15 Chinese New Year Nail Art Designs That Will Get You Endless Compliments When You Go Visiting

Best Chinese New Year nail art ideas

Ready to ditch the endless Pinterest scroll for the perfect Chinese New Year (CNY) nail art inspiration? We’ve got you covered. Whether you’re into subtle designs or bold, over-the-top options, we’ve handpicked a collection of festive nail ideas that will surely get you compliments from your friends and family during your CNY visiting. It’s time to make that $20 nail appointment surcharge count with a manicure that steals the show!

1. Auspicious Fortune Cat and goldfish designs

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Whether you’re gearing up for a game of mahjong with your friends or simply want to welcome a prosperous 2025, this auspicious design is sure to attract all the huats, with delicate floral accents that add a refined touch. 

2. Subtle CNY motif designs 

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If you love matching your nails to the occasion, here are more CNY-themed designs to get you in the celebratory mood. 

Lion dances are a vibrant tradition during CNY and now you can carry a piece of them with you wherever you go. This nail design features intricate lion head motifs, great for warding off evil. For an extra touch, ask for 3D elements and sparkly gems to make your lion come to life! 

Mandarin oranges are a symbol of prosperity during CNY, and essential for when visiting relatives. You can now wear them on your nails for extra luck, incorporating these iconic fruits into your nail art to add a festive flair.

3. Subtle 3D snake design for the Year of the Snake 

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Looking to usher in the Year of the Snake with something understated yet stylish? Try out these nail designs featuring subtle 3D snakes. While these sets might seem bold at first, we promise that they’ll grow on you the more you admire them! 

4. Red hues with simple floral motifs

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For the girlies who don’t want anything too elaborate but still want to get their nails done for the CNY, simple floral designs are the way to go. Add some subtle floral motifs in red, pink, and white, to your manicure for a festive touch without going overboard. It’s a great way to keep things lowkey while still embracing the season!

5. Ribbons and hearts for the coquette-core girlies

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Whether you’re a fan or not, coquette-core is here to stay. So if you’re looking to embrace this aesthetic for CNY, we’ve got the perfect set for you. With silver and pink ribbons, hearts, and delicate pearls, this design is the ultimate choice for coquette girlies who want to add a playful yet chic touch to their festive look. 

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6. Red French tips with a twist

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You can never go wrong with a classic French tip set, but this CNY, why not switch things up with some red tips instead? If you’re looking to take things up a notch, ask for embellishments like pearls or 3D ribbons to complete the look. This simple yet sophisticated design isn’t just perfect for CNY—it’s stylish enough to wear long after the festivities have ended.

7. Festive character nails 

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Want to bring a piece of your favourite characters along for your CNY visiting? Consider adding them to your CNY-themed sets or red manicures for a cute touch. Whether you’re a fan of Sanrio characters like Cinnamoroll and Hello Kitty or prefer the more understated charm of Miffy, these playful designs will give your nails an adorable, personal twist. Be sure to save these inspo pictures to show your nail tech at your next appointment!

8. Red and silver for the edgy It girls

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If the previous nail designs felt a bit too girlie for your taste, don’t worry, we’ve got something for you edgy girls. Red and silver nails are the go-to look for it girls nowadays, and CNY might be the perfect time to try out this bold aesthetic. This design strikes the perfect balance—not too girly, yet not too dark—so you can rock the edgy vibe without worrying about your mom complaining about dark-coloured nails.

9. Oriental calligraphy vibes

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For a true oriental touch, try these calligraphy-inspired nails. This nail art draws inspiration from the ink used in traditional calligraphy, incorporating bamboo-like designs for a more distinctive look. For extra flair, consider adding gold accents or chic French tips to blend modern elegance with cultural charm. No one will have a set quite like yours when you go bai nian!

10. Cat eye is back

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With a metallic-like polish that captures the light, this trend mimics the mirror-like effect of a cat’s eye, giving your nails a stunning, dynamic look. First making waves 4 years ago for its unique appeal, cat eye nails are back with even more creative designs. You can now add a playful twist to your set with this adorable and trendy heart-shaped cat eye.

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11. Glitter nails

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If subtle cat eye nails just aren’t cutting it for you, go all out with the glitter! Whether you’re a gold or silver kind of girl, a sparkly finish will definitely make your nails shine and stand out. Some nail salons also have multi-coloured glitters so be sure to ask for their offerings. After all, you can never have too much bling.

12. Jelly-like nails with 3D designs 

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These jelly-like nails with 3D flowers and butterflies are our picks if you’re looking for something subtle and feminine. The translucent polish used creates a clean, soft look that’s perfect for the highly coveted clean girl aesthetic, while the intricate 3D details also add a delicate, dainty touch to the entire set. 

13. Y2K animal print nails

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In addition to cat eye nails, some of you will be glad to know that animal prints are back too. While some may think animal prints are tacky, incorporating a touch of it on your nails is a fun way to embrace the trend’s comeback. Whether you’re a fan of leopard or tiger prints, these designs will add a bold and fierce element to your manicure. 

14. Matte nails with chrome details

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If you’ve never tried matte nails before, consider this your sign to give them a go this CNY. A neutral matte base with chrome 3D details creates a dainty, vintage vibe that will pair beautifully with most of your CNY outfits. While floral and butterfly designs are always a classic choice, you can also experiment with edgier or more playful designs to match your personal style.

15. Jade-themed manicure 

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If red festive nails aren’t really your thing, check out this unique monochrome jade-inspired design that’s sure to be a hit with the older generation you’ll be visiting during CNY. Featuring a stunning green hue that mimics jade, this design showcases intricate details of birds, flowers, and even a delicate jade pendant.  Be prepared for everyone to ask for your nail tech’s details after they see your stunning set!

CNY nail art ideas for 2025

If you’re still unsure about what kind of nails to rock for CNY, we hope this list helps you make the perfect choice. And if you haven’t made a nail appointment yet, we’ve got a tip for you. Bugis Street has a couple of highly rated nail salons for you to get your nails done. The best part? They are extremely affordable so you won’t have to worry about breaking the bank!

Also read: 

8 Highly Rated Nail Salons In Bugis For Your Next Mani-Pedi Pampering Session

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