New year, who dis? Entering a new year can be overwhelming. The hype around New Year’s Eve can add to the already big day. Before you get caught up in resolutions and what’s next for 2025, take a minute to celebrate YOU and all the good that 2024 brought. One fun way to do that is with a festive manicure.
To help you ring in 2025 in style, we’ve rounded up some of your favorite New Year’s Eve nail art by the talented artists at Nailing Hollywood. Ahead, you’ll find a few of the best manicures to get you feeling like a boss in 2025.
New Year’s Eve Manicures
Bows have been everywhere this year—in hair accessories, clothing, you name it. They’re a trendsetter’s favorite and will continue to be as we enter 2025. Adding bows to your manicure is a fun way to play with the trend and add some extra flair.
1. Baby Bows
To ring in the new year in style, try a manicure inspired by Nailing Hollywood’s Rachel Joseph. This design features silver details and baby bows for a whimsical yet chic look. The soft colors and bow details make this manicure perfect for any New Year’s Eve – whether you’re going to a fancy party or staying in.
How to Get the Look?
Start with a neutral base color – soft pink, beige, or classic white. This will make bows pop. Here’s how:
Prep Nails: Clean and shape your nails. Apply a base coat to protect your natural nails and for smooth application.
Base Color: Choose your neutral shade and apply two coats. Let it dry completely.
Bows: Using a fine nail art brush or dotting tool, draw small bow shapes on your nails. Use a contrasting color like silver or gold to make the bows pop. If you’re not a freehand pro, use nail stickers or decals for a more precise look.
Silver Accents: Add some silver details around the bows. Tiny dots, lines, or glitter will do.
Top Coat: Once you’re done, seal with a clear top coat to add shine and protect your manicure.
Styling Your Look
To go with your Baby Bows manicure, wear a simple dress or a chic party outfit. You could also add bow-themed accessories like hair clips or jewelry to tie everything together.
2. Gold Accents
One of the trends this season is Gold Accents. This luxurious touch will add glamour to your nails and match the nail jewelry trend that’s been taking over social media. Let’s get into this glamorous style and see how you can do it for New Year’s Eve.
Why Gold Accents?
Gold accents are perfect for those who love a little sparkle and sophistication. They can elevate any manicure and make it feel more festive and celebratory – perfect for ringing in the new year. I personally think gold accents can turn even the simplest of nail designs into something show-stopping. Whether you’re dressing up for a party or staying in, gold accents will add that extra oomph.
The Gold Accents Manicure
The beauty of the Gold Accents manicure is that you can customize it to fit your style—minimalist or elaborate. This can be achieved through gold foil, metallic polish, or even nail jewelry.
How to Get the Gold Accents Manicure?
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Prep Nails: Start by cleaning and shaping your nails. A good manicure starts with clean nails, so take the time to trim and file them to your desired shape. Apply a base coat to protect your natural nails and for smooth application.
Base Color: Choose a base color that goes with gold. Classic choices are deep burgundy, rich navy, or black. I personally love using deep red for New Year’s Eve – it’s festive and timeless. Apply two coats of your chosen color and let it dry completely.
Gold Accents: There are many ways to add gold to your manicure:
Gold Foil: This is my favorite! Apply a layer of adhesive where you want the foil to stick, then press the foil onto the adhesive. The result is a beautifully textured look that feels luxurious.
Metallic Polish: Use gold metallic polish to create stripes, dots, or intricate designs. A fine nail art brush will help you get precise lines. I like to do geometric patterns for a modern touch.
Nail Jewelry: Add small gold charms or studs to make your manicure look jewelry-inspired. These can be applied with nail glue to add depth to your nails. I find a few well-placed charms can really make the design pop.
Top Coat: Once you’re done with your design, apply a clear top coat to seal everything in and add gloss. This step is key to preventing chipping and keeping your manicure lasting through the night.
Styling Your Look
Think about your outfit and accessories to style your look with the Gold Accents manicure. Gold accents go well with classic black or white but can also add a touch of glamour to colorful outfits. I like to pair gold nails with a little black dress and gold jewelry for a chic look.
3. Sparkle Tips
Sparkle tips are great for those who want to add some glamour without going all out. They give a festive feel that is perfect for New Year’s Eve and still look elegant. I love how this style elevates your look and makes you feel special without being too flashy. It’s a great way to celebrate the occasion without looking too done up.
Adorable Sparkle French Tips
Inspired by the talented nail artist Rachel Joseph, the Sparkle French Tips design takes the classic French manicure and adds a fun twist – sparkling tips that glitter and shine. This design is super versatile, so you can customize it to your style. Whether you like a traditional white tip or want to try colorful glitter, sparkle tips can be adapted to your vibe.
How to Style?
To style your Sparkle Tips manicure, think about your outfit and accessories. This style goes well with both casual and formal attire. For a chic look, wear a sequined top or a classic little black dress that matches the sparkle on your nails. Add some simple jewelry, like delicate gold or silver pieces, to complete the look.
4. Pearl Nails
New Year’s Eve is the perfect excuse to go big; pearl nails are a great way to do that. This design by nail artist Rachel Joseph shows you how to add luxurious elements like gold details and pearl embellishments to your manicure. Pearls and gold have a sophisticated, bold, and elegant look that is perfect for New Year’s Eve.
Why Pearl Nails?
Pearl nails are not only beautiful but also versatile. They go with many outfits, from evening gowns to cocktail dresses. I like how pearls add a touch of timelessness to any look. They exude luxury and sophistication, perfect for a special occasion like New Year’s Eve.
How to Style?
To style your Pearl Nails, think about your outfit and accessories. This style goes well with elegant dresses and sophisticated looks. I recommend a black or metallic dress to let your nails be the star. Add pearl jewelry like earrings or a necklace to tie everything together.
5. Starry Night
When we think of New Year’s Eve, one of the first things that comes to mind is the night sky full of colorful fireworks. This gorgeous visual is not only a celebration but also gives us a feeling of magic and excitement. Nail artist Laura Malarkey from Nailing Hollywood has captured this starry, dreamy vibe into a manicure that brings the night sky to your fingertips.
Style Tips?
Here’s a step-by-step to get you the Seeing Stars manicure for your New Year’s Eve:
Nail Prep: Start by cleaning, trimming, and shaping your nails. A clean nail is key to a clean look. Apply a base coat to your natural nail to protect and create a surface for your polish.
Base Color: For a starry look, choose a deep navy blue, midnight black, or shimmering silver as your base color. These colors resemble the night sky and will be a beautiful backdrop for the star design. Apply two coats and let them dry.
Starry Design: Once your base color is dry, it’s time to add the stars. Use a fine nail art brush or dotting tool to create small star shapes with white or metallic gold polish. For extra dimension, use different sizes of stars to make it more interesting. I like the idea of adding tiny glitter accents to mimic the sparkle of the stars in the night sky.
Fireworks Effects: To enhance the design, you can also create fireworks effects using bright colors like red, gold, or silver. Use a thin brush to create bursts or lines radiating from the center of your nails, like an explosion of fireworks. This adds an extra layer of celebration to your manicure.
Top Coat: Once you’ve added the stars and fireworks, finish with a clear top coat to seal your design and add gloss. This will protect your manicure and last through the night.
Styling Your Look
To style your Seeing Stars manicure, think about your outfit and accessories. This style goes well with both casual and formal wear. For a sleek look, wear a sequined or classic little black dress that lets your nails be the focus. Add statement jewelry like star-shaped earrings or a sparkly bracelet to tie everything together.
6. Golden Ombré
Adding some sparkle to a basic manicure is a great way to get into the New Year’s Eve spirit. The Golden Ombré design by nail artist Laura Malarkey is a perfect example. By layering gold shimmer over a nude base, this manicure is celebratory but still elegant and chic.
How to Style?
Nail Prep: Start by cleaning, trimming, and shaping your nails. A clean nail is key to a clean look. Apply a base coat to your natural nail to protect and create a surface for your polish.
Base Color: For the ombré effect, use a nude polish as your base color. This neutral shade is a beautiful backdrop for the gold shimmer. Apply two coats and let them dry.
Ombré Effect: To get the ombré look, you’ll need a gold shimmer polish. Use a makeup sponge to apply a lot of the gold polish to the sponge and gently dab it on the tips of your nails, blending it down towards the base. This will create a seamless transition from the nude base to the gold. Repeat until you get your desired level of shimmer.
Add More Sparkle: For extra glamour, add a few more layers of gold shimmer to the tips of your nails. This will make the ombré more pronounced and add more sparkle. I like to use a fine glitter top coat to add even more dimension to the design.
Top Coat: Once you’re happy with the ombré, top it with a clear coat.
Styling Your Look
To style your Golden Ombré manicure, think about your outfit and accessories. This style goes well with both casual and formal wear. For a sleek look, wear a gold or metallic dress that matches the shimmer on your nails. Add some statement jewelry like gold hoop earrings or a sparkly bracelet to tie everything together.
7. Glazed Donut Nails
Thanks to Hailey Bieber, glazed donut nails have taken over the beauty world. This trend is all about a shiny, reflective finish that looks like the glaze on a donut. It’s chic and playful, perfect for adding some fun to your New Year’s Eve celebrations. The Glazed Donut NYE Nails design by nail artist Laura Malarkey is the epitome of this trend and brings that “glitz and glazed” to your fingertips.
How to Style?
Here’s a step-by-step to get the Glazed Donut NYE Nails for your New Year’s Eve:
Nail Prep: Start by cleaning, trimming, and shaping your nails.
Base Color: For the glazed effect, use pearlescent or pink chrome polish as your base color. This will give you that shiny finish. Apply two coats and let each layer dry completely for an even application.
Glazed Effect: To make the glazed look more pronounced, use a top coat with a high-shine finish. This will intensify the reflective quality of the base color and make your nails look even more glossy. I recommend using a gel top coat for an extra glossy finish that lasts longer.
Silver Accents: Once your base is dry, it’s time to add the silver accents. You can use a fine nail art brush or nail tape to create thin lines, dots, or even stars on your nails. This will add some sparkle and tie in with the glazed effect. I like using tiny silver stars to fit the New Year’s Eve theme.
Top Coat: Once you’ve added the silver accents, top with a clear top coat to seal the design and add more shine.
Styling Your Look
To style your Glazed Donut NYE Nails, think about your outfit and accessories. This style goes well with both casual and formal wear. For a sleek look, wear a shimmering dress or a jumpsuit that matches the glitz of your nails. Add some statement jewelry like sparkly earrings or a delicate bracelet to tie everything together.
8. Peachy Platinum
When we think of New Year’s Eve, we default to metallic shades. But this year, why not break the mold? The Peachy Platinum manicure by Nailing Hollywood’s Priscila Rivas shows how peachy pink shades can be paired with platinum finishes and metallic accents to create a modern yet classic look. It’s perfect for those who want to be different but still get into the holiday spirit.
How to Style？
Here’s a step-by-step to get the Peachy Platinum nails for your New Year’s Eve:
Nail Prep: Start by cleaning, trimming, and shaping your nails.
Base Color: Choose a peachy pink polish as your base color. This will be the foundation of your design. Apply two coats and let each layer dry completely for an even application.
Platinum Accents: Once your base color is dry, it’s time to add the platinum accents. You can use a fine nail art brush or nail tape to create thin lines, geometric shapes, or even a French tip with platinum polish. This will add some sophistication and tie in with the peachy base. I like to do a diagonal line of platinum across the nail for a modern touch.
Metallic Details: To add more to the design, you can add small metallic studs or gems in silver or gold. Place them strategically on your nails for a sleek and eye-catching look. I find a few well-placed accents can make a big difference.
Top Coat: Once you’ve added the platinum accents and any embellishments, top with a clear top coat to seal the design and add shine.
Complementing Your Look
To style your Peachy Platinum nails, consider your outfit and accessories. This style goes well with both casual and formal wear. For a sleek look, wear a soft pastel dress or a metallic outfit that matches the tones in your nails. Add some delicate jewelry, like rose gold or platinum pieces, to tie everything together.
9. Cat-Eye
The Classic Cat-Eye manicure is all about the optical illusion that looks like a cat’s eye gemstone. It’s been trending for a while now because it adds depth and dimension to the nails and creates a striking look. Here’s the cat-eye effect on simple peach nails by Priscila Rivas. Chic and eye-catching – no pun intended!
How to Make it？
Here’s a step-by-step to get the Classic Cat-Eye manicure for your New Year’s Eve:
Nail Prep: Start by cleaning, trimming, and shaping your nails. A clean nail is key to a smooth look. Apply a base coat to protect your natural nails and create a surface for your polish.
Base Color: Choose a soft peach polish as your base color. This will be the beautiful background for the cat-eye effect. Apply two coats and let each layer dry completely for an even application.
Cat-Eye Effect: To get the cat-eye look, you’ll need cat-eye gel polish or magnetic nail polish with iron particles. Apply a thin layer of the cat-eye polish over your dry peach base. Then, hold a magnet (usually included with the polish) over the wet polish to get the cat-eye effect. The magnet will pull the iron particles and create a line that looks like a cat’s eye. This is where magic happens, so take your time and get it just right!
Top Coat: Once you’re happy with the cat-eye effect, top with a clear top coat to add shine and seal your manicure. This will keep your nails looking great all night.
Optional Embellishments: If you want to add more glamour, you can add small rhinestones or metallic accents near the cuticle or sides of the nail. This will enhance the design and sparkle your look.
Complementing Your Look
To go with your Classic Cat-Eye manicure, think about your outfit and accessories. This style works with both casual and formal. For a chic look, wear a fitted dress in a matching color, like soft gold or white, that will let your nails be the focus. Add statement jewelry, like bold earrings or a delicate bracelet, to elevate your overall look.
10. Butterflies
Few creatures embody transformation like the butterfly. They change from caterpillars to beautiful winged beings, symbolizing change, hope, and new beginnings. Adding a butterfly-inspired design to your manicure is a beautiful way to embrace the idea of personal growth as you enter 2025. Nail artist Hang Nguyen from Nailing Hollywood has created a stunning butterfly design that embodies this theme.
How to Do Butterfly Wings Nails?
Here’s a step-by-step to get the Butterfly Wings manicure for your New Year’s Eve:
Nail Prep: Start by cleaning, trimming, and shaping your nails.
Base Color: For a butterfly design, choose a soft pastel color like light blue, lavender, or pale pink as your base. These colors will create a beautiful background for your butterfly design. Apply two coats and let it dry completely.
Butterfly Design: Paint the butterfly shapes on your nails using a fine nail art brush or stamping plate. You can do one butterfly per nail or multiple butterflies. Use bright colors like yellow, orange, and purple to bring your butterflies to life. I find that blending colors creates a beautiful gradient effect that looks like butterfly wings.
Details: Once the butterflies are dry, use black polish to add antennae and wing patterns. This will add dimension to your design and make the butterflies look more realistic. You can also add small dots or sparkles around the butterflies to enhance the overall look.
Top Coat: Once you’ve finished your butterfly design, top it with a clear top coat to seal your art and add shine.
Complementing Your Look
Think about your outfit and accessories to match your Butterfly Wings manicure. This style works with both casual and formal attire. For a chic look, wear a flowy dress or a fitted top in colors that match your nails. To tie in with the theme, add some butterfly-themed jewelry, like earrings or a necklace.
11. Monochrome Stars
The Monochrome Stars manicure is for those who love a clean and simple look. The all-white design is fresh and modern and will go with anything. This style allows you to enjoy the beauty of simplicity while still making a statement. I love how monochromatic designs can be calming and elegant, perfect for a special occasion like New Year’s Eve.
How to Do Monochrome Stars Nails?
Here’s a step-by-step to get the Monochrome Stars manicure for your New Year’s Eve:
Nail Prep: Start by cleaning, trimming, and shaping your nails.
Base Color: For this design, use a pure white polish as your base color. This will be the background for your star design. Apply two coats and let it dry completely for an even finish.
Star Design: Once the base color is dry, it’s time to add the stars. Paint small star shapes on your nails using a fine nail art brush or dotting tool. You can do different sizes and styles of stars, from classic 5-pointed stars to more playful designs. I find that varying the size of the stars adds dimension to the overall look.
Details: To add more to the design, you can add small dots or sparkles around the stars to mimic the twinkling effect of stars at night. Use a silver or light gray polish for this step to create a subtle contrast with the white background.
Top Coat: Once you’ve finished your star design, top it with a clear coat to seal your art and add shine.
Complementing Your Look
To go with your Monochrome Stars manicure, think about your outfit and accessories. This style works with both casual and formal. For a chic look, wear a black dress or a pastel soft top and let your nails be the focal point. Add some simple jewelry, like silver or white gold, to match the overall look.