The countdown to the New Year has officially begun… and your nails deserve to dress up for the occasion too. For the festive season, we're loving dazzling manicures, intense reds that turn heads and mirror effects to rival the disco ball. Now’s the time to shine like never before, whether you go for metallic finishes, sparkling glitter, a glossy sheen or a chrome touch. Pick your style and hit the dance floor!
What are the top New Year nail trends for 2025–2026?
This year, festive season manicures are all about shine and individuality. From radiant effects to minimalist nail art and high-fashion finishes, the 2025–2026 trends are all about embracing sparkle, playing with contrasts and expressing your personality through your fingertips.
Glitter nails: the ultimate festive finish
This season, glitter gets a glow-up. It's no longer just about over-the-top sparkle. Try it as a subtle gradient on the tips (sparkle nails style), or as a light layer over a nude or dark base. Among the 12 biodegradable glitter shades in the Manucurist range, the most popular right now? Gold, Rose Gold and Copper for warm tones, Silver and Black Diamond for a rock edge, and Holo for full-on disco vibes. Want to spice it up? Try the latest additions:
- Bordeaux biodegradable glitter, a standout festive shade to wear as an accent nail or in an ombré fade.
- Golden Chrome powder, a luxurious gold-reflect finish to apply over your favourite Green™, Green Flash™ or Active™ base.
💡 Top tip: To keep your glitter mani looking perfect all night long, seal it with a top coat for extra shine and hold.
Welcome 2026 with a twinkle at your fingertips – just add a dash of glitter or effect powder.
Metallic shades: precious shine
Silver, gold or copper, metallic polishes are a must for the New Year. They reflect light beautifully and add a modern, luxurious twist to your nails. Go monochrome for a striking mirror effect or graphic accents for a chic and festive nail art look.
Geometric nail art: contrast meets modernity
Stripes, tartan, triangles or chevrons… these patterns mix colours and textures for a bold, on-trend finish. They're easy to recreate, suit every nail length and instantly upgrade any party outfit with a contemporary twist.
Geometric nail art is easier than it looks and always makes an impact.
(@shanivynails, @irasnailroom)
Velvet finish nails: soft sophistication
When rich, pigmented polish meets the frosted effect of a Glazed powder, the result is reminiscent of luxurious velvet – the kind we love to wear on New Year’s Eve. Velvet nails reflect light in a subtle and sensual way, perfect if you prefer understated, elegant detail.
Minimalist designs: the beauty of simplicity
If you're a fan of “less is more,” minimalist nail art is still going strong. Think flawless nude bases, a fine gold line or a tiny chrome dot at the lunula – little details that elevate your manicure with effortless elegance.
For 2025, the trend is clear: dare to shine, but keep it chic. Classic looks get a modern twist, effects stay subtle and light becomes your manicure’s best accessory.
Delicate dots, shimmering finishes – shine in style this party season.
(@bara.hoyle)
Our colour picks for New Year's Eve nails
Glitter polishes to shine all night long
For a disco-chic look, glitter nail polishes are your best bet. These are the shades we can’t get enough of:
Metallic is a cool gold polish with a metallic sheen that reflects the light like no other. Try it in a reverse French manicure or as an accent nail with a white manicure using Milky White – your hands will be the star of the show.
Poison is a deep, mysterious forest green glitter polish that flatters all skin tones and pairs beautifully with black party outfits. Go for a French manicure or colour block style for a festive finish.
Fairy is pure magic in a bottle. This white nail polish has a pearlescent shimmer with holographic reflections that calls to mind snowflakes and champagne bubbles. Two coats and you’re ready to sparkle like a dance floor fairy.
💡 Top tip: For maximum shine, apply a layer of Top Coat Sunshine (for Green™ polish) or Top Coat Green Flash™ for that glossy, mirror-like finish.
Poison, Metallic and Fairy – a dazzling trio for dancing till dawn.
(@matejanova)
Red polishes to steal the spotlight
Red is dead? Not a chance. Red nail polish is a timeless festive staple, and in 2025, it’s back in bold new shades full of character.
Anémone: the ultimate radiant red. With its lacquered shine and rosy undertones, it gives a “lipstick red” effect for your fingertips. Ideal if you love elegant, classic and undeniably glamorous manis.
Red Hibiscus: an intense, iridescent red that instantly turns up the heat. It catches the light and brings bold flair to even the simplest outfit. The go-to polish for parties that run well past midnight…
Bohème: this red with brown undertones is the epitome of sophistication. With a slightly vintage feel, it pairs beautifully with gold jewellery or a satin black dress.
Classic, daring or retro-chic: find your perfect red.
(@first.gloss)
6 New Year’s nail art ideas to try
Play with colours
Love a good contrast? Here are two playful ways to experiment with colour and texture:
- Shimmery Half: combine a metallic base with an opaque colour on half of the nail (or vice versa). We’re loving these combos: Utopia & Orme, Bronzé & Artichaut, Metallic & Bohème, Quartz & Dark Clover.
- Disco Party: on a base of pearly white Moon, use a nail art brush to create a checkerboard pattern with Sparks, a black glitter polish. Instant Saturday Night Fever vibes!
Go bold with contrasting nail art for a standout finish.
(@look8thenails)
Graphic chic meets minimalism
Got an artistic streak? Embrace metallic lines and bold contrasts:
- Silver on Silver: on a grey Anthracite base, outline the nail with a fine line of Metallic polish for a futuristic touch.
- Mondrian Lines: on a nude base, draw vertical or horizontal lines in true Mondrian style using chromed shades like Bronzé and Metallic. The result? A graphic look that pairs beautifully with a crisp white outfit.
💡 Tip: these geometric looks are easy to create with a specialised liner brush. For best results, use Green™ polish, which air-dries in just one minute, especially when paired with Quick-Dry Drops. Fix any slip-ups with the Nail Polish Corrector Pen.
Minimalist yet artistic: geometric shapes meet metallic shine.
(@look8thenails, @griffegriffegriffe)
Frosted finishes
No snow on the 31st? No worries – bring the winter wonderland to your nails:
- Glitter Flakes: start with a base of Pale Rose, then dab Silver glitter onto the tips. A sparkling yet delicate manicure that’s perfect for sparkle nail fans.
- Red Glazed: on a deep red base like Hollyhock, apply a light coat of White Glazed powder to get the frosted effect of Glazed nails. Think candy apple vibes – utterly irresistible!
Snowflakes or sugar glaze – bring a wintery touch to your nails.
(@bara.hoyle, @matejanova)
To sum up
Glitter, minimalist nail art, timeless reds or frosted finishes – this year, your nails are the final touch to your festive outfit. With their vegan and bio-sourced formulas, Green™ and Green Flash™ polishes keep your nails looking radiant into the new year… with no compromise on nail health. Have fun and Happy New Year ✨🎊
Frequently asked questions
Which New Year’s manicure suits your style?
For a minimalist yet chic look: go for nude and milky shades like Milky White, Pale Rose or Beige. Add a gold line or a subtle glitter accent on the ring finger for a refined, jewellery-inspired finish.
For a glamorous look: New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to wear a bold red like Anémone, Hollyhock or Red Velvet. These polishes are as impactful as a classic red lipstick. Add a hint of glitter on one nail or a chrome French tip for a standout look.
For a bold statement: dive into dark and intense shades. Polishes like Anthracite, Dark Clover or Poison bring an edgy elegance that balances chic and rebellious energy.
For dance floor royalty: shades like Disco, Utopia, Metallic or Sparks turn your hands into party accessories. Embrace holographic effects and geometric nail art for a retro-futuristic look that catches the light from every angle.
Which polish should I choose based on nail length and shape?
Short nails come to life with light and pearly colours like Cosmic Rose, Moon or Gold. These shades create a refined silhouette and a visually elongated hand. A nude base with a pearly sheen also adds subtle elegance for everyday wear.
Long nails can carry any bold shade. Go for deep and radiant colours like Utopia, a metallic copper brown, Bronzé, a warm bronze that flatters every skin tone, or Hollyhock, a rich velvety red perfect for festive nights out.
Tips to make your manicure last past midnight (and beyond)
For flawless nails all night, start with solid prep. Prep your nails by filing, cleaning and gently buffing the surface, then apply a nourishing base coat to smooth and protect.
Apply two thin coats of colour, curing properly under a UV lamp if you're using Green Flash™ gel polish. Seal everything with a top coat to lock in the shine and shield the colour from chips and daily wear.
To keep the magic going after the party, refresh your mani with the Green Flash™ Color Refresher: it revives the shine and extends the wear of your polish without any effort. Expect glossy, chip-resistant nails well into the new year – and beyond.
