Nail Ideas

20 Unexpected Holiday Nail Ideas That Aren’t Red

written by HAILEY BOUCHE

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unexpected holiday nails that are not red"
unexpected holiday nails that are not red

The holiday season means you can pull out all the stops when it comes to fashion and beauty. Pearls, hair bows, velvet, and more adorn our holiday outfits, and our beauty routines swap from tinted moisturizer and lip balm to red lips and winged eyeliner. And while it’s easy to head to our nail appointments and get three coats of the bright, cherry red we always lean on during the holidays on our nails, this year, we’re giving our manis an unexpected upgrade.

Red is the default holiday nail, but it doesn’t have to be—especially when frosty purples, festive French tips, and forest green chrome shades are on the table. These 20 festive nail ideas will take you from the nights of Hanukkah to your work holiday party, all the way through your New Year’s Eve celebration. Get ready for your manicure to be the star of all of your holiday looks.

1. Bare Nails With Subtle Pearls

holiday nail ideas
Source: @matejanova
Sheer Press-Ons
Olive & June
Sheer Press-Ons
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Pearl Nail Gems
Amazon
Pearl Nail Gems
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2. Metallic Green

holiday nail ideas
Source: @lolo.nailedit
Head to Misletoe
Essie
Head to Misletoe
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Cutting Hedge
Sally Hansen
Cutting Hedge
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3. Milky White

holiday nail ideas
Source: @themaniclub
Cotton Buds
Butter London
Cotton Buds
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Alpine Snow
OPI
Alpine Snow
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4. Candy Cane Tips

holiday nail ideas
Source: @gel.bymegan
French Press-Ons
Olive & June
French Press-Ons
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Metallic Red
Butter London
Metallic Red
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5. Chocolate Glitter

holiday nail ideas
Source: @lolo.nailedit
Starry Night
Sally Hansen
Starry Night
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Black Ravioli
Dior
Black Ravioli
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6. Frosty Purple

holiday nail ideas
Source: @gel.bymegan
Graffiti Sweetie
OPI
Graffiti Sweetie
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Diamond Shine
Londontown
Diamond Shine
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7. Metallic Stars

holiday nail ideas
Source: @gelsbybry
Bare With Me
Essie
Bare With Me
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Steel a Kiss
Sally Hansen
Steel a Kiss
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8. Forest Green

holiday nail ideas
Source: @gel.bymegan
Things I’ve Seen in Aber-green
OPI
Things I’ve Seen in Aber-green
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Meet Me at Midnight
Essie
Meet Me at Midnight
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9. Glittery Pink

holiday nail ideas
Source: @themaniclub
Blame the Misletoe
OPI
Blame the Misletoe
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Turn Up the Century
Essie
Turn Up the Century
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10. Subtle Snowflakes

holiday nail ideas
Source: @gelsbybry
Chill 'Em With Kindness
OPI
Chill ‘Em With Kindness
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Snowflake Stickers
Amazon
Snowflake Stickers
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11. Cognac

holiday nail ideas
Source: @themaniclub
Midnight Delight
Essie
Midnight Delight
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Bee's Knees
Lakur
Bee’s Knees
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12. Confetti Tips

holiday nail ideas
Source: @gelsbybry
All You Need is Love
Butter London
All You Need is Love
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Fireworks
Sephora
Fireworks
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13. Gold French

holiday nail ideas
Source: @gel.bymegan
Almond Press-On Nails
Glamnetic
Almond Press-On Nails
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Gold Standard
Sally Hansen
Gold Standard
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14. Icy Chrome

holiday nail ideas
Source: @lolo.nailedit
Tealing Festive
OPI
Tealing Festive
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Bay Pixiedust
Zoya
Bay Pixiedust
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15. Burgundy

holiday nail ideas
Source: @matejanova
Dream Escapade
Sephora
Dream Escapade
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Rachael
Zoya
Rachael
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16. French with Festive Art

holiday nail ideas
Source: @gelsbybry
French Mani Set
Ella + Mila
French Mani Set
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Deco The Halls Sticker Sheet
Deco Beauty
Deco The Halls Sticker Sheet
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17. Silver Velvet

holiday nail ideas
Source: @themaniclub
Jingle Belle
Essie
Jingle Belle
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Glowing Places
OPI
Glowing Places
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18. Icy Blue

holiday nail ideas
Source: @matejanova
I Am What I Amethyst
OPI
I Am What I Amethyst
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Muse
Chanel
Muse
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19. Metallic Gold

holiday nail ideas
Source: @gel.bymegan
Tuxedo
Chanel
Tuxedo
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Gold Press-Ons
OPI
Gold Press-Ons
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20. Ruby Red Tips

holiday nail ideas
Source: @gelsbybry
Spiked with Style
Essie
Spiked with Style
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Ruby Press-Ons
Glamnetic
Ruby Press-Ons
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hailey Bouche, Associate Editor

As an Associate Editor for The Everygirl, Hailey Bouche oversees, writes, and edits content across various categories on the site. From the pitching stage through publishing, she works alongside the team to ensure that the content that our readers see every day is inspiring, relatable, and timely.