15 Shimmer Manicure Ideas That Are Festive For Parties

After a long, exhausting year, we’re all about ushering in good vibes. While there are so many different ways to set intentions and manifest good things as we end the year, we know that simple tweaks (like a shimmery manicure) can also be a huge mood booster. Whether you’re looking for New Year’s Eve nail inspo or simply just want a sparkly set to boost your mood as you gear up to head back to work, opting for shimmery nails is never a bad idea. Ahead, find 15 shimmer nail design ideas that are basically joy at your fingertips.

1. Good as gold

Welcome the new year glittering in gold. It’s the ultimate shimmer mani—it feels totally timeless and effortlessly fun.

Get the look: Layer several coats of a polish like the Essie Nail Polish in Summit of Style ($10) to create an opaque wash of shimmering gold.

2. Ombré glitter tips

Paint some of your shimmer-y silver polish on the corner of a triangle makeup sponge before blotting it onto the nail, focusing most of the product toward the tip. Pair with a barely there pinky nude base.

Get the look: Look for a silver shimmer nail polish with different sized glitter particles to create a more dynamic fade from tip to mid-nail. We like the Essie Nail Polish in Set in Stones ($10).

3. Pinks and purples

Mix and match your favorite shimmer pinks and purples for a manicure that’s equal subtle and fun. If you’re looking for something a bit bolder, try brighter shades of the same hues.

Get the look: Holo Taco’s Specialty Nail Polish ($14) comes in a few shades perfect for recreating this mani—try Pop Rocker, Blue Rizzler, Circuit Breaker, Magenta Jelly, and Pink Fizz for an amped-up take.

4. Velvet ruby red

As good as a cupcake as it is as a manicure, red velvet is a no brainer. You can also play around with textured tips in different colors if red isn’t your thing.

Get the look: We love Mooncat’s Nail Polish in The Arsenal ($15)—it’s a gorgeous deep red with red shimmer pigments to boot.

5. Pastel rainbow checkers

Checker print’s cute, but it’s super chic when done in pastel colors with subtle hidden shimmer.

Get the look: We suggest using a nail stamp like Maniology’s Checkmate Nail Stamping Plate ($8) to get the perfect symmetrical design without all the hassle.

6. Sparkling emojis

Rock your favorite emojis loud and proud with your mani. Or manifest your new year goals with some subtle emoticons.

Get the look: Try Olive And June’s Quick Dry Polish in Sugarcoat ($8) for that perfect nude, pink-y base shimmer base and skip trying to DIY detailed emojis, and opt for a nail-sticker sheet instead.

7. Gilded tips

We love switching up a classic French with a fun tip. This gold ones’s the perfect mix of understated and sparkly, and honestly would look good at any time of year.

Get the look: The easiest way to get a perfect French tip? Try a sticker guide like Orly’s French Manicure White Tip Guides ($6).

8. Sunset aura

Photo credit: Instagram/@press_reset_nails

This sparkly aura set is an interesting way to play with two-toned art. You can mimic a similar style with a lavender and orange pairing, or choose a different combo of colors based on your vibe.

Get the look: Pair a lavender like OPI’s Nail Lacquer in Achievement Unlocked ($12) with just a hint of an orange like Essie’s Nail Polish in To DIY For ($10) to recreate. Be sure to add a glitter topper in the center.

9. Geometric French

Take the French manicure into the future with a geometric twist. We love these tri-color tips—mix and match your favorite hues for a truly one-of-a-kind mani.

Get the look: Use a thin-brushed silver sparkle detailer polish like this one from Amazon ($8) to get that ultra-straight shimmer strip.

10. Jelly sheer pink

Simple does not mean boring. And this shimmering pink jelly manicure proves just that. This shimmery set is the perfect step up from a solid neutral base if you want to jazz things up but don’t want full-on art.

Get the look: Cirque Color’s Rose Jelly Polish ($13) is the perfect base for this sheer mani. Pair with an iridescent shimmering topper for a perfect finish.

11.Black and bows

Equal parts edgy, classic, and cool, this bow-adorned manicure has everything you need to channel the coquette aesthetic.

Get the look: The Manicurist Green Natural Nail Polish in Sparks ($14) is the perfect shimmer black shade to recreate this coquette-ish mani.

12. Color blocked

Color blocking is an easy way to create some cool contrast in an otherwise simple manicure. While we love this pink and blue combo, feel free to switch up the pairing as you see fit.

Get the look: Olive and June’s Magnetic Polish Set ($40) has everything you need to recreate this color-blocked manicure from home.

13. Gold star

Make 2025 the best year yet—perhaps a gold-star year (get it?)—with a manicure that sets the right tone.

Get the look: Work smarter not harder with Nails Inc.’s Over the Top Nail Polish in Starspotting in Soho ($8)—the easiest star nail art you’ll ever do.

14. Lavender haze

The secret to recreating this shimmer fade? Use the exact same method as the ombré glitter tips earlier, just focus the makeup sponge on the base of the nail instead of the tips. It’s seriously that easy.

Get the look: For the perfect holographic purple shimmer, try Londontown’s Lakur Enhanced Color in Grape Fizz ($16).

15. Sparkle swirls

These negative-space, shimmer-swirl nails (try saying that 10 times fast) are so chic and fun—we’d rock them year-round.

Get the look: Essie’s Nail Polish in Ballet Slipper ($10) is the perfect base color for this stunning, colorful mani.

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