Every salon client is a nail service client at holiday time, and beautiful seasonal displays remind clients that those little glittery, colorful nail shades make the best stocking stuffers!

"This holiday season, nail trends capture a crystalline essence with icy, glistening finishes,” says Jan Arnold, CND cofounder and style director. “Shapes range from the elegantly slender almond to a naturally subtle square, with shimmer that evokes the glint of sun setting across the snow.” Nail technology like CND Additives will add texture and dimension. “Blend Additives into Vinylux Weekly Polish, CND Sculpting Powder or Gel,” Arnold suggests, “or layer over our Shellac brand 14+ day nail color for extra shimmer and shine.”

For your matchy-matchy clients, Arnold recommends suggesting long-wear CND Shellac 14+ day nail color on fingers with the corresponding Vinylux Weekly Polish color on toes. “Or mix and match shades for a more daring holiday look,” she adds.

Shimmer evokes the glint of sun setting across the snow.” —Jan Arnold, CND

Create a holiday menu that promotes retail, advises Patricia Freund, president of Cuccio Naturalé.

“Design specialty services that put clients in the holiday spirit,” she says, adding that the menu description for Cuccio’s Holiday Elegance Pedicure identifies all products used. “Mention that you have the products at your gift display. After experiencing the products themselves, clients will be more likely to purchase them because they will want to give their friends that same luxurious feeling.”

Holiday Nail How-Tos

Arctic Haze by CND

1. Manicure the natural nail with CND’s P.E.P. procedure. 

2. Apply two thin layers of Vinylux Tundra to the entire nail.

3. Using a fan brush, feather Vinylux Nordic Lights from side to center on the left side of the nail. Repeat on the right side with Vinylux Glacial Mist.

4. Using a Gel Flat Oval Brush, apply CND Additives Midnight Revelry in the wet polish to the left side of the nail and feather to the center. Repeat on the right side with Additives Jaded Rebel.

5. Apply a thin layer of Vinylux Weekly Top Coat.

This look also can be achieved as a 14-day service with CND Shellac.

Holly by Venique

If It’s Not Baroque (base) and Rainy Day Boots (accent)

1. Paint base color of your choice.

2. Paint holly outlines with contrasting color.

3. Fill in leaf lines of holly. 

4. Add jewel accents to center of the holly.

Geometric by Venique

Funky Wedge (base), Dominating Thigh Highs (tips) and Wingtip White (accent)

1. Paint base color of your choice.

2. Paint angles at tip in contrasting color.

3. Add a center triangle.

4. Outline in contrasting color.

Holiday Charm by Gelish

1. After completing your Gelish nail prep, apply a thin coat of Gelish Arctic Freeze to the entire nail, making sure to cap the free edge. Cure for 30 seconds in the 18G LED Light. Repeat for full coverage. With I’m So Hot and a mini striper brush, draw the outline of a tear drop in the upper section of the nail. Cure for 30 seconds.

2. Fill in the tear drop and cure for another 30 seconds.

3. Use the same tools and shade to create a second, smaller tear drop below the first.

4. Draw four swirls on the sides. Cure for 30 seconds.

5. Create three small leaves on the bottom of the second tear drop and swirls on the outline of the fi rst tear drop; with I’m So Hot and a dotting tool, add small dots along the fi rst tear drop; and with Arctic Freeze and a striper brush, draw a half circle on the top of the nail. Cure for 30 seconds.

6. Using Arctic Freeze and a mini striper brush, add swirls and curves inside the fi rst tear drop. Cure for 30 seconds. Apply a thin coat of Top It Off sealer gel, making sure to cap the free edge. Cure for 30 seconds. Using Nail Surface Cleanse and Wipe It Off lint-free wipes, cleanse the inhibition layer of the nail. Massage Nourish Cuticle Oil into the skin surrounding the nail plate.

Home for the Holidays by Morgan Taylor

1. Apply one coat of Stick With It base coat to nail surface and around the free edge of the natural nail. 

2. Apply a coat of In the Nude to the entire nail, making sure to cover the free edge. 

3. Apply a coat of Snow Place Like Home to the entire nail.

4. Using Deck the Halls, create a modifi ed chevron French tip covering the free edge.

5. Use a striper brush and Deck the Halls to create a looping ribbon shape at the cuticle area. Apply a second coat to both the cuticle and free edge shape.

6. Use a mini striper and Make It Last top coat to create a frame around the ribbon with silver bullion. Accent the center of both the chevron shape and the cuticle area with silver bullion.

7. Apply Make It Last top coat.