The 30 Best Red and Gold Nail Ideas For the Holidays

Red and gold holiday manicure — Yuliya Ufimtseva / Getty Images

The holidays are filled with joy, merriment, and plenty of fun beauty looks. Perhaps the most appealing of all, though, is the opportunity to create festive nail designs. You can go all the way by painting intricate red-and-gold details on each finger, or take the minimalist approach and adorn an accent finger on each hand. Whatever you decide, we're sure you'll get a lot of compliments.

Below, we included options from a few of our favorite manicurists, who take nail art to the next level. They're some of the most creative artists in the business, and now, you can scroll through and get some much-needed inspiration from the celebrities and models of whose digits they have adorned. Below, find 30 of our favorite red-and-gold nail designs and get excited about the holiday season.

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Disco Ball: Holiday Edition

Use sparkly tinsel and festive disco balls as inspiration and create this glittery manicure, complete with holiday colors and ample cheer. It's simple in execution (you just need three colors and a bit of sparkle), but adds a punch to your nails.

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Ornamental Detailing

Try this wine red shade and use pearls and gold to make it look especially ornate. Made originally for the Met Gala by genius manicurist Mei Kawajiri, these nails are the perfect centerpiece for your holiday outfit. The ruby-red polish looks divine paired with gold nail accessories. You don't have to go so bold with the nail jewelry—a few golden additions will work just fine.

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Maroon and Gold

Maroon red and gold-dipped alternating nails with thin black stripe accents — @thenailboxxchi

This deep red isn't your standard Christmas nail look but instead echos a mature, refined take on a holiday color palette. We love how this matte wine color looks with shimmer gold foil and a thin black horizontal stripe. The overall effect is textured and intricate to look at, but it's beyond simple to create.

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Red and Gold Negative Space

Negative space nails with gold diagonal section and red dividing line — @melanated.mani

We're obsessed with this negative-space manicure. Painted with a simple red and gold design, it's exactly what you need to feel fun and on-trend at a holiday gathering. Plus, it's super easy to recreate: Just take a glittery gold polish and extend a diagonal line from corner to corner, fill it in, and thinly outline with metallic red.

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Red and Gold Holiday Extravaganza

Holiday acrylic manicure with red and white patterns and green glitter nails with gold details — @anastasia.totty

If you really want to get in the holiday spirit, these festive nails, done by LeChat Nails Educator Anastasia Totty, should fit the bill: "A great way to combine red and gold in a holiday set is by adding 3D ornaments, crystals, and beads in gold shades to a gorgeous red set of nails. Some white snowflake decals make it even more bright and fabulous! There is no such thing as too much!"

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Red and Gold Plaid

Because a red tartan is cozy, seasonal, and especially stylish during the holidays, why not paint the design on your nails? All you'll need is a gold, gray, and red shade and a small brush to create the thin lines on each finger. Once you're done, your nails will officially look like a Christmas present.

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Gold Glitter Tips

Half-red nails, half-French manicure with gold glitter ombre tips — @thenailboxxchi

Use accent nails to get your glitter on. Paint two nails red on one hand and three on the other, and reserve the red and gold sparkle tips for the remaining nails. We suggest Essie's Metallics Nail Polish ($9).

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Statement Jewels

Add shimmery, shiny, reflective accessories to your red manicure to double down on glamour. You can play with the shades and metallic finishes, and all you have to do is stop by an art store to gather the supplies. If you're looking for a way to get your jewels to stick, Totty says, "With my stones and jewels I prefer to use a gem gel, as it seems to hold a lot better and is flexible, so if you hit your hand on anything the stones stay on. I also apply top coat all around the stones to make sure they don’t snag and aren’t as easy to pop off."

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Abstract and Artistic

Red, gold, and white abstract nail design on clear background — @thenailboxxchi

This abstract design reminds us more of an oil painting on canvas than obvious holiday, and we're not mad about it. With a more subdued red and vague washes of orange, the color palette is one we'd be happy to rock all year round. But the deep, shimmering gold guarantees these digits a welcome invitation to any holiday gathering.

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Gold Foil Marble

Marble might not be the first thing you think of for holiday nails, but pop some gold foil on and it's automatically festive. Plus this nail look goes so well with gold jewelry.

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Red Negative Space with Gold Stripe

Red negative space V-shaped nails with central vertical gold stripe — @vanityprojects

This shiny modern manicure uses negative space to its advantage. Cheery red tips add a twist on the typical French design, while golden vertical stripes play up the nostalgic holiday feels. It's like taking a trip to FAO Schwarz right before Christmas. Looking for the perfect red polish? Totty recommends LeChat's Little Red Dress ($6).

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Gold Foil Edges

Think you've seen every possible way to use gold foil? Think again and feast your eyes on this candy apple red and gold accent set. Here, the gold foil is reserved for only the outer edges of the pointer fingers, making a case for the whole "less is more" concept.

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Sparkly Stripes

Negative space manicure with gold and red corner stripes — @paintboxnails

Another negative space design fit for all the winter festivities, sparkly diagonal red and gold stripes look like the ribbons atop a Christmas present. We're all for it.

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Half Moon with Gold Studs

Red manicure with negative-space half moons with small gold studs — @imarninails

A half-moon design in a dark red polish leaves room for the delicate golden studs to shine. Use a circle stencil to nail a crisp curve just above the cuticle. Add as much nail jewelry as you'd like, but we're partial to the minimalist look shown here.

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Speckled Gold

Red manicure with gold speckling — @melanated.mani

Bring on the holiday cheer in a super fun and festive way with this bright, glossy red and gold speckled design. We're especially loving how elegant the design is on long, oval nails. Try using a fire red polish like Cirque Colors polish in Toadstool ($13) for the base to get the same effect as shown here.

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Gilded Accents

Red-orange nails with gold foil accents — @paragonnails

This cool, graphic bright red, white, and gold confection offers up a great mix of trend and cheer at the same time. We'd be into this style any time of year, but it works especially well for the holidays.

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Christmas Cranberries

French manicure with gold foil details and red cranberry designs — @vanityprojects

Whether they're decorating a wreath, a table centerpiece, or adorning your nails, these seasonally appropriate berries always bring about a warmth that's decidedly holiday-ready. Plus, the all-around classic French mani and gold foil flecks on the accent nails add a charming air to the delicate artwork. The easiest way to ace tiny detailed work like this is with a nail art pen, like the Sally Hansen I Heart Nail Art Pen ($7).

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Flecks of Gold

Red nails with gold flecks and negative space half-moons — @jinsoon

Half-moon manis are at it again. Golden flecks give these red nails an extra cheerful and sparkly tone. Get this look using the Encore Collection ($42) by Jinsoon.

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Gold Shimmer

Long, pointy red acrylic nails with subtle golden shimmer — @trillanails

While jewels, foils, and bedazzling is fun, it's certainly not the only way to achieve a holiday-worthy manicure. This hyper-saturated, deep red gets added emphasis from a golden sheen over top. Get the velvety look with a few coats of Dear Santa ($13) from ILNP.

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Gold and Red Stars

Red star manicure with gold border and Snoopy and Woodstock accent nails — @vanityprojects

Yes, Snoopy and Woodstock also make an appearance on this themed design. What else would you expect with a holiday-themed manicure? Honestly, the red and gold outlined stars are just as eye-catching as our favorite Peanuts pets.

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Striped Gold

Muted red gradient nails with gold stripe details — @thenailboxxchi

Who said you can't mix matte and glossy nails? For the glossy ones, amp up the festivity with shiny vertical gold stripes. Use tape to get extra straight and crisp lines. If you want to freehand the stripes, Totty recommends LeChat's Dual Sided Tool Liner ($14)

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Moon and Stars

Red and gold gradient sparkle nails with moon and star charms — @melanated.mani

Pay homage to the twinkling holiday night sky with these glittery starstruck nails. Ombré the nail with a gold-to-red glitter transition and top with star-themed nail charms. Here, the artist is using Cirque Colors Celestial Charms ($5).

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Merlot and Gold

Merlot red nails with gold fleck accents — @paintboxnails

What we wouldn't give for a nice glass of merlot on occasion, and the holidays certainly call for such an indulgence. If you're not one for a glass of wine, paint your nails in the shiny, deep color instead. Plus, add gold foil detailing on top for maximum elegance.

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Heart Tips and Gold Jewels

Heart-tipped manicure with gold stud accents — @nails_and_soul

More on the simple side, these upgraded French tips are clean and fresh, but still holiday party-worthy. All you need is beige and ruby red polish, topped with a single gold jewel just above the cuticle on the middle finger.

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Sparkle Tips

Silver, white, red, and gold nails — @oliveandjune

Paint each nail a sparkling color like the manicure seen here. A coat of red and a coat of gold glitter give off great holiday vibes without taking them too seriously. Plus, silver and white get to have their well-deserved moments here, too.

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Seeing Stars

Deck out a crisp red manicure with a few press-on gold stars for a nostalgic and fun nail design. And the best part? You won't have to try to paint a single star.

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Gold Accent

Oxblood red and glittery gold manicure — @_cosmetic.doll_

A standard red mani looks extra festive when paired with a couple golden accent nails. Just look how fancy the deep wine red is with shimmering gold. Get the exact look using Essie's Nailed It and Good As Gold (both $9).

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Wire Nails

Minimalist nails with gold wire at cuticle and thin red French tip — @betina_goldstein

Holiday-inspired nails don't have to be a huge statement. Instead, stick to a super minimalist and intriguing look. One red line on top and a gold metal accent along the cuticle creates a super simple look we love.

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Extra Set of Red

If you'd rather show off a more editorial style, look no further than these cool, fun nail extensions. Attached with a gold hoop, this red double-nail design is a trendy and eye-catching take on classic holiday nails. Pro tip: You may want to practice with them before the party so you can get used to handling the extra set of claws.

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Over-the-Top Holiday Mani

Red manicure with gold tinsel design and colorful ornaments — @ginaedwards_

This over-the-top look combines the best elements of the holidays—like presents and festive patterns—and places them all on the tips of your fingers. Be sure to use extra sparkles.

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