Plaid Christmas Nails

Just when I thought I’d never be able to top this Christmas manicure, I decide to try my hand at plaid Christmas nails and completely fell in love!! It’s been a bit of a plaid overload on the blog this week, which makes this red plaid manicure even more perfect! There are a TON of nail art ideas that are perfect for the holidays – snowflake nails, Christmas trees, ornaments, string lights (check out my 50+ Best Pinterest Holiday Nails post for more inspo!) – but a classic and festive nail design like red plaid will never get old.

How To Do Plaid Christmas Nails

What You Need:

Clear Base Coat
Red Nail Polish (color here similar to OPI Nail Lacquer in An Affair in Red Square)
Black, White & Silver Nail Art Polishes (or regular polish in each of these shades and a thin nail art brush)
Clear Top Coat

Step 1: Apply Base Coat & 2 Coats of Red Polish

Like any other manicure, start with a nail strengthening base coat, I’m partial to Seche Clear Crystal Clear Base Coat, followed by 2 coats of your choice of red polish! I went with a dark red with a slight shimmer for this manicure, but any red you choose will look amazing as long as it opaque and not a sheer color.

The key is to let the red polish completely dry before the next step to prevent any smudging.

Step 2: Paint Black Stripes

Now it’s time to start your plaid art! Once your red polish is dry, carefully paint 1 thin vertical stripe, 1 thick vertical stripe and 1 thin horizontal stripe on each nail and let them dry completely.

Step 3: Paint White Stripes

Once your black polish is dry paint 2 thin horizontal stripes on each nail. (Don’t worry that the black polish goes over the white on one side you’ll fix that later)

Step 4: Paint Silver Stripes

Lastly paint one thin silver strip on each nail to complete the plaid pattern.

Step 5: Touch up any Stripes & Apply Top Coat

Once the pattern is done you can go in and touch up any lines that may need it. Then make sure your design is COMPLETELY dry before applying a top coat to prevent any smudges.

I guess I’ve never tried to do a plaid manicure before because I thought it would be too difficult, but I couldn’t have been more wrong! Once I figured out the pattern I wanted to create, it was SO easy! The KEY is to use nail art polishes (the kind with thin, long brushes) to create the design and a little bit of time! And if you still don’t think you can recreate this winter nail art on yourself, but are craving a holiday manicure try these holiday nail stickers.

I love this red plaid festive manicure so much I’m dreading taking it off to create my next Holiday mani! I just keep telling myself the next one will be ever better ((but seriously what could be more perfect that this nail art?))