With Google Trends showing searches for "Christmas Nails" up over 200 per cent in the days leading to Christmas, nail salon bookings are set to soar as customers flock to celebrate this magical time of year with a festive mani.
Last year's Christmas nail trends were very bright and loud but in 2024, mani's are a bit more understated or should we say, demure. Deep Burgundy hues and spiced brown shades are on top. According to Fresha, With 47.9k TikTok hashtags, one of the most popular trends dominating the platform is 'Moody Nails', featuring deep, rich reds, browns and a revival of the red nail theory.
Sami Pelling, nail expert at the Nail Mafia, says, “The moody nail trend really captures the essence of autumn. It’s all about embracing those deep, dark colours. Think rich plums, dark browns, deep reds, navy blues, and blacks. These shades echo the transition into cooler weather and shorter days, which is why they feel so fitting this time of year.”
However, there are still elements that bring that 'wow' factor - designs and 3D effects have really been on the increase this year. Thanks to Hailey Bieber's glossy cinnamon-roll nails, the cat-eye effect is more popular than ever this winter. Now people are adding a festive twist, with candy canes and red Santa hats.
© @haileybieberSophie Vongkhamsao, in-house beauty and content specialist at Fresha, shares her thoughts with H! Fashion: "For those wanting something a little more intricate we’ve seen some really fun designs like snowflakes and candy cane outlines. We’re also seeing much more subtle but out-of-the-box Christmas manicures this year with people favouring icy blue colours as opposed to red and green, and minimal nail art designs such as bows, stockings and frosted candy."
Candy Cane Cat-Eye
According to Google, searches for cat eye nails have increased by 1,000% in a month. On TikTok, the term 'cat eye nails' has over 57 million views.
H! Fashion recently spoke with Julia Diogo, expert nail artist to the stars, and she also predicted an uptick in the cat-eye manicures. Thanks to Hailey Bieber's recent cinnamon roll manicures - she's right. However, for a festive twist we are seeing more candy-cane red additions.
Bordeaux Berry
In case you missed it, Burgundy and cherry red nails are having a moment. This colour is also celebrity-approved, stars like Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez and Zoey Saldana have sported the colour and it shows now sign of stopping.
Sami suggests, "From crimson to burgundy, red nails add a pop of vibrancy. Red nails are timeless, but we see a spike in popularity during autumn into winter because red tones complement the warm, rich colours we naturally start to wear in our outfits.”
If you prefer something classic and understated, consider this deep shade of red.
Sparkling Starbursts
Looking for a minimalist look with a hint of sparkle? Go for starburst nails. They feature gorgeous shimmering star nail designs with an ethereal vibe to them. To elevate it, add silver or gold 3D rhinestone crystals.
If the rise of 'milk-bath' nails are anything to go by, the classic french manicure with a little twist is the classic mani that will always be in style.
Ribbon Nail Art
With the rise of the coquette aesthetic, it’s no surprise that bow nail-art is gaining traction.
Hair bows have become the must-have accessory this year - we've seen it on the runway to the red carpets but now this fun trend has evolved to adding bows to your nail art.
This look can remain dainty and delightful with subtle colours or it can be adjusted to create a bold design for a festive finish.
Silver Chrome
If you're looking for a ultra-glam nail design this festive season, look no further than chrome. Spa booking agency, Spa Seekers, reported that in 2024 there has been an uptick of 83% in searches for chrome nail designs and TikTok currently has over 9 million searches for the style per month and over 151 million views
Chrome nails offer an allure and mimics the reflective state of metal. You can add this quick design effect to any colour but for Christmas, think silver. This glossy shine is like wearing jewelry on your fingertips.
"A chrome finish will also help the manicure last longer over the Christmas period and secure in any nail art designs," says Sophie.
OTT Festive Mani
Sometimes, you just want it all. Take a hint from Cynthia Erivo's intricate 'Wicked' press run nails which featured gems, geometric designs and 3D fixtures - and just go all out.
For a manicure thats screams "Christmas," consider a mix-and-match set. You can incorporate a variety of 2024 festive nail trends from bright red tips to intricate candy cane and gingerbread nail art.
Cynthia's nails were also stiletto shaped, which is a far cry from the viral Hailey Bieber almond shaped mani's that gained popularity this year. Could we see the stiletto revival this Christmas?
Snowflake Chic
Embrace the magic of the season with snowflake nails - delicate, icy designs that bring winter wonderland vibes to your manicure. Think shimmering whites, frosty blues and glittering accents for a festive touch that's as chic as it is merry.
Sophie, in-house beauty and content specialist at Fresha, revealed to H! Fashion that more and more customers are coming in to get snowflake and frosted candy designs.
Cinammon-roll
Thanks to Hailey Bieber, the ultimate 2024 mani inspo, cinnamon-roll nails are here to stay. Of course, it looks even better with her signature almond-shaped style. This Christmas spiced, warm, brown hues are in and deeper browns are out. If you want to elevate the look maybe add some crystals or 3D designs.
Santa Tips
Ho,Ho,Ho. 2023, was the year of the candy cane tip but this year is all about santa hats. Put a twist on the classic chic french tip and bring some Christmas magic with this choice.
Red theory is alive and well with this choice. Sami says, "Red nails designs and red tips signal confidence, power, and a bit of allure, almost like wearing red lipstick. It’s based on the idea that red catches people’s attention and can be seen as a symbol of boldness and even romance.”
Christmas Lights
If you want to stand out, go for this glitter mani-moment. Shine bright like the Christmas lights around the Christmas tree this festive season. From subtle shimmer bow designs or all-out sparkle, these eye-catching nails are your go-to for instant glam.
If you don't want to cover your nails completely with glitter, there are other ways to incorporate this shine. Try geometric glitter nails, where glitter patterns create abstract figures on the nail beds. It's a minimalist yet still chic way to add a little extra glam to your nails.
