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new years eve nail art

The 28 Coolest New Year's Eve Nail Art Ideas for 2023

New year, new nails!

Headshot of Harper's Bazaar StaffBy Harper's Bazaar Staff

New Year's Eve is traditionally a night of glitz, glamour, and champagne—making it the perfect occasion to showcase your most dazzling personal style. What better way to make a bold statement and welcome the year ahead than with one of the best New Year's eve manicure and nail art ideas?

Whether you're planning an intimate gathering with loved ones, attending a formal soirée, or counting down the seconds in Times Square, we've got your nails covered with a curated collection of designs that range from elegant classics to sparkling extravagance. From timeless and chic to chrome and avant-garde, these nail art ideas from Instagram's mani experts will serve as your tiny canvas for self-expression on Dec 31st.

Meet Me at Midnight

The Swifite in your life should go ahead and book a mani appointment right now to get this perfectly on-theme nail art look, complete with silver moons and stars and NYE-appropriate lyrics.

OPI Nail Lacquer, Yoga-ta Get This Blue!, $11,49, amazon.com. SHOP

Starry Night

Regular glitter is great and all, but a few well placed stars are unexpected for the occasion. Use sparkles from the craft store (they’ll stick right onto wet polish), or pick up a special glitter polish.

Nails Inc. Starspotting In Soho Topper, $11, sallybeauty.com SHOP

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Metallic Marble

Mixing shimmer and white polishes creates a cool marbled effect that will be gorgeous well into next year. Top off with a little gold foil if you’re feeling extra.

OPI Nature Strong Natural Origin Nail Lacquer in Intentions Are Rose Gold, $11.50, ulta.com SHOP

Simple Sparkle

Perhaps the easiest nail art look of them all, but still so stunning: Paint nails clear or with a nude base coat, then stick on a small rhinestone—ideally in random spots on each nail for a whimsical feel.

Subay Nail Art Rhinestones, $8, amazon.com SHOP

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Midnight Blue

The combination of a silver starburst set against a midnight blue tapered tip is so striking in its simplicity.

RYAOFLY 6 Sheets Four-Pointed Star Nail Stickers, $7.39, amazon.com. SHOP

Metallic Half Moons

If you’re looking for something simple that makes a statement, go for this negative-space look. Most of the nail is naked, and it has just the right amount of sparkle.


Àuda B.
Metallic Gold Vegan Nail Polish, 18, nordstrom.com SHOP

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Velvet Feels

Velvet nails aren't going anywhere, so wear this mesmerizing textured nail look while you wait for midnight.

Nails Inc. Get Magnetized Nail Polish Duo, $18, sephora.com SHOP

Disco Nails

NYE calls for all the sparkle and glitter, but if you’re looking for something a little more subtle try these disco nails. Simply paint the tips and outline a tiny matching curve at the bottom of the nail for a minimal vibe that’s still pretty eye-catching.

Essie in Let’s Boogie, $9, cvs.com SHOP

Black and Gold

Few color pairings strike that perfect balance of edgy and glamorous like black and gold. Make your nails your main accessory with this bold combo.

Olive & June in E+M, $8, oliveandjune.com SHOP

Tinsel Town

Press-on nails are ideal for the commitment-phobes and procrastinators among us. This set features touches of chrome, and can be worn for days or popped off on January 1 to make way for the next set.

ChillHouse in Tipsy Tinsel, $18, chillhouse.com SHOP

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Girl With the Pearl Nail

Start the new year by letting your artistic side shine bright. Outline your nail with black and white pearls for Insta-worthy nail art.

E.l.f. Cosmetics Face and Body Gems, $3, elfcosmetics.com SHOP

Cozy Ombré

We love an ombré nail look and we love muted neutrals. So why not combine the two? Olive and June’s Cozy Cardigan set make it easy for you by putting together five shades that are perfect to go with any NYE outfit.

Olive & June Cozy Cardigan Set, $48, oliveandjune.com SHOP

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Star and Moons

It’s all in the details. You can never go wrong with a pretty copper polish shade, but to add something a little extra dress it up with adorable small star and moon decals.

OPI Nail Lacquer in Worth a Pretty Penne, $11, ulta.com SHOP

Glitter Trim

This is a glitter nail look for those of us who hate removing glitter polish. Just trace along the edges with a thin line of pink sparkly polish.

Morgan Taylor Professional Nail Lacquer in Sweetest Thing, $9.50, ulta.com SHOP

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Foil-age

Elevate any nail polish for NYE with this gold foil detail. It's particularly great for extending the life of a chipped mani.

Zoya Nail Polish in Olivera, $10, amazon.com SHOP

Holiday Marble

This marble look mixes red, purple, black, and green with a hint of gold sparkle that’s simply mesmerizing.

Deborah Lippmann in You Oughta Know, $20, sephora.com SHOP

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Half-French Mani

Update the classic French mani by painting the tip halfway for an abstract and graphic look. We also love the choice of contrasting colors like black and pink.

Sunday’s No. 22, $18, dearsundays.com SHOP

Starry Night

Pressed for time but still want a cool design? Go for nail stickers. There are so many incredible designs out there, but we’re currently obsessing over this galaxy-inspired one.

Deco Miami in Stars in Your Eyes, $8, deco.miami SHOP

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Go For the Gold

The French mani is here to stay and for NYE, we say opt for a metallic gold tip that will instantly dress up any basic base shade.

Sally Hansen Insta Dri Nail Color in Gold Play, $6, ulta.com SHOP

Layered Chevron

Chevron tips are a great way to accentuate length, especially on almond or stiletto-shaped nails. Layer different colors and finishes to make it more NYE-friendly.

Paintbox Nail Lacquer in Little Spark, $22, paint-box.com SHOP

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