gel and regular nail polish sets

ELEGANT DECEMBER AND HOLIDAY NAIL DESIGNS

The holiday season is upon us, bringing a flurry of festive parties and gatherings! A beautifully done manicure is the perfect accessory to complement your holiday dress. One of the things I love about this time of year is the opportunity to get dressed up, enjoy some festive drinks, and reconnect with friends. When I think of Christmas, I envision sparkles, vibrant reds, and lush greens. To celebrate the season, we’re sharing our favorite December and holiday nail designs!

Choosing the right nail shape is crucial in achieving the perfect look for your holiday manicure. There are various shapes to consider, especially if you’re opting for acrylic nails, which allow for more flexibility in shaping compared to natural nails. Different nail shapes and lengths can dramatically change the vibe of your design. For a classic and timeless appearance, such as for weddings or engagements, rounded or oval shapes are great choices.

a guide to popular nail shapes

  • Round/Oval Nails: These shapes mirror the natural curve of the nail, creating an elongated effect. They offer a classic and elegant look.
  • Square Nails: Filed straight across with 90-degree angles on the sides, this shape suits those with narrow nail beds and slim fingers.
  • Squoval Nails: Combining the square and oval shapes, squoval nails have rounded edges, making them universally flattering for both short and long fingers.
  • Coffin Nails: Tapered on the sides with a straight edge at the tip, this shape is favored by fashion enthusiasts for its bold and dramatic style.
  • Almond Nails: These elongated nails with tapered tips offer a chic and timeless look, currently popular for their elegant appearance.
  • Stiletto Nails: Long and pointed, stiletto nails are dramatic and stylish but may not be practical for everyday activities.
  • Acrylic Nails: Acrylic nails are created by mixing acrylic powder with a liquid monomer to form a paste that bonds to the natural nail and hardens quickly. This process allows for the shaping of the nails to your desired style before the mixture sets.
  • Gel Nails: Gel nails are applied like regular nail polish but require curing under a UV or LED light to harden. This type of manicure includes gel polish and shellac, which are both applied from a bottle and set with a light for a long-lasting finish.
  • Dip Powder Nails: Dip powder nails have recently surged in popularity. This technique involves dipping the nails into a colored powder, which is essentially a form of acrylic in powder form. It provides a durable and vibrant finish, and while it has been around for a while, it has gained significant attention in recent years.

TREND GREEN NAILS

Green nails are a fresh and festive trend for the holiday season. From deep emerald shades to shimmering olive tones, there’s a green for every holiday style. Incorporate glitter, snowflakes, or festive patterns for a touch of sparkle and cheer. Whether you prefer a classic or bold look, green nails are a stylish way to celebrate the holidays.

TREND GOLD NAILS

Gold nails are a luxurious and glamorous choice for holiday nail designs. From shimmering metallic shades to intricate gold accents, there’s a gold nail look to suit every style. Pair gold with classic colors like red or black for a sophisticated touch, or go bold with a full-on gold manicure for maximum impact. Gold nails effortlessly add a touch of opulence and festive cheer to your holiday ensemble.

TREND RED NAILS

Red nails are a timeless and classic choice for holiday nail designs. From bold crimson to elegant burgundy, there’s a shade of red to complement every skin tone and style. Add a touch of sparkle with glitter or metallic accents, or keep it simple with a classic solid color. Red nails exude confidence and holiday spirit, making them a popular choice for festive occasions.

TREND SNOWFLAKES

Snowflake nail designs are a quintessential winter and holiday trend. From delicate, frosty patterns to intricate, sparkling creations, snowflakes add a touch of magic to your nails. Whether you prefer a minimalist or glamorous look, there’s a snowflake design to suit your style. Pair with icy blues, shimmering silvers, or classic whites for a truly winter wonderland-inspired manicure.

TREND SPARKLES

Sparkles are a must-have for holiday nail designs. From subtle shimmer to dazzling glitter, there’s a sparkle level to suit every taste. Add a touch of glamour to any nail color with a sprinkle of glitter or create a fully glittered look for maximum impact. Sparkles capture the festive spirit and add a touch of magic to your holiday nails.

CONCLUSION

From classic reds to shimmering golds, this December, elevate your style with elegant and festive nail designs. Whether you prefer a subtle touch of sparkle or a bold statement, there’s a perfect manicure to complement your holiday look. Incorporate trends like snowflakes and green for a winter wonderland feel, or opt for timeless classics like red and gold for a touch of luxury. Remember, the key to an elegant holiday manicure is finding a design that reflects your personal style and brings you joy.

7 BEST BIRTHDAY NAIL SET IDEAS WITH LASTING QUALITY

Calling all birthday nail enthusiasts with a birthday coming up! Ready to ditch the chip worries and rock a stunning manicure that lasts? Look no further! We’ve curated 7 of the best birthday nail set ideas specifically designed for birthday nails, ensuring both eye-catching designs and long-lasting wear. Get ready to celebrate your special day with fabulous nails that won’t quit!

OUR TOP PICKS

BEST POLISH: ESSIE GEL COUTURE LONGWEAR NAIL POLISH + TOP COAT KIT

If you’re aiming for a gel manicure look without the UV drying light, Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish is an excellent choice. This polish, which has a thick, non-dripping formula, applies like regular polish and dries to a hard, glossy finish that mimics a professional salon manicure. We wore these nails for over two weeks and experienced minimal chipping, comparable to professional gel manicures. Removal is straightforward with acetone, leaving your nails healthy and undamaged.

While lamp-cured gel polishes dry faster, Essie Gel Couture takes about 15 minutes to fully dry. However, its staying power is impressive, and we loved the vibrant colors and the well-preserved condition of our nails after removal. If you want a gel-like manicure without the need for a UV lamp, this polish is the best option.

  • Shades: 1
  • Dry Time: 15 minutes
  • Lamp Included: No

BEST FOR TRAVEL: LE MINI MACARON LE MAXI DELUXE GEL MANICURE SET

The Le Mini Macaron compact kit is ideal for on-the-go manicures. We gave it top marks for ease of use, drying time, finished appearance, and nail health post-removal. Despite gel kits often being intimidating for beauty newbies, this kit from Le Mini Macaron is user-friendly and fun, even for beginners. The gel lacquer dries quickly with the included LED lamp, leaving nails glossy and hard in just one minute. However, the travel-friendly lamp is small, so you’ll need to dry your thumb separately.

While we loved the quick-drying, glossy finish, the polish began peeling within a few days and was completely gone soon after. Longer-lasting results might be achieved by using a nail-prepper product, applying thinner coats, or drying nails for a longer time. Despite the short staying power, our nails were not damaged, making this kit an excellent travel choice.

  • Shades: 2
  • Dry Time: 1 minute
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST VALUE: GELLEN GEL NAIL POLISH KIT

For a more comprehensive option, the Gellen Gel Starter Kit is a great choice. We awarded this kit perfect scores for ease of use and were impressed with the 12 included bottles of polish, various nail embellishments, grooming tools, and UV lamp. The instructions recommend drying each coat for 60 seconds under the light, but we found our nails were still tacky after a minute. Extending the drying time to 90 seconds yielded better results.

Once painted and dried, we loved the appearance of our gel manicures. The colors were vibrant, and the polish dried smooth with a glossy finish. However, the lacquer began to chip around day six and was completely peeled off by day eight, making soak-off removal unnecessary. While we wish the polish lasted longer, this feature-rich kit offers great value.

  • Shades: 12
  • Dry Time: 90 seconds
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST FOR BEGINNERS: SALLY HANSEN SALON PRO GEL STARTER KIT

If you’re new to gel nails, Sally Hansen’s beginner-friendly Salon Starter Kit is perfect for you. This kit earned a perfect score for ease of use, thanks to its simple three-step process and lightning-fast drying time. Curing your nails with the included LED lamp takes only about 30 seconds.

Once dried, our nails were smooth, super shiny, and hard without any stickiness. Although the kit comes with only one color, additional bottles can be purchased separately. Despite the promise of up to two weeks of wear, our manicures didn’t last very long. The gel began to peel when we cleaned around the house, even with gloves on. This kit may not be ideal for those who work with their hands, but it’s a great option for anyone looking to try gel nails at home.

  • Shades: 1
  • Dry Time: 30 seconds
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST BUDGET: SENSATIONAIL GEL STARTER KIT

Looking for a budget-friendly option? The SensatioNail Gel Starter Kit is a solid choice. The instructions can be a bit confusing, so we recommend reading through them thoroughly before starting. While this kit wasn’t the easiest to use initially, the process should be smoother the second time around. We were pleasantly surprised by how quickly the lacquer dried with the included LED lamp, but for the best results, we suggest applying thinner layers of paint and taking your time.

The brand claims up to two weeks of wear, but we noticed chipping after about a week—slightly longer than regular polish but not as durable as a professional gel manicure. Although this affordable kit comes with only one polish color, you can purchase additional bottles individually to expand your collection.

  • Shades: 1
  • Dry Time: 3 minutes
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST FOR NAIL CARE: RED CARPET MANICURE PRO 45 STARTER KIT

If you prioritize skincare, it’s important to care for your nail beds and cuticles too. This comprehensive kit includes everything from cuticle oil to sealing top and base coats, along with cleansers, foil wraps, cuticle pushers, and more. The gel hardened into a shiny gloss on our nails in just 45 seconds and stayed smooth with minimal chipping for nearly two weeks.

We did notice that the brushes were a bit uneven and frayed, making it challenging to cover all the edges perfectly. However, with a steady hand, we applied the glossy shades, confident that our nails and skin were protected. After removing the polish two weeks later, we were pleased to find our nails as strong as ever.

  • Shades: 1
  • Dry Time: 45 seconds
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST OVERALL: MOROVAN NAIL KIT

Morovan’s Poly Gel Kit earned perfect scores for drying time, finished look, staying power, ease of removal, and nail integrity post-removal. We only marked it down for ease of use due to a slight learning curve. However, the instructions were thorough and easy to follow, and the illustrated how-to booklet was very helpful.

This set includes everything needed for a professional-level manicure, plus some fun embellishments and extras. It comes with eight polish shades, including six solid opaques and two ombrés. The kit also includes a primer, a dehydrator, a base coat, a top coat, an LED lamp, and various tools for grooming your nails and cuticles.

The most challenging component was the nail extensions, as the kit includes extension gel and shaping foil to help you create your desired length and shape. Once the gel was applied, the drying process was smooth and straightforward.

After two weeks, only two extensions had fallen off, and the stunning color and shine remained. When it was time to remove the polish, the gel came off easily with the help of a scraping tool. If you’re up for the challenge of DIY gel extensions and want a long-lasting manicure, this kit is an excellent choice.

  • Shades: 8
  • Dry Time: 2 minutes
  • Lamp Included: Yes

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING AN AT-HOME GEL KIT

STAYING POWER

One of the main attractions of at-home gel nails is their promise of professional-level longevity. The products, tools, and formulas should provide similar results to what you’d get at a salon. However, many kits we tried didn’t last more than a week. Various factors can influence this, including improper use of the kits, daily wear and tear on your nails, and not thoroughly removing natural oils from your nails before painting. For best results, carefully read all instructions and follow the manufacturer’s nail care suggestions, and consider wearing reusable gloves when cleaning and doing dishes.

INCLUDED SHADES

While some at-home gel kits come with multiple polish shades, many starter sets only include one or two. However, additional colors are often available for individual purchase, allowing you to gradually expand your collection with shades you’ll actually use. An extra bottle of white nail polish is great for classic French manicures and the trendy “glazed donut” nails.

CURING LAMP

Most kits come with a UV or LED lamp, which is essential for curing and drying gel polish. As celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein explains, “Gel polish needs a UV light to cure/dry and provides a chip-free manicure that lasts much longer than regular nail polish.” Depending on the lamp’s bulbs and wattage, each coat will take anywhere from 30 seconds to three minutes to cure. Most of our top picks, except for Essie’s Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish, include an LED/UV lamp.

REMOVAL

Gel manicures typically require soak-off removal. This involves soaking 10 cotton pieces in pure acetone, placing them on your nails, wrapping them in foil, and letting them sit for about 15 minutes. After soaking, the polish usually scrapes off easily. If you prefer not to make multiple trips to the store, consider the Red Carpet Manicure Pro 45 Gel Starter Kit, which includes foil wraps, gel polish remover, and more.

CONCLUSION

So there you have it! With these seven fantastic nail set ideas, you can celebrate your birthday with stunning nails that last. Whether you crave a classic French manicure, a touch of playful glitter, or a bold, eye-catching design, there’s a perfect option for you. So go forth, embrace your beautiful nails, and rock a birthday mani that shines as bright as you do!