This Santa Hat Manicure Is Coming to Town

December 04, 2020

By: Samantha Holender | Makeup.com by L'Oréal

Santa’s coming to town in just a few short weeks, so obviously we have to get our nails Christmas-ready. In years past, we’ve just popped on some green or red nail polish, but this season, we want to really get in the holiday spirit. To take things to the next level, we’re bringing you a DIY holiday manicure tutorial that’s so good, even Scrooge will be obsessed. Ahead, find a step-by-step guide to creating the ultimate Santa hat accent nail.

STEP 1:

Apply a Base Coat

Nothing puts us in a jolly mood quite like the perfect red. After applying the Essie Here to Stay Base Coat, polish your nails with Essie Fishnet Stockings. Make your strokes as even as possible. The color is pretty opaque, so you shouldn’t need more than one coat. Leave your ring finger polish-free — it’s going to be your accent nail.
STEP 2:

Draw a French Tip

Switch your focus to the accent nail and paint on a French tip with the red polish. You can free-hand the tip with the nail polish brush — it doesn’t have to be a flawless stroke; you’ll be smudging the base later.

STEP 3:

Don’t Forget the Hat!

Now it’s time to really amp up the artistry. Swap out your nail polish brush for a detail brush. Dip it into the red polish and wipe any excess or clumps off on the side of the bottle so you have a very thin, light coating. Draw an upside-down triangle on one side of your nail. You should start your downward slant just off-center. The tip of the triangle should almost touch your cuticle. Once you’re happy with the shape, fill in the clear space with your polish. Make sure that it dries completely before moving on.
STEP 4:

Snowy Accents

Using Essie Blanc, or Essie Twinkle in Time if you want some sparkle, lightly dab the bottom of the triangle to create a white pom-pom. Using the same detail brush, draw dots along the base of your French tip. This will look like the white fur that lines Santa’s hat. Have fun with it — it can be a little messy. Let your nail art dry completely before applying the final clear top coat.