If red feels a little too bright for you, burgundy is the answer. It keeps everything festive but looks deeper, calmer and more grown up, and it suits every skin tone and every winter outfit.
These 26 burgundy christmas nails pair the colour with champagne gold glitter, tiny snowflakes, thin star lines and leaf sprigs, then finish with a section of tartan plaid for anyone who likes a traditional touch. Every set is shown on short nails, so they stay neat all through the holiday season.
Burgundy With A Gold Snowflake
Short burgundy nails with a fine gold snowflake on one nail and a champagne glitter accent, beside a candle and red baubles.
Burgundy is richer than red but just as festive. One snowflake is all the detail it needs.
Burgundy And Champagne Glitter
Deep burgundy nails alongside two nails dusted in champagne gold glitter, on a cream knit with a gold ring.
Glitter on only two nails keeps it elegant. It is a good first step for anyone new to glitter.
Burgundy, Stars And Red Berries
Burgundy nails mixed with a sheer nude accent dotted with gold stars and a champagne glitter nail, set among holly berries and tartan.
The tiny stars scatter like confetti. Tartan and berries in the picture keep the festive theme.
Champagne Glitter French Tips
Sheer nude nails with a champagne glitter french tip, on white marble with gold baubles and rings.
A glitter tip is the easiest way to sparkle without changing your base colour. For a deeper version, see our burgundy french tip nails.
Burgundy With Gold Stars And A Latte
Short burgundy nails with tiny gold stars on two accents, wrapped around a cinnamon latte beside books and gingerbread.
It is the cosiest picture in the article. The stars add sparkle without looking dressy.
Dark Burgundy With Gold Snowflakes
Dark burgundy nails with gold glitter snowflakes and a champagne glitter nail, on a plum knit with golden pine decorations.
Dark nails make gold pop. It is a good choice for evening parties.
Glossy Burgundy On Soft Cream
Glossy burgundy nails with gold glitter snowflakes on two accents, resting on a soft cream knit.
A calm, neutral background shows off the colour. This is an easy set to recreate.
Champagne Fade And A Gold Bow
Sheer nude nails with a champagne glitter fade and tiny snowflakes, held against a perfume bottle tied with a gold bow.
The gold bow matches the glitter, so the whole picture looks like a gift.
Burgundy On Both Hands
Two hands in burgundy polish with gold snowflakes on the accent nails, with a diamond ring and a gold sprig.
Burgundy looks good on every skin tone. A ring adds a little extra sparkle.
Champagne Glitter Fade By The Window
A champagne gold glitter fade rising from the tips of sheer nude nails, with a bright window and a christmas tree behind.
The glitter fades softly, so it reads as a glow rather than a party. It is perfect with white knitwear.
Red Glitter And Champagne Fade
Burgundy red glitter nails and champagne fade accents on sheer nude, with a snowflake ring and a christmas tree behind.
Mixing glitter textures keeps the set playful. The snowflake ring ties in the theme.
Burgundy With Golden Leaf Sprigs
Burgundy nails with fine gold leaf sprigs and one champagne glitter accent, on a cream cable knit.
Leaf sprigs feel natural and last well beyond christmas. It is a very elegant detail.
Soft Pink With Gold Glitter Tips
Soft pink nails with narrow gold glitter tips on white marble beside a gold chain bracelet.
A fine line of gold glitter at the tip reads as polished instead of overly festive.
Plain Burgundy By Candlelight
Glossy plain burgundy nails by candlelight with a cappuccino, a cream sweater and a tiny gold tree ornament.
Sometimes plain is perfect. Burgundy needs no art to look rich.
Burgundy With A Tiny Winter Flower
Burgundy nails with a glitter accent and one nude nail painted with a tiny winter flower, on cream linen.
A gentle mix of plain and detail. It looks lovely with a ring.
Burgundy Flat Lay With A Gold Star
Burgundy nails with a single tiny gold star, lying on white marble beside a burgundy velvet ribbon and a gold decoration.
A flat lay in soft light. The burgundy velvet ribbon repeats the colour of the polish.
Burgundy And Nude By The Window
Burgundy and nude nails with gold snowflake and star detail by a bright window with a candle.
Natural daylight shows the real colour. It is a very wearable set.
Burgundy Glitter And A Gold Bauble
Burgundy glitter nails and champagne glitter accents with a large gold glitter bauble and green velvet ribbon.
Matching the polish to the ornament makes the photo pop. It is the sparkliest look in the burgundy section.
Burgundy With Thin Gold Lines
Glossy burgundy nails with nude accents carrying thin gold snowflake and star lines, on a red knit.
Thin gold lines look elegant, not loud. It is a very polished set.
Burgundy With Dried Orange Slices
Burgundy nails and a sheer nude accent with gold sparkle lines, beside a velvet ribbon and dried orange slices.
Dried orange slices add a cosy winter touch. Gold rings finish the look.
Tartan, Green And Red
Red, deep green and cream nails with a tartan accent and a thin gold cross line, on white marble.
A mixed hand where each nail does something different. Tartan keeps it traditional.
Tartan Accents And A Bow Ring
Short red and green nails with tartan accents on sheer nude, with a gold bow ring and a red ribbon behind.
The tartan lines are thin, so they read as delicate. A bow ring matches the gifts.
Tartan, Wreath And Snowflake
Red tartan nails with a tiny wreath on nude, a green snowflake nail and a gold glitter accent, beside wrapped gifts.
It uses several ideas on one hand and still looks balanced because the palette is only red, green and gold.
Full Tartan On A Cream Knit
Plaid nails in red and green with a tartan tip, on a cream knit with a pine cone and a candle.
Full tartan on several nails is the boldest look here. Cream knitwear lets it shine.
Red Tip Plus Tartan
Sheer nude nails with a red french tip, a tartan accent and a gold line, on marble with pine branches.
Plaid and french tips together feel modern. For more everyday festive ideas, see our short christmas nails.
Cream Plaid, A Softer Tartan
Burgundy red nails with a green tartan nail and a cream plaid nail, resting on a tartan cloth with pine cones.
Cream plaid is a softer take on tartan. It works well for the office. For a classic tip, see our short french tip nails.
How To Wear Glitter Without Overdoing It
Keep glitter to one or two nails, or to the tips, and let the rest stay glossy and plain. Champagne and gold look softer than silver on burgundy, and a fade looks more natural than a full glitter nail.
If you want to keep your manicure looking fresh through the party season, ask your tech about a sealing top coat over glitter and snowflake details, and use cuticle oil every day.
Pick Your Burgundy, Then Book Early
If you can only choose one, go for glossy burgundy with a single gold snowflake. It works for dinners, the office and family photos alike.
Save your favourite looks so they are ready on your phone, and book early, because December appointments fill up quickly.
