Twelve Days of Christmas Manicures
Intricate, detailed nail art is awesome-if you have the money for special tools, the artistic ability to draw peacocks and video-game characters, and the time to sit down and do it all. But fun, festive manicures really can be easy! Using the holiday collections from a few favorite polish lines, we created looks that are simple, seasonal, and don't require an art degree or any crazy techniques. And since they're so quick to apply, you won't worry about keeping one manicure intact for days, leaving you free to try them all!
2011's Best Holiday Makeup Collections
Sugar Cookie Sparkle
DivineCaroline cannot be held responsible for the fact that this manicure will make you crave Christmas cookies! Start by applying two coats of pearly-white Orly Au Champagne. Get the "sprinkled" look with a coat of Rainbow Connection by OPI, a multicolored glitter coat with a clear base. You can apply another coat of Rainbow Connection if you're a serious sugar freak.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
This look, with a deep forest-green base color and a silver shimmer topcoat, feels just like a pine forest after a light snowfall. Get it by applying Essie Pure Pearlfection topcoat (from the Luxeffects collection) over two coats of Orly Le Chateau.
Trés Fȇte
This manicure proves that nails can be festive, but still classy-not to mention office-appropriate. Start with two coats of Chestnuts About You, and then dab a little bit of Don't Be Eggnog-ious (both polishes from Sephora by OPI) to the nail bed and moon. The result is an elegant and sparkly gradient effect.
Accessories to Outshine the Holiday Decorations
A Frosty French Manicure
If you're more into keeping things simple, this French manicure has a shimmering twist. Instead of using a matte white polish on the tips, use a thin coat of Orly Au Champagne, which has a touch of pearlescence. Then apply one coat each of Essie Pure Pearlfection and Shine of the Times topcoats, which have micro particles of silver and gold glitter.
Blue Christmas
The stars-in-the-sky combo of blue polish and large flecks of silver glitter is perfect for Christmas (or Hanukkah), but it's so cool you'll want to wear it year-round. This look used two coats of Sephora by OPI Countdown to the Kiss and a finishing layer of Set in Stones by Essie. Remember-always use a base coat under dark polish to prevent staining. Also, removing glitter can be tough, but make it easier by holding a remover-soaked cotton ball to each nail for ten to fifteen seconds before scrubbing.
Sugar Plum Pretty
The chocolatey-brown base color of this reverse French manicure is mouthwateringly irresistible. Apply two coats of I'm with Brad, from Sephora by OPI, and along the tips, apply a thin coat of OPI Designer, De Better! to add a touch of sophisticated shimmer.
See six more festive manicures you can do at home!
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The Best Celebrity Tweets of 2011
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