19 January Nail Ideas to Start 2025 Off Right

19 January Nail Ideas to Start 2025 Off Right

  • Post author:
  • Post category:City
19 January Nail Ideas to Start 2025 Off Right

A new year is approaching, and we’re using our manicures to manifest only good things in 2025. From success and money to love and good vibes, use your nails to set the tone for the year ahead. Even a simple white mani can have meaning—maybe it’s a silent ask for peace, or it could represent a blank slate going into the new year. Bold or understated, bright or neutral, you can find a way to work your 2025 goals into your nails, whatever your personal style may be.

Ahead, we’ve rounded up 19 of our favorite nail ideas to try in January that’ll start the year off right.

1. Winter milky white

Some may see a white shimmer-y manicure, but we see a manifestation for a bright new year (and a really chic set—we love a winter white).

Get the look: To recreate, try Holo Taco’s Milky White Shimmer ($14), which has a subtle fine shimmer throughout the sheer formula.

2. Velvet gold

For a prosperous 2025, try a bold gold shimmering manicure. Everything you touch will shine—literally.

Get the look: Get that same fuzzy velvet effect with a gold magnetic polish. We like ILPN’s Holographic Nail Polish in Cashmere ($13).

3. All smiles ahead

If “good vibes only,” were a manicure, we’re pretty sure it’d be this one. We love how fun the multi-colored faces are.

ADVERTISEMENT

Get the look: The Ciaté London x Smiley World Stick-On Nail Stickers ($18) offer a fool-proof way to recreate this fun mani—no polish required.

4. Good luck red

You can’t go wrong with a perfectly bold red. Plus, it’s a lucky color in Chinese culture, setting the perfect tone for the year ahead.

Get the look: We’re big fans of the OPI Nail Polish in Big Apple Red ($12).

5. Bejeweled

Take a page from Taylor Swift’s book and make the whole place shimmer with a perfectly bejeweled manicure. These gemstone clusters are seriously fun.

Get the look: Start with a barely there pink like Essie’s Nail Polish in Minimalistic ($10) before creating clusters of jewels on each nail using this pack of multi-colored flatback gems from Amazon ($10).

6. Pink aura

We’re pretty sure pink aura nails manifest a whole lot of love. Even if not, they’re ridiculously cute.

Get the look: You’ll need two shades of pink to recreate these aura nails. Start with a baby pink—we like Essie’s Nail Polish in Pillow Talk the Talk ($10)—for the outer edges before blotting a pinky violet in the center.

7. Chrome on chrome

Go bold with not one but two chrome manicure styles—one for each hand. We’re all about abundance in the new year.

Get the look: This Beetles Chrome Nail Powder Set ($10) has both chrome shades you need for this chic mani.

8. Icy finish

We love this magical wintertime manicure. It reminds us of a perfect snow day.

Get the look: After applying a nude polish base, use a makeup sponge to blot on some white nail polish onto the upper third of each nail. Then, carefully dot on a silver metallic polish like Essie Metallics Nail Polish in Set in Stones ($10).

9. Clean and fresh swirls

Bring on the whimsy with an elevated swirl manicure like this one. Swap out the white for your favorite colors if you’re looking for something bolder.

Get the look: To recreate these delicate swirls, you’ll need a great set of nail art brushes. We suggest the Maniology Nail Tool Set ($16).

10. A rosy new year

Will you accept this rose? We love the two gilded ones on the ring finger here.

Get the look: Recreate that chic barely there base color with a super-sheer pastel pink like Essie Nail Polish in Limo-Scene ($10).

11. Modern French

Refresh a classic French with bold black tips and an ultra-thin sparkling silver outline. It’s the perfect way to add a bit of sparkle.

Get the look: Use French Tip Sticker Guides from Amazon ($7) for perfectly symmetrical lines.

12. Slate gray

Dark gray is one of our favorite winter nail colors, and we love how dimensional this slate gray is.

Get the look: Recreate this color with Chanel’s Longwear Nail Colour in 189, Phénomène ($32).

13. Sparkles on top

There’s something so chic about this manicure—especially the way sparkles appear around the tips.

Get the look: Holo Taco’s Nail Topper in Everything Taco ($13) will create that perfect duo-chrome sparkle effect.

14. Starry winter nights

A barely there base perfectly complements these stars and gems.

Get the look: Use set of star stickers from Amazon ($5) to recreate this mani.

15. Gilded tips

Swap out your usual white French tips with a metallic gold for the new year.

Get the look: Try OPI xPRESS/ON Metallic Mega Mix Press On Nails in Read My Tips ($14).

16. Sparkling negative space

Negative space manicures are always a good idea. We love the use of sparkly milky white here.

Get the look: OPI’s Nature Strong Nail Polish in Glowing Places ($13) is perfect for this effect.

17. Simple lines

The simplest designs can look elevated when done right. These lines paired with a milky white base are the perfect understated nail art.

Get the look: We love the Olive and June Milky Syrup Gradient Press-Ons ($10) which mimic the base of this manicure.

18. Sparkling love

If you’re looking for love in 2025, these nails should do the trick.

Get the look: Use star nail stickers from Amazon ($7) to add little heart gems on a nude base.

19. Winter skies

This manicure is the chicest take on a dark winter night. We love the use of glitter to bring that winter magic to life.

Get the look: The Olive and June Long-Lasting Polish in Midnight Disco ($9) is perfect for an enchanting effect.