"You hold hands with a stranger for 20 minutes..passively flopping your hands into another women's hands. It's like something they would make you do in summer camp as a trust-building exercise."-on getting a manicure, Tina Fey in Bossypants
Nails: always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Like bridesmaids, nails get to get all pretty and dressed up, but they never quite seem to be center stage. Most of the time, outshined by gorgeous hair or a smokey eye. But if NY Fashion Week was any indication, nails are getting their day. Move over subtle and neutral nails. With artistic designs, bold colors and lots o' glitter, it's all about loud and funky statement nails. Here are five of some of the must-try trends in nails for this fall.
1. OmbreAt PR we've followed trends in ombre clothing and recently ombre hair, so it's no surprise ombre nails would follow. Recently spotted on style mavens Alexa Chung and Lauren Conrad, this one is fairly easy to try yourself since it doesn't involve too much ambidexterity (sorry, but a few of the next trends do require some intricate work from both hands.) There's two takes on the ombre look. The first one from LC's Beauty Department (pictured above) is taking five shades from one color family and painting each digit one shade, going gradually lighter in one direction. You can go bold with blues or subtle with pinks or neutrals (a great way to use all the nail polish shades you have collected over the years..but remember gradual is key. You don't want to look like you were testing all your nail polishes). This is the way to go for you basic nail painters. Now, if you're feeling advanced and adventurous, the second look is creating ombre shading on each individual nail. This look takes a bit more patience and skill but the result is pretty awesome.
Tutorial:
-Ombre Nails from Beautylish
2. PatternsSo, remember that ambidexterity that was mentioned? This is where it comes in. Creating fun patterns and nail art are all the rage, but do not fret, there are plenty of tools and cheats to achieve the look. Also, if mixing patterns is just not your style, try something more uniform like the trendy half moon style or themed nail art (tutorials below). The main takeaway-- solid is boring and you have to add a little something.
First, for you overachievers, there are many tools and tips at your disposal. A nail art pen is a must to get a good fine tip for creating dots and stripes. Also, a good thing to keep handy is a nail polish remover pen.
Tutorials and Tips:
-Sparkled Apricot Nails from Cupcakes and Cashmere (this one also incorporates in trend #3, the statement nail)
-Matte Half-Moon Manicure from Bella Sugar
My personal fave...The Angry Birds Manicure from Bella Sugar
-3 DIY Nail Art Designs from Refinery29
-Mismatched from the Beauty Department
Now for the rest of us, how to cheat and still achieve the look. One of my biggest borderline obsessions this summer (as seen here) were the mistake-proof, drug store delight, Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips. They come in tons of fun patterns and mixing and matching them is a simple way to create the mixed pattern look. If you have not tried them yet, they are real polish but go on like stickers (don't roll your eyes yet..) but really do look like the polish was applied with a brush. The best part is there is zero drying time and they last a good 7-10 days easily. If this is not true innovation, I don't know what is. (And no, this post was not sponsored by Sally Hansen)
If all else fails, this is one look you should leave for the professionals. Just bring in the patterns you have in mind to your favorite salon (most salons have been doing nail art for years from back when it was considered tacky), sit back and enjoy a US Weekly.
Yes, this whole trend is statement nails, but not to be confused with trend of the statement nail. As in one nail, typically the ring finger. The best part of this trend is it's a subtle way to try any of the other trends like glitter or patterns without being too over the top. And yes, I know what you were thinking. Let's just say it together on the count of three. One..two...the Sally Hansen strips are the perfect way to achieve the look! (Do you see how much PR loves them?) Paint your nails your favorite shade of pink and highlight the ring finger with the Wild Child or Glitz Blitz. Or you can try creating the look yourself with the help of some crafting glitter or nail art pen. The perfect way to show off that bling on the ring finger or highlight to the boy, you need some bling on that finger.
Tutorial:
-Mermaid Nails from Cupcakes and Cashmere
4. Glitter
(If just the thought of ten glittering fingers is blinding, try combining this trend with the statement nail trend and paint just the ring fingers in glitter or even just the tip of the ring fingers)
5. Galaxy
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...some one came up with this amazing nail look. What is slightly fitting for the mysterious look is that I can't find exactly how this trend started, it just seemed to appear from outer space onto Tumblr. In all honesty, this is probably one of the toughest of the trends to create but it's a fun project and worth a try. If you get it right, it will definitely have people gazing into your nails for hours.
Tutorials:
-Galaxy Nails from A Cup of Jo
-Easy Galaxy Nail video from Cute Polish
image source: thebeautydepartment.com, cupcakesandcashmere.com, sallyhansen.com, a cup of jo, beautylish.com, opi.com, allure.com
-SD
Love it! Reminds me of a certain fashionista's post Vegas nails!
Posted by: punk gal | October 13, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Finding websites with as much information as this one is always a pleasure I wll be sure to come back and visit again real soon, keep up the good work.
Posted by: Canada Goose Outlet | October 15, 2011 at 01:02 PM
I really do love my statement nails. Excellent post. I really love this one. so fun to read and love all the eye candy pics!
Posted by: amee | October 16, 2011 at 04:35 PM