18 Candy Cane Nail Ideas That Are Fresher Than a Peppermint (2024)

18 Candy Cane Nail Ideas That Are Fresher Than a Peppermint (1)

Put aside Santa Claus, snowmen, and jingle bells for a second—there's a sweet holiday icon that is long overdue for a dedicated Christmas nails tribute. The candy cane is finally getting the attention it deserves with this year's holiday nail trends, and we couldn't be happier to bring our red and white polishes out for the occasion. Nothing is sweeter (or more versatile) than this holiday candy, which pairs spectacularly with every design, from this season's velvet and plaid to snowflake manis,ribbon-wrapped nails, and glam swirls. Don't believe us? Ahead, find 18 candy cane nail ideas that will bring the holly, jolly spirit to your next nail appointment.

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Candy Cane Waves

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For an extra-festive, holiday party-worthy manicure, gravitate toward fine glitter nail polishes that reflect lots of light. The white outline underneath the French tips and between the wavy candy cane lines adds an extra dose of definition, drawing attention to the starry details.

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Beyond the Basics

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Not a fan of bright hues? Pay hommage to the subtler burgundy and evergreen twists that candy canes come in.

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Postcard Pretty

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Like an illustrated stamp on a postcard addressed to Santa, these candy cane-outlined nails are a true masterpiece. Hand-painted mistletoe sprigs and pressed gold leaf add the finishing touches.

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Sweet Sparkles

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Bejeweled nails are a huge trend right now. And naturally, the sparkly nature of crystals feels particularly on theme for Christmas. Adorn all of your nails with gems placed in a candy cane shape, or simply stick the sweet treat to a few accent nails.

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Peppermint Swirls

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Coquette Christmas is a major TikTok trend. And while most videos are directed towards decorating trees with sweet baby pink and mint, we can't help but encourage the adornment of nails, too, as seen above.

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Candy Cane Reverse French

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Think of the reverse French as the trendier sister of the OG. It's a fun and easy, at-home way to switch up your look, especially when you theme it for the holidays.

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Classic Candy Cane

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Extend the classic candy cane French tip down one side of your nail to complete the curved stick (and stand out from the candy cane crowd). The addition of the pistachio mint base brings a fun twist to the French as well.

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Glammed Gold

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Gold nail art is a staple no matter what holiday or season it is. The proof? Here, in this opulent peppermint swirl and snowflake combo.

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Wrapping Paper

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This adorable winter greenery, candy cane art is so good, it looks like it should be printed on wrapping paper. The greens bring an earthy element to the vibe, toning down the boldness of the red for a balanced look.

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Perfectly Pink

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Don't get it twisted—pink polish is not solely for Valentine's Day nail ideas. This rosy shade is the perfect backdrop for snowy whites and bold reds.

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Christmas Collage

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You don't need a steady hand to get this detailed look. Pick up some nail decals—our fave is Olive & June's Christmas Stickers ($8)—and use tweezers to apply in a collage-like fashion.

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Silvery Sweet

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Swap the white segments of your candy cane French with silver for a super easy and glam update.

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Candy Cane Lane

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A simple candy cane bar looks absolutely stunning on both long and short holiday nails, as the straight line accentuates—and creates the illusion of—length.

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Candy Cane Glazed Donut

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Ah, who could forget when Hailey Bieber brought us an early Christmas present in the form of a new chrome mani idea? The "Candy Cane Glazed Donut" is an instant classic that gives festive vibes without screaming holiday. We'll be seeing this glossy, red French mani look for years to come.

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Red Ribbons

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For an abstract take on candy canes, take a cue from the bow trend by painting free-form ribbons across a classic French tip. The result? So chic.

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Peppermint Paradise

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Punch up the peppermint with candy apple and mint-swirled accent nails paired with a subtler, thick French tip. This less intricate look is super easy to recreate at home—just use a toothpick of mini brush to swoop red polish on top of a pastel green base.

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Mismatched Mani

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This fun-loving, eclectic look reminds us of an assortment of vintage Christmas tree ornaments. To make the look cohesive, choose a color palette to stick to—like the reds and whites of a candy cane.

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Iced Blue

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Once Christmas comes, other colors tend to be forgotten. But this icy glitter blue and matte lavender look encourages us to pull in some winter nail art inspiration before booking our holiday mani sesh.

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