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The holidays are a perfect time to express your creativity and festive spirit with your nails. Whether you prefer classic red and green, glittery gold and silver, or cute and cozy motifs, there is a Christmas nail design for everyone. And the best part is, you don’t need to be a professional nail artist or spend a fortune at the salon to achieve these looks. You can easily do them at home with some basic tools and supplies, and a little bit of patience and practice.
To help you get inspired, we have rounded up 15 simple Christmas nail designs that you can try this holiday season. From elegant French tips to adorable penguins, these manicures will make your nails the star of any party or gathering.
01 | Abstract Snowflake
Source: @lightslacquer
If you want a minimalist and modern take on the winter theme, try this abstract snowflake design. All you need is a sheer or nude base polish, a white polish, and a dotting tool or a toothpick. Create small dots and lines to form the snowflake shapes on each nail, and add some stud embellishments for extra sparkle.
02 | Gift Wrapped
Source: fabbon
Treat yourself to this festive French manicure that is inspired by presents. Start with a clear or nude base polish, and then paint the tips of your nails with a bright red polish. Use a thin brush or a striping tape to create the gold lines that mimic the ribbons on the gifts. You can also add some rhinestones or stickers to make them look more realistic.
03 | Gingerbread Nails
Source: fabbon
Nothing says Christmas like gingerbread cookies, so why not translate them to your nails? This design combines accent nails and negative space to create a fun and festive look. Paint your nails with a glittery gold polish, except for one or two nails on each hand that will serve as the gingerbread men. Use a brown polish to paint the shape of the cookies, and then use white, red, and black polishes to add the details, such as eyes, mouth, buttons, and icing.
04 | Iridescent Emerald
Source: fabbon
For a simple yet stunning manicure, opt for this iridescent emerald shade that is perfect for the holiday season. The metallic finish reflects the light and adds some glamour to your nails. You can either use a polish that has this effect, or layer a sheer green polish over a silver or gold base.
05 | Snowy Sapphire
Source: fabbon
Blue is not a typical Christmas color, but it can still evoke the feeling of winter wonderland with this snowy sapphire design. Paint your nails with a deep blue polish, and then use a sponge or a fan brush to dab some white polish on the tips of your nails to create the snow effect. You can also add some glitter or sequins for extra shine.
06 | Mini Candy Canes
Source: fabbon
Candy canes are another classic Christmas treat that can inspire your nail art. This design is super easy and cute. Just paint your nails with a clear or nude base polish, and then use a thin brush or a striping tape to create thin red stripes across your nails. You can also curve some of the stripes to make them look like candy canes.
07 | Snow Globe
Source:fabbon
If you want to keep it simple and chic, this snow globe design is ideal for you. All you need is a white polish with some shimmer or glitter to create this icy look. Paint your nails with two coats of the polish, and then use a top coat to seal in the shine.
08 | Penguin Nails
Source: fabbon
For a more playful and whimsical manicure, try these penguin nails. They are super adorable and easy to do with some black, white, orange, and red polishes. Paint one nail on each hand with black polish, and then use white polish to create the belly of the penguin. Use orange polish to add the beak and feet, and red polish to add the Santa hat. For the rest of your nails, paint them with a gold polish with red polka dots.
09 | Baubles Nails
Source: fabbon
Baubles are another festive element that can jazz up your nails. This design features different colors and shapes of baubles on each nail, creating a colorful and fun look. You can use any colors you like, but make sure they contrast well with each other. Use a dotting tool or a toothpick to create the circles, and then use a thin brush or a striping tape to add the details, such as the hooks and the reflections.
10 | Santa & Elf Belt Nails
Source: fabbon
If you want to show your love for Santa and his helpers, this design is perfect for you. It features the iconic belts of Santa and his elves on each nail, creating a festive and cheerful look. Paint your nails with a red polish, except for one nail on each hand that will serve as the elf belt. Use a black polish to paint the belts, and then use a gold polish to paint the buckles. You can also add some glitter or sequins to make them more sparkly.
11 | Fair Isle Nails
Source: @alena.monson
Fair Isle is a traditional knitting technique that creates intricate patterns with multiple colors. It is often associated with cozy sweaters and scarves, but you can also use it to create a beautiful nail art. This design features a red and white Fair Ile pattern on each nail, creating a warm and festive look. You can use a stamping plate or a stencil to create the pattern, or you can freehand it with a thin brush if you are feeling adventurous.
12 | Candy Cane French Tip
Source: @sweetandsavvynails
Another way to incorporate candy canes into your nail art is to use them as French tips. This design is simple and elegant, and it works well with any base color. Paint your nails with your chosen base color, and then use a thin brush or a striping tape to create thin white and red stripes on the tips of your nails. You can also curve some of the stripes to make them look more like candy canes.
13 | Christmas Tree Nails
Source: fabbon
Christmas trees are one of the most iconic symbols of the holiday season, so why not put them on your nails? This design features different styles of Christmas trees on each nail, creating a diverse and festive look. You can use green polish, glitter polish, rhinestones, stickers, or anything else you like to create the trees. Just make sure they stand out from the background color.
14 | Santa Hat Nails
Source: fabbon
Another way to show your appreciation for Santa is to wear his hat on your nails. This design is super easy and cute, and it only requires two colors: red and white. Paint your nails with a red polish, and then use a dotting tool or a toothpick to create white dots along the base of your nails. Then, use a thin brush or a striping tape to create a white triangle on the tip of one nail on each hand, and add a white dot on the top to complete the hat.
15 | Snowflake Nails
Source: fabbon
Snowflakes are another classic winter motif that can make your nails look festive and elegant. This design features different styles of snowflakes on each nail, creating a unique and beautiful look. You can use white polish, glitter polish, rhinestones, stickers, or anything else you like to create the snowflakes. Just make sure they contrast well with the background color.
These are some of the simple Christmas nail designs that you can try this holiday season. Whether you want to go all out or keep it subtle, these manicures will make your nails look amazing and festive. And if you need some more inspiration or tips, you can always check out Bing for more ideas and tutorials.
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