The holiday season is fast approaching, and if you’re looking to nail your holiday vibe with some unique retro Christmas nail design ideas, you’re in for a treat! This year, step away from the typical holiday reds and greens and add a little nostalgic twist to your nails. If you’re channeling 70s groovy vibes, 60s mod prints, or even 80s neon Christmas cheer, retro-inspired nail art will have you sleighing through all the festivities! 🎅✨
Below, we’re dishing out some of the freshest retro Christmas nails ideas, perfect for your holiday beauty look. You’ll be ready to deck your nails in retro charm with these designs that mix vintage flair with modern techniques. And the best part? We’ve got step-by-step tips to help you nail these looks at home!
Sleigh-Worthy Retro Christmas Nail Designs
Get ready to bring a nostalgic twist to your nails this Christmas season with these funky retro designs.
1. Groovy 70s Christmas Vibes
Take a trip back to the 70s with this disco-meets-holiday nail design. Think warm tones like burnt orange, mustard yellow, and muted greens, with fun retro swirls, polka dots, and glitter accents to mimic the twinkle of Christmas lights. A groovy design perfect for a holiday party or cozy night in! ✨
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: Nail striping tape, detail brushes, and shades like OPI’s “Suzi Talks With Her Hands” for the base, and “My Italian Is a Little Rusty” for those warm retro tones.
- Technique: Use tape for precision and a dotting tool for perfect polka dots. Add a touch of glitter polish to mimic holiday lights!
- Pro Tip: Try press-on nails with pre-made swirls or stickers for a quick fix if you’re short on time.
2. Mod 60s Christmas Ornaments
Channel your inner 60s mod queen with a clean, minimalistic Christmas ornament design. Choose a chic pastel palette (think mint green, baby pink, and soft lavender) paired with simple, graphic ornaments or geometric shapes. It’s a throwback that’s simple yet super stylish!
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: A thin nail art brush, pastel polishes like Essie’s “Mint Candy Apple,” and white for the ornament outlines.
- Technique: Freehand your ornament shapes or use nail vinyls for that clean mod look. Finish with a matte topcoat for an extra retro feel.
- Pro Tip: If hand-painting feels daunting, nail wraps with pre-designed retro ornaments can save the day!
3. Vintage Christmas Sweater Nails
Take a page from your favorite retro holiday sweater with cozy knit patterns and snowflake motifs across your nails. Opt for traditional Christmas hues like deep reds, forest greens, and snowy whites for the perfect vintage sweater feel.
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: You’ll need a detail brush and a steady hand, plus Essie’s “Really Red” and “Blanc” for that classic holiday contrast.
- Technique: Start by creating a sweater-like texture with dots and lines to mimic the knit pattern. Add snowflakes for a holiday twist.
- Pro Tip: Use 3D gel polish for a raised sweater effect or try sweater-pattern nail wraps for a quicker application.
4. Neon 80s Christmas Flashback
Turn up the volume with neon Christmas nails! Inspired by the vibrant 80s, this design brings a flashy twist to traditional holiday nails. Picture neon pinks, electric blues, and eye-popping greens with fun shapes like neon Christmas trees, candy canes, and stars.
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: Neon shades like Orly’s “Put the Top Down” and “Glowstick” plus a thin detail brush.
- Technique: Go wild with abstract shapes and neon hues. Create contrasting Christmas motifs by layering neon over a dark base.
- Pro Tip: Neon nail wraps are perfect for creating bold looks in seconds!
5. Retro Christmas Plaid
Classic and cool, retro plaid brings a nostalgic feel to your nails. Think dark reds, black, and cream tones in a classic plaid pattern to give your nails that cozy cabin-in-the-woods vibe, perfect for chilly winter days.
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: Start with a base of deep red like Zoya’s “Pepper,” and use a striping brush for black and white plaid lines.
- Technique: Create thin lines to mimic plaid fabric and finish with a glossy top coat.
- Pro Tip: Pre-designed plaid nail stickers or press-ons can make this look easy-breezy!
6. Pastel 50s Christmas Lights
Bring the soft, dreamy vibes of the 50s to your nails with pastel-colored Christmas lights. Using shades like baby pink, mint, and sky blue, this design gives a whimsical, vintage look that’s subtle yet festive.
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: A dotting tool, a nail brush, and polishes like Essie’s “Bikini So Teeny” and “Mint Candy Apple.”
- Technique: Create a string of Christmas lights across your nails using a fine brush for the wires and a dotting tool for the pastel light bulbs.
- Pro Tip: Use press-on nails with pre-designed Christmas light patterns for a quick and easy option.
7. Retro Christmas Candy Stripes
Get into the holiday spirit with candy cane stripes in classic red and white or mix it up with retro shades like teal and cream for a vintage twist. This design is simple, eye-catching, and perfect for the holiday season.
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: Striping tape and polishes like OPI’s “Alpine Snow” and “Big Apple Red.”
- Technique: Apply striping tape in a diagonal pattern across your nails and paint the alternating stripes in festive colors.
- Pro Tip: For a fast fix, use striped nail wraps to get the look in minutes!
8. Retro Holiday Glam with Glitter
Channel the glamour of old Hollywood Christmases with glittery glam nails. Using gold, silver, and rose gold glitters, create a sparkly, festive look that screams retro holiday elegance. ✨
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: Glitter polish like Zoya’s “Astrid” and “Trixie,” and a clear topcoat.
- Technique: Apply the glitter polish in layers to create a shimmering effect, and add a glossy topcoat for extra shine.
- Pro Tip: Use glitter press-ons or glitter topcoat for a no-fuss glam look.
9. 70s Retro Christmas Florals
Bring the funky vibes of the 70s to your nails with retro floral designs. Picture large, bold flower motifs in holiday colors like red, green, and gold, paired with swirling vines or snowflakes for a holiday twist.
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: A nail brush and colors like OPI’s “Stay Off The Lawn” and Essie’s “Really Red.”
- Technique: Paint large floral designs on each nail, adding swirling vines or snowflakes for that holiday touch.
- Pro Tip: Nail stickers with retro floral designs can save time and still look fabulous.
10. 80s Color Block Christmas
Go bold with an 80s-inspired color block design in bright holiday colors like electric blue, neon pink, and lime green. This look brings fun and festive vibes to any holiday gathering!
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: Striping tape and neon polishes like Orly’s “Glowstick” and “Hot Pursuit.”
- Technique: Use striping tape to create geometric shapes and fill in each section with a different bold color.
- Pro Tip: Try color-blocking nail wraps for a super simple way to achieve the look.
11. Retro Christmas Tree Silhouettes
Keep it classic with minimalist Christmas tree silhouettes. Using soft vintage colors like mint, peach, and gold, paint simple tree shapes for a subtle yet festive retro design.
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: A nail brush and polishes like Essie’s “Penny Talk” and Zoya’s “Blu.”
- Technique: Freehand small triangle shapes to represent Christmas trees, and add little dots for ornaments.
- Pro Tip: Stick-on tree decals are a quick way to get that retro tree vibe without any mess.
12. Vintage Bauble Nails
Embrace the retro charm of vintage Christmas baubles. Using soft pastels or rich holiday tones, paint round baubles with intricate designs and metallic details to channel that mid-century Christmas décor look.
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: A dotting tool, thin brush, and metallic polishes like OPI’s “GoldenEye.”
- Technique: Paint small round shapes as baubles and add tiny details like stripes and dots to mimic retro Christmas ornaments.
- Pro Tip: Use bauble-themed nail stickers for a fast and flawless design.
13. Retro Christmas Gingham
Bring a bit of the retro picnic vibe to your Christmas nails with gingham patterns in holiday shades like red and white or green and cream. This classic pattern is cute, nostalgic, and perfect for cozy holiday vibes.
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: Striping tape and polishes like Essie’s “A-List” and “Blanc.”
- Technique: Use the tape to create intersecting lines, forming a gingham check pattern on each nail.
- Pro Tip: Nail wraps with gingham patterns make it easy to nail this look at home.
14. 60s Psychedelic Snowflakes
Add a little extra groovy flair to your holiday nails with psychedelic snowflakes in neon colors. This trippy take on a holiday classic is both festive and totally eye-catching.
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: A nail brush, neon polishes like China Glaze’s “Flip Flop Fantasy,” and a white for the snowflakes.
- Technique: Paint the base in vibrant neon shades, then add snowflakes with a thin brush in contrasting colors.
- Pro Tip: Use snowflake nail stickers for precision and a super easy application.
15. Vintage Holly Nails
Nothing says Christmas like holly leaves, and this vintage-inspired take will have you feeling like a holiday queen! Paint delicate holly leaves and berries against a snowy white base for a cozy wintery look.
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: Detail brush and polishes like OPI’s “Alpine Snow” and Zoya’s “Hunter.”
- Technique: Freehand small holly leaves and berries on each nail, using a dotting tool for the berries.
- Pro Tip: Holly-themed stickers or press-ons are a great time-saver.
16. Retro Christmas Snow Globe Nails
Turn your nails into mini snow globes with this festive design! Paint holiday scenes like Christmas trees, snowflakes, or reindeer inside little snow globe outlines for a truly magical holiday look.
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: A nail brush, dotting tool, and polishes like Essie’s “Ballet Slippers” and “Set in Stones.”
- Technique: Outline a small circle on each nail, then paint your chosen holiday scene inside.
- Pro Tip: Stick-on decals with snow globe designs can give you this intricate look with zero effort.
17. Retro Santa and Elf Faces
Bring a playful touch to your nails with retro Santa and elf faces. These cute little characters painted on your nails will bring all the festive cheer you need for the season!
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: A detail brush and colors like Essie’s “Really Red,” “Butler Please,” and “Blanc.”
- Technique: Use a fine brush to paint cute little Santa and elf faces, complete with rosy cheeks and festive hats.
- Pro Tip: Press-on nails featuring holiday characters are a quick way to get that retro charm.
18. Mid-Century Christmas Geometrics
Go for a sleek, minimalist look with mid-century modern geometrics. Using shades like mustard, teal, and cream, create simple geometric shapes and lines for a retro-chic holiday vibe.
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: Striping tape and shades like OPI’s “My Twin Mimmy” and Essie’s “Go Overboard.”
- Technique: Use striping tape to create clean geometric shapes, like triangles and lines, in mid-century hues.
- Pro Tip: Geometric nail wraps are the easiest way to nail this look in no time.
19. Vintage Polka Dot Christmas
Polka dots are a classic vintage pattern, and when done in holiday colors like red, green, and gold, they make for an adorable retro Christmas look. Add a metallic topcoat for an extra festive touch!
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: A dotting tool and colors like Essie’s “Penny Talk” and “Raspberry.”
- Technique: Apply polka dots of different sizes across each nail, mixing holiday colors for a playful vibe.
- Pro Tip: Use polka dot stickers for precision without the fuss!
20. Retro Reindeer Nails
Reindeer are a Christmas classic, and this vintage-inspired design adds a fun twist. Paint cute reindeer faces on a soft pastel background, with rosy cheeks and little antlers.
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: A fine brush, dotting tool, and shades like Zoya’s “Joss” and “Lou.”
- Technique: Paint small reindeer faces on each nail, complete with tiny antlers and red noses.
- Pro Tip: Reindeer nail decals make this look super easy to pull off.
21. Vintage Christmas Stocking Nails
Hang up the stockings – on your nails! Paint little Christmas stockings in retro colors like mint green, cherry red, and soft cream. Add whimsical patterns like polka dots and stripes for a playful touch.
How to Achieve the Look:
- Tools & Polishes: A fine brush, nail art tape, and shades like OPI’s “Big Apple Red,” Essie’s “Mint Candy Apple,” and a creamy white polish.
- Technique: Start with a base coat in a neutral shade. Use nail art tape to create sections for each stocking. Paint each section in your chosen colors, then use the fine brush to add details like bows, buttons, and patterns.
- Pro Tip: For added texture, consider using a matte top coat on the stockings and a glossy top coat on the background for contrast.
Key Takeaways:
- Groovy 70s nails bring warm, retro swirls and glittery disco vibes to your holiday look.
- 60s mod ornaments nail design is clean, minimal, and perfect for pastel lovers.
- Vintage Christmas sweater nails add cozy knit textures and snowflakes for a festive feel.
- Neon 80s Christmas nails are bold, bright, and full of holiday cheer.
- Retro plaid nails give a cabin-chic vibe with dark, wintry shades and classic lines.
Conclusion
Get ready to sleigh your holiday look with these retro Christmas nail design ideas! Whether you’re vibing with 70s swirls, 80s neon, or the coziness of a vintage sweater pattern, there’s a design here for everyone. And if you’re looking for quick-and-easy options, don’t forget that nail wraps, stickers, or press-ons can give you that retro charm in no time.
Don’t wait – it’s time to nail your holiday style with these fun and festive retro looks! Be sure to visit SpaceOfStyle for all your nail art inspo this season! 🎁🎨💅
