Nail polish is the ultimate accessory -- it's not a haircut, it's not a clothing commitment, it's not even as permanent as dip-dyeing your hair in Kool-Aid! It's just a fashion statement for a week or two, or even just a night out. Need a hand decoding what's so hot this winter and what's so last year? Read on!
Two-toned Nails
Two-toned colorblockingCourtesy of Instyle
The runways were full of nail fashion statements for winter 2013, and among them is the idea of color blocking -- big blocks of contrasting color that stand out from each other. It's fun and easy, too! It's great when you want to pull an outfit together. Just apply a stripe of each color with a clearly defined line down the center.
How to: Paint the lighter color on one side of each nail first. Once the polish is dry, cover the lighter polish with scotch tape and paint the rest of your nail with the darker polish. Remove the scotch tape and you'll have a perfect line down the center! (Try this with a french manicure, too!)
Vampire Chic
TwilightCourtesy of Instyle
The [kwlink 25061]Twilight[kwlink] series is over, but the craving for blood and gore lingers on. Check out this runway look using Sally Hansen lacquer called Angel Bite. Who says you have to be Goth to show off your dark sidw.
How to: Instyle Magazine gives this great tutorial from manicurist Tracylee Percival, who designed the look. Use a nail art brush to recreate the look. "When you dip the brush into your nail polish, there will be a ball on the end, which is how you know you've picked up enough," she told us. "Take the ball and push it onto the nail, and pull the brush upward in a line toward the tip. Then, go back and fill in random areas so it looks like the blood is really dripping."
Stand Out in the Snow
Get glowing with a neon reverse French manicureCourtesy of Instyle
A neon reverse french manicure will certainly stand out against the snowy white background of winter or that little black dress you're wearing for the holidays. This version, from designer Jenni Kayne, showcases tips of OPI's "Need Sunglasses?" and a "Don't Touch My Tutu" base.
Hot tip: Use nail tapes or scotch tape to create a defined line between the colors.
Get in Line
White lines of tape on nude nailsCourtesy of Instyle
Nude nails are a classy and easy choice. Accented with lines of white nail tape in different widths, your nails go from classic to current. Almost every brand of nail polish carries a wide range of beige and neutral colors to suit every skin tone. You can find nail tapes at cosmetic stores like Ulta, Claire's and drugstores everywhere in the nail aisle.
Nail tape tip: Be sure nails are dry before applying nail tape. Unlike scotch tape, nail tapes stay on and get covered with a clear polish. Be sure to clip the ends using a cuticle trimmer to get as close as possible to the edge of the nail without cutting your nail or cutting the tape too short. This takes practice, but don't worry -- if you cut it too short, peel it off and try again. It takes practice to get it perfect!
Have Your Say
What are your fave nail trends, and what colors will you be wearing this season? Leave a comment and let us know!
