Holiday Nail Designs That Are Anything But Cheesy

As the winter rolls in every year, it becomes more difficult to resist the temptation of getting a full-blown holiday-themed manicure. Even those who don't consider themselves to be overly festive can't deny the rush that comes with an influx of new wintry designs each December. The only problem with typical holiday nails is that they can blur the line between creative and cheesy. Because of the bold colors and glitter that we often see during the silly season, festive nails can come across as cheap and tacky. But holiday manicures can still look luxe; the two aren't mutually exclusive.

To celebrate the season and still look stylish, the best strategy is to incorporate trends that have been on fire throughout the year with your more standard festive elements. Opt for shades and moods that we don't normally see in Christmas manicures, play with experimental designs, and remember the law of "less is more." Subtlety will always seem more expensive. Swap been-there-done-that looks with cutting-edge aesthetics, and remember to have fun. As long as you keep it cool, nothing is off limits — not even glitter!

You don't have to part ways with glitter altogether if you want to go festive but steer clear of being cheesy; just find different ways of styling it. You can modernize the glitter aspect by applying it on the tip of the nail only in a French style, and making the background color itself a cool-gold rather than a yellowish warm gold. Keep the sparkles sheer, staying true to the less-is-more guide to cool, and let them drip down the nail to resemble falling stardust. Chef's kiss! 

Glitter is not the enemy, but too much of it takes your manicure from it-girl to childhood dance concert. Along with keeping the sparkles to a minimum, you can apply glitter polishes in unique ways. Try a baby French manicure (which is a great option if you've got short nails), a reverse French manicure, or simply playing around with nail art. If you're doing this yourself rather than relying on a professional, remember to use a thin nail brush to keep those lines super fine and understated.

Green works in every season, but you can adapt your green manicure for the holidays by opting for a deep mossy shade. Channel the pine forests of the north with your base color, and then add one or two small yet powerful details to really give it a festive feel. A thin line of silver glitter that isn't centered is absolutely cool enough to fit the bill. 

The holidays don't have to be about all things bright and jolly. If you're the kind of person who feels the most comfortable in black, then you do you! You can adapt moodier palettes to festive manicures by combining them with more traditional elements, like beautifully drawn snowflakes. Blending together completely black nails with French ombré tips is another way to add interest here, and of course, you can give your hands even more edgy vibes with carefully selected jewelry.