Back in 2011, I did Santa Nail Art where each nail featured The Big Man in Red’s suit. I really loved that design, and even though I wanted to wear it again, it was time for a challenge. (Click to see my step-by-step tutorial for the Santa Suit Nail Art!)

After seeing The Little Canvas’ cute nails with Kris Kringle’s face, I knew I had to try my hand at this design. Although mine didn’t turn out as well as neatly as hers, I had tons of fun painting this, and it was fun to bring my Santa Claus gang with me everywhere I went! (Thanks to The Little Canvas for the inspiration!)

Haha, I intended the Santas to be smirking or to at least look happy, but I guess my nail striper brush was a bit too thick and I was rushing a little. So, some of my Santas look like they’re being very sarcastic. Haha, can you spot which one drank too much of the spiked elves’ Christmas punch? 😛

Hey, it would be neat to combine this and the santa-suit design in a single manicure. You could even paint Santa’s hat on one nail. That would allow you to paint a whole bunch of different designs.

Santa Claus Nail Art Swatches

All swatches have:

• OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener (Used as a base coat)
• 2 coats of Zoya Chantal (Pale Tan)
• 2 coats of OPI What’s Your Point-settia? (Red)
• China Glaze Liquid Leather (Black)
• OPI Angel with a Leadfoot (White)
• Zoya Dot (Pale Pink)
• Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Note: All polishes, except for the base coat, top coat, and China Glaze Liquid Leather were provided by the company/PR.

Flash Photos

Natural Light Photos

*~* Santa Claus Nail Art Tutorial *~*

What I Used:

1. Daniel Stone Art Tool 1
2. Striping Brush
3. OPI What’s Your Point-settia?
4. OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener
5. Zoya Chantal
6. OPI Angel with a Leadfoot
7. Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
8. China Glaze Liquid Leather
9. Zoya Dot

Step 1: Prepare Your Nails by Applying a Base Coat

Step 2: Begin Painting Santa’s Face

You don’t need to paint everything up to the cuticle, since you’ll be covering up that area anyway.

Here, I used 2 coats of Zoya Chantal from the Naturel Collection.

Step 3: Paint Santa’s Red Hat

It doesn’t matter if this part is sloppy because the section where the two colours meet will be covered.

Here, I used OPI What’s Your Point-settia? from the Gwen Stefani Holiday Collection.

Step 4: Add the Fluffy Trim on the Hat

This part is really fun because you get to whip out your dotting tool. To get the ‘fluffy’ appearance, just connect the dots.

The white nail polish I used was OPI Angel with a Leadfoot from the Ford Mustang Collection.

Step 5: Start Santa’s Beard at the Sideburns 

You could use a nail striper brush to paint this part, but I just used my dotting tool and dragged the white along the left and ride sides of each nail.

Step 6: Complete the Beard

Using the brush right from the bottle, paint the tips of your nails white.

Step 7: Give Santa Sight

Using your dotting tool dipped in the white polish, add two circles on each nail. (You can create different expressions depending on how close or far apart these circles are.)

Step 8: Add the Pupil

Using a smaller dotting tool, add the pupils. You can make each Santa look in a different direction. And if you make one pupil bigger than the other, like what I did for my middle finger, you can make Santa look like he drank the elves’ spiked Christmas punch! 😉

The black nail polish I used is my all-time favourite black, which is China Glaze Liquid Leather.

Step 9: Get Nose-y

Using a pale pink, press down more with your dotting tool to create a larger dot or oval. (If you have a dotting tool that’s a larger size, you can use that, too.)

The pink I used was Zoya Dot from the Awaken Collection.

Step 10: Add a Grin

Using your striper brush dipped in the black nail polish, add the smiles to each nail. You can make them smirk like I did…or have a sarcastic expression. Haha! You could also make them fully smile from ear to ear. They’re your nails, and it’s your lovely creation, so you hold the reins to creative freedom! 🙂 Remember, always paint what makes you happy! (Perfection isn’t the goal. Happiness is!)

Step 11: Apply a Top Coat

Wait a minimum of 15 minutes before you slap on a shiny top coat that will seal everything in.

Step 12: Check to See If You’re on the Naughty or Nice List

The last time I checked, I was on the Naughty List. But strangely enough, Santa’s Naughty List went missing. *Hums and looks around innocently* 😉

Do you know what you’re going to wear for your Christmas manicure? Is there any other Christmas or holiday nail art you’d like me to do a tutorial on? Are you on Santa’s Naughty or Nice List? 😉

P.S. In case you’re curious, below is the Santa Suit Nail Art I did back in 2011. Click the link or the image below to see my full tutorial for it.