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The holiday season warrants a line-up of standout manicures. Thanksgiving nails, for example, may sound like a superfluous addition to the celebration, but when one considers the palette, textures, and peak autumnal-ness associated with the day, an aesthetic homage becomes the only natural choice.
“Fall is a time where it’s both cool enough and warm enough to wear whatever you want, and that freedom is extended down to your glove-free fingertips,” says nail artist Miss Pop, who favors vampy red polish and neutrals matched to hair color as the leaves change their shades. Warm metallics, brocade-inspired finishes, and seasonal motifs have their place, too. As an added impetus, the Thanksgiving table finds us lifting glasses and passing plates, making your nails a feature—one that you may as well play up.
Pop, for one, considers a manicure to be the ultimate means of honoring an occasion. “Nail polish isn’t a tattoo—it’s ephemeral,” she explains. “You wear a nail look for a week or a few and then—poof!—you change again, completely. So nail art is really an art form that lets you celebrate the moment, just like a holiday.” Committed to serving up a Thanksgiving manicure along with a signature dish? Here, 33 polish jobs designed to inspire your own Thanksgiving nails.
1. Playful Burgundy
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It s no surprise that deep reds feature heavily on this list, but this burgundy is made more memorable via a frame of pale pink dots. Grab a toothpick and adorn away!
2. Moody Mondrian
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Tips painted black or chocolate brown are supplemented by graphic, Mondrian-esque stripes in an autumnal palette, and offer an opportunity to get creative with placement.
3. Fluid Shapes
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Another play off on the classic French, these orange and brown tips give way to fluid blocks of silver and autumnal hues, painted down one side of the nail bed.
4. Punk Cranberry
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Who says piercings are reserved for your ears and face? A matte cranberry mani is made irreverent with the addition of diminutive silver hoops to selected nails.
5. Arch French
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The French tip gets a touch more dramatic when thickened and painted to cascade down one side of the nail bed. While pictured in white, the shape is the thing—personalize with the seasonal color of your choice.
6. Candied French
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Bring some pops of candy-coated color to the celebration with a set of rainbow tips. Though out-of-the-box in terms of palette, the playful hues are bound to keep spirits high.
7. Foliage French
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Ombré oranges transform these French tips into an homage to fall s fallen leaves—and the fires warming cozy homes.
8. Decadent Adornments
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‘Tis the season for opulence. Diamante and gilded adornments (especially slightly exaggerated ones) create a manicure that’s one part paint job, one part jewelry.
9. Ombré Glitter
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Full-on glitter has it s place, but there s something elegant and sophisticated about a soft diffusion of shimmer. Either start at the base and allow to spread toward the tip, or (as pictured) vice versa.
10. Deep Cherry
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Dubbed “cherry mocha” by nail artist Tom Bachik, this high-gloss red is the ultimate channeling of one of Thanksgiving s most beloved sides: cranberry sauce.
11. Earthy Olive
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Olive greens are among the season s most sought-after shades, particularly those of the earthen variety. Opt for a single, simple shade for maximum impact.
12. Delicious Decals
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Though this French-solid medley features a statement nail pressed in cherries, any motif will do. Trade stone fruits for leaves, pumpkins, or even turkeys.
13. Metallic Red
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Another deep red, this time touched in holiday-worthy shimmer. The refractive polish is at once classic and playful—ideal for a day spent in the company of loved ones.
14. Dulce de Leche
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Sweet notes are more than welcome on Thanksgiving, making this dessert-inspired neutral a delicious addition to our line-up.
15. Chocolate Swirl
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Continuing the sugary vibes, this playful polish features French tips, sweet details, solid nails, and fluid lines, all executed in warm chocolate brown (with touches of vanilla).
16. Thanksgiving Ombré
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Bachik s Thanksgiving ombré is a study in nudes, the stylized tips made all the more memorable with a matte finish.
17. Rich Girl Nails
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Jennifer Lopez s “Rich Girl” manicure was dreamed up with Thanksgiving in mind, the creamy taupe a subtle alternative to the season s want of warmer neutrals.
18. Lipgloss Nude
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The perfect nude is always an occasion-ready win. Select a polish in keeping with your skin tone, and finish with a glossy coat.
19. Midnight Fall French
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What s autumn without the deep blue of the night sky? French tips in autumnal shades are flanked by solid midnight blue polish, an unexpected and impactful touch.
20. Glazed Fire
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Take your red s innate heat up a notch with a mirrored metallic finish. This standout shade will turn heads regardless of nail length and shape.
21. Nude Study
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An array of solid nudes offer a simple (and easily styled) approach to Thanksgiving nails. These neutrals are bound to play well with any ensemble.
22. Cinnamon Red
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Deep reds, classic, reds, and cinnamon reds all have their place at the Thanksgiving table. This warm orange red puts a spiced spin on the classic.
23. Variety of Reds
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Red nails are a classic for a reason, but why settle for a single shade? Nails painted in a variety of reds feel fun as well as timeless.
24. Vampy Red
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As noted by Pop, vampy reds are an autumnal mainstay. This deep hue oozes elegance.
25. Reese s Pieces
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Nail artist Steph Stone s manicure may be inspired by a sweet treat, but it also serves as a visual ode to all things autumn.
26. Gilded Age
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Nails painted in a warm, shimmering copper or gold and finished in gilded accents feel fancy yet accessible, and entirely worthy of a place at the head of the table.
27. Moody Hues
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Who says fall is for ochres alone? Moody shades like pale blues and olives play up the season s more typical tangerines.
28. Fall Florals
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Florals may be associated with spring, but autumnal blooms make a similar statement. Top a radiant red manicure with retro daisies for a fun look.
29. Pressed Petals
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Again, fall florals! A clear manicure finished in dried petal pieces and tiny blooms and stems skews celebratory (and runway-worthy).
30. Romantic Mauves
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Softer than the deep autumn hues, romantic mauves feel like a sunnier, mood-boosting alternative.
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31. Autumnal Dots
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Need a quick (but infinitely chic) Thanksgiving manicure. Single, seasonally-hued dots applied to each nail and finished with a top coat offer an ingenious approach.
32. Matte-meets-Metallic
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Metallic red, but make it matte. Another spin on the classic shade, shimmer and finish team to create a nail look bound to spark conversation.
