How was your Turkey Day? I can’t believe it’s December already! Now that the holiday season has officially kicked off, transitioning my beauty regimen into festive mode is top priority.

But who really has the time?

Fancy updos or complicated makeup can take up to an hour (not to mention the expense), but festive nail polish, on the other hand, is simply a swipe away.

Keep these tips in mind for party-perfect nails:

1. Think short and sweet. Short nails are utterly chic—and low-maintenance. Just follow your natural shape. For an elongating effect, file them straight across into a square shape, then round off the edges.

2. Wear a versatile color. A neutral will take any look from day to night—no matter the occasion. Think metallics, like gold or silver—they’re dressier.

If you look better in gold jewelry than silver, try Essie Polish in Shifting Power ($8, essie.com). It’s not too yellow or brown, almost as if you dipped your fingers in pure molten 24k gold. If silver accessories complement your complexion better, try Dashing Diva Polish in Liquid Metal ($8; dashingdiva.com). I find that most metallic shades tend to show streaky brush marks, but this one doesn’t.

3. Reapply topcoat every other day. It’s the only way to prevent chipping. Plus, it gives nails a beautiful sheen.

SEE ALSO:
Five lip balms under $5
Grab affordable office fashion
See the best shampoos for $5 or less
Snag high-end style on a budget

Posted by Tomoko Takeda, Senior Beauty Editor

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