There’s no time like the holidays to start playing around with fun beauty looks. Once party season starts, the need for a little sparkle seems to kick in almost automatically, and metallic nail charms are a perfect way to get into the spirit of things. That’s right, holiday nails don’t have to be emblazoned with snowflakes or ornament designs: Nude nails embellished with silver and gold decals look just as festive–in a sophisticated, subtle way.
The nude nail will make sure any charms or studs you use for this design will pop off the canvas and catch all the light. Nail glue will keep these charms in place (the same glue you use to apply stick-on nails that can be found in drug stores), and it’s best to use flatter, lower-profile charms if you want them to last longer on the surface of the nail. If you have thick clear UV gel with a UV lamp, that can work as charm adhesive too. Just be sure to cure all angles of your design for maximum adhesion, to help your new mani look last!
To be honest, these holiday nails are chic enough to work for any time of year. Whether the special occasion is a wedding, homecoming, New Year’s Eve, or a friends’ night out, a bejeweled mani is all but guaranteed to get the party started. Nail charms add a little shimmer to cozy outfits, too–so if you’re planning on wearing a simple sweater with jeans to Thanksgiving, you’ve already got a head start on the accessorizing front.
Scroll on to see how to DIY these silver and gold decal nails.
Nail Charms Holiday Manicure
Supplies:
- Pale pink-nude nail polish (I used Chanel Ballerina)
- Glossy top coat (I used Essie Gel Setter Top Coat)
- Nail glue
- Toothpick
- Metallic nail charms (I used these)
Instructions:
- Paint 2 coats of Chanel – Ballerina on each prepped, clean nail, waiting about 2 minutes between each coat to dry.
- Use your favorite glossy top coat, like Essie gel Setter Top Coat, and let completely dry for about 10 minutes.
- After nails are dry, use a toothpick, dab a small amount of nail glue on the nail right under where you plan to place the charm (be sure to work quickly before each dab of glue dries). Place nail charms in a vertical pattern as shown on the nails, using mixed gold charms.
Did you try these holiday nails? Show us your charms on Instagram @Lulus using #lovelulus!
Cassandre Banel is a Seattle-based nail artist and beauty photographer.
(Images via Cassandre Banel. Additional copy by Rachel Aschenbrand-Robinson)
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