If you’ve been on Instagram searching for nail inspiration you’ve probably noticed long nails are the holy grail among creators. The length – whether extreme or moderate – gives you so much space to play with nail art. But long nails aren’t for everyone, and for those who prefer a more low-key look, short nails are the way to go. With the holidays approaching, short Christmas nails are starting to pop up in your feeds.
Short nails look more natural than longer styles and look great with classic holiday colors. Plus, there are so many festive designs to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a bold and intricate design or something more simple the list below is a great starting point for your holiday nail inspiration.
Short Christmas Nails We Love
1. The Grinch
Who says Christmas is like the Grinch? This manicure takes Grinch fandom to a whole new level, featuring the Christmas grouch himself in a fun and creative way. Imagine a design with the Grinch holding a ruby ornament, his mischievous face lighting up the nails with holiday cheer.
This manicure is the Grinch in a nutshell, perfect for those who want to Grinch out during the holidays. The green of the Grinch pops against the red of the ornament. It’s a real showstopper.
Design Ideas
Nail Art: Nail art with the Grinch’s face on one or two accent nails and festive patterns like snowflakes or candy canes on the others. For a personal touch, you could even add a small heart to represent the Grinch’s change of heart, the true spirit of Christmas.
Color Palette: Use a green, red, and gold color palette to get into the holiday spirit. Glittery topcoats add a touch of sparkle like Christmas lights. I personally love a matte green base with glossy red accents for a modern take on the classic Grinch look.
Fun Extras: For extra fun, add tiny embellishments like rhinestones or charms that look like ornaments. You could also use nail stickers with Christmas trees or presents to go with the Grinch design.
DIY Grinch Nail Stickers: If you’re feeling crafty, you can make your own Grinch nail stickers. Print out small images of the Grinch and his face and use clear nail polish to stick them onto your nails. This adds a personal touch to your manicure.
Themed Extras: To finish the look, wear Grinch-themed accessories like a festive sweater or earrings to match your nails. This is a complete holiday outfit that shows off your Grinch love.
This Grinch manicure is not only fun for the season but also a great conversation starter at holiday parties. Whether you’re a die-hard Grinch or just looking for a whimsical nail design, this manicure will put a smile on your face and those around you. Plus, it’s a great way to spread holiday cheer wherever you go!
2. Christmas Dachshund
Even if you don’t like dogs, it’s hard to resist this cute Christmas Dachshund manicure. This design features a teeny tiny pup wearing a Santa hat, it’s playful and festive. The shimmery polish in the background adds a touch of sparkle, perfect for the holiday season.
Design Ideas
Dachshund Details: The star of the show is, of course, the Dachshund. Paint the pup in brown or black and tan colours, with a red Santa hat on its head. For extra fun, you could add tiny white details to represent the fur around its face or paws.
Shimmery Background: The shimmery polish in the background not only adds to the overall look but also looks like the twinkling lights of the holiday season. A soft gold or silver glitter polish makes a beautiful backdrop to the Dachshund design. I personally love the gradient effect, starting with a lighter color at the base and getting more sparkly toward the tips.
Accent Nails: To make the manicure even more festive you could add accent nails. For example, one nail could have a tiny Christmas tree, and another could have snowflakes or candy canes. This creates a theme while allowing for some variety.
Personalization Ideas
Add a Personal Touch: If you have a Dachshund or a favorite dog breed, you could personalize the design to look like your own pet. This adds a special touch to the manicure.
Holiday Colours: Use the classic holiday colors red, green, and white throughout the design. You could paint the other nails in solid colors that match Dachshund’s Santa hat or the shimmery background for a cohesive look.
Nail Art Stickers: If freehand isn’t your thing, you could use nail art stickers or decals with Dachshunds or holiday shapes. This makes it easier and still looks cute and festive.
Themed Extras: To finish the look, wear accessories that match your manicure. A Dachshund print sweater or festive earrings will tie your outfit together and show off your holiday cheer.
This Christmas Dachshund manicure is not only fun for the season but a great conversation starter. Whether you’re a dog lover or just like cute designs, this manicure will put a smile on your face and those around you. Plus, it’s a great way to spread holiday cheer!
3. Poinsettia Red
It’s the season for red nails and what better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a gorgeous poinsettia shade? This deep, bold red is the classic Christmas flower and is perfect for those who want to celebrate the season with a touch of glamour and subtlety. The short nail look suits this color beautifully; it’s a versatile choice for any holiday occasion.
How to Get the Poinsettia Red?
Gel Polish: For the full effect of this colour get a gel polish. Gel polishes last longer and don’t chip, so your manicure will be flawless throughout the holiday season. The glossy finish of gel polish makes the color look even more luxurious.
Top Coat: A good top coat is a must for that high-shine finish. It adds an extra layer of protection and makes your nails look better. Look for a top coat that promises a glossy finish to really make that poinsettia red shine.
Personalization Ideas
Accent Nails: For a bit of fun, add some accent nails with festive designs. A couple of nails could have delicate white snowflakes or gold glitter to go with the poinsettia red. This adds a playful touch while still keeping it sophisticated.
Matte Finish: If you want a more modern take, try a matte top coat instead of a glossy one. A matte finish will give the poinsettia red a sleek, understated look that is perfect for holiday parties.
Nail Art: If you like nail art, try painting tiny poinsettia flowers on one or two accent nails. You can do this with a fine brush and some green and gold polish to create a holiday design.
Wear with Holiday Outfits: This classic red shade goes with everything. Whether you’re wearing a sweater, a dress, or even jeans, poinsettia red nails will add a touch of glamour to your look.
4. Candy Land
If you want a low-maintenance look, try Candy Land Nails. This design features bare, well-groomed nails with tiny holiday decorations, candy canes, and Christmas trees. The look is subtle and sweet, perfect for those who want to celebrate the season without overwhelming their style.
How to Get the Candy Land Look?
Nail Prep: Start with clean, well-groomed nails. A good manicure is key to this design. Shape your nails to your desired length and apply a clear base coat to protect them and create a smooth surface.
Colors: For the designs, use classic holiday colors like red, green, and white. These will pop against the natural nail base and be festive but subtle.
Tiny Holiday Designs: Use a fine nail art brush or nail stickers to create tiny holiday designs. Candy canes can be painted with red and white stripes, and Christmas trees can be painted green and have small yellow or gold dots for ornaments.
Personalization
Accent Nails: Try making one or two nails an accent with a more detailed design, like a larger candy cane or a decorated Christmas tree. This will add a focal point to your manicure but still keep the overall look minimalist.
Glittery Top Coat: For a little extra sparkle, apply a light glitter top coat over the bare nails. This will give a subtle shimmer that enhances the festive feeling without overwhelming the minimalist design.
Matte Finish: If you want to take the look in a different direction, try a matte top coat instead of a glossy one. A matte finish will give Candy Land nails a modern twist while still keeping them sweet and simple.
Seasonal Variations: This design can be done in other seasons. Swap out the holiday designs for spring flowers or summer fruits to keep your minimalist style fresh all year round.
5. Golden Bows
A gold bow on top of the Christmas tree or used to tie gifts together is the epitome of elegance during the holiday season. It’s only fair to give your nails the same treatment as a Golden Bows manicure. This design is festive and sophisticated.
How to Get the Golden Bows Look?
Nail Prep: Start with clean, well-groomed nails. Shape them to your desired length and apply a clear base coat to protect them and create a smooth surface for the polish.
Base Color: For a classic look, use a neutral base color like a soft nude or pale pink. This will make the gold bows pop. Or use a deep red or green base, and the gold will add a festive touch but still keep the focus on the bows.
Gold Stickers: To get this look, try using stickers in a burnished gold color. These can be applied to your nails and will give a polished finish without the need for intricate painting. Place the stickers on one or two accent nails or on all nails for a cohesive look.
Personalization
Glitter: For extra glamour, add a light dusting of gold glitter over the base color before applying the gold bow stickers. This will give a shimmering background to the design.
Mix and Match: Combine the gold bows with other holiday designs. Try pairing them with tiny snowflakes or stars on different nails for a festive look that’s still elegant.
Matte vs Glossy Finish: Try different finishes. A glossy top coat will give your nails a shiny finish, and a matte top coat will give a modern and sophisticated look. Both will work with gold bows.
6. White Christmas
White nails are the perfect winter wonderland. But if you want to take your manicure to the next level and make it feel more festive, try decorating your white nails with a mix of holly and pine tree designs. This combo is the essence of the holiday season but still elegant.
How to Get the White Christmas Look?
Nail Prep: Start with clean, well-groomed nails.
Base Color: Apply high-quality white nail polish to a clean finish. A gel polish will give a glossy finish and long wear, so your manicure will stay looking great all holiday season.
Holly and Pine Trees: Once the white base is dried, use a fine nail art brush or nail stickers to create the designs. For holly, paint small green leaves with red berries clustered together. Pine trees can be done with simple triangular shapes and a touch of green on your snowy canvas.
Personalization
Accent Nails: Try making one or two nails an accent with more detailed designs, like a larger holly branch or a decorated pine tree. This will give a focal point to your manicure but still keep the overall look cohesive.
Glitter Accents: For some sparkle, add a light dusting of silver or gold glitter over the white base before applying the designs. This will give a snow-like effect and make your manicure feel more festive.
Seasonal Variations: This design can be easily transitioned into other winter themes. Try swapping the holly and pine trees for snowflakes or winter animals to keep your manicure fresh all season.
7. Ribbons & Bows
Bows aren’t just for ballet core nails; this design shows that they can also add a festive touch to your holiday manicure. In a champagne background, the red ribbons and one bow are a cute and charming holiday look to celebrate the season.
How to Get the Ribbons & Bows Look?
Nail Prep: Start with clean, well-groomed nails.
Base Color: Apply high-quality champagne polish for a soft, elegant background. This neutral color will provide a nice contrast to the bold red of the ribbons and bow, so the design will pop.
Ribbons and Bow: Once the champagne base is dry, use a fine nail art brush or nail stickers to create the red ribbons and bow. For the ribbons, paint thin, flowing lines that look like ribbon wrapping around the nail. The bow can be painted in the center of one or two accent nails to give a focal point to your manicure.
Personalization
Glitter: For some extra sparkle, add a light dusting of gold or red glitter over the champagne base before applying the ribbons and bow. This will make your nails feel more festive and add some shine.
Accent Nails: To make it even more fun, try adding accent nails with different holiday designs, like tiny ornaments or snowflakes. This will keep the theme cohesive but add some variety.
Mix and Match Colors: While red and champagne is a classic holiday look, don’t be afraid to try other color combinations. Silver ribbons on a soft pink background are a modern twist on the design.
Seasonal Variations: This design can be transitioned into other themes. Swap the red ribbons for pastel colors in spring, or use darker shades for a more wintery look so you can wear this style all year round.
8. Glitter & Gold
Wrap your nails in Christmas cheer with this easy and beautiful Glitter & Gold manicure. This festive design combines chunky gold glitter with bold red polish to give you a look that’s full of holiday joy and excitement. Perfect for those who want to make a statement without the fuss.
How to Get the Glitter & Gold Look?
Nail Prep: Start with clean, well-groomed nails.
Base Color: Apply bold red polish as the base color for your manicure. This bright color will be the backdrop for the glitter and is a classic holiday color.
Glitter: Once the red polish is dry, apply chunky gold glitter polish to the tips of your nails or all over the nail for a full glitter effect. For a more controlled application, use a sponge to dab the glitter onto the nail, which will give you a gradient effect.
Wrapped Present: To add to the theme, use a gold nail art pen to draw ribbon-like lines across the nails to look like wrapped presents. You can do a simple crisscross or add bows for extra detail.
Personalization
Accent Nails: Try making one or two nails an accent with a more detailed design, like a bigger bow or a small gift box. This will give you a focal point to your manicure and still keep the overall look cohesive.
Mixing Glitters: For extra dimension, try mixing different types of glitter. Fine gold glitter with chunky glitter will give you a more textured look that catches the light.
Try Different Colors: While red and gold are classic holiday colors, don’t be afraid to try other combinations. A deep green base with gold glitter is a sophisticated alternative that’s still festive.
Seasonal Variations: This design can be transitioned into other seasons. Swap the red for pastel colors in spring, or use silver glitter for a wintery look so you can wear this style all year round.