Hedayat Reda The One Time of Year I Cheat on My Basics: The Holiday Nails
I usually rely on a fresh blowout and a simple burgundy manicure for confidence. But come December? The ritual changes.
There is a very specific, unbreakable equation to my personal confidence: a bouncy, fresh blowout plus a coat of creamy white or deep burgundy nail polish. It is a uniform. It is reliable. It makes me feel like I can handle whatever email just landed in my inbox. I am generally not the person to spend hours scrolling through Pinterest for intricate nail art; I like my basics, and I like the way they make me feel grounded.However, the holidays have a way of suspending the rules.
Nonetheless, for Christmas, the “basics” rule goes out the window. It has become a bit of a personal ritual, a small departure from the norm, that signals the end of the year for me. At this time of year, I allow my hands to be a little louder, a little shinier, and a little more playful.
If you, like me, usually stick to the safe zone but want to dip a toe (or a finger) into the festive spirit without losing your sense of self, here is the 2025 edit. From the safety of burgundy to a few “wild card” designs, here is what we are taking to the salon this December.
The Classic Burgundy We start with the anchor. If nail art still feels too far out of your comfort zone, the classic burgundy is the safety net that never fails. It is the visual equivalent of a cashmere sweater. It matches the festive energy without screaming for attention, and it maintains that “polished and put-together” feeling that a good blowout gives you.
The Burgundy French with Gold Chrome This is for when you want your usual go-to, but with a little seasoning. We take the standard burgundy but apply it as a French tip—which is everywhere right now—and outline it with a thin stroke of gold chrome. Chrome is the texture of the moment, and that subtle metallic flash catches the light beautifully. It feels expensive, modern, and just distinct enough to feel special.
Red French with Creamy Chrome Glaze Think of this as the “soft focus” filter for your hands. It starts with a bright, cheerful red French tip, but it’s topped with a creamy chrome glaze. This softens the starkness of the red, giving the nails a pearlescent, sugar-cookie finish. It is dreamy and ethereal—perfect if you want something that looks festive but not harsh.
The Christmas Polka Dot This is minimalism meeting festivity. If you can’t commit to a character or a drawing, dots are the answer. Using the holy trinity of holiday colors—red, green, and white—this design uses negative space to keep things clean. It’s playful and nostalgic, like vintage wrapping paper, but because the base is natural, it doesn’t feel cluttered.
The Connected Tree And finally, the ritual’s peak. This is the one design that truly breaks my “basics” rule. It’s a stylized Christmas tree split in two: the left half on the middle finger, the right half on the ring finger. It’s a little quirky, yes, but it’s a conversation starter. It’s the kind of design you get solely for the joy of clicking your fingers together to make the picture whole.
Instagram Caption:
There is usually a strict equation for confidence: A fresh blowout + creamy white or burgundy nails. It’s a uniform that works.
But December is the exception. It’s the one time of year to break the “basics only” rule and embrace the ritual of holiday nail art.
We’ve curated the 2025 edit for the minimalist who wants to step out of their comfort zone—just a little bit.
The Classic: Because burgundy never fails.
The Trend: Burgundy French tips outlined in gold chrome.
The Dream:Red French with a soft, creamy chrome glaze.
The Playful: Minimalist Christmas dots.
The Whimsy: The connected tree (because why not?).
Swipe for the inspo. Which one are you screenshotting for your next appointment?
