Top 5 Fall Nail Trends

Backstage during New York Fashion Week last season, it was no surprise that nails were still a main accessory. Playing with texture keeps nail art interesting, proving it's here to stay. I spoke with Celebrity Manicurist, Jin Soon Choi, who broke down the top five nail trends for the season. Get ready to play!

1. Black Matte 

Seen at: Karen Walker, Kaelen, Prabal Gurung, Tibi

Black matte is the hottest thing this fall and there are two different matte finishes available: A pure matte finish which is more young and edgy (Karen Walker) and a satin matte finish (Tibi) which gives a more finished matte look.  I recommend matte black on short to medium length nails with any types of shapes and with natural make up.  Another hot interesting black matte look is a shimmer black matte that was shown on the Tibi Fall 2013 Collection.  Satin matte finish on shimmering black nail polish (JINsoon Obsidian and Matte Maker) goes with all different age groups and skin tones because it provides a satin sheen and it looks more finished than regular matte finish.  Try JINsoon Matte Maker top coat for a satin matte finish instead of a dull unfinished look.

2. Matching Lips & Tips

Seen at: Zac Posen

If you wear unadorned dark oxblood nails, this look can be both modern and chic.  If you want to match your lips and nails, make sure the makeup is very minimalistic, dewy, and not overdone so it will highlight the nails and lips.  Fair skin tones would pull off this look the best.

The nails should be on the shorter side and the shape should be round to square. 

3. Talons

Seen at: Kate Spade, Katie Gallagher

Talons make a really strong statement and are tricky to pull off if they are not done well, otherwise they look like fake nails.  I would recommend talons for someone with long fingers. Talons work well in a hip hop version or for a super glam fashiony look.  If you want to make even more of a statement with talons, you can apply simple studs or nail art.

4. Texture

Seen at: Houghton, Nicholas K., Ruffian,

Adding texture is very versatile - it enhances everything from talons to sophisticated high end "Punk" looks, and is especially applicable to nail art.  It can be fun, creative, and hot.  You can easily use a simple version of this in your daily style; just make sure to coordinate with your outfit and use the most appropriate studs or laces to go with it.

5. Ombre

Seen at: Vivienne Westwood

Ombre can go with all different looks, different length of nails, and different shapes.  It can be casual or it can be theatrical like Vivienne Westwood herself.  You can apply two to three colors and mix them up, but I would recommend a more clean pastel ombre (choose lighter colors from your outfit or make up) if you have strong make up or style. Be careful to avoid clashing Ombres with your make-up so your look isn't too exaggerated. Having a perfect color combination is the key for ombres to achieve a more fashiony, stylish look, rather than a cutesy, childish look.

Your Summer Nail Polish Trend Guide for A Conversation Provoking Mani

The standout nail trend that took over last summer doesn’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon.  I've become a master at (and slightly obsessed with) accentuating my nails with the proper shades, textures and even forms of art for every polish shade.  Here are some different tips, styles and colors to help you choose the perfect color combination all summer long.

 

Same Color, Different Shade: Altering your chosen color a few shades is one easy way to pick your accent shade. Let's say you decided to paint your nails baby blue, you could go for a lighter shade by choosing a turquois for your ring finger or if you want to take the darker route, cobalt blue makes for a good compliment.

Opposites Attract: Sometimes colors that are completely different work well together. For example light pink nails with orange, mint, or yellow on your ring finger are all great girly option for the summer months. When choosing completely opposite colors make sure they’re at least within the same shading meaning that if it’s a pale pink, it should be a pale orange. Or if it’s bright neon pink, a yellow should be just as bright.

Stick to the Basics: Classic colors like black, white or brown pair with literally anything. Nude nails especially make for a great color to pair with standout nails. Or if you want to go all white nails, add a pop with some subtle red nail art to it like this one.

Glitter: You can never go wrong by simply applying a layer of glitter over whichever color it is you chose. It adds a nice accent without distracting from the color you clearly favored.

Celeb Manicurist, Deborah Lippmann Talks Nail Trends & Working with Top Designers

Nails have been the icing on the cake backstage during the past few seasons of NY Fashion Week.  Anxious to see what I was going to see backstage this season, I chatted with Deborah Lippmann, who is in charge of creating the nail look for countless shows this season including Kate Spade, Cynthia Rowley and Honor to name a few.  We discuss upcoming nail trends, the creative process of working with designers and her most memorable NYFW moment.

What do you predict will be some of the biggest nail trends for nails the Spring/Summer 2013 season?

White. We will definitely  see dark white, and opaque, full-coverage glossy white.I also think that we will see a stiletto nail shape, or a softer version of the shape which is almond-shaped.  There will be versions varying from almond to stiletto, but I think that is going to be the shape of the season.

How will nail art play a part?

I think nail art is still big, and it’s such a fun way to express yourself.  We haven’t seen the end of it.

You're working with some fantastic designers including Kate Spade and Cynthia Rowley.  What's the creative process like when preparing for a show?

It starts with a flurry of emails that begin weeks in advance. Then, I often receive inspiration boards from the designer, but it differs with every designer.  Sometimes I see inspiration boards, or sometimes I see clothing weeks in advance.  There are also times when I don’t see anything until the hair and makeup test 24 hours before the show.

It’s a creative process starting with the designer's vision, which is then interpreted by the styling team, and the beauty team which includes hair, makeup and nails.

Did you create any special colors specifically for this season?

We did actually.  We created a mint green shade for Kate Spade.  It's going to be part of the nail look, but the shade probably won't become part of the collection.  Also, in order to achieve the look that Cynthia Rowley envisioned, we layered two colors from my existing line to create the right look for the show.

What's your most memorable NYFW moment?

Narciso Rodriguez Spring/Summer 2012.  It's a really memorable moment for me.  I have worked with Narciso for many, many seasons, and we did several variations of a nude nail. Its a very minimalist look, and we always went for a very naked-feeling nail look.  Twenty four hours before the show I got a call about how they wanted a certain shade of grey for the nails, and I thought it was somehow an April Fool's joke.  I was excited, but surprised.

I created the shade, and once we got it approved with Narciso we had to create ten bottles for my team to use backstage.  When we got to the show, all of the models were asking what the color was because they loved it. We realized then that we had to put the shade in the line, and Narciso named it Stormy Weather.

To collaborate with Narciso on a strong color was so unexpected, and it was a great moment.  That's one of the great things about how that creative process happens, and how so much can happen at the last minute that ends up being incredible.

What do you think you owe your success during NYFW to?

People ask how you get to be really successful as a manicurist and get to the next level, and you have to always be willing to work and embrace whatever comes your way. Take the job that starts at 4AM, and then the one that starts 8PM that night.  You have to be willing to be there and be a part of it because things happen in the moment.

How To Rock Spring's Hottest Nail Trends

With so many polishes to choose from how do you plan on showing off your nails this spring?  Founder of Perfect Formula, Shari Gottesman, gave me some top-notch tips on how to pull off “non-traditonal and adventurous” nails with the top trends. Opaque Nude

These include “greige” tones, sheer pinks, and even clear polish.  “Your manicure must be perfect," states Gottesman.  To ensure a chic look that isn’t dowdy, nails should be mid-length or shorter, filed square or slightly rounded.  For a more professional look, sport a bit of a browner tone.

White

Yes, white polish! This might seem jarring at first, but it’s actually a refreshing, original twist that’s all over the Spring/Summer 2010 runways.  Make sure to apply “a very sheer coat,” especially if you’re more conservative. If it has a slight colored tone to it, the color could be more forgiving.  For a bolder look, layer it to achieve an opaque extreme.

Heavy Metals

Gottesman suggests long oval nails when wearing gold or silver “for a retro yet futuristic look.”  Make sure to use a mattifying topcoat for some extra oomph (hey, you might as well go all out!).  Of course, you can always break out the ‘80s inspired layered jewelry to complete the effect.

Brights

Loud oranges and pinks are inviting, fun and playful.  You can create this look with pretty much any kind of manicure and a high gloss topcoat to maintain a wet-looking sheen and bring the color alive.  Gottesman warns that “chips must be tended to immediately,” otherwise, you risk looking sloppy.  These warm-weather hues look even better on your feet than on your hands, especially on the beach!

Nailing in the Nude

Among this season’s prettiest and most attainable runway trends comes in the form of a tiny glass bottle containing a liquid in a lovely, modest shade: nude nail polish.  Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors both had their models sport nude nails on the catwalk.  For quite a while now, we have loved our vernis to make a statement, and to make it loud and clear. But perhaps a more subtle approach would better suit the more mature and refined looks coming down the runway as of recent, from vamp to nautical to safari.  After all, the bold nail does sometimes end up dictating our outfits (what really matches with shimmery aqua nail polish?).

The nude nail gives you the advantage of looking put together and polished (pun intended!).  It doesn’t scream, “Look over here!” Rather, it whispers, “…but even if you do, I’m prepared!”  There are a variety of shades that you can experiment with, from sheer pinks and flesh tones to ivories and peaches.  Even clear polish, light grays, or naked and beautifully buffed nails are fair game. Any of these options will be certain to give you a grown-up finish and let the true you shine through. So ladies, lacquer up and tone it down!

My top picks for the season: Chanel Inattendu, Essie Fed Up, Deborah Lippmann Im Not Innocent