We talk a lot about fashion on this blog, because that's our expertise. So far we've covered plenty of clothes, shoes and even makeup - but today we are reaching out to the tip of our fingers and toes! Your hands tell a lot about how you present yourself, and we feel it's important to keep them well kept. We are showcasing the top 5 trends for your fingers and toes for Spring 2011! Some are a little out there, and some are just simply beautiful. Either way, let's have a little fun with our digits!
First off, we have the "half-moon manicure". It can be done with any colors you choose, but we like it in a neutral palate. It was seen on numerous runways for Spring, and with a little practice, this is one you can do on your own!
How we did it: We found it easiest to use a nail art pen. We used one from Sally Hansen, and it worked beautifully! You can get them at most drug stores. Sephora also has their own brand that you could give a try. Just paint on your base coat, (we like to use a neutral here) and let it dry. Then take your black nail art pen - or whatever color you choose!- and draw on your "half moon". Apply a top coat and you're done!
Helpful Hint: We used Sally Hansen "Insta Dri" in Petal Pusher or Expresso for the base coat. It only takes one coat and dries completely in under a minute! We are slightly obsessed. This way you don't have to wait so long to add the black.
Next we have metallic and gold foil nails. While we love the look of the gold foil, it's a little tricky to apply, and hard to find in most stores. So the next best thing is a metallic version of your favorite polish. The picture on the left is the real gold leaf, the other two are metallic polish. Both look great to us!
How we did it: The gold leaf took some practice, but once it was on, it was almost better to have it messy. Too perfect doesn't look nearly as cool! We painted on a clear coat and let it dry just until tacky. We grabbed a piece of gold leaf with a pair of tweezers and applied it right to the nail. Lightly press down on the gold leaf to make sure it sticks to the whole nail (or if you like the look of the picture like we do, make sure you miss those spots!) Once the polish underneath is dry, simply peel off the excess gold leaf and apply a clear coat. So perfectly un-perfect!
For the metallic nails, we like the color "luxe" by Orly. It's so very shiny, and is the closest thing we found to the gold leaf look! Plus, there is an entire color collection to the Orly metallics, so you don't have to stop at gold!
Our next look is a little on the wild side, and we love it! Minx nails have been a huge hit in Hollywood for the past few years, and they've finally become mainstream. They are a sort of patterned overlay for your nails, and companies like Sally Hansen and Sephora sell them in a variety of colors and patterns.
How we did it: Make sure your nails are free of polish, and are nice and clean. Trim the sides and base of the overlay to match the size of your nail. Don't trim off the length just yet though, you do that at the very end. It's a little tricky to get just the right fit, but the further along you get the better they start to look - plus the package comes with a few extras just in case. Once it's trimmed, press it firmly down onto your nail, making sure it's stuck completely. Then take the extra length and pull it over the tip of your nail, press down around the edge, and file off the extra. Voila! Plus, there's no top coat needed, so no dry time! Gotta love that. To remove, you can peel from a corner after a few days, or you can use nail polish remover to get it off immediately.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, neutral nails were also a hit on the runway. We love the look of clean, nicely manicured nails, and this is just the way to get that look. And the best part of neutrals is that it doesn't just mean tan. Neutrals can be a soft green, a soft mocha, light pink, or even a soft white.
From left to right:
Chanel nail colour in Particuliere
Chanel nail colour in Khaki Vert
OPI nail lacquer in Altar Ego
OPI nail lacquer in Isn't It Romantic
OPI nail lacquer in At First Sight
How we did it: This one is pretty self explanatory! Just paint on your favorite color and add a topcoat for a pretty, classic and clean looking manicure!
Last but not least, we have the crackle manicure. We like the look with a neutral base coat since the crackle we used is black, but you can do any color your little heart desires! The crackle comes in many brands and many colors too, so you can customize it any way you choose.
How we did it: Apply your base coat in whatever color you choose. This is the color that will "crack through" your top coat. Be sure to let it dry completely, or you will end up with streaks when you apply the crackle coat. Next, paint on a thin layer of the crackle, making sure you don't go over the same section twice. The crackle will dry matte, so if you like that look you can leave it alone, or if you want a shiny look, apply a clear top coat and you're done!
So there you have it. Our favorite looks for your pretty little fingers and cute little toes! Now go have some fun.
