Prepping for Thanksgiving means deciding what dish you’re bringing to the table, what outfit you’re wearing, and maybe even how you’ll handle awkward questions from relatives (deep breath: It’s all good!). Whether you’re spending the holiday with your immediate family, your significant other’s fam, your friends, or somewhere else, you want to look your best–and that includes making sure you’re sporting some festive Thanksgiving nail art. If you’re looking for something a bit more sophisticated than turkeys or leaf motifs, these chic nail designs are the perfect elevated alternative.

thanksgiving nail art : rust with gold decal accent nail

It’s easy to dress up a simple manicure using your accent nail as a canvas for nail art, especially when it complements your polish color. For this Thanksgiving-appropriate look, I’ve combined a rusty reddish-brown color with gold ‘confetti’ nail charms to add a touch of shine to this deeply autumnal hue. If you don’t want to buy nail studs or charms, you can also try this look with chunky gold glitter for a similar bejeweled nail look. These charms adhere with nail glue, and can be reused after you are done with the look and have removed them!

Thanksgiving nails in rust red with gold decal accent nail

Ready to get your hands holiday-ready? Scroll on for instructions on how to score stylish Thanksgiving nails just in time for Turkey Day.

Thanksgiving Nail Art

rust red and gold accent nail as Thanksgiving nail designs

Supplies:

  • Reddish-brown nail polish (I used ORLY’s Penny Leather)
  • Sheer nail polish (I used Chanel’s Ballerina)
  • Gold nail charms (I used these)

Instructions:

  1. Paint all nails but your chosen accent nail with two layers of the rusty brown. Give each layer about two minutes to dry.
  2. Paint two coats of a sheer polish on the accent nail.
  3. Wait about 10 minutes to completely dry. Then, using a toothpick, dab a small amount of nail glue on each part of the nail you plan to add the gold nail decorations.
  4. Place nail decor on accent nail as shown, in a confetti pattern using mixed gold charms.
Did you try this Thanksgiving nail art? Show us your designs 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)