Christmas nails for an Aussie summer: 5 festive press-on looks

An Australian Christmas is work parties, family lunches, backyard cricket and a swim or two, usually in 30-degree heat. It's also the time of year when nobody has a spare hour for a nail appointment. Press-on nails solve both: a salon-style finish in about ten minutes, and you can switch looks between the office party and Christmas Day.

1. Classic Christmas red

Nothing says festive faster than a glossy red. A short square in wine red is practical for all the present-wrapping and cooking, while a mid-length wine red almond feels more dressed up for Christmas Eve drinks. Red suits every skin tone and goes with a white dress, a linen shirt or a Christmas jumper you'll only wear for the photo.

2. All-over sparkle

For the work party or New Year's Eve, go full glitter. Sparkling diamond glitter and cross-flash diamond sets catch every fairy light, and a gradient glitter almond gives you sparkle that's a little more subtle.

3. Gold details

A thin gold line reads as festive without shouting. Try the gold line lotus pink almond or the pearlescent French glitter with its gold accent. Both look lovely next to gold jewellery and work well past Christmas too.

4. A white Christmas (Aussie style)

We may not get snow, but milky white pearl cat-eye nails give you that soft, frosty glow. It's the easiest festive look to wear with everything, from lunch at the in-laws' to Boxing Day at the beach.

5. Cat-eye shimmer

Cat-eye finishes have a shimmer that moves as your hand does, which looks especially good in candlelight. The metallic cat-eye almond and glossy cat-eye almond sets come in deep reds and warm neutrals, and the glitter diamond cat-eye coffin is the one for photos.

You'll find all of these together in our Christmas press-on nails collection.

Keeping press-ons on through an Aussie summer

• Prep properly. Push back cuticles, buff the shine off your natural nails and wipe with alcohol. Oil and sunscreen on the nail plate are the main reasons press-ons lift in summer.
• Use glue for the long days. Adhesive tabs are great for a single party; for a week of lunches, swims and barbecues, use nail glue. Our nail glue guide compares the options.
• Stay dry for the first hour or two after applying, then enjoy the pool.
• Keep a spare. Every 24-piece set has 24 nails in 12 sizes, so you'll usually have a spare in your size if one pops off. Pack a few tabs in your bag for quick fixes.

More tips in how long press-on nails last.

Press-on nails as a Christmas gift

A set of press-on nails makes an easy stocking filler for a sister, friend or Secret Santa. Our 24-piece sets have 24 nails in 12 sizes, so they fit most hands without knowing the recipient's size. Add a pack of adhesive tabs so they're ready to wear straight away. For little ones, our kids press-on nails use jelly tabs instead of liquid glue.

When to order for Christmas

Orders are usually dispatched within 1–3 business days, then take approx. 4–10 business days to arrive with Australia Post. During busy periods dispatch can take an extra 3–4 business days, so we recommend ordering by late November to be safe. Shipping is free on orders over A$50. See shipping and delivery for details.