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No matter what your plans may be, sparkly New Year’s nails are a given: A killer mani is the perfect accessory for any outfit, after all. And even if your night entails the best that Netflix has to offer, you need a little something that reads festive, which is where nail designs for New Year’s comes in clutch.
While the options are endless, this year we’ll be sticking with twists on our favorite trends—French manis, minimal art, and ombré colors—that just feel a little bit more dressed up. And of course, nothing goes better with a bottle of Champagne (or a pair of sweats) than lots and lots of glitter. Scroll on for the New Year’s nails ideas we’ve been saving since January 2, and get ready to kiss 2024 goodbye.
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Champagne Velvet
Match your nails to your New Year’s toast with a chic champagne-velvet manicure. Re-create this look by nail artist Milica Maslan with The Gel Bottle’s Elixir Cat-Eye and Vanilla, and top with stars accordingly.
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Disco Ball
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Emerald City
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Metallic Gold
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Glitter Gradient
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Midnight Magic
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Holographic Champagne
Combining the classic elegance of Champagne with the futuristic finish of reflective cat-eye, this holographic bronzed mani is begging to be toasted with. DIY with Lights Lacquer’s Super Freak Nail Polish.
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Plaid & Gold
A little bit Gossip Girl but definitely festive, this chic take on plaid nails is calling your name for Christmas-into-New Year’s. Get the look with press-ons.
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Mirror Mirror
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Confetti Tips
We’re obsessed with confetti tips for a few reasons. First of all, it’s (obviously) adorable. But second and possibly best is the fact that it’s surprisingly easy to DIY. Either use press-ons to re-create the look or simply paint the top half of your nails with a confetti polish like JinSoon’s Daisy.
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Martini Chrome
Another ideal option for DIY? This mesmerizing martini mani, which can be re-created with press-ons. To get the look, nail creator Maritza Williams used Olive & June’s seamless Candy Wrapper press-ons.
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Confetti French
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Metallic Tips
This super-metallic silver and gold tip is chic and futuristic yet won’t look out of place back in the office on Monday morning.
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Starry Night
Black nail polish is never boring, and this starry mani proves it.
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Negative-Space Silver
Embrace the futuristic vibes of the New Year with metallic silver nail art on negative space.
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Gold Accents
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Emerald Aesthetic
A dark jewel green is great for Christmas and New Year’s, so if you get your nails done in mid-December, you’re set for the second half of the month.
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Barbiecore French
Barbiecore was one of the biggest trends of the last few years. Pay homage with this Elle Woods–approved mani.
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Twinkle Tips
Want to (literally) dip a finger into sparkles? Use the tiniest crystals you can get your hands on for iced-out tips. Embellish each nail with gems for extra pizzazz.
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Decked-Out Cuticles
If you don’t have much space to work with (or even if you do), make the most of it and focus all the bling by your cuticles.
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Glitter Outline
For another minimal take on glitter for your January nails, try wrapping a thin line along the perimeter of your nails. This works with any shade, but rose gold is a little more unexpected than silver or gold.
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Constellation Mani
Been constantly checking what your horoscope holds for 2025? This starry mani is for you. Start with a base of Olive & June’s Spacey polish—a jet-black with micro silver glitter—to mirror the night sky. Then use a detail brush for the constellation and customize it to your star sign.
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Gold Glitter
If in doubt, you can’t go wrong with a glittery gold when it comes to holiday nail designs. It will get you feeling festive in a snap and is way easier than complicated nail art. Just be sure to read up on this trick for the most glittery application possible.
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Fresh Green
Channel the fresh start we’re all hoping for with a chill, minty green like Orly’s aptly named Fresh Start. It’s a super-unexpected choice that will look cool even when the holidays wind down.
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Glitter Stripes
Instead of going for full glitz, add just a minimal stripe of glitter to bare nails. You could use glitter and a detail brush, or try this metallic striping tape to make things super simple.
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Silver Twinkles
Individually placed flakes of glitter take your everyday sparkles to the next level. You may want to venture to a nail salon for silver nail designs like this one, but the results are worth it.
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Metallic Stars
Mixed metals have never looked so good—plus, they’re way easier to do than they seem. All you need is a silver polish as your base, and gold star stickers for the accents. Out-of-this-world nails in minutes.
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Gilded Tips
If you’re only halfway feeling the holidays this year (fair!), glitter up just the tips of your nails. After applying a base coat, dip a disposable makeup sponge in chunky gold glitter, and gently press onto your tips. Finish with a topcoat.
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Sparkle Red
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3D Stars
Chunky sparkling stars are like jewelry for your nails. To get the look, start with a base of nude polish and use nail glue to attach whatever rhinestones you desire.
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Confetti Glitter
Channel falling confetti with some metallic rainbow dots. They pair perfectly with Netflix and a glass of champers.
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Negative Space
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Holographic Glitter
A holographic polish is just as fun as glitter, but even cooler (and way easier to remove). Try Holo Taco’s polish in Rainbow Snow for a similar look.
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Mirror Ball
A little Art Deco, a little ’70 disco, very cool.
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Stacked French
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Rosy Shimmer
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Brown French
This mani is so understated and cool. Brown tips are a twist on classic white, and cartoon sparkles hint at the real thing, without any of the fuss.
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Classic Red
Nothing says the holidays like classic red. It’s the best nail polish to add a touch of glamour to whatever you wear.
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Glimmering Stars
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Gilt Pearls
If you have something a little more formal planned, wear pearls on your fingers, not your neck. For your base coat, try Chanel Vernis in Chaine D’Or and add flat-backed pearls to a few nails.
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Gunmetal
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Mixed Bag
It’s not only the mix of colors that makes this mani so interesting, but the mix of metallic, glitter, shimmer, and glossy textures.
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Cartoon Sparkle
If you’re leery of glitter but still want to join the fun in your winter nail ideas, these graphic “twinkles” are a cheeky nod to the real thing.
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Iridescent Lavender
Shades of purple may not be the most obvious choice for NYE, but that’s why we like it so much. And when paired with this much shimmer, it’s practically begging to party.
