With only a couple of weeks left until 2022, there’s no time to waste in picking out the perfect New Year’s nails to complete your look. Think of them as the cherry decal on top of a festive evening, whether it is spent dining outdoors or cozy with family at home.
The power of a fresh coat of polish can’t be underestimated, and this year we explored the ever-evolving world of nails. While seasonal trends kept our routine manis looking fresh (muted metallic and crystal accents are currently poised to take over the winter), we also got to know the artists taking the craft to the next level.
If the past 12 months have taught us anything, it’s that nails are an easy way to elevate any look. To make sure you’re putting your best hand forward when the ball drops, we’ve rounded up the best New Year’s nails to ring in 2022, below.
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Stacked Jewels
“Claws like these take ice to a whole new level,” says New York–based artist Juan Alvear. “Nothing quite welcomes the New Year as much as big, stacked Swarovski crystals reflecting disco-ball-like rays of color to every corner of the party. Bring in the New Year manifesting success—and more crystals for your next set.”
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Essie Nail Polish in Summit of Style
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Nibiru Nail Rhinestones Kit
Icicle Nails
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OPI Nail Lacquer in Alpine Snow
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Macute 3D Nail Art Decorations
Velvet Nails
Dazzling optical illusion aside, these velvet nails are also incredibly chic for a winter get-together.
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Mooncat Nail Lacquer in Neptune’s Sand
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Mooncat Nail Lacquer in Illusionist
Negative Space
For a glamorous update to the negative-space trend, try outlining with a silvery polish.
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Orly Nail Polish in Elixir
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Gucci Vernis À Ongles Nail Polish in Black Crystal
Golden Set
“The shimmery golden base contrasting with the texture of the nails gives it a punky feel yet still keeps on-trend with gold always being the New Year’s Eve color of choice,” says London-based artist Sophie Parkinson. “I really like this set because at first glance they look like normal gold nails, but then as you look closer, they look slightly dangerous to touch!”
To create this set, Parkinson used a white gel base to “make the gold reflective powder stand out,” then drilled holes through the nails to push the gold hardware through. Once everything was sealed together with hard gel, she added the finishing touch: more nails.
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Emilie Heathe Polish in Billions
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Qualihome Hardware Nail Assortment Kit
Bubble Nails
“This set is a lot more unconventional but so incredibly fun to wear,” says Parkinson. “As they are magnifying-glass pieces, everything that you see through them distorts and looks like a bubble fish-eye world. Wearing these out dancing would be the best because when light shines through them, it creates these beautiful light reflections.”
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Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish
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MODI Unistella Glass Nail Stickers
Gold French
Skip the white French manicure and go for gold. Goldstein created these gilded tips using a selection of oval golden decals.
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Seche Gel Effect Top Coat
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BornBeauty Gold 3D Nail Sticker
Chunky Charms
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“This simple look is perfect for New Year’s Eve,” says artist Lila Robles, who splits her time between L.A. and New York City. “The simplicity of nude that goes with anything and the obnoxious gold that brings it all together scream I want to party, but also I drink Champagne only!”
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Kokoist X Nail Thoughts Berry Base
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Fexo Nail Chains
Green Marble
The emerald marble makes this whimsical butterfly mani especially eye-catching.
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Essie Nail Polish in Off Tropic
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OPI Nail Lacquer in I’m Sooo Swamped!
Purple Fuzz
If you can’t get enough of textures, try adding a little fuzz to your mani for a playful twist.
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JINsoon Nail Lacquer in Ube
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La Demoiselle 3D Velvet Nail Stickers
Airbrushed French Tips
“You can never go wrong with a classic French; it’s a tried-and-true staple,” says Robles. “I love this look with a black French instead of the traditional white, and added airbrush elements to elevate them.”
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OPI Nail Lacquer in Black Onyx
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Scettar Rhinestones for Nails
3D Pearls
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“If you want your nails to be an accessory on their own, a pearl 3D mani is what you need,” says artist Kait Mosh. “I love this look because it’s such a cheap way to look expensive! You can get flat-backed pearls at your local craft store or Amazon for under $5.”
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OPI Nail Lacquer in Put it in Neutral
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Pveath Self Adhesive Pearl Stickers
Glitter French
“A glitter French mani is perfect for New Year’s Eve,” says Mosh. “It’s classy and can be done with an outline tip if you have medium to long nails—or a superfine tip, which is best for short nails. I love this look because it’s simple but makes a statement.”
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Chanel Le Vernis in Ballerina
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OPI Nail Lacquer in Happy Anniversary!
Retro Wave
“I was inspired by the winter elements, snow and ice,” says artist Naomi Yasuda. “I put the swirls to add a touch of ‘groovy and funk’ for a playfulness within the design.”
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Orly Nail Lacquer in It’s Brittney Beach
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Olive & June Nail Art Stickers – Shimmery Stars
Mini Butterflies
Mini silver butterflies placed over a nude nail delivers a delicate yet dazzling look you’ll want to wear long after New Year’s.
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Brillbird Hypnotic Gel & Lac in 113
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Doublemoss Arte El Primero Brush Set
Rainbow Crystals
“This design was originally conceptualized for my friend Lily Allen,” says Yasuda. “This was for her vacation over the holidays, and she wanted something fun and colorful. What’s more colorful than the rainbow? Also, colored stones are always good for any occasion and add the right amount of pop.”
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Nailtopia Love Yourself Skittle Mani-Kit
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BLINGINBOX Nail Gemstones
Embellished Crystal Tips
“New Year’s Eve nails will become more of an artistic expression,” says artist Gina Edwards. “Since the pandemic we are learning to redefine beauty. Embellished crystal tips and glitter open a pathway for more creative trends in 2022.”
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Orly Nail Lacquer in Sweet Serenity
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SUBAY Nail Crystals
Nude Starbursts
You can’t go wrong with a celestial nude set that offers an earthy take on the star themes that are so common at New Year’s.
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Dior Vernis in Dune
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Essie Expressie Quick-Dry Nail Polish in Take The Espresso
Classic Glitter
Add a cherry red base coat for extra pop.
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Essie Nail Polish in Forever Yummy
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ZOYA Pixie Dust Nail Polish in Oswin
Colorful Bubbles
“The colorful bubbles are like neon and city lights—full of energy and excitement,” says artist Mei Kawajiri. “3D bubbles are a more modern crystal ‘bling.’ I love how simple it is while still achieving fun texture in a modern way.”
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Butter London Orange Marmalade Jelly Treatment
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Butter London Bramley Apple Jelly Treatment
Purple Raindrops
To get this effect, Kawajiri dabbed and cured a hard builder gel. “Cure as quickly as possible so the gel doesn’t flatten with gravity.”
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Essie Nail Polish in Lilacism
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Vanity Table Ohora Custom Gemstones
Glitter Drip
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“I love these nails because they are something that if you have had your nails done before New Year’s Eve, they can be also be good for Christmas,” says artist Simone Cummings. “They add a bit of class to the nails. I think it’s always great to have a natural nail bed color as it makes the nails look fresh.”
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Gucci Vernis À Ongles Nail Polish in Annabel Rose
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Dior Diorific Vernis in Bouton d’Or
Gold Leaf
If you have gold in mind but would rather skip the glitter, delicately placing foil over a neutral color like Cummings did above is a great alternative.
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Static Nails Liquid Glass Lacquer in Buff
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Macute Nail Art Foil Flakes
Snake Print
“This is one of my most favorite designs to create because it’s classy and exotic at the same time,” says artist and owner of VSB salon Lisa Linda. “I applied gold flakes and did somewhat of a snake look.”
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Delgoash Snake Nail Decals
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Gexolenu Gilding Metallic Foil Flakes
Golden Butterfly
Mix your gold with butterfly accents for the ultimate fairy fantasyland effect.
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OPI Nail Lacquer in Rich Girls & Po-Boys
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Essie Nail Polish in Good as Gold
Silver Pearls
A simple way to elevate a solid-colored mani is to add a striking accent—like the pearls Kawajiri used above.
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Orly Nail Polish in Elixir
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Lights Lacquer 3D Pearl Nail Stickers
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Originally posted from “VOGUE” by Michella Ore
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