A “Tinsel” Manicure Will Have Your Nails Shining All Holiday Season Long

Wow! I haven’t seen this ornament before! How classic, how timeless, how shiny. Oh, I’m sorry. Did I just grab your hand? Your manicure is so festive, it looked right at home amid the holiday decor. Which I guess is the entire point.

While there are so many directions you can go with a holiday manicure, a classic-yet-cheery metallic tone never disappoints. Ahead, learn how to tackle the tinsel nail trend, which is dominating both our Instagram feeds and real-life holiday party moodboards.

What Are Tinsel Nails?

A “Tinsel” Manicure is essentially a fancy name for metallic nails worn in a festive fashion. As the 2010s hair tinsel trend and its 2024 renaissance taught us, shimmery moments aren’t limited to the yuletide season—but a set of sparkly nails sure look cute when wrapped around a mug of something warm.

Most often appearing in gold or silver, a tinsel mani can technically be any color, with vintage-y jewel tones or baby pink also working especially well.

The most important thing to be aware of here is tone. While not at all one-dimensional, tinsel nails are much more muted than your classic glitter or chrome powder-finished mani. A good word to describe the look is “lustrous”: it reflects light cleanly and evenly without any major sparkle. Instead of big chunks of glitter, this glimmer is all-encompassing and iridescent. In different lighting—and even better, candle-lighting—the glow will hit differently.

Why They’re Trending

The nail art equivalent of jingle bells, a tinsel manicure is good for making spirits bright. As Jin Soon Choi, an editorial manicurist and founder of JINsoon, previously told Byrdie, metallic nails are “cool and glamorous at the same time.”

Obviously, this trend is inspired by holiday decor—that perfect, lively foil garland that finds itself so at home on the banisters and trees of maximalists and Mad Men holiday devotees. And if you’re someone who likes to make your manicures stick around? It’s also a look that will translate brilliantly into the new year.

Tinsel Manicure Inspiration

It couldn’t be easier to get a tinsel manicure of your own.

“Choose your favorite metal and top it with a mattifying top coat,” Olive & June’s VP of Content & Creative, Olivia Van Iderstine, also previously explained. “The matte metallic look has a high-impact payoff, but it’s super easy to DIY.”

After grabbing your holiday-appropriate metallic polish, apply two coats, and let them dry.

“Apply an even layer of Olive & June The Matte Top Coat and watch the matte magic happen,” added Van Iderstine.

And that’s it! Popcorn garland has nothing on you. Keep scrolling for eight tinsel manicure ideas.

Blue Tinsel Nails

Winter blues are a real thing. But when they’re this kind? Metallic blue tinsel manicure blues?? They’re really not that bad.

Aqua Tinsel and French Tips

If you’re someone that appreciates a little Ralph Lauren Christmas decor alongside your kitsch, try adding tinsel nails to your manicure as a statement piece. They look so nice alongside the classic French tips.

Silver Tinsel Nails

Classics are classics for a reason. Silver tinsel will always be in style, as will this pretty soft almond shaped tinsel manicure.

Pink Tinsel Nails

Have you heard of Sugarplum Glam? The shimmery style celebrates winter frostiness and light pink tones. This, as you can very well see, is the makeup trend’s nail equivalent.

Champagne Tinsel Nails

Picture it: You’re at a holiday party. You’re sipping champagne. And no flute has ever looked better in someone’s hands, thanks to your champagne-toned tinsel manicure.

Gold Tinsel Nails

Another classic, gold tinsel is an ever so slightly warmer take on the trend. You can’t go wrong with any shade, but… who ever said no to gold tinsel?

Cranberry Tinsel Nails

Similar to our favorite Frosted Berry nails, cranberry tinsel marries one of winter’s favorite produce varieties with the luster we’ve come to expect for the season. Festive, huh?

Grinch Tinsel Nails

If we’re talking holiday nail inspiration… we have to talk about the Grinch. I think it’s fair to say this manicure would make his heart grow a size or two.