The 15 Best Mani Ideas That Will Still Be Chic Well Into 2021

No pressure, but your last manicure of 2020 will likely follow you into the New Year. Not only will this manicure be the cherry on top of the chic New Year's Eve ensemble, but it's the one piece of your beauty expression that will remain in place when you wake up in 2021. If that notion sent a tiny chill down your spine, then you're a beauty lover after our own hearts. Not that nails are the most pressing matter on the collective consciousness right now, but we can appreciate someone who wants to enter the New Year with clear eyes, a full heart, and a fresh manicure. 

As the holiday season ramps up, we're getting ready by collecting all the New Year's Eve manicure inspiration we can. Shall we go with a bold and solid color, or perhaps a minimal negative-space design? Decisions, decisions.

Thankfully, there's still a bit of time to choose a creative direction. To get your creative juices flowing, we've rounded up some of our favorite nail looks from this year that will still be right on trend well into next. Scroll away for all the mani inspiration you'll need to execute your best (and final!) nail look of the year. Get ready to screenshot. 

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(Image credit: @thehangedit)

Fire-engine red is a year-round winner.

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(Image credit: @beyonce)

Year in and year out, black nails are always in style.

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(Image credit: @oliveandjune)

Can't commit to just one cozy pastel shade? It's totally acceptable to wear them all!

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(Image credit: @betina_goldstein)

Kick it old school this new year with a gold French manicure.

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(Image credit: @oliveandjune)

If you're not a fan of the classic French, this modern twist might be a better fit.

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(Image credit: @oliveandjune)

Negative space and metallics are always a good idea.

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(Image credit: @betina_goldstein)

This half crimson, half natural look is so modern.

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(Image credit: @varnishlane)

This set gives a whole new meaning to the term nail art. You'll need a steady hand (and maybe some painting experience) to achieve this fine art look at home.

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(Image credit: @amy_lawrenson)

The only thing we love more than astrology memes is an astrology-inspired manicure.

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(Image credit: @court_higgs)

Rose gold nails are the perfect winter accessory.

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(Image credit: @betina_goldstein)

Match your mani to your glass of New Year's Eve bubbly.

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(Image credit: @amy_lawrenson)

This gradient glitter over a peach base is festive enough for the holidays and subtle enough to still read chic after they're over.

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(Image credit: @oliveandjune)

Enter 2021 grounded with gold accents. Good vibes only.

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(Image credit: @betina_goldstein)

These sweet pearls are the perfect way to jazz up natural nails.

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(Image credit: @courthiggs)

The smoky rose quartz look has been on trend all year, and we don't anticipate a change any time soon.

Up next, the only nail colors that matter this winter.

This story was published at an earlier date and has been recently updated.

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Associate Beauty Editor

Courtney Higgs is a Cancer sun, Libra rising beauty enthusiast with about six years of experience in the editorial space. She was previously Who What Wear's associate beauty editor after spending many years working on the West Coast edit team at InStyle Magazine. She graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a BA in communication studies and pivoted to editorial after spending her college years working in the legal field. Her beauty philosophy is simple: She believes there are no wrong answers and that discovering our favorite beauty products and rituals is a journey, not a sprint. When she's not geeking out over products, she can be found adventuring around L.A. with her fiancé; watching reality TV with their French bulldog, Bernie Mac; or relating way too hard to astrology memes.