lock in the foil for longer wear.
Multicolored French Tips
This bold and playful set features a simple yet vibrant array of colored French tips. Each nail is a different color, showcasing a variety of red, green, white, and black polishes. The almond-shaped nails are left mostly nude, allowing the bright tips to take center stage. This manicure is ideal for someone looking to incorporate holiday colors in a unique and cute way.
Consumables:
- Red polish: OPI “Big Apple Red”
- Green polish: Zoya “Hunter”
- White polish: Essie “Blanc”
- Black polish: Sally Hansen “Black to Black”
- Top coat: Seche Vite
Creating this look at home
- Start with a clear or nude base coat for all nails.
- Paint the tips of each nail in alternating colors, using a fine brush to ensure clean lines.
- Finish with a top coat to give the design a long-lasting and glossy finish.
Cozy Knit Sweater Design
This warm and minimalist design mimics the texture of a cozy knit sweater, perfect for the winter season. The short, rounded nails feature a muted taupe base with one accent nail sporting a 3D sweater pattern. The design uses a matte finish and soft brown tones, creating a subtle yet cute holiday look.
Consumables:
- Base coat: Zoya “Jackie”
- Matte top coat: OPI Matte Top Coat
- 3D Gel for sweater texture: Born Pretty Knit Gel
Creating this look at home
- Apply a brown or taupe base coat and allow it to dry.
- Use 3D gel to create the raised sweater pattern on one or two accent nails.
- Finish with a matte top coat to give the nails a soft, cozy look that enhances the 3D design.
Red Glitter with Snowflake Accent
This glittery red design exudes festive cheer with its rich red hue and sparkling finish. The short almond-shaped nails feature a simple but bold look, with one nail showcasing a hand-painted white snowflake. It’s the perfect combination of cute and glamorous, ideal for the holiday season.
Consumables:
- Red glitter polish: China Glaze “Ruby Pumps”
- White striping polish: Kiss Brush-On Nail Art
- Nail art brush for snowflake
- Top coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
Creating this look at home
- Start by applying two coats of red glitter polish on all nails.
- On one accent nail, use a thin brush to paint a snowflake in white.
- Finish with a glossy top coat to make the design sparkle and last through the season.
Gingerbread and Snowman Nails
This adorable Christmas design combines festive holiday characters like a gingerbread man and a snowman with a glittery touch. The short, square-shaped nails alternate between pink glitter polish and neutral nails with hand-painted holiday accents. This cute and playful design is perfect for a fun holiday look that still feels simple and wearable.
Consumables:
- Pink glitter polish: ILNP “Sugar High”
- Nail art brush for gingerbread and snowman details
- Top coat: CND Vinylux
Creating this look at home
- Start by applying pink glitter polish on alternating nails.
- On the remaining nails, use a fine nail art brush to paint a gingerbread man on one and a snowman on the other.
- Finish with a top coat to seal in the design and make the colors pop.
Christmas Confetti Dots
This playful and cute nail design features colorful confetti-like dots scattered across a neutral base. The short nails are dotted with vibrant red, green, gold, and white colors, giving off a festive and joyful vibe. The simple nature of this design makes it perfect for anyone who wants a fun yet easy holiday manicure.
Consumables:
- Base coat: OPI “Bubble Bath”
- Dotting tools for perfect dots
- Red polish: Essie “Really Red”
- Green polish: Zoya “Hunter”
- Gold polish: Sally Hansen “Golden-I”
- White polish: Essie “Blanc”
- Top coat: Seche Vite
Creating this look at home
- Start with a neutral or soft pink base coat on all nails.
- Use dotting tools to apply red, green, gold, and white dots randomly across the nails.
- Finish with a shiny top coat to seal the design and give it a polished look.
Black and Nude Winter Elegance
This black and nude design brings winter to life with its detailed snowflake patterns and 3D sweater-like textures. The long, square-shaped nails alternate between a matte black sweater design and delicate snowflakes on a nude background. The use of black gives this manicure a bold, modern look while the snowflakes add a festive touch.
Consumables:
- Black matte polish: OPI “Black Onyx”
- Nude base coat: Essie “Ballet Slippers”
- 3D Gel: Born Pretty Knit Gel for the sweater texture
- Nail art brush for snowflake details
- Top coat: CND Vinylux
Creating this look at home
- Apply a black matte polish on alternating nails and use a 3D gel to create the sweater texture.
- On the nude nails, use a fine nail art brush to draw snowflakes in black polish.
- Seal the design with a gel top coat for longer wear.
Glamorous Red and Glitter Ombre
This stunning manicure is all about red glam with a touch of sparkle. The long, acrylic nails are a mix of solid red, red glitter, and a dazzling gold glitter ombre on one accent nail. This look is perfect for those who love long, dramatic nails that make a bold statement during the holiday season.
Consumables:
- Red polish: OPI “Big Apple Red”
- Red glitter polish: China Glaze “Ruby Pumps”
- Gold glitter polish: Essie “Golden Hour”
- Top coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
Creating this look at home
- Apply a solid red base on most nails.
- On one accent nail, create an ombre effect by blending gold glitter from the cuticle towards the tip.
- Finish with a gel top coat to seal the design and give it extra shine.
Silver Snowflakes and Stars
This minimalist and delicate winter design features soft pink nails adorned with white and silver snowflakes, stars, and one silver glitter accent nail. The almond-shaped nails create an elegant silhouette, while the festive details make it a perfect option for someone who loves subtle holiday cheer.
Consumables:
- Base coat: OPI “Bubble Bath”
- Silver glitter: ILNP “Mega”
- Nail art brush for snowflakes and stars
- White polish: Essie “Blanc”
- Top coat: Essie Gel Setter
Creating this look at home
- Start by applying a soft pink base coat to all nails.
- Use a fine brush to paint white snowflakes and stars on several nails, and add a silver glitter accent nail for sparkle.
- Finish with a top coat to protect the design and give it a glossy finish.
Green Metallic with Rudolph Accent
This festive manicure features stunning green metallic nails with a cute Rudolph reindeer accent nail on the ring finger. The square-shaped nails shine with holiday spirit, while the hand-painted reindeer adds a playful touch. This easy yet festive design is perfect for anyone who loves a balance of fun and glamour.
Consumables:
- Green metallic polish: Zoya “Merida”
- Nude base for accent nail: Essie “Ballet Slippers”
- Nail art brush for Rudolph details
- Red rhinestone for Rudolph’s nose
- Top coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
Creating this look at home
- Apply a green metallic polish on all nails except for the accent nail.
- On the accent nail, use a fine brush to draw a reindeer, and place a red rhinestone as the nose.
- Finish with a top coat to give the design shine and longevity.
Red Plaid and Glitter Accents
This striking nail design features bold red and black plaid patterns mixed with glitter accents for a chic holiday look. The long almond-shaped nails alternate between solid matte red and plaid, enhanced by shimmering gold lines. This design combines a traditional winter look with a modern twist, making it perfect for the holiday season.
Consumables:
- Red matte polish: OPI “Matte Velvet”
- Black striping polish for plaid: Kiss Brush-On Nail Art
- Gold glitter striping polish: Essie “Golden Hour”
- Top coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
Creating this look at home
- Apply a solid red matte base on half of the nails.
- On the other nails, use black and white striping polishes to create a plaid pattern, adding gold glitter accents.
- Seal the design with a gel top coat to keep the glitter vibrant and long-lasting.
Green Candy Cane Delight
This festive green and red manicure is adorned with cute candy canes and holly leaves. The green nails are contrasted by accent nails with hand-painted candy canes and holly berries. The combination of a simple French tip and detailed artwork makes this manicure perfect for those who love holiday-themed nails with a pop of color.
Consumables:
- Green polish: Essie “Off Tropic”
- Red and white striping polish for candy canes: Kiss Brush-On Nail Art
- Nail art brush for holly leaves and berries
- Top coat: Seche Vite
Creating this look at home
- Start with a clear or nude base for the accent nails and apply green polish to the rest.
- Hand-paint candy canes and holly leaves using fine brushes and striping tools.
- Seal with a top coat to keep the intricate design intact.
Starry Blue Snowflakes
This simple blue manicure is festive and fun, featuring hand-painted white stars and snowflakes. The medium-length oval nails are a vibrant blue and adorned with various-sized stars and snowflakes, giving off a winter wonderland vibe. This cute and playful design is perfect for someone looking for a simple yet bold Christmas manicure.
Consumables:
- Blue polish: Essie “Butler Please”
- White striping polish: Kiss Brush-On Nail Art
- Dotting tool for snowflake details
- Top coat: CND Vinylux
Creating this look at home
- Apply a vibrant blue base coat to all nails.
- Use a fine brush and dotting tool to create white stars and snowflakes across the nails.
- Finish with a top coat to make the design last through the holidays.
Green Snowflake Charm
This minimalist yet festive design features alternating green nails and clear base nails with delicate green snowflakes. The square-shaped nails are perfect for someone looking for a simple yet elegant holiday look. The hand-painted snowflakes add just the right touch of Christmas cheer while keeping things understated.
Consumables:
- Green polish: OPI “Christmas Gone Plaid”
- Nail art brush for snowflakes
- Top coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
Creating this look at home
- Apply a green polish to alternating nails and a clear base on the others.
- Use a fine brush to paint delicate snowflakes on the clear nails.
- Seal the design with a gel top coat for long-lasting wear.