'Please, no more snowflakes.' Do holiday nails right with these artist tips and tricks
Holiday nail trends are more than snowflakes, candy canes and Santa Claus this year. It's all about the details.
Hacks like nail art stickers and mini ornaments are being used by nail artists across multiple social media platforms to show viewers how to keep it festive and easy this winter season.
Nail art has been a major trend this year, whether you opt for fake nails, long nails, natural nails or "stubbies," and the holidays are no different. From red french tips to sparkles galore, there's a look for the Mariah Carey's among us and the minimalists.
Melissa Tran, who owns a nail salon in North Carolina, told USA TODAY she's been seeing lots of requests for snowflakes and gnomes this year.
"I've been begging my clients, 'Please, no more snowflakes,'" she said. "Not enough people have been wanting the Grinch, but I am still waiting for someone to request it."
If you will be getting your nails done at a salon, book your appointment early, Tran suggested. Many salons are busy, and understaffed. If you do your nails at home, she said patience is key and nail stamping – an affordable way to add designs to your nails – is one option.
Another option is holiday nail art transfer foils which can be ordered through sites like Amazon and applied at home with nail foil adhesive and a top coat polish.
Whether you choose to head to the nail salon or decide to DIY at home, these nail tutorials and inspirations offer ways to keep you in style through the holidays.
Holiday nail tutorials
Want a Santa suit design? @nailedbyterry shows how to create St. Nick's signature red coat by using a red base and painting an upside-down white letter T. Then, paint a black line across the middle and finish with a gold square belt buckle. Tip: Be sure to cure 30 seconds between every coat.
@signetbeauty offers a simple way to add stickers to your holiday nails. In the video, a small nail brush is used to create a sparkly red French tip. If you have a steady hand, you may be able to paint the candy cane stripes with the same brush on one finger nail. If not, you can grab some nail stickers and add tiny dots that will look like snow. Finish off with a top coat and voila, chic holiday nails.
If Christmas trees are more your style, @nailbeauty124 shows you need to start off with a white base before adding four to five lines of green, white and gold horizontally. Then, drag the colors up to a point like a Christmas tree. Paint a brown trunk to the tree at the bottom, and then add mini ornaments and a star at the top. Make sure to cure the nail before the top coat so the ornaments stay in place.
For simple nails, @macheriekenna shows how you can start with an off-white nail polish then add sparkles at the top of the nail, close to the cuticle. Drag the sparkles for the desired look, then paint on the top coat.
More inspiration
If you still want snowflake nails, @nailsby_daaissy suggests going for a "winter freestyle" with one snowflake nail per hand and other white designs on other fingers, including a sweater pattern and French tip.
Looking for a Disney Christmas? Add a Mickey Mouse design, like @nailedbymelissaclt.
Instagram user @notpolish_thao has posted many different holiday styles including this one featuring the Grinch. Hopefully these nails won't steal Christmas.
Looking for a different kind of green creature? Check out these holiday Shrek nails by @thenailaddict.
Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Best Christmas nail designs of Santa, Grinch perfect for the holidays
