Already have an account?
Get back to the
Beauty

Holiday Nail Designs: How To Create 4 DIY Looks In 2 Simple Steps

Party-perfect nail designs that you can do at home.

Tags:

Looking to add an extra flair to your outfit for an upcoming gathering? Try decorating your nails in a fun and colorful way to match the occasion. These dazzling nail designs are guaranteed to add playful pizzazz to your holiday look. Plus, just a quick glance at the bold colors and sparkly accents will instantly boost your festive spirit. Bonus? The DIY manicures also offer finger-flattering benefits, from French tips that visually lengthen shorter nail beds to eye-catching patterns that draw the eye inward to slim wider hands. Find the nail design that leaves you merry and bright.

Christmas Trees and Peppermint Stripes

Christmas trees and peppermint stripes

Step 1: Apply two coats of white polish like essie in Blanc (Buy from CVS, $10) to all nails. Dip a striper brush like Orly Striper Brush (Buy from OrlyBeauty.com, $13.90) in red polish like OPI in Big Apple Red (Buy from Ulta Beauty, $11.49) and draw diagonal stripes on the thumb-, indexand pinkie-finger nails. Clean the brush, dip in green polish like Revlon in Posh (Buy from Rite Aid, $5.29) and use to draw a thin line down the white stripes.

Step 2: Dip the clean striper brush into red polish and draw a star near the cuticle of the middle- and ring-finger nails. Dip various-sized dotting tools like Cina Nail Art Dotting (Buy from Sally Beauty, $11.99) into both green polish and glittery green polish like Zoya in Ivanka (Buy from Zoya.com, $12) and dot in a triangular shape; let dry. Seal with a clear top coat.

Funky Ornament-Accented French Tips

Funky ornament-accented French tips
Global Digital Heritage

Step 1: Apply two coats of white polish (see above) to all nails; let dry completely. Dip a clean striper brush in red polish (see above for both) and swipe a small curved line across the tips of all but the ring-finger nail. Tip: To create a mess-free French tip “stencil,” place a Band-Aid lengthwise down the nail with the curved edge exposing the nail’s tip. Let dry.

Step 2: Use the striper brush dipped in red polish to draw a circle at the center of the ring-finger nail. Once dry, clean the brush, dip it in gold polish like Sally Hansen in Go for Gold (Buy from Target, $4.49) and draw two stripes going diagonally across the circle. Next, draw a gold loop and base (the ornament’s hook). Let dry, then seal with clear top coat.

Charming and Chic Candy Cane Tips

Charming and chic candy cane tips

Step 1: Apply two coats of white polish to all nails. While the white polish is still tacky, use a toothpick dipped into clear top coat to pick up a small round red rhinestone like Daily Charme Swarovski Round Flatback Rhinestone in Indian Siam SS3/1.5mm (Buy from DailyCharme.com, $6); place at the corner of each nail’s tip. Place a second red stone directly under it to create a vertical row.

Step 2: Use the toothpick dipped in clear top coat to apply a tier of two small round silver rhinestones like Daily Charme Swarovski Round Flatback Rhinestone in Clear SS3/1.5mm (Buy from DailyCharme.com, $6) next to the red stones. Continue alternating the red and silver rhinestone tiers until all nail tips are completely covered. Seal all nails with a layer of clear top coat, then add a second layer on stones only to seal in place.

Gorgeous Gem Hanukkah Gift Wrap

Gorgeous gem Hanukkah gift wrap

Step 1: Apply two coats of white polish to all nails; let dry completely. Next, dip a clean striper brush in cobalt blue polish like SinfulColors in Endless Blue (Buy from Walmart, $10.12) and draw two intersecting lines, one vertical and one horizontal, along the side of each nail. Tip: To cover up any mishaps, simply clean the brush, dip it in the white polish, then sweep onto mistakes to make them disappear.

Step 2: Use a toothpick dipped in clear top coat to pick up two blue triangular rhinestones find them in a set like Ailipu Blue Rhinestones for Nails (Buy from Amazon, $9.99) and place them with the pointy tips touching each other to form a pretty bow-like shape at the intersection of the two lines. Seal all nails with a layer of clear top coat, then add a second layer on stones only to seal in place.

A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, First For Women.

First For Women aims to feature only the best products and services. We update when possible, but deals expire and prices can change. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Questions? Reach us at shop@firstforwomen.com

BOGO Never Felt So Good
Whether you're looking to sleep better, have less anxiety, get pain relief or simply unwind the mind, these award-winning CBD Gummies from Sky Wellness do just the trick! Available in a variety of flavors, don't miss this special BOGO offer. Learn more at SkyWellness.com.

Keep scrolling, there's more!
247169
Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items. Use right arrow key to move into submenus. Use escape to exit the menu. Use up and down arrow keys to explore. Use left arrow key to move back to the parent list.