Pretty Polished: How to Nail Fall’s Animal-Print Mani Trend

Glamnetic Press-On Nails

Party dresses aren't the only thing that'll be sparkling this winter. Add a quick shimmer to your nails with these cute press-ons!

Sally Hansen Traveling Light

This unique purple pick only takes a few seconds to dry, which makes it a great option when you need a concise mani, but don't have a ton of time.

sundays L.05

The mix between purple and gray in this hue delivers an understated edge that's to die for.

Nails.INC Baker Street

We love that cobalt blue is *just* the right amount of bold and eye-catching.

ella+mila Unwrap Me

Reds are definitely expected for any winter nails. This flirty shade glides on with absolute perfection!

PrettyDiva Silver Chrome Nail Powder

Silver nails are sophisticated and festive, but aren't exclusive to the holiday season the way that a red and green combo are. Plus, dip powder is a simple and easy way to get a salon-quality manicure at home.

OPI Nail Lacquer

Paint your nails this gorgeous dark blue shade that has sparkles in it!

sundays No.30

For anyone who likes color but doesn't want to overdo it, this muted sage green is a great pick. It's sophisticated, understated, and adds just the right amount of chill for colder days.

OPI It's A Boy! Nail Lacquer

Baby blue has been hot all year long. If you want in on the trend, try adding this pale color to your nails instead.

ORLY Crawford's Wine

Is there anything classier than red nails? They're a little bit vintage, a little bit sexy, and very eye-catching. Match them to a red lip for New Year's celebrationsfor the cutest match.

Beetles Aquarius Polish Kit

From navy to icy blue, these gel polishes will let you have all the winter nails you could ever dream of. The best part is that with proper application, they can last up to three weeks!

Essie Ballet Slippers

Ballet pink is a great neutral because it's elevated and professional, but it's more fun than beige. Pair this pink with ballerina nails, and feel totally girly!

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish

Even though deep green is in the holiday color palette, this peaceful shade can definitely last into the New Year. This polish is chip-resistant and healthy for your nails.

essie A Stroke of Brilliance

For some added shimmer and glow, pop this bad boy on your nails – atop a darker color or by itself!

OPI O Suzi Mio

We love how romantic and powerful this deep purple is. And if there's anything that should make you feel that way, it's your beauty routine.

Dashing Diva Hanukkah Magic

Dark blue and white are a color combo that you can never go wrong with for winter nails. You can wear these tips to your Hanukkah celebrations, but they will also look good any day of the week.

Olive & June Lilac Shimmer

Feminine and flirty, this salon-quality polish is a great way to add some pink Christmas glam to your winter nails if you're not feeling the blues, neons, or reds.

786 Cosmetics Istanbul

This polish is inspired by the shades of the Turkish city it's named after. Not only is it deep and warm, but it also gives you full coverage with a single swipe.

OPI Angels Flight to Starry Nights

This shade simultaneously reminds us of the sea, the sky, and all those icy Y2K beauty looks. It looks iconic in every season, so you can wear it all year long.

Pleasing Syrupberry

OPI Linger Over Coffee

Chocolate brown might be a 2023 hair trend, but you can definitely add it into your manicure, too. The best part is that it'll match your coffee *and* your hot chocolate.

Modelones Going Nude

Wear the shade that matches your skin tone, or mix and match them all for a multi-toned nude look.

OPI Como se Llama

This deep wine color will infuse some warmth into your day-to-day as you count down to the New Year.

essie Carols and Caviar

This winter nails color describes exactly what we want out of the season. It's the most luscious blue that you could ever coat your nails with.

Winter Nails Inspo

Saving Face

Turn your mani into an art gallery with an abstract design that'll make you feel like Picasso. Stick to classic colors like brown and black, or go with seasonal shades.

A Little Bit French

We'll never get enough of the French manicure. But instead of white tips, spice it up with different colors and overlapping stripes.

A Jolly, Happy Soul

This frosty little friend is one of the cutest things we've ever seen on a thumb nail. Don't forget the carrot nose!

Jolly Old Soul

Swap your regular mani for a cherry red nail polish that features a Santa hat. It's cute and classy all in one!

Living On The Edge

Create a manicure that feels unexpected yet classic by adding dots around the edge of your nail in red, green, and gold. The empty space is totally eye-catching while the color trio is nostalgic.

Pastels³

Pick three colors that go well together and layer them for multi-dimensional nails. You can change them up based on the season, or stick with different shades of your favorite color.

I Like You A Latte

Use different shades of brown for a mani that'll get you in the mood for a mocha. The 70s inspired waves are just the foam on top.

All-Out Color

Mix wintery details like gold glitter with neons and warm shades usually found in summer for a winter nails match made in heaven. Love!

Stripes On Stripes

In lieu of an all-white mani, go for one that incorporates stripes or blank space that'll let other colors (or your natural nail) peek through.

Groovy Baby

Pick shapes and shades that remind you of your favorite decade. Bonus points if it matches your outfit!

Flurries

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas, bring some snowy magic to your mani with white polish and a toothpick.

Star Light, Star Bright

Bring some nature to your look with a galaxy-inspired mani, a delicate snowflake, or try your hand at painting a tree. The world is your oyster!

Tortoise

A mix of brown, gold, and tan will never go out of style. We're obsessed with the glittery detail and the use of negative space!

I Can Still Make The Whole Place Shimmer

These glittery nails are perfect for both Christmas and New Year's, which means you don't have to redo your mani before December 31st.

Holly Berries

These red berries are instantly recognizable and very festive. Pick any of your fingers to add these details to, or add a design to each nail.

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Hi, Barbie!

Become winter Barbie when you adorn your nails in the cutest baby pink polishes out there. A lil' shimmer never hurt anyone, either.

Celestial Nails

Deep gold or chrome is the perfect polish to take a simple starry mani to the next level. The key to painting clean stars is using an ultra tiny nail brush.

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Emerald City

Deeper greens were made for winter nails. We love this divided design that also makes a play on French tips.

Tip Off

A little goes a long way with these chrome nails. They have the classy feeling of a French manicure with the glam look of silver polish.

Jewels And Gems

Faux gems and nail glue come together to add a 3-dimensional element to any manicure. We're obsessed.

Pop Art Nails

If you want another element to your pop art nails, add a shape to one of your fingers — we love the detail on this heart.

Candy Cane Lane

We'll literally always say yes to some cherry red nails, especially when there are candy canes involved.

Taste The Rainbow

Who said Skittles nails were reserved for summer? If you're in desperate need of more color this winter, this mani is the way to go.

Feeling Romantic

These chocolate brown nails are already looking towards Valentine's Day. Keep the base of your accent nail simple or go crazy with an unexpected neon.

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Holly Jolly

If you just can't resist the Christmas holiday, opt for winter nails like these that channel ornaments and decor.

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Classically Embellished

These elevated and decorated winter nails are giving everything they need to give for a classy NYE party.

Color Camp Art Class At-Home Super Gel ($52+): This speckled milky white look is almost guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing.

Take a walk on the rainbow side with this easy manicure — just pick your five favorite polishes and paint each finger a different color!

Chillhouse Groovy Baby Chill Tips ($16): Who says tie-dye is just for shirts? Add some retro vibes to your manicure with these non-toxic, reusable press-ons.

We love this nail polish hack that's easier than it looks.

Paintbox Like Lush + Like Flora Power Couple ($40): Color block your nails with this powerhouse duo inspired by 1970s Palm Springs.

essie You Know the Espadrille ($9): A sunny yellow is always a good way to brighten your day.

Color Camp "Frosting" At-Home Super Gel ($50+): We love this *sweet* pick. Cake anyone?

If you love abstract art, these unique tips are just for you.

Olive and June Bold & Unshaken ($8): Add vivid character to any look with this electric purple.

This manicure *screams* summer and we are so here for it.

Pick a variety of different colors or alternate between a couple for a look that's totally your own.

We're obsessed with this sunny side up manicure.

Simple and understated, we can't get enough of this pop of pink!

& Other Stories Quiet Peak Nail Polish ($7): If you're looking for a more neutral polish, this shade will elevate any spring look. It's great for weddings!

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It was only a matter of time before the gingham trend made its way into our manicures and we're not upset about it.

Minimal and totally unexpected, this nail look will be sure to turn heads.

It's not spring without some daisies!

If you can get your hands on nail stickers, go crazy!

JINSoon Absolute White ($18): A pure white manicure is good all year round.

So let’s start from the beginning. Paris Geller (played by Liza Weil) joined the GG crew in Season 1, right as Rory Gilmore (the show’s sort-of protagonist) walked into Chilton Academy, a private school where Paris was attending, for her first day. A far cry from Rory’s relatively timid and soft-spoken personality, Paris tore up the screen with her high-strung personality and immediate rivalry with Rory (Rory did not feel the same), who Paris viewed as the only candidate who could possibly challenge her spot at the top of the class standing. As the year progresses, the two become friends, which of course Paris still highly questioned.

The rest of their high school experience is plagued with repeated ups and downs, from Paris’s parents’ highly publicized divorce to their joint student government campaign and, most notably, Paris’s C-SPAN meltdown, courtesy of a Harvard rejection fueled by what she can only assume to be wide-spread knowledge that she lost her virginity. Despite losing the Valedictorian slot to Rory (which Paris comes to terms with after finding out Salutatorians tend to be more successful), Paris walks across the graduation stage and accepts her diploma from the school’s headmaster, to which she iconically quips, “no hard feelings.”

Fast forward to Paris’s first year at Yale, a school she knew Rory was attending but had no intention of ever seeing again. Not to the surprise of Paris’s life coach, the two frenemies were placed together as suitemates, a pairing that ultimately served as a catalyst for lifelong friendship. Throughout college, Paris pursues pre-med and pre-law degrees, joins the Yale Daily News alongside Rory, dates an elderly professor (he passes away, leaving Paris to grieve), moves on with the editor of the Yale Daily News, Doyle McMaster, and potentially saves Rory from abandoning Yale forever by admitting to Lorelai that Rory is the only person who ever listened to her, challenged her and motivated her.

Paris then proceeds to become the editor of the Yale Daily News, a position in which her power-hungry tendencies took full-force, resulting in a forcible resignation, kick Rory out of their shared apartment, let Rory move back into their shared apartment (now with Doyle), be accepted to a slew of prestigious medical and law schools. She ultimately chose to attend med school and break up with Doyle, to which he refused, and tells Rory that they’re on their own but she can still do great things (Of course this doesn’t last, the two are meant to be best friends.)

Somehow this doesn't even scratch the surface of the character of Paris. As you can tell, Paris is a fiercely loyal, protective woman who fights for herself to no end. She (literally) doesn’t care what other people think (so long as they’re not within her immediate circle) and never stops pursuing her dreams, no matter how many times she probably should have. She is the epitome of feminism in modern television — perhaps taken to an extreme — and serves as a necessary counterweight to Rory’s floundering sense of self.

So long as she keeps her need for perfectionism in check, Paris has one of those few personality types whose wild ambition and outspokenness is directly beneficial to her success, a success that she, and only she, can define. Sure, she has an exaggerated sense of self-importance, but when balanced by Rory’s soft-but-straightforward approach, Paris can quickly reset, reevaluate and move forward.

That's the thing with Paris — she’s always moving forward. She doesn't get into Harvard? Tough. She takes a few days to wallow before considering her other options: Yale, Columbia and Princeton. She doesn’t know whether to choose med school or law school, so she takes stock of her bearings, reflects on her past dreams, and makes a clear, concise decision that she moves forward with.

Her brutally honest nature (both internally and externally) is exactly why Paris works. She’s generous when needed, comfortable with giving tough (and oftentimes tougher) love, is able to express vulnerability with the people she loves, doesn’t allow outside influences to affect her path and never let’s someone (especially a man) tell her she’s less than (*cough, cough*—Rory). For an early 2000s show, she showed women that there is power in education. There’s power in stepping away from a caretaker role. There’s power in expressing your opinion, no matter your age.

There’s no doubt in my mind that she’s inspired countless women over the years — after all, she’s inspired me! Even though she’s had her controversial moments, she’s always been a cheering voice for women, even if it’s behind her resting grimace. For these reasons, and so many more, I am hereby deeming Paris Geller the best of Gilmore Girls — the heroine, perhaps, and a feminist icon to all.