A new year is a pretty good excuse to treat yourself to a fresh manicure. When cold weather, busy schedules, or temperamental nail beds get the better of your polish, gel nails save the day. They're durable, chip-resistant, and stylishly low-maintenance.
Start your year with style and make an appointment for the perfect manicure. From bold monochromatic colors to playful Skittle nails, dazzling celestial accents, and countless combinations with gel nails, it's endless. Need some inspiration? Here are 20 gel nail ideas that are perfect for kicking off the new year in style.
01 Short And Sweet Nails
We adore an elaborate nail design as much as anyone, but there’s undeniable beauty in a simple, understated manicure. Here, the artist used a few coats of Pleasing’s Space Pink Polish to achieve this effortlessly elegant look.
02 Twinkling Star Nails
Give your neutral nails a touch of sparkle with metallic gold stars. For a sleek and minimal look, use a striping brush to create fine, precise star lines. If freehand designs feel a bit tricky, opt for nail stickers in your favorite starry patterns for an equally stunning effect.
03 Lush Green Nails
Monochromatic nails in a rich shade will always have our hearts. Jewel tones, like this luxurious deep green, exude effortless elegance. Opt for a timeless round almond shape for a classic look, or experiment with different nail shapes to showcase your personal style.
04 Jewel Tone Skittle Nails
If you can’t settle on just one jewel tone (we totally understand—it’s a tough choice), why not choose them all? These skittle nails combine a variety of shades with glitter and pearlescent finishes, adding a touch of glamorous charm to your manicure.
05 White Peak Nails
Go for the double-peak white nails with an eternal neutral pink base for a more fashionable twist on classic French tips. The dual tips give it that sleek, modern touch without compromising on minimalism and class.
06 Stormy Grey Nails
These grey nails are opaque, comforting, and versatile enough for winter. The neutral shade pulls any outfit together while being on point with the season. Topped off with a gel top coat, the manicure is sleek and high-shine, polished with very little effort.
07 Chocolate Drizzle Nails
These chocolate brown nails exude cozy sophistication. The mismatched design mimics the look of melted chocolate dripping from the French tips, adding a playful and unique twist to this trendy style.
08 Thermal Gel Nails
Hard to believe, but this look is made with a single shade! The artist used *Bite Your Tongue* by Death Valley Nails-a thermal polish that changes color with temperature. Thanks to the chilly weather in January, you'll see a magical transformation every time you go outside.
09 Faded Purple Nails
Luckily, gradient nails aren't going anywhere anytime soon! On this darling mani, the blue fades to a light purple. The gradient pattern is pretty uniform here, but you can play with the placement of the gradient on each nail if you want some additional dimension.
10 Blonde Tortoise Nails
Don't be afraid to think out of the box when it comes to your animal print colors. Take this manicure, for example. Here, the artist used Cirque Colors shades Organza and NSFW Jelly to achieve this blonde tortoise effect.
11 Icy Blue Nails
Embrace the winter chill with an icy blue gel manicure. Complement the season with flair by using delicate snowflakes and colorful French tips. The final look is festive yet subtle, striking a perfect balance for the season.
12 Dark and Starry Nails
How gorgeous is this moody set? Alternating between black and a natural base, it's a balanced way to lean into the darker tones without going all in. Adding in sparkly stars just gives it a chic, eye-catching finish.
13 Cherry Cola Nails
These cherry cola gel nails are almost black and exude effortless style and edge. Pair this bold manicure with a black leather trench for a look that's nothing short of iconic.
14 Sheer Nails
Opt for a nearly naked manicure to nail this sleek and polished look. It is all about attention to detail to achieve that look of perfection: nails neatly shaped, cuticles nicely trimmed, and an impeccable finish.
15 Wicked Green Nails
No shame if you’re still obsessed with *Wicked*—we are too. These bold green nails channel serious Elphaba vibes, and suddenly we’re feeling like it’s time to defy gravity.
16 Ruby Star Nails
Black French tips with gold stars and ruby centers give off a charming, vintage feel. Make sure to use strong glue for the ruby gems so that they do not fall off, since it's in the little details that complete an artwork.
17 Dark Star Nails
These small, black nails and perfectly shaped, golden stars can't help but have a ring of nostalgia to them. Playful and charming, it's perfect for your mini-me or your inner child.
18 Mismatched White Nails
A monochromatic ensemble creates variation in design and balances out the elements of unity and contrast. Bright white nail polish is sleek, eye-catching, and can get interesting with added geometric patterns to make visually striking appearances, like checkerboard or abstract shapes.
