Nail trends come and go, darlings, and tastes change. My weekly manicure is a time of relaxation for me. I used to get gel manicures, but I now pass on that and just enjoy normal polish once a week. I know other people who find it relaxing to do their own manicures. They put on some relaxing music and take the time to get the perfect look.
The holidays are a time that are always busy busy busy with social engagements and of course you want to look your best. If you’re the type of person who just doesn’t feel good without a manicure, then here’s what you need for a great holiday look. Whether you like to do your own manicures at home or just need ideas to take to the salon for a fun look, here are the nail trends to consider for the holiday season.
First a note: If you, like me, don’t do gel manicures anymore, it makes a lot of sense to own your polish and bring it in with you to the salon if you aren’t doing them yourself. That way if you experience a chip or a smudge before an event you can fix it yourself. For a quick home fix topcoat I HIGHLY recommend Sally Hansen’s Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat. It dries SO fast, darlings. You won’t regret the purchase.
Metallic accents
Metallics are in across the board in makeup (see my story on incorporating the metallic trend into your cosmetics). So of course accent nails and details in metallics are great to add a little shine to your holiday.
Products to consider:
Sinful Colors Nail Polish in Supernova – Buy it here: $2.73 at Walmart
Sally Hansen in Terra Coppa – Buy it here: $3.99- $9.99 at Walgreens
Zoya in Seraphina – Buy it here: $12 at Zoya
Green
Deep greens, like hunter green, will be an unexpected twist on incorporating holiday colors into your look. Christmas red is expected. Go for the green.
Products to consider:
Sally Hansen Color Therapy in Cool Cucumber – Buy it here: $8.99 at Walgreens
Smith & Cult – Darjeeling Darling – Buy it here: $18 at Net-a-porter
Deep, Dark Hues
I often lean toward deep reds and darker hues year round (I lately have been loving one of Essie’s original shades Bordeaux), but this is especially appropriate during the holidays.
Products to consider:
Chanel in Vamp – Buy it here: $28 at Nordstrom
OPI Lincoln Park after dark – Buy it here: $12.50 at JC Penney
Wet ‘N Wild Megalast in Haze of Love – Buy it here: $4.84 at Walmart
Negative space nails
French manicures are still very much some people’s “thing,” but there’s lots of fun ways to do these types of manicures where a whole nail isn’t painted. This can be as easy as change the white tip on a french manicure to a different color or as complicated as as using thin brushes to paint on intricate snowflake designs without a background color. If you are doing this yourself there are also decals.
Products to consider:
Nail striping tape – Buy it here: $4.99 at Sallys
Sally Hansen nail pen – Buy it here: $3.62–6.49 at Walgreens
Two tone
Two colors … one manicure. This will give your nails an unexpected look in just one polish.
Zoya in Olivera – Buy it here: $10 at Zoya
NAILS INC., Unicorn Nail Polish Duo – Buy it here: $15 at JC Penney
Neutrals
Sometimes you have to let everything else do the talking and have your manicure fade to the back. Clean neutrals can really help with that.
Essie Ballet Slippers – Buy it here: $9 at Macys
OPI – Put it in neutral – Buy it here: $10.50 on Amazon
Manicures are very temporary, darlings, so even if you have a look there’s no harm in experimenting! Happy painting!
*This post features affiliate links. Purchases made off of this post benefit GrammaGood, LLC.
I would love to use polish on my fingernails, I really would! First I would need to find the time, but even if I did my lifestyle couldn’t support it. My hands get into everything – my gardening, all my home projects like painting rooms, fixing, scrubbing. So my nails are always healthy and clean, but can’t do polish.
However, my pretty little toenails are always done impeccably, as I like to walk barefoot in the house and wear little sandals out – even in winter if it’s not too cold!
Sable, I know I said I don’t do it anymore, but a gel manicure might hold up really well for you. I do know what you mean by your lifestyle getting in the way though. Nothing can ruin a day faster than a chipped manicure!
It is far better to garden, do your house projects than polish your nails. I walk barefoot in our home too. My husband says<" Where are your shoes?" I answer, "I lived in Hawaii for ten years and I like to walk barefoot. I am barefoot right now and my toes are painted to perfection, too. Warmly, Honey