20 Simple Nail Ideas For a Totally Foolproof Holiday Manicure
Simple yet stylish.
@melanated.mani/Instagram
We love an elaborate holiday nail look as much as everyone else, but it’s never necessary. After all, there are some days when you only have time for something quick and easy. From festive French tips and dainty snowflake nail stickers to candy cane stripes and glittery toppers, we have proof that a gorgeous holiday manicure doesn’t require professional polishing skills—or even a nail appointment, for that matter.
Below, explore 20 simple holiday nail ideas to DIY for all your end-of-the-year holiday needs.
Red and Green Color Block
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We love the way this half-n-half holiday nail look uses bold colors in a minimalist design. To recreate this manicure for yourself, start with a swipe of evergreen polish down the left side of each nail. Then, apply a half swipe of a glittery hue on the right. Finally, use a thin nail art brush to divide the design with a sliver of festive red from cuticle to tip.
Christmas Skittle Nails
@melanated.mani / Instagram
Classic skittle manicures are simple and striking. But to make your holiday manicure a smidge more special, consider using alternating finishes and colors. Here, sparkles, cat eye effects, and foil glitter covers every seasonal trend on one hand.
Bejeweled Milky Mani
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This milky mani looks downright magical, and what if we told you it is also easy to recreate? Start with a sheer nude base followed by a clear glossy top coat. Then, use nail glue to affix festive, colorful gems on each nail. A look that is easy to execute but has a big payoff.
Christmas Star Nails
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If you are looking for a minimalist take on festive nails, check out this Christmas star design. Start with a sheer milky white base, then use a dotting tool and nail art brush to apply dainty metallic gold stars on top. If that sounds a bit too complicated for your skill set, a gold chrome nail sticker will have the same effect.
Dual Finish French Tips
@pop_polished / Instagram
Dual-finish manicures instantly draw us in. While we’re used to seeing matte and glossy combos, this manicure uses matte satin polish as the base with metallic tips. Consider this an unexpected way to sport a French manicure for the holidays that is simple yet seasonal.
Chocolate Skittle Shimmer Nails
@lolo.nailedit / Instagram
Chocolate nails continue to be a top trend of the year. To give the neutral hue a little extra glitter and glam, opt for shimmery or velvet browns. If you only have traditional satin polishes at your disposal, add an ultra-fine shimmery top coat to create a similar finish.
Dainty Gold Bow
@melanated.mani / Instagram
While bow nail art has been a top trend throughout the year, it feels especially appropriate during the holidays. All you need to create this look is your favorite red polish and little gold bow nail stickers. Encase each nail in a glossy top coat to keep the sticker edges from peeling up.
Frosted Ice
@heygreatnails / Instagram
We all know and love the allure of velvet polish. And in this gorgeous blue shade, it feels like it belongs in a winter wonderland. But what makes this manicure so special is the way the manipulated magnetic polish creates the illusion of French tips. Fun, right?
Holly Jolly Red Nails
@melanated.mani / Instagram
You can never go wrong with shimmery red polish for the holidays. However, if you don’t want to rock it in a solid, consider using a nail art brush to add Art Deco-esque accents or swirls for a snowdrift effect.
Frosted Pine Nails
@lolo.nailedit / Instagram
This manicure is another example of how matte metallics elevate a simple monochromatic set. Plus, the pale green polish reminds us of frosty days and snow-flocked pines.
Metallic Candy Cane French Tips
@lolo.nailedit / Instagram
Love a super-themed holiday manicure? Start with metallic silver French tips. Then, use a nail art brush to add red diagonal lines on top. Voila! Just like that, you have a sweet candy cane nail look.
Navy Snowflake Nails
@lolo.nailedit / Instagram
For a less traditional holiday look, let snow be your muse. Whether you opt for a full set of navy nails with white snowflakes or choose to use them as accents like the example above—your manicure is bound to look more professional than the skill set it requires. Believe it or not, all you need is a dotting tool and a little patience to bring this design to life.
Red, White, and Gold French Tips
@lolo.nailedit / Instagram
For a more abstract take on candy cane nails, try alternating red and white French tips. Still want to kick it up a notch? Add gold borders around each nail tip for a little extra festive glam.
Ruby Red Present Manicure
@disseynails / Instagram
This ruby red French manicure was inspired by a perfectly wrapped present. Between the alternating solid, 3D pearl, and bow designs, this entire set screams holiday in a not-so-subtle way.
Shimmery Green French Tips
@pop_polished / Instagram
Red nails might be your first choice around the holidays, but we love the idea of a bold shimmery green instead. Here, the color perfectly accents the long almond nails while bringing images of Christmas trees and the Grinch to mind.
Sparkly Mix-n-Match Mani
@heygreatnails / Instagram
Silver and white mismatched designs are the perfect manicure to take you from Christmas through New Year’s. The color feels festive and seasonal without being overly colorful. Plus, the simple French tip, starbursts, and swirls are all easy to DIY with a fine-point nail brush.
Shimmery Red Nails
@lolo.nailedit / Instagram
At the end of the day, a gorgeous holiday manicure is as simple as wearing the perfect shade of red topped off with a little festive shimmer for good measure. Just be sure to touch up your edges with nail polish remover to perfect the popular nail look.
Frosted Berry Nails
Glamnetic / @concon_wi / Instagram
Yes, it is possible to get even more festive than the perfect shade of red with added shimmer. Try the perfect shade of red with added chrome. Frosted berry nails are a hit this winter, and there are so many polishes or press ons you can use. This particular set from Glamnetic is named “Berry Fizz.”
Silent Night
@lolo.nailedit / Instagram
Picture this: About a foot of snow has fallen, quieting the streets. The sky is clear now, though, and you can see the stars. Now… make that vision happen with some shimmery black polish and star stickers.
Evergreen Gloss
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Though extremely simple, a glossy evergreen will always be classic. This set utilizes Holo Taco’s Feral Forest, a smooth polish with a formula that’s a cross between creme and jelly.
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