Up until a few years ago, outrageous nail polish colors seemed a fleeting trend. But now, one can spot colorful nails in the office, as well as on the streets. Even non-fashionistas of all ages wear colors other than the classic reds and pinks.
The truth is, these bold nail polish shades aren’t exactly new. In the ’80s, neon highlighter colors were all the rage. And those crackle nail polishes that people are suddenly so obsessed with? Cover Girl had those in its line a few years ago.
So, why did it take some time for trendy nail polish to catch up?
It was only during recent fashion shows that some cool nail color combinations and techniques were introduced. Thanks to designers incorporating nail color in their runway looks, nail art has become another It accessory, and an inexpensive way to inject the hottest trends of the season into your wardrobe.
The price tag on those designer shoes may be worth a month’s wages for most people, but getting black and white lacquers to achieve that black and white color-block trend is within everyone’s budget.
Style statement
Like clothes and makeup, both are forms of self-expression, and thanks to more options from nail brands, you can now also make a style statement with nails.
Published reports attest that while nails comprise the smallest segment in the cosmetic industry, nail products have had the most robust sales, surpassing that of lipstick, according to www.fashionista.com.
Leonard Lauder, chair emeritus of The Estee Lauder Companies Inc., was quoted in a Time magazine interview that he picked up this trend from his granddaughters. “All of a sudden there was nail enamel in these strange colors. That’s the way the world is going: Notice me,” Lauder said.
Teens and 20-somethings are always the first ones to try the latest trends. But because of reasonable prices and celebrity sightings, nail art and wacky nail polish are now worn by the more mature set.
Top trends
Former magazine editor Vicky Tensuan, co-owner of Nail & Co., shares some top nail and polish trends:
1. Long triangular-oval nails. The new trend is for a long, oval-triangle shape, as seen on the likes of Rihanna and Lady Gaga. However, Tensuan says that her clients still prefer a clean “squoval” shape.
2. 3D nail art. Nail art has gone beyond the usual freehand or stencil painting, says Tensuan. More 3D effects can be achieved with the use of lace, crystals, studs or a mix of all of the above, she adds.
3. Caviar nails. Yes, even nails can have that beaded texture. Created by the company Ciate, the caviar manicure is a two-step process. First, you paint your nail with your color of choice,
and then you sprinkle tiny beads on the still-wet surface. The trend emerged earlier this year, but still remains popular with customers, according to Tensuan.
4. Zoya PixieDust. A textured polish that looks similar to caviar nails, Zoya’s formula combines texture and sparkle with a matte finish.
5. Black polish. Plain black polish is still popular, says Tensuan, but some techniques can be incorporated to give the look a twist. One such variation is an inverted French manicure with medium beige as base, then tips painted with a metallic black color in a half-moon shape.
6. Metallic nails. A lot of silver and gold polish shades were seen on fashion ramps, says Tensuan. Another option to get this look, though, is by using Dashing Diva’s full-cover metallic tips.
7. White polish. A more modern take on pale pink polish, some designers opted for this color to contrast with their more colorful clothes. But achieving arctic-white perfection can be a little challenging. Best to look for pearlized colors or off-white shades.
Nail & Co. is at the 2/F, Kensington Place, 1st Ave. corner 29th St., Burgos Circle, BGC.
E-mail the author at frontrowedit@gmail.com.