A red base, a little white trim and a neat belt detail: a Santa-inspired accent nail is a cheerful way to practise small-scale nail art.
This article brings together the original Next Step Beauty graduate video and a separate written practice plan for a Santa-suit design. Work on a display tip first, taking time over the spacing before you try a full set.
The original graduate tutorial
The original post introduced Victoria catching up with Next Step Beauty graduate Samantha Fourie to demonstrate a simple Santa nail-art design. The video is retained below; the written exercise that follows is a companion practice idea, rather than a transcript.
Plan the design before you paint
For this Santa-suit variation, picture the nail as a tiny red jacket. The white trim adds contrast, while a black belt and small buckle make the idea recognisable.
Keep the first version simple. One accent nail beside plain red nails gives you room to practise detail without repeating it across all ten fingers.
- Base: red polish.
- Trim: white polish or a compatible nail-art product.
- Belt: black detail.
- Buckle: a small gold or contrasting outline.
You will also need a display tip and holder, a fine detail brush, and the appropriate base and finishing products. If you use gel, use the lamp and curing instructions specified for that system. Do not mix products simply because the colours work together.
Paint your practice tip in five stages
1. Establish the red base
Prepare the tip according to your training and apply your chosen base colour. Keep the coating even. Let conventional polish dry, or cure gel exactly as directed, before moving to the next stage.
2. Add the white trim
Paint a narrow white strip down the centre of the design. If you want a softer, fluffy effect, build the edge with small touches of the brush rather than trying to draw every detail in one movement.
3. Place the belt
Add a horizontal black band across the nail. Leave enough red visible above and below so the design still reads as a jacket. Check the line from a normal viewing distance as well as close up.
4. Add a small buckle
Use a fine brush to add a compact contrasting outline in the centre of the belt. Keep the detail proportional to the tip. If the outline becomes crowded, practise it separately before repainting the full design.
5. Finish using your product instructions
Allow the detail to dry or complete the required curing stages before applying the appropriate finish. Avoid dragging the brush repeatedly over delicate lines. Follow the system’s guidance for layer thickness and curing throughout.
Make the next attempt better
Photograph your first tip, then choose just one thing to improve: a straighter belt, a narrower white strip or a smaller buckle. Repeating the design with a single focus makes it easier to see progress.
If the colours drag into each other, review the drying or curing stage. If the small details look crowded, simplify them. A clear shape is usually more effective than extra decoration squeezed into the remaining space.
Try a variation
For a restrained set, pair one Santa-suit accent with plain red nails. For more contrast, try the design on a longer display tip and compare how the proportions change. Keep photographs of both so you can choose the version you prefer.
This is also a useful exercise in planning a collection: the nails do not all need the same artwork to look connected. Repeating a colour can tie the set together.
Keep building your nail-art skills
Once you are comfortable with painted detail, our guide to gel polish with nail gems introduces another way to create an accent nail. If you are new to gel, start with our explanation of UV and LED nail lamps and follow your training before practising with products.
