Whether you’re dressing up for a black tie soirée or getting cozy and watching the ball drop from the comfort of your own home, one thing rings true for December 31st: Fabulous New Year’s nails will always help you get in the festive mood.
Sparkly silver glitter and bejeweled embellishments on winter nail colors are a staple; nothing says New Year’s Eve quite like shiny nail art. For those looking to take those classic New Year’s nail designs—the French manicure, ombré nails, matte effects, etc.—to the next level, opt for cool girl metallics or holographic finishes. Maybe even add some textured groves or unexpected decals. The options are endless.
To help get those creative juices flowing for NYE, we’ve rounded up the best nail art inspo we could find on Instagram, all from our favorite celebrity nail artists. Below are 20 New Year’s nail ideas that will get you excited for 2024. Read on to find the mani that will help you bring in a happy new year.
Silver Shine
It only seems fitting to ring in the new year with the color we couldn’t stop obsessing over in 2023: silver. Opt for a chrome finish for your silver nails with high shine with some jeweled details, like this stunning mani on Megan Fox. Created by celebrity nail artist Brittney Boyce, these nails feature 14-karat white gold stiletto nails embellished with diamonds.
Winter Blue
Blue is one of our favorite shades for winter and this holiday season. Celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik uses a deep ocean blue on Jennifer Lopez long almond-shaped nails to really make a statement.
Pearl Accents
The holiday season calls for all types of embellishments, but if you’re especially fond of pearls then this is for you. Chanel nail artist Betina R. Goldstein uses a pearlescent powder to give nude nails a shimmery iridescent shine before placing real freshwater pearls all over.
Let It Snow
Throw some shimmer and adorable snowflake decals. Celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt, whose clientele includes Hailey Bieber, Christina Aguilera, and Adele, paints on a sheer glitter polish on top of a classic French mani and adds snowflake details for a festive finishing touch.
Glitter Party
Glitter nails are synonymous with NYE, but you can make it even more fun with a bold flashy color. Celebrity manicurist and educator Mimi D opts for a sparkling purple polish and goes either full coverage or mesmerizing swirl designs with negative space on each nail.
Red Siren
One can never go wrong with a red mani. Celebrity nail artist Mei Kawajiri uses red glitter on top of a dark base for a deep shade of crimson that’s moody and alluring.
Soft Ombré Shimmer
Ombré nails make for a dynamic design, especially when you pair two contrasting colors. Celebrity nail artist Alicia Torello has a faint coral blend into a soft silver shimmer for simple yet still striking New Year’s nail.
Good As Gold
If you’re a warm-toned metallic girly, then opt for a gold nail. Celebrity nail artist Thuy Nguyen, who counts Olivia Rodrigo and Lana Condor as clients, uses a deep mustard gold for a full-coverage nail look that doesn’t need any embellishments to shine.
Minimal Sparkle
For Sandy Liang’s Spring Summer 2024 ready-to-wear collection, celebrity nail artist Holly Falcone took inspo from the magical and majestic sea. These “crystal barnacles and pearl seashell nails” add some minimal shine to bare nails in a chic and unexpected way.
Copper Texture
Giving some texture to a single shade is one of the easiest ways to elevate your New Year’s Eve nail art. Celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen gives these bright copper nails indents and groves for a unique way to dress them up.
Classic French
When in doubt, turn to the French manicure. Doja Cat’s go-to nail artist Saccia goes with a classic white tip along a square-shaped nail and a bare base.
Galaxy Vibes
Created by nail artist and Nike design director Jessica Washick, this ethereal mix of sky blue and lavender with silver lining details makes for a mesmerizing nail look.
Vampy Violet
Dark and moody (in the best way possible), celebrity nail artist Kim Truong calls this dark purple nail color “Vampy Violet.” With such beautiful deep pigment, it stands great on its own.
Disco Party
Natalie Minerva, celebrity nail artist and nail lead on Euphoria, has created the ultimate party nail. This disco ball-inspired design involves gluing on tiny mirror pieces all over to reflect shine, perfect for when you count down to midnight.
Multi-Chrome French Tips
Beloved for its versatility, the French mani can be whatever you want it to be. We especially love painting different colors for the tips for a fun spin on the classic nail look. This mix of bright green, blue, pink, and pink in a chrome finish by celebrity nail artist Britney Tokyo just screams NYE party.
Holographic Shine
When thinking of ultimate shine, the iridescent finish of a holographic nail is top-tier. Celebrity nail artist Eri Ishizu gives Lizzo’s long stiletto nails the holographic effect that reflects the prettiest pink and purple light.
Lunar Eclipse
In honor of Lunar New Year, celebrity nail artist and nail brand founder Jin Soon Choi created this ultra-chic black and gold nail design that features the moon in all its phases. Use this nail art to bring on the good and positive vibes, no matter what new year you celebrate.
Dainty Details
Sometimes you just need a few embellishments to really make a statement. Celebrity nail artist Sreyin Peng uses a bow, a jewel, and adorable teddy bear decals to give the neutral mani an artistic upgrade.
Mixed Metals
Celebrity nail artist Chan Legend, whose work has been seen on Khloe Kardashian and H.E.R., mixes stunning shades of fuschia, orange, emerald green, and gold for a mesmerizing chrome mani. The silver accents is a nice added touch.
Bejeweled Rainbow
Why not go full glam for New Year’s? Cardi B’s go-to nail artist Jenny Bui uses multi-colored rhinestones to dress up long nails with some major sparkle.
