Holiday Jelly Nails Are Your Perfect Christmas Day Mani

Want a seasonally appropriate mani that still feels fun and flirty? Then, holiday jelly nails are the super-easy mani for you!

How to Get the Jelly Look

These nails are named for the texture of its formula, which starts sheer and builds to a deeper opacity. The effect is a colored-glass or jelly effect that has a bouncy playful finish. Like lipgloss for your nails, the look is a nostalgic ’90s look made modern, and can be worn plain or with charms and glitter for an even more Y2K feel.

- Advertisement -

This summer, we saw a huge spike in jelly nails alongside its darker counterpart: jammy nails. These deeper shades tend to be worn with a fuller opacity, reveling in the bouncy, glossy finish.

“Effects manis (especially jelly/semi-sheer looks) are still going strong, and jammy manicures are a sophisticated, richer/deeper take on this trend. The semi-sheer wash of color keeps the look fresh and easy for summer,” says Olive & June’s mani trend expert and VP of Content and Creative Olivia Van Iderstine. “This trend also matches the pretty stains we’re seeing in color cosmetics for lips and cheeks—so gorgeous and tonal.”

And when it comes to a seasonal look, jelly and jammy nails are up to the challenge.

The Holiday Jelly Nails We Love

1 / 6

Bright Holiday Red

There’s no shortage of gorgeous red shades to indulge in this winter, and this ultra-bright holiday red is a perfect example. This red jelly manicure is all the joy of the season in a nail look!

2 / 6

Decorate the Mani

This jelly look uses a beautiful green to create the impression of a decorated Christmas tree, adorned with colorful lights.

3 / 6

Evening Holiday

If you’re craving a darker look, these jammy nails have the same warm red as a mulled wine, perfect for a holiday night.

4 / 6

Sleigh Ride Red

Another lovely bright red, this manicure highlights the see-through nature of a jelly manicure.

5 / 6

Holiday Green

This emerald green is the ideal shade for your seasonal look, and the sharp stiletto shape gives major Christmas tree vibes.

6 / 6

Santa Claus Red

A slightly deeper red, this shade is the perfect cherry jelly mani for anyone in love with all things Christmas.