Looking for festive manicure inspiration? L360 rounds up the best looks to keep your nails merry and bright.
When it comes to Christmas, your nails deserve just as much sparkle and attention as your party dress.
From chic metallics to cosy sweater patterns, these Christmas nail art trends will have you looking festive all season long.
The best part? You can easily recreate these looks at home.
Candy cane outline
Nothing says Christmas quite like candy canes. Red and white stripes on your nails instantly scream holiday vibes.
How to recreate it at home
What you’ll need: Nude polish, white polish, red polish, dotting tool or toothpick
Steps:
- Start by prepping your nails. This often includes cleaning up your nails by removing any leftover nail varnish. Afterward, file your nails into a round shape.
- Apply one coat of nude polish. This will serve as the backdrop for your candy canes. Allow the base to fully dry before moving on.
- Using a dotting tool, place white dots around the outside of the nail, but make sure to leave small spaces in between. Let this dry fully and then take the dotting tool again and place red dots in between the white.
- Finish off the look with a thin layer of topcoat to seal the design and help it last longer. Make sure to use cuticle oil to nourish your nail beds and give a natural shine to your nails.
Read more: 6 winter nail trends you’ll want to rush to the salon for
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Snowflakes
Snowflakes add a touch of winter magic to your nails. Pair them with a glittery backdrop for a dazzling effect.
How to recreate it at home
What you’ll need: Glittery polish, white polish, clear topcoat, thin nail art brush or toothpick
Steps:
- Once your nails are cleaned, file your nails into an almond shape. This shape should keep a good length at the centre to maintain its narrow tip, so try to file down the side of your nails to create a soft curve while maintaining this.
- Apply one coat of glittery polish and allow to dry.
- Using a thin nail art brush, dip into your white polish and begin by painting curved French tips. Make sure that you take your time with this step to ensure there are clean and smooth lines. Let the polish dry completely before moving on.
- Using your thin nail art brush, dip it into white nail polish. To create a snowflake, start by drawing a small ‘X’ on your nail, then add a horizontal line through the centre of the X to make a star shape. You can also add small diagonal lines to the ends of each arm of the star to give the snowflake more detail.
- Finish off the look by applying a generous layer of topcoat to protect your design and give it a smooth, glossy finish.ment.
Read more: These are the best Christmas themed bars in London for 2024
Santa hat French tips
Fingertips are like the heads of your fingers, so why not pop an adorable hat on them.
Either dress up all your nails, or simply do red or white tips on most, and draw a hat on a single nail for a subtle state
How to recreate it at home
What you’ll need: Nude or sheer polish, white nail polish, red nail polish, topcoat, nail art brush or toothpick
Steps:
- Once your nails are clean and prepped, file them into a short round shape.
- Apply one coat of nude or sheer pink polish. This creates a subtle, neutral background for the Santa hat design.
- Using white nail polish and a thin brush, draw a horizontal line just below the top of the nail, allowing for a small gap above. Let the polish dry completely before moving on.
- Next, take a red colour polish and fill in that space above the nail using a thin brush. Bring the polish down into a triangle shape on the nail side of your choice and once this is dry, swap back to the white polish and dab a dot at the bottom of the triangle for the pom-pom of Santa’s hat.
- Once your Santa-inspired nails are dry, apply a glossy topcoat to protect your artwork. This will also give your nails a smooth finish and prevent chipping.
Sweater weather texture
Channel your favourite jumper with cosy cable-knit patterns on your nails.
Extra points for multiple sweater iterations.
How to recreate it at home
What you’ll need: Neutral matte polish, art brush or toothpick, matte topcoat
Steps:
- Start with a matte base colour, like cream or pastel pink.
- Using a dotting tool or a thin brush, paint raised patterns resembling sweater knits with the same shade of polish. You can use a criss-cross pattern that mimics the appearance of knit stitches, or opt for open circles, squiggles, lines and dots.
- Seal with a matte topcoat for a cosy finish.
Holly jolly accents
Add a festive touch with holly leaves and berries on a neutral background for an elegant look.
How to recreate it at home
What you’ll need: Nude or light gold polish, green polish, red polish, art brush or toothpick
Steps:
- Paint your nails with a nude or light gold base.
- Use a small brush to draw green holly leaves and tiny red berries near the cuticle or as a French tip design.
- Outline the details with a fine black nail art pen for extra dimension.
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Festive French tips
Upgrade the classic French manicure with a Christmas twist — think glittery tips or candy-coloured hues.
Use @NailBoo’s easy French tip TikTok hack for easy at-home application.
How to recreate it at home
What you’ll need: Nude or light gold polish, festive colour polish of choice, beauty sponge
Steps:
- Paint your nails with a clear or nude base.
- Dab your chosen tip colour on a beauty sponge and then press the tip of you nail in to achieve an easy French tip.
- Add a thin silver or white line under the tip for extra flair.
Christmas tree sparkle
Mini Christmas trees on your nails? Yes, please! Add some twinkle lights, and you’ve got a show-stopper.
How to recreate it at home
What you’ll need: Deep green or black polish, green polish, brightly coloured polish or nail gems, star sticker (optional), nail art brush or toothpick
Steps:
- Start with a deep green or black base coat.
- Use a thin brush to create triangular tree shapes in green polish.
- Add tiny dots or gems as ornaments and finish with a star sticker on top.
