Our Favorite Reader Nail Art for the Winter Holidays

Fall for It.  Oh, so cute and a perfect complement to the rich colors of fall and wineter, this nail is sure to please. handpainted by Paula Imler of ClipArt Salon in Altoona, Pa., this nail takes six minutes to create and costs $3.  (2002)

All That Glitters. These handpianted designs are reminiscent of stained glass and are perfect for those clients who are looking for alternative festive nail art. Handpainted by Lindsey Nguyen of Tip Top Nails in Elizabeth City, NC, the designs take five minutes to complete and cost $5. (2002)

Icy Concept. Very often holiday nail art can be too cutesy or garish for some clients. Offer clients who are looking for something more conceptual these lovely retro dseigns. Handpainted by Christie Lovett of Christie's Nails in Ocean View, Hawaii, these nails take 10 minutes to create and cost $10.  (2002)

Double Gifting. Making the traditional look fresh, Sue Ellen Schultes, a nail technician based in Green Brook, NJ, handpaints these designs. Each nail takes her about 10 minutes and she charges $30 for a full set.  (2002)

Be Flighty.  Sometimes you're running low on time when your clients are running high on holiday spirit. Offer them this quickie design created by Gladys Torres of Le Chat in Richmond, Calif. The design takes her one minute to create.  (2002)

Snow White. Traditional holiday poinsettias get all glammed up in this monochromatic design. Handpainted by Yolanda Hernandez of Hair Today, Nails Tomorrow in Fresno, Calif., a full set takes 15 minutes to complete and costs $10.  (2002)

Available Snow-woman. Old Man Winter has a new lady friend -- and your clients might want to meet her. She enjoys cold weather and red polish. handpainted by Debbie Ward of Artisan Salon in Livermore, Calif., this design takes 10 minutes and costs $10.  (2002)

Holiday Decor.  Add some Christmas cheer to your clients’ nails with these airbrushed designs. Shanon Brown of Designer Nails by Shanon in Tuolumne, Calif., conjured up these holiday creations. She used a variety of airbrush paints to create the holiday lights, snowman, and candy cane and mistletoe designs. (2005)

Familiar Faces.  The holidays just wouldn’t be as cheerful without reindeers and snowmen around.  Theresa Lawrence of The Ultimate Spa Salon in Madison, Wis., handpainted these friendly characters. She added a touch of red glitter on both the snowmen and the reindeer’s nose. It takes her one hour to do a set and she charges $75. (2005)

Sunny Santa. Who said Santa Claus only liked the cold? Becky Bence of Salon 505 The Day Spa in Austin, Texas, proves he likes to sit in the sun, too. She first polished the nail in a teal shade. Then she handpainted Santa floating on an inner tube. She used beige-colored paint for his body and outlined it in black. She also didn’t forget his hat and even added some sunglasses. It takes her 30 minutes to do and she charges $35. (2005)

Santa's Toy Shop. Diana Tingle of Strandz in Oviedo, Fla., handpainted these cute designs on clear acrylic. She used a wide range of colors to create Santa’s home and Raggedy Ann and Andy. She even used white paint to add snow to the roof and ground. She charges $60 and it takes her an hour to do. (2005)

Amy Butler, Paradise Hair & Nails, Casper, Wy. (2008)

 Terry Lynn Cordeiro, Yorkville School of Make-Up & Esthetics, Toronto, Canada (2008)

Gabby Ellena, Gabby’s Razzle Dazzle Hair and Nail Studio, W. Islip, N.Y. (2008)

Lucia Etchamendy, Lucia’s Hair and Nail Salon, Hesperia, Calif. (2008)

Theresa Lawrence, The Ultimate Spa + Salon, Madison, Wis. (2008)

Mandy Tsang, Hong Kong (2008)

Andrea VanLuchene, The Nail Studio, Gaylord, Mich. (2008)

Fiona Vu, Avalon Nails, Durham, N.C. (2008)

Gina Morgan, Nails by Gina, Oakdale, Calif. (2008)

LIGHT BRIGHT. Donna Conciatori of Suffern, N.Y., handpainted these bright-looking designs. She first polished the nails white. Then she used black acrylic paint for the wire and used blue, orange, red, pink, green, and yellow paints for the light bulbs. It takes her 20 minutes to do and she charges $18. (2004)

HOLIDAY SWEETS.  Lisa Marie Malanik of Hair Studio 27 in West Islip, N.Y., handpainted this sweet design. First she polished the nail red. Then she used white paint to create the candy canes. With a thin-tipped brush she applied red stripes in each candy cane. She used green paint to add ribbons to each one. She charges $3 and it takes her five minutes to do. (2004)

ALL WRAPPED UP.  Turn your clients’ nails into holiday gifts. Take a cue from Sue Schultes of Great Lengths in Bridgewater, N.J., who handpainted this festive design. She first polished the nail red, then used shades such as green, brown, red, and white for the teddy bear and presents. It takes her about 15 minutes to do a nail and she charges $15. (2004)

CHRISTMAS SCENES.  Deck your clients’ nails with a dose of yuletide cheer. Teresa Brinkman of The Nail Company in Green Lake, Wis., handpainted these designs. For the wreath, she first polished the nail in a white frosty shade. She added a glittery blue background to the snowman design. For the gingerbread nail she polished the nail burgundy, then used brown paint to create the gingerbread man, outlining him with white dots. She used an opaque shade of white with glitter on the Christmas tree nail. (2004)