12 Almond Christmas Nails That Look So Expensive
Almond Christmas nail ideas that look high-end: jammy reds, velvet, champagne chrome and micro French, with the shade and finish to ask for.
The palette
Almond is the shape that makes Christmas nails look grown-up. The soft point lengthens your fingers, and it takes red, velvet and chrome without ever looking costume-y.
So if you want festive but not novelty, this is your shortlist. Each set comes with the shape, length, finish and shade, so you can screenshot it and hand it straight to your nail tech.
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1. Jammy Cherry Gloss
Start here if you only book one holiday set. A deep cherry with a hint of plum reads richer than a true red, and on an almond it looks like it cost twice what it did. Ask for two thin coats and a high-gloss top coat.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- High gloss
- Shade
- Jammy cherry
- Salon level
- Easy
Would you wear this?
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2. Champagne Chrome
Champagne chrome is the quiet-luxury way to do sparkle. It catches light like a glass of fizz without going full disco ball, and it suits almost every skin tone.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Chrome
- Shade
- Champagne
- Salon level
- Moderate
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3. Emerald Velvet
Velvet cat-eye in emerald is the colour of the season for a reason. The magnetic shimmer moves when you do, so even a plain set looks considered.
The magnetic shimmer moves when you do, so even a plain set looks considered.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Velvet cat-eye
- Shade
- Emerald
- Salon level
- Moderate
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Read next12 Silver Nail Ideas for the Holidays
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4. Red Micro French
If a full red feels like a lot, take it to the tips. A whisper-thin red line on a sheer pink base is festive at the party and still fine at the office on Monday.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Gloss
- Shade
- Sheer pink with red tips
- Salon level
- Moderate
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5. Milky White with Gold Flecks
For anyone who wants Christmas to feel like snow, not Santa. A milky white base with a few hand-placed gold flakes looks delicate and very expensive.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- Gloss with gold foil
- Shade
- Milky white
- Salon level
- Moderate
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6. Burgundy Velvet
Burgundy is the shade you can wear from the first party to the last. In velvet it looks like crushed fabric. Ask your tech to angle the magnet so the light sits down the centre of each nail.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Velvet cat-eye
- Shade
- Burgundy
- Salon level
- Moderate
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7. Gold Tip Accent
Keep nine nails a soft nude and give one a fine gold chrome tip. It is the most low-key way to nod to the season, and you can wear it straight into January.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Gloss and chrome
- Shade
- Warm nude with gold
- Salon level
- Easy
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8. Black Cherry
Almost black until the light hits it, then unmistakably red. If you love a dark nail but find black too harsh, this is your shade.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- High gloss
- Shade
- Black cherry
- Salon level
- Easy
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9. Pearl Glaze
The glazed-donut finish gets a winter update with a cooler, pearlier chrome. It works on bare nails, so it grows out quietly and suits short lengths beautifully.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- Pearl chrome
- Shade
- Sheer pearl
- Salon level
- Easy
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10. Tiny Bows
A single fine-line bow on each ring finger is about as cute as we will go at Christmas. Keep the base sheer and the bows thin so it reads elegant, not novelty.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Gloss with nail art
- Shade
- Sheer pink with red bows
- Salon level
- Advanced
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11. Smoky Plum Chrome
Plum is the underrated holiday shade. A smoky plum with a chrome top coat feels moody, modern and a little bit unexpected next to all the red.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Chrome
- Shade
- Smoky plum
- Salon level
- Moderate
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12. Mismatched Jewel Tones
Can't choose? Wear them all. Emerald, cherry, sapphire and gold across one hand looks like a jewellery box. Keep the finish the same on every nail so the set still feels like one idea.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Gloss
- Shade
- Emerald, cherry, sapphire, gold
- Salon level
- Moderate
Save this before your appointment. Holiday slots book up early, so if one of these caught your eye, book now and bring the screenshot.
Want more? Our velvet nail guide and Christmas French tips are the natural next stops.
Your questions, answered
How long do almond Christmas nails last?
Gel on natural nails usually lasts two to three weeks before it needs a fill or removal. If you book in the second week of December, you will be covered through New Year's.
Is almond or oval better for Christmas nails?
Both work. Almond has a slightly sharper point, which looks more dressed-up with red and chrome. Oval is softer and easier to keep tidy on short nails.
What colour nails are classy for Christmas?
Deep, jammy reds, burgundy, emerald and champagne chrome look the most expensive. Keep the finish glossy or velvet and skip heavy glitter if you want classy over playful.
Can I get almond nails if mine are short?
Yes. A short almond just needs a little free edge to shape. If your nails are very short, ask for builder gel or soft gel tips to add length.
Part of our guide: The Almond Nail Guide · The Holiday Nail Guide
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