December manicures get done in a hurry, usually the evening before something. A shade that covers in two thin coats and dries fast is worth more than a perfect colour that needs three and twenty minutes.
Cherry red creme
The benchmark. Two coats, no streaking.
Oxblood creme
Depth comes from the second coat.
Fire engine red
The most traditional.
Cranberry jelly
Translucent with glassy depth.
Burgundy creme
Wine red.
Sheer red wash
A tint. The quickest festive option.
Forest green creme
Deep green.
Emerald creme
Jewel green.
Bottle green
Very dark shades need thin coats.
Sage
The quiet option.
Champagne shimmer
Metallics cover in fewer coats.
Antique gold
Less shiny.
Rose gold
Warm pink metallic.
Silver shimmer
Cool and bright.
Bronze
Deep and warm.
Ivory cream
The hardest shade in the list.
Milky white
Semi-sheer and forgiving.
Warm greige
Grey with brown in it.
Charcoal
Deep grey.
Espresso
Almost-black brown.
Navy
Almost black indoors.
Plum
Purple-toned berry.
Ice blue
Very pale. Frosty.
Gold glitter topper
Over any colour you already own.
Silver glitter topper
Cooler.
Matte topcoat
Turns every bottle above into a different manicure.
High-shine topcoat
The one bottle that matters most.
For the shades in context, christmas nail colors. For formula generally, the best nail polish.
Questions people actually ask
What nail polish colour is best for Christmas?
A cherry red creme that covers in two coats. It suits the widest range of skin tones and it is fast, which matters in December.
How do I make a quick festive manicure last?
Cap the free edge on every coat and use a real topcoat rather than a two-in-one. Both are free and together they roughly double wear.
What is the fastest festive look?
One coat of a sheer red over a bare nail, or a glitter topper over a colour you already have on.
