With Christmas right around the corner (and with more than a handful of holiday parties and winter rendez-vous to attend) it’s time to turn up the glitz and glam by giving your nails the VIP treatment! 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 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!
1
GLOSSY ROSE GOLD
Miracle Gel in Out Of This Pearl
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 color is perfect for the holidays with its shimmery finish.
2
EARTHY GREEN
Nail Lacquer in Envy The Adventure
In a GH beauty lab test, this OPI polish outshone the competition when it came to dry time. Its average dry time was almost a minute and 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.
3
FLASHY RED
Dare To Wear Nail Lacquer in Cherry Bomb
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.
4
SPARKLY NAVY
Nail Lacquer in Moon-Light The Night
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.
5
GLAMOROUS GOLD
Nail Lacquer in Shattered Souls
Nothing says glam more than a sparkly gold top-coat. Apply it over a white nail polish to make it pop, or over a deep yellow lacquer to make it look even more rich. Ka-ching!
6
CLASSIC BURGUNDY
Nail Polish in Naughty Not Nice
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.
7
GLAM RED
Nail Polish in Elisa
This crimson red shade has a subtle metallic finish that’s the perfect balance between naughty and nice. What could be more fitting?
8
REGAL BLUE
Le Vernis Nail Color in Radiant Blue
Be the belle of the ball with this elegant deep navy blue that rivals Elsa’s iconic gown in ‘Frozen’ and be the ultimate winter queen.
9
GLITTERY GREEN
Pixie Dust Nail Polish in Elphie
Forget about the mistletoe: you can wave your sparkly green nails over your head instead!
10
POP OF PINK
Luxeffects Nail Polish in A Cut Above
The term “pretty in pink” is taken to a whole new level with this rose gold sparkly top-coat that’s just begging to be taken out to all your favorite holiday parties.
11
SHINING SILVER
Nail Polish in Absolute Glitz
Winter wonderland takes a glitzy spin with this swoon-worthy silver polish. 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.
12
GLITTERY PURPLE
Nail Lacquer in Lovely Jubbly
Glitter nail polish is known for its long-lasting formulas, so go full sparkle with this shiny purple lacquer and be the life of the (nail) party for up to two weeks!
