You don’t need a salon visit to get festive nails this Christmas—save time and money with this beginner-friendly tutorial that takes just 15 minutes. I created this look for my holiday brunch last weekend, and even my sister—who’s never done nail art and once smudged a basic red manicure beyond repair—nailed it on the first try. The key is using simple tools and focusing on imperfection; slightly uneven snowflakes actually look more charming than perfectly symmetrical ones, which takes the pressure off. This design works for everything from family dinners to ugly sweater parties, and it pairs beautifully with red and green holiday outfits.
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is overcomplicating nail art, but this look relies on three basic techniques: base coating, dotting, and glitter application. I’ve also included tool substitutes for those who don’t have a full nail kit—no need to rush to the store. The wine red base is classic but feels fresh with the snowflake details, and the gold accents add just enough sparkle for the holidays. Plus, the steps are flexible: If you don’t like snowflakes, you can swap them for holly leaves or even tiny candy canes using the same dotting tool. I’ve tested this tutorial with both gel and regular polish; gel lasts longer (up to a week with gloves), but regular polish works too if you add a fast-dry top coat.
What You’ll Need
Wine red gel polish (April Korea’s “Berry Red” is my go-to—it’s opaque in two coats and doesn’t stain nails) is the star here, but any deep red or burgundy will work. You’ll also need white acrylic paint (I prefer craft store acrylics; they’re thicker than nail polish and easier to control), a dotting tool (or a toothpick with the tip rounded for a budget alternative), and gold micro-glitter (fine glitter looks more elegant than chunky for this design). Optional extras: small pearls for a luxurious touch—they make great “Christmas tree” accents on accent nails.
Start with a strengthening base coat to protect your natural nails—this step adds 3+ days to wear time, per my testing. I use OPI’s “Natural Nail Base Coat” because it prevents staining from dark red polish, a common holiday nail woe. Let the base coat dry completely (2 minutes for regular polish, 60 seconds for gel) before moving on—rushing this step leads to bubbling. If you’re using regular polish, apply a thin layer of quick-dry top coat between the base and color to speed up the process. For gel users, make sure your lamp is fully charged—cold weather can sometimes slow down curing, so I cure each layer for an extra 10 seconds to be safe.
Step 1: Apply the Base
Apply 2 thin coats of wine red polish, curing 60 seconds between each if using gel, or waiting 1 minute between coats for regular polish. Thin layers are non-negotiable—thick coats bubble, smudge easily, and take forever to dry. I learned this the hard way last Christmas when I applied three thick layers and had to sit with my hands under a fan for 20 minutes before wrapping presents. If you get polish on your cuticles, use a small brush dipped in nail polish remover to clean edges—this makes the finished look much more professional.
For gel users, make sure the first coat is slightly sheer—this helps it adhere to the nail better. The second coat will be opaque, so don’t worry about coverage on the first pass. Regular polish users should avoid shaking the bottle (this creates bubbles); instead, roll it between your palms to mix the color. Once the second coat is dry, take a minute to inspect for smudges—fixing them now is easier than after adding details.
Step 2: Create Snowflake Details
Focus snowflakes on your ring and index fingers—this keeps the look balanced and avoids overwhelming smaller nails. Dip the dotting tool (or toothpick) in white acrylic paint, wiping off excess on the edge of the container—too much paint will create blobs instead of clean dots. Make 5 small dots in a circle (like a flower) at the center of the nail, then connect each dot with tiny lines using the tip of the tool. If you mess up, use a Q-tip dipped in nail polish remover to clean edges—acrylic paint dries fast, so act quickly.
I like to vary the size of the snowflakes—slightly larger on the index finger, smaller on the ring finger—for visual interest. If freehanding feels scary, draw a faint outline with a white pencil first (these are sold at beauty supply stores) or use a small sticker as a guide. My sister used a star-shaped sticker as a base and just added lines between the points—genius! Let the snowflakes dry for 2 minutes before moving to the next step; if you’re using gel, cure for 30 seconds to set the paint.
Step 3: Add Holiday Sparkle
Glitter adds festive charm without being over-the-top. Dust gold micro-glitter on your middle finger (the “statement” nail) using a small brush—this is cleaner than pouring glitter directly on the nail. For a more precise look, apply a small amount of clear polish to the nail first, then press the glitter into it. If you have pearls, place 3 in a triangle on your pinky for a mini Christmas tree—use tweezers to pick up the pearls (they’re slippery!) and a dot of clear polish to secure them.
I tested both loose glitter and glitter polish for this step—loose glitter looks more high-end, but glitter polish is easier for beginners. If you go with polish, apply a thin layer over the wine red base on the middle finger. Cure gel nails for 90 seconds to set the glitter (longer than usual, since glitter can trap moisture), and let regular polish dry for 3 minutes. Avoid putting too much glitter on the nail tips—this can cause chipping when opening gift bags or washing dishes.
Step 4: Seal the Look
Finish with a high-shine top coat to lock in the design and prevent chipping. Make sure to seal the nail tips by swiping the brush horizontally across the end of each nail—this is the #1 trick for long-lasting manicures, especially in winter. I use Seche Vite’s quick-dry top coat for regular polish (it dries in 60 seconds) and Gelish’s “Top It Off” for gel. Cure gel nails one last time for 2 minutes to ensure everything is set—cold weather can slow down curing, so don’t skip this.
Once your nails are dry, apply a drop of cuticle oil to each finger—this hydrates dry winter cuticles and adds a healthy glow. I keep a mini bottle of CND’s “SolarOil” in my purse for touch-ups throughout the day. This finished look lasted me 7 days with gel (even through baking cookies and wrapping presents) and 4 days with regular polish. My sister’s version lasted 5 days with regular polish—she credited the extra top coat on the tips. Whether you’re a nail art pro or a beginner, this tutorial proves festive nails don’t have to be complicated or expensive—just grab your tools and get creative!