Christmas Nail Designs: Easy Holiday Manicures for 2024
It's time to trim the tree, deck the halls, and switch up your manicure. Inspiration for festive nail art is everywhere, from cute holiday cards to downtown decorations. We've assembled a collection of Christmas nail designs to get you started. These are easy holiday manicures for 2024 that will add extra sparkle to every outfit.
Supplies Needed for Christmas Nail Art
Not to worry, these Christmas nail designs were made with user-friendly polishes, simple tools, and fun accessories like nail stickers. Here are the supplies we recommend:
- Manicure tools like clippers, a cuticle pusher, a buffer block, and a fine grit file
- Base and top coats if you’re using gels (plus a nail lamp)
- Your chosen polish colors
- Gem gel if you’ll be applying rhinestones or charms
- A thin nail art brush
- Polish remover and lint-free wipes
- Cuticle oil
If you struggle with painting straight lines or tend to get polish on the cuticles, it’s handy to have nail striping tape and liquid latex. You can substitute these with masking tape and school glue.
Which Is Better for Christmas Nail Designs: Nail Lacquer or Gel Polish?
Working with gels is far easier than lacquer when doing nail art. Gel polish won’t dry until it’s cured, so have all the time you need to work with it. If you mess up when it’s still wet, you can wipe it off and start over. Moreover, it’s odorless. And in a nail lamp, it only takes a minute or two to cure. You never have to worry about smudges after that.
However, it’s perfectly possible to complete practically all of these designs with nail lacquer. You’ll need to allow each layer to dry thoroughly before adding the next on top. Furthermore, you can protect your hard work with a quick-drying top coat.
Now, let’s get started with easy Christmas manicures!
Christmas Nail Designs
Golden Holidays
How about a soft and subtle holiday look? There are two ways to complete these cute Christmas nails. You can hand-paint the golden decorations with line art gel or a nail art pen. Or you can use nail stickers or decals for faster results.
Begin by prepping your nails. Be sure to push back those cuticles! Gently buff off the shine and remove the natural oil and debris with a lint-free wipe. If the nails are clean and the polish doesn't get on the cuticles, you'll avoid problems with lifting or peeling.
Adhere extensions or press-on nails if you wish. Then, apply the base coat if you're using gel polish. Cure it in the lamp, then apply the colored polish. The nails are painted with sheer pink and white, but this Christmas design would look beautiful in red or green, too.
Now it’s time for the golden decorations. Paint them or stick them on – it doesn’t matter. Once you’re satisfied, finish with a top coat, matte or glossy. But don’t forget the cuticle oil! It will protect your nails and skin against dehydration and make your mani look professional.
LAVIS C01 - 021 - Gel Polish 0.5 oz - Whimsical Collection
LAVIS Super White
Contemporary Christmas
This nail design has a sleek take on the Christmas theme with glossy swirls of red and white accented by delicate stars. The light green adds a fresh pop of color. It’s a nod to traditional holiday colors with a contemporary edge. If you don’t feel confident about painting the curves, no worries. It's time to trim and stick the nail striping tape in place. Just peel it off before you cure the polish.
Hint: Line art gel is ideal for this type of design. LDS colors come with a precision brush in the bottle.
LDS - 30 - Line Art Gel Neon Colors
Silver Memories of Happy Days
Silver snowflakes and charming reindeer invoke memories of Christmas cheer. The soft peach, forest green, and burgundy base colors are a sophisticated palette perfectly suited to the season.
Forget hand-painting this one! Apply nail art stickers and seal them on with a top coat. Pro tip: Use tweezers to remove the stickers from the backing and position them on the nails.
LDS Gel Nail Polish Duo - 013 Red Colors - Mulled Wine
Lavis Gel Polish - 204 Kendal Green - Green Colors
Sweet Candy Cane Nails
These nails have a joyful glitter red and pure white striped design. The bold pattern stands out all the more against the nude base on the other fingers. We suggest applying the white polish first, then the red.
LAVIS C02 - 22 - Gel Polish 0.5 oz - Scarlet Bloom Collection
Evergreen Joy
Get into the festive spirit with this blend of stylish milky white and evergreen nails. The foundation of this look is translucent polish. Choose from LAVIS' jelly gel collection, or mix your own shades by diluting colors with a top coat. Then, adorn your nails with pearls and stones for extra yuletide glamour. Look for ones with rounded backs that hug the natural curve of your nails.
Jelly Gel Polish Colors - Lavis J02-06 - Candy Collection
Geometric Tips
This chic twist on the classic French manicure brings holiday cheer with vibrant burgundy tips and perfectly placed rhinestones. Notice the contrast between the matte and glossy parts. It's a simple design and a bold holiday look, and it has your nails dressed to impress!
Classy Nail Art - CH22 - Color Mud Gel
Santa Hats
Let’s wrap up with a playful spin on French tips. It captures the holiday spirit perfectly with Santa hat-inspired designs. Sparkling red glitter and snowy white accents will let you flaunt Christmas joy on your fingertips!
Apres Gel Polish - G11 Winter Aurora
DND DC Gel Polish 184 - Glitter, Red Colors - Ultra Red
Conclusion
As we wrap up our easy holiday manicure ideas, we hope you’ve found a creative spark and a dose of holiday fun for your beauty routine. Remember to check out the fantastic deals in our clearance section. You'll find an array of nail art products at irresistible prices! Plus, we're offering free shipping for orders over $100. Now’s the perfect time to grab all your nail essentials or treat someone special to a gift!
