These festive holiday manis bring all the cheer.
By Pia Velasco and Katie BerohnUpdated: Sep 30, 2020
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With Christmas right around the corner it’s time to turn up the glitz and glam by giving your nails the VIP treatment, no matter how you plan on celebrating this year. Painting your nails a festive color is one of the easiest ways to spruce up your beauty look — and one of the most cost-efficient considering how many manicures you can get with just one bottle of nail polish.
Christmastime is all about classic reds and greens, and if you go beyond the obvious duo the follow-up winter nail colors are a party of metallics, glitters, and elegant winter tones like navy blue and royal purple. Wear them as stand-alone colors for a classic mani, or jazz things up by creating Christmas nail art or decorating an accent nail with a sparkly top coat.
Below, we’ve combined a mix of our seasonal picks and a few top-performing nail polishes tested in the Good Housekeeping Institute for your consideration. Take a look, get inspired, and allow yourself to indulge in one (or more!) of these pretty nail colors — after all, ’tis the season!
1Glossy Rust
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish in Spice Age
1Glossy Rust
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish in Spice Age
$14 at AmazonCredit: Sally Hansen
Get results that rival the salon’s with this innovative polish/top coat duo, which doesn’t require the usual light to cure the gel. A GH Lab test showed that this lacquer dried fast, chipped less, and lasted longer than regular nail polish — and the deep, almost brown reddish color is perfect for the holidays with its shimmery finish.
2Earthy Green
OPI Nail Lacquer in Suzi The First Lady of Nails
2Earthy Green
OPI Nail Lacquer in Suzi The First Lady of Nails
$12 at Amazon$9 at Walmart$11 at Macy’sCredit: OPI
In a GH beauty lab test, this OPI formula outshone the competition when it came to dry time. Its average dry time was almost a minute and a half faster than the next runner up, and our nail technician gave OPI a perfect 5 for coverage. Plus, this pine-inspired tone will match perfectly with your Christmas tree.
3Flashy Red
ILNP Cosmetics, Inc. Nail Polish in Cherry Luxe
3Flashy Red
ILNP Cosmetics, Inc. Nail Polish in Cherry Luxe
$10 at AmazonCredit: ILNP
If you’re ready to graduate from metallics to glitter, this sparkly red polish will do the trick! Apply two coats for the best effect.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below4Sparkly Navy
Nailtopia Nail Lacquer in Shooting Stars
4Sparkly Navy
Nailtopia Nail Lacquer in Shooting Stars
$10 at Ulta Beauty$17 at WalmartCredit: Nailtopia
Have a starry night sky at your fingertips with just one coat of this glittery dark blue polish. The result is nothing short of magical and whimsical.
5Champagne Bubble Glitter
Smith & Cult Nail Lacquer in A Little Lovely
5Champagne Bubble Glitter
Smith & Cult Nail Lacquer in A Little Lovely
$18 at AmazonCredit: Smith & Cult
Nothing says glam more than a sparkly top-coat. With flecks of chunky gold and pink glitter, this polish is basically like a glass of champagne on your fingertips. Wear on bare nails for a more subdued sparkle, or on top of gold polish to really pack a punch.
6Classic Burgundy
ella+mila Nail Polish in Naughty Not Nice
6Classic Burgundy
ella+mila Nail Polish in Naughty Not Nice
$11 at AmazonCredit: ella+mila
What would a Christmas mani be without a deep ruby red? Pro tip: apply a clear top-coat every two days to get up to 10-days of a chip-free mani.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below7Pearlescent Crimson
Zoya Nail Polish in Rashida
7Pearlescent Crimson
Zoya Nail Polish in Rashida
$11 at WalmartCredit: Zoya
This red shade has a subtle, pearly finish that reminds us of mistletoe berries. It’s the perfect balance between naughty and nice.
8Regal Blue
sundays Nail Polish in No. 41
8Regal Blue
sundays Nail Polish in No. 41
$18 at AmazonCredit: sundays
Be the belle of the ball with this elegant deep navy blue. This polish will help you look like the ultimate winter queen — plus, it goes with everything.
9Pop Of Pink
essie Luxeffects Nail Polish in A Cut Above
9Pop Of Pink
essie Luxeffects Nail Polish in A Cut Above
$8 at Walmart$10 at Ulta Beauty$10 at Macy’sCredit: essie
The term "pretty in pink" is taken to a whole new level with this rose sparkly top-coat that’s sure to bring you Christmas cheer.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below10Emerald
Zoya Pixie Dust Nail Polish in Elphie
10Emerald
Zoya Pixie Dust Nail Polish in Elphie
$12 at Amazon$10 at WalmartCredit: Zoya
While it’s certainly not for the faint of heart, contrary to what you might think, this daring sparkly green is ultra-wearable. This glittering evergreen is the perfect eye-catching look if you want something fun but not as bold as an ugly sweater.
11Shining Silver
SEPHORA COLLECTION Color Hit Mini Nail Polish in Silver Fever
11Shining Silver
SEPHORA COLLECTION Color Hit Mini Nail Polish in Silver Fever
$5 at SephoraCredit: Sephora
Winter wonderland takes a glitzy spin with this swoon-worthy silver polish. Silver sparkles both big and small are suspended in a clear formula for a multi-dimensional twinkle. Layer several coats of it for a bam! effect, or apply 1-2 coats over a white polish for a more of a snowflake vibe.
12Metallic Rose
CIRQUE COLORS Halycon Metallic Nail Polish
12Metallic Rose
CIRQUE COLORS Halycon Metallic Nail Polish
$13 at NordstromCredit: Cirque Colors
Paint on a few coats of this show-stopping metallic shade for a polish doesn’t just shimmer, it reflects light. With tons of dimension, this is not your average chrome pink polish.
