The end of 2023 is fast approaching and no matter your plans, sparkly New Year’s nails are a must-have accessory. It’s almost time to pull out your favorite party dress – sequined, of course, and book a nail appointment.
We all know that the perfect manicure is the ultimate accessory to the perfect outfit. So whether you’ve got a date with Netflix or a night out in New York City – this guide will help you find a flawless manicure to match.
I’ve been rounding up the hottest nail colors and trends from 2023 because I am obsessed with having the perfect manicure… but now I’m going to use that information as inspiration to help you get the perfect New Year’s manicure.
Keep reading and get ready to book your nail appointment as soon as possible. (If you love a home manicure, make sure to read my guide here!)
12 New Year’s Nail Color and Designs
Subtle Chrome
I’m going to start with a subtle chrome. Chrome has been having its moment all year!
I first saw Chrome pop up on the runways last spring, and then over the summer, I saw a lot of Chrome pairing with the ‘glazed-donut’ nail trend brought to us by Hailey Bieber’s ultra-shiny nails.
For your own ‘Glazed-Donut’ moment, try a milky shade and top it with chrome for a glazed, glossy finish that’s perfect for ringing in the new year in style.
Sparkling Mini French Manicure
I saw a lot of ‘mini’ French manicures in 2023 and loved the subtlety of them.
They’re a great way to incorporate a lot of colors into your manicure without it feeling overwhelming. I actually predicted that we’d see a lot more color in fashion and nails in the aftermath of the pandemic – and a ‘Skittle’s French Manicure’ is definitely in line with that. I shared a Skittle’s French Manicure with you last spring, but now let’s give it a New Year’s twist.
The idea here is to do a ‘mini’ French manicure, with ultra-thin tips and lots of color. For my New Year’s spin, I recommend incorporating glitter and sparkle with Essie’s ‘Set in Stones’.
Ultra-Pink Barbie Core
What better way to ring in the New Year than with 2023’s ultimate icon? Yup, I’m talking about Barbie herself.
I saw more pink this year than I’ve seen since the early 2000s. This Ozzeal Gel Polish is giving Chrome, it’s giving Barbie and it’s definitely giving New Year’s Eve nails.
I love how bold this color is – and it’s definitely something you wouldn’t have rocked a few years ago. Let’s keep Barbie Core going strong in 2024.
Glass Nails
One of my favorite nail trends from 2023 was created by nail artist Eunkyung Park and they’re called ‘Glass Nails’.
Park used finely-cut holographic foil to create the illusion of shards of glass. The end result? Expertly-crafted stain-glass windows.
This nail trend is perfect for your New Year’s nails. While this might look like a complicated manicure, it’s actually something you could definitely do from home! All you need is holographic foil and a clear or glitter gel top coat.
For inspiration, check out this gorgeous example!
Sparkly Cherry Red
Red was a popular color all year long, especially this fall. But this year we saw red get brighter and bolder than the muted colors we usually see in the fall.
Keep bright and bold going with a gorgeous, sparkly cherry red for New Year’s.
This red is the perfect compliment to your black, gold, or silver sequined dresses, and it’ll look good on everyone. If you’re ready for bold moves in 2024, this is the color for you.
Gilded French
If you love a classic French manicure, then this gilded edition is the perfect New Year’s nail for you. Classic white with a swirl of gold is an elegant and elevated way to ring in 2023.
Swirly Orange Manicure
Pantone has released the colors for Spring 2024 and I love that orange is going to have its moment.
The spring Pantone color palette looked like inspiration pulled straight from the desert. My favorite choice was Orangeade, and if you’re ready to be ahead of the curve – rock your New Year’s party this year with a truly bold choice.
Swirling manicures were popular throughout 2023 and with the right color, you’ll give this trend a fresh face for 2024.
Black Wednesday Addams Nails
Let’s not forget that the year started with the hit new show – Wednesday Addams in all her gothic glory.
& Silver Wednesday Addams Nails
We saw gothic trends throughout the year, but I’ll always be a firm believer that black and silver are the perfect way to ring in the New Year.
Pick up ‘Licorice’ and ‘No Place Like Chrome’ from Essie and create your own gothic manicure.
Stars for New Year’s Eve
If you’ve been loving color and want something creative for your New Year’s nails, go for stars.
You could keep it simple with one color across your hand – or really bring in the colors of 2023 with a different color for each nail or star. Ring in the New Year with a rainbow of color and for extra glam, ask for a matching rhinestone in each star. For some gorgeous inspiration, check out these nails.
Glitter Confetti
We all know that glitter is the color of New Year’s Eve. For this trend, you’ll be doing your own version of glitter confetti nails that are perfect for your night.
I’ve been seeing deep jewel tones take center stage this winter, which is why I recommend this gorgeous teal color from Essie for this trend.
Then you can add ‘Set in Stones’ which I’ve already shared throughout this post (because it really is the perfect New Year’s polish) as an ombre down from your cuticles.
Holographic Glitter
Glitter is always a good idea for New Year’s. If you want something really gorgeous this year, you can’t go wrong with this holographic glitter.
This was a trend I saw over the spring – with more bright colors bringing us out of the dark months of winter. I love how many variations of color you can see in this manicure, it means it’ll match whatever party outfit you go for this year.
Rhinestone New Year’s Nails
And then, for a truly bold way to ring in the New Year, go for rhinestones! This set from Kiss is giving ‘Go big or go home’ energy that you can do from home.
But if you’re planning on going to the salon, book a gel manicure. This way your artist will be able to set the rhinestones in hard gel, meaning you won’t be losing gems all night long!
No matter what your favorites are from this post, ring in the New Year with flawless nails! If you want to see what I choose, make sure that you’re following me on Instagram @basiarestrepo. I always share my fresh nails there. And if you want even more nail inspiration from 2023, make sure to follow me on Pinterest (also @basiarestrepo) and visit my ‘Nail Trends of 2023’ board.
Happy New Year’s babe!